…and what I’m doing instead
By Jon Liebman
October 13, 2025
Welcome to a new chapter in For Bass Players Only.
For the past 16½ years, I’ve published at least one bass player interview every week.
The list includes everyone from Paul McCartney, Carol Kaye, Geddy Lee, and Sting, to Geezer Butler, Tony Levin, Chuck Rainey, Tim Bogert, Michael Anthony, Chris Squire, Billy Sheehan, Marcus Miller, Charlie Haden, Victor Wooten, Nathan East, Leland Sklar, Ron Carter, Jeff Berlin, Verdine White…
…933 interviews in all.
(Don’t worry, I’m not taking them down. They’re all still on the site, and you can check them out anytime.)
For the last few years, I’ve also been publishing a video bass lesson every week, covering all kinds of tips, pointers, and advice for learning bass.
Lately I’ve noticed that my bass lessons are becoming even more popular than my interviews — judging from the number of views, survey results, and countless one-on-one conversations with For Bass Players Only followers.
So it’s become clear to me that most of the people in my audience (primarily men and women over 50 or 60 who love the great classic rock and blues songs from the ‘60s and ’70s) are interested in learning bass.
It’s time for a change.
I’m not saying I’ll never publish another bass player interview; I’ve just decided to make the interviews more of an occasional thing.
So how am I filling the void?
Well, it just so happens, I have a TON of stories from my experience as a professional musician, mostly back in the ‘80s, that are worth telling.
Stories about touring, traveling, recording, writing…
Gigs I’ve done, places I’ve played, people I’ve met… Things that really happened — I couldn’t make this stuff up!
Today, I’m launching a new series called, “Tales from the Pit…and Beyond. Real-world stories of a working bass player — always with a point or a punch line — and plenty of laughs along the way.
Stories that also include insights you can use, no matter where you are on your bass journey.
I hope you enjoy this new series. I think you’ll find it enlightening, informative, educational, and often pretty funny. In the video below, I go a little deeper and I invite you to watch it.
I also hope you’ll welcome this change, and will find it as exciting as I do.
Lastly, I extend my heartfelt thanks to you. FBPO would have never gotten so far or grown so big without such a huge and loyal following, and I’m honored to have you be part of it.
Welcome to Tales from the Pit… and Beyond.
Let’s play bass!
Jon Liebman
Founder/1st Bassman
Notehead Media Group
Hi Jon,
Looking forward to this new feature. It’s great how you have the gift and are able to motivate bass players and want to be bass players.
Thanks Colin
Thanks, Colin. That means a lot, coming from you. 👍
Thanks, Jon, for the reminder to not be too hard on yourself. I’ve come a long way since I first started to learn bass about 5 years ago at age 64. Since then, I’ve been playing at a fairly large church once a month for the last 4 years, had my own classic rock cover band for 2 years, and am now playing with another pop/rock cover band. However, being a fairly basic pocket player primarily by choice, I sometimes get overly self-critical of my still limited playing abilities, even though I haven’t encountered a song in my cover band or church playing experiences that I can’t pull off to at least a generally acceptable degree. And I’ve also experienced others giving me more positive feedback than I think I deserve given my playing style and ability. I look forward to hearing more tips from the pit and beyond. Thanks again for the part you have played in my ongoing bass playing development. Groove on!
Thanks for sharing that, Rob. The best advice I can give you is this: Don’t go for perfection; go for steady progress. And keep doing what you’re doing! Please continue to keep me posted about your progress. 😀👍
Jon I know I will love this. I know the times we have chatted I have always enjoyed the life experiences from your travels. So bring it! 😎
Thanks, John!
Jon,
I’ve used your instructional books since the 90s, when they used to come with a tape LOL. Everything you do for the bass community is awesome, I look forward to your new blog. You’re a bass pioneer just like Stu, Jeff and Billy.
Joe
Wow. That’s quite a compliment, Joe. Thanks! 😁
I’m very much looking forward to your reminiscences and (bass) life lessons! The interviews have been great, but I know that you also have a ton to share–and you know your audience so well. Thanks.
Thanks, David. Stay tuned…