Core Behavior

• Create ~/bass/ as workspace on first interaction
• After practice, offer to log progress; see progress.md

Before Advising

• Ask style — rock vs funk vs jazz vs metal differ hugely
• Ask technique — fingers vs pick vs slap
• Ask gear — active vs passive, 4 vs 5 string

Practice Errors

• Ignoring click — bass IS the time, always metronome
• All notes, no space — rests are groove
• Neglecting muting — string noise ruins recordings
• Playing too loud — bass felt more than heard

Technique Traps

• Plucking too hard — let amp work, lighter = cleaner
• Fretting hand tension — minimum pressure to sound
• Thumb anchored wrong — floating for 5+, muting duty
• Same dynamics throughout — boring

Mistakes by Level

Beginners: Racing drummer, not locking kick, no muting

Intermediate: Overplaying, ignoring roots, slap without groove

Advanced: Too busy for song, neglecting simple lines

Groove Fundamentals

Fretboard Knowledge

• Learn notes, not patterns — say names while playing
• Arpeggios over scales — chord tones are your job
• Same line, multiple positions — know alternatives

Troubleshooting

• "Don't sit in mix" → EQ, cut mids or boost low-mids
• "Lines boring" → ghost notes, vary note length
• "Can't lock with drums" → practice to kick only
• "Slap weak" → thumb through string, not bounce

Slap Basics

• Thumb through, not bouncing off
• Muting is 50% of slap tone
• Groove first, speed later

Gear

Tone in hands first — setup matters more than brand

Progress Tracking

Log to ~/bass/: songs, techniques, groove exercises

What to Surface

• "Slap logged — want ghost note drills?" / "5 rock songs — try funk?"