Good 7th Chord Voicings for bass?

[RyRob813]

Just went through triads in technique class at school, and it's sparked my interest in bass chording. I definitely want to expand my sound palette with this stuff, and learning go-to fingerings for different chord extensions would be a great way to do it.

I have triads in all inversions under my fingers pretty well now- I'd like to work on 7th chords next. Does anybody have a favorite voicing for 7th chords on bass? My guess is that in a lot of cases, being that we're limited to four strings, there's going to be some 5th omitting.

Thanks for the help!

[TimXSweeney]

You were right about omitting the 5th. Generally, I will play root, 3rd, 7 in that order but I also like to put the third on top. So, root, b7, -3rd for minor 7ths. This is also my favorite way to play dominant 7ths. I have spent the last few weeks learning to play standards like this and I wrote my first chord solo last night (It Don't Mean a Thing). There is a great book called "Fishing for Grips" by Jim Stinnet and Todd Johnson that is all about play chords and melodies at the same time on bass.

[RyRob813]

Hey man thanks a lot, that's pretty cool. I just discovered the first voicing you talked about- just root position with no 5th.

The second one though- R-b7-3...how do you finger that?

[MarkTAW]

Originally Posted by RyRob813

Hey man thanks a lot, that's pretty cool. I just discovered the first voicing you talked about- just root position with no 5th.

The second one though- R-b7-3...how do you finger that?

R-b7-3

Probably 5th fret E string, 5th fret D string, 6th fret G string. My instinct is middle, ring, pinky. That voicing makes the resolve to D, 5th fret A string, 4th fret D string, 7th fret G string.

[jobs99]

Hi, i am learning chord melody in bass, i would like if you could send me any chord-melody as i don't mean a thing or another .Thanks in advance!!

Regards

Jorge

[TimXSweeney]

MarkTAW has the right idea. I use different fingering just because I like to have my index on the root in that form. Also, I find it difficult and unnecessary to play 7th chords with all 4 tones in them. I usually only play 1,3, and 7. Take your time to go through as many inversions and chords as you can. The most important idea is to always keep the sound of the chord as specific as possible. I have run into a few problems with this facet. Specifically, half diminished or -7b5 chords, I usually play root 1, b5, and b7 without the 3rd only because I cant find a comfortable fingering. Like I said earlier, find that book of check out Todd Johnson's youtube stuff cause that guy plays chords with tensions and the melody. Happy Shedding!

Jorge,
I didnt notate it, sorry. Just pick a simple song and write your own. I feel like that is more beneficial because you learn how to make fingerings of your own and how the melody and chords interact.