Chord question..

[bassmodder]

I have been studying hard over here (Christmas break) and I am working on learning more chords. I know and very regularly use the "root- 5th -octave" and have recently began to get into and memorize the minors. I already know the majors and 1,2nd inversions.

My question is where is all of this new found knowledge best put to use?

I have really only found a use for them during transitions and small walks. If I use them during the song it seems like I am doing too much and distracting the direction of the song.

It also sounds really nice to have like eight different variations of "C" to play when those guitar boys are noodling. Raises an eye or two when they see a bass player doing it too.

[Grinky]

The root and the 5th are generally playable anywhere in a song. Try adding a 6th. Your 1, 5, 6 will be your 'meat and potatoes' intervals for any rock/funk song. The 2nd and 3rd work pretty well too, but just keep in mind that use all the extras with taste. One more thing. All those notes I've mentioned - 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6th form your pentatonic scale. It's an extremely common scale used in rock songs and adds all the icing you need. The bassist for Bon Jovi uses the pentatonic scale almost exclusively.

Just a tip. Try not to think of 'root and octave' while playing. I believe that it stifles your creativity just to within the root and octave. Rather, think of your notes as dynamic sounds which can move both up and down in pitch. Don't limit yourself to root and octave.

[wazzel]

I use a lot of 1-3-5 when sitting in on songs I do not know. It will cover most anything in standard rock-blues-country.

Depending on where you are on the neck you can also play down from the root in a 1-5-7 pattern.

Scales are good to get to know what notes to play in what key over what chord. Practice is going to help you in using that.

[Infernal Affair]

Originally Posted by Grinky

The root and the 5th are generally playable anywhere in a song. Try adding a 6th. Your 1, 5, 6 will be your 'meat and potatoes' intervals for any rock/funk song. The 2nd and 3rd work pretty well too, but just keep in mind that use all the extras with taste. One more thing. All those notes I've mentioned - 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6th form your pentatonic scale.

Don't forget about minor pentatonic as well.

R - b3 - 4 - 5 - b7

The flatted 7 is a very powerful tool in rock. I've just recently be realizing how powerful the major and minor pentatonic scales are. Very versatile for rock music.

Originally Posted by Grinky

Just a tip. Try not to think of 'root and octave' while playing. I believe that it stifles your creativity just to within the root and octave. Rather, think of your notes as dynamic sounds which can move both up and down in pitch. Don't limit yourself to root and octave.

This is a terrific tip.