How playing less can actually make your bass lines feel stronger, more locked-in, and more groove-driven.
Jon Liebman
July 24, 2025
Ever feel like you have to play a lot of notes to make your bass sound good? I get it — a lot of people think they need to speed things up or add complexity to make their playing stand out.
But here’s the thing: sometimes, less is more.
In this week’s video, I’ll show you how some very popular songs — some you’ve been singing for years! — use simple bass lines to create powerful grooves. You’ll see how playing fewer notes and leaving space between them can make your bass lines feel stronger and more locked-in.
You’ll learn how to:
- Play bass lines that support the rhythm without overcomplicating things.
- Use space to let the other instruments breathe and create more room for the groove.
- Keep it simple and still sound amazing.
Watch the video, then leave a comment below with your takeaways.
Let’s play bass!
—Jon
You’ve just confirmed how I feel about bass most of those bass lines are my favourite go to’sfor practice, thanks Jon ,I always feel more confident about my playing after watching your lessons 😀
Awesome, Tony. Glad to hear it. Keep up the great work!
Noe you’re talking!
Love your comment — short, simple and to the point. How appropriate! 🙂
Sometimes, long space is difficult to catch, any tips? Thanks so much !!
It comes continually with time and experience. The more you learn to listen intently, the more you’ll get a sense of what the music really needs. Think about what you’re about to play: How much does it really matter? What will it sound like if you DON’T play it? Will it feel like the bottom just fell out? Or will it be more like the music is breathing and feeling good? You’ll have to discern on a case-by-case basis. Try listening to recordings of people whose musicianship you respect and see how they do it. Hit me back and let me know how it’s going. Thanks for weighing in, King. I look forward to hearing from you again!