Why Both Beginner and Pro Bass Players Need To Use The Downstroke As The Foundation Of Bottom Feeder Success

Saturday, February 7, 2009
Bass Playing--Why You Should Down stroke--



Left to right--John Paul Jones and John Bonham of Led Zeppelin

This is a repost on Bass Playing mainly for beginners, but is one that seasoned pros should know as well. Just to get back to bass playing basics and become a great bottom-feeder who has the foundation of bass playing down like a pro. I was reading an old article by Jason Newsted a while back, and he talked about bass down-picking and why it was essential in your bass playing arsenal.

If Jason says you need to use down-picking then I think you should heed what a pro bass player like him is saying. So without further BS from me lets get started down-picking on your bass.


I know you'll email me and be pissed off at this article.

By Mark Grove


I've been still getting some nasty emails saying that bass axeman pick on the upstroke, not down. Well, I still don't think you should up stroke. Now my in box has just been filled to the brim again.

Yeah, yeah, so I'm a prick.

Think about it, even if you're a veteran axeman you should still use down strokes as the mainstay of your bass picking, plucking, and plectrum slappin' technique. Not as much energy is used up for down strokes, and it's more effective if you're trying to cut through lead guitar and drums.


Even beginner Bass man should use down strokes as the staple of their playing so they get used to to note and chord tone when playing. This way they aren't playing in the wrong key. Its also important to have your bass strings tuned properly, and your amp set up so it won't be muddy or have too much crunch and obliterate the lead guitar and drums.


Even Jason Newsted says to start off by using down strokes. Hows that for a testimonial. Yes, he actually said that in an article written by Jason in Bass Guitar if I'm correct. If I'm not tell me, and get pissed at me. I think I can handle the truth. Down strokes on bass can also give you the ability to variate your chord and note playing in a way that will take your playing to a new level. It just takes practice to get to that level of accomplished playing with down strokes.

So start using down strokes to take your playing into the stratosphere, or get the crowd you're playing to, going, "I dig this down strokin bottom feeding bass axeman".

Enjoy this tip,

Peace to all players,

Mark