Why Bass Players Should Learn a Bit of Keys

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:00]doing 100 bass tips in 100 days. You need to learn a little bit of keys. You don't have to be like a piano expert, but learn at least enough to be able to visually identify what the left pinky of the keyboard player is doing to be able to say, "Oh, that's a flat, that's B.

[00:00:16]That's D." Inevitably, you are going to be on stage with a band and someone's going to call a song that you don't know and the keyboard player does and you're going to have to follow them and you might not be able to pick it out by ear immediately. Maybe you can, but if you're not there yet, there's a little trick. You can just watch the keyboard player's left hand and if you can quickly identify those notes, you're going to be able to know what the root note is and follow along and then within a few measures, hopefully you're going to sort of pick it up and you can just play by ear. Also, learning keys is great for you as a musician. So, learn a little bit. It will come in handy. We're doing 100 bass tips in 100 days. If you found this one helpful, follow along for more.