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Up until now, I’ve sent a monthly email - usually a tutorial, and a few updates on what’s happening at Ari's Bass Blog.

But recently, I’ve been feeling the pull to share something a little more personal.

In my own practice - when it’s just me, my bass, and some challenge I’m working through - I often think of you all.
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I imagine what I’d say if someone else were facing the same thing.
Sometimes I even stop mid-practice to write it down.
Other times, it turns into a deep conversation with Wolf about how we learn music.

So I thought I’d start sharing some of those reflections with you.
Short, honest notes from the practice room - ideas you can use, and reminders we all need!
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And I am calling them: Notes to Self (And Bassists). Let me know what you think! Starting off with this one here...

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A Practice Mindset That Works: I Hate it, But I love it!

There’s a phrase my favorite workout coach likes to say during those extra-brutal sets:
​“I hate it… But I love it.”

At first, I thought it was a strange thing to say. But the weird thing is: it works!! I find myself catching a second wind, pushing me through to the end.

And it got me thinking: what if we applied that same mindset to practicing bass? After all, some days (and some routines) just feel harder than others.

Try this:

Make two quick lists:

👎 The “Hate” List (a few examples from mine):

• Not seeing progress as fast as I want
• Logging tempos, areas, and keys, tracking bar numbers (it’s tedious)
• Resisting mindless noodling, “I just wanna play”
• Some days getting started

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​💙 The “Love” List:

• The feeling of the strings under my fingers
• Getting into a groove and losing track of time
• That moment when the warmup kicks in
• When something clicks that didn’t yesterday
• The satisfying feeling after a good session
• Simply the fact that I practiced

Now pair one from each list:

Suddenly the resistance softens. It’s just one part of the bigger picture.
It reminds you why you’re doing this in the first place.

Make sure to say them in that order:
​👎 but 💙.

So next time practicing something feels like a chore?

Tell yourself:
​I hate it… but I love it.​
And get to it!

It’s a shift in mindset – but it’s also a shift in identity. High five to practicing you!

Let me know what you’d put on your lists – hit reply or leave a comment.

🎉 Coming Soon: Expanding Cohorts!

We have been running "Cohorts" since 2019, and they have been a smash hit. So we’re bringing our coach-supported, community-driven learning experience to more topics!

In our "Cohorts" you:
✅ Watch course materials in your own time and then submit homework by a deadline (participants are doing the course in lock step)
✅ Get your own personal accountability coach (a student like you who has finished the course successfully)
✅ Meet with me and your peers for feedback, Q&A, and motivation
✅ Stay accountable for ten weeks
✅ And have a blast while improving

We’ve seen amazing results in the Theory Cohorts - now we’re bringing that same energy to Rhythm:

🎵 The Rhythm Matrix Cohort

10 weeks of deep groove work (Units 1-5)
​Starts September 5​
​Kickoff meeting: Sept 5 at 2PM Eastern​
👉 Sign up here​

This Month at ArisBassBlog:

🌞 August is Focus Month - Pick your Focus: 3-Session Mini-Series
You’ll choose one focus area for your bass playing - timing, tone, or technique - and each week, we’ll guide you through targeted exercises to help you go deep and make real progress. The perfect summer activity.
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👂EarTraining Mondays - Most Mondays, Bass in hand! Hear better to play better.
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🎸 Open Pattern Practice - Train your musical mind using our Pattern System Tools​
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📖 Reading System - Underway and in full swing - join anytime! Get the full course plus all remaining live sessions. (Those will soon be going away - join now and get access to the complete archives.)

Coming Soon:

🎶 The Rhythm Matrix Cohort​
10 weeks of deep groove work through Units 1–5 Starts September 5.
👉 Reserve your seat early!

When you're ready, here’s how I can help you play the way you've always wanted to:

1️⃣ Take a course​
Build your foundation in rhythm, theory, reading, or fretboard fluency.
​Click here for COURSES​

2️⃣ Join a cohort​
Do any of our courses with a group of peers, accountability coaches, regular homework and check-ins with me.
​Check the SCHEDULE for COHORTS

3️⃣ Practice Live with us​
(Our Live Practice Membership is currently at capacity, but we offer select mini-series a la carte on our schedule)
​Check the SCHEDULE for a la carte SERIES

4️⃣ Not sure where to start?​
Take the Starting Point Quiz and find the best fit for you right now

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