I'm making more of an effort to improve my bass playing. After reading a few articles about Jaco Pastorius, it's dawned on me how much I want to learn. I don't intend to get anywhere near his level. But I do want to improve and not necessarily in that style either.

I've found a few decent bass lessons on line. All of them should be free. I've yet to find any lessons that I'd pay for online. I'd much rather use the money to buy a recommended DVD or pay a tutor and learn in person.

The first of the bass-slapping lessons at Ultimate Guitar. Slapping is the next technique that I'd like to learn properly. I can slap, but I'd like to neaten it up into something more percussive. I've read a few interesting articles about how it can be applied and more importantly, I've heard good examples of how it can be included in pieces. I want to learn it now so I can get past that stage of having to include slapping and popping in everything I play.

And the rest of the bass lessons at Ultimate Guitar

http://www.studybass.com/

http://www.fenderplayersclub.com/woodshed/bass/bass.htm

Basswork

Guitarnoise

Lots of good descriptions about the practicalities of playing bass at bass-lessons.com

Then there are several bass tutors and manufacturers with websites and a few online lessons, often aimed at the more experienced player

cliffengel.com

activemusician.com

Tony Newton's videos on Expert Village

Warwick Bass Survival 101

Bass at Berklee Shares

Some backing jam tracks to accompany you:

Heartwood Guitar

Or if you're just about to set out on this journey, then look for some advice on what to buy for starting out on bass guitar.