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Originally Posted by b.a.s.s. what can I do to know? |
How far along are you? Have you learned scales? Once major and minor scales are under your fingers, it's only a matter of learning the chord formulas. They are based on the major scale, so here's an example:
(numbers refer to scale degrees)
Major triad= 1, 3, 5 Minor triad = 1, b3 (flatted 3rd), 5
For F major, you have your pick of F, A, or C.
For F minor, you would choose F, Ab, or C.
Notice it's only the
third scale degree that determines major or minor. Playing thirds on the bass is not common, but in reality you have your pick of any of the chord tones, and then some.
Stick to the root for now, like ombudsman suggested, and start looking for info on chord construction. Once you know how they're constructed, you know what note you have to choose from based on the scale that a particular chord is based on.
Here's a rundown of the basics (all based on the major scale tones, numbered from 1 to 8 which is root to octave)
Major - 1, 3, 5, 8
Major 7th - 1, 3, 5, 7
Dominant 7th - 1, 3, 5, b7
Minor - 1, b3, 5, 8
Minor 7th - 1, b3, 5, b7
Sounds like a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, I know, but it's really not once you get scales down and memorize those chord formulas.
Sorry if that's too much, but I love laying out theory because there really is a straight forward system of organization to it. Knowing what note to pick for a given chord doesn't have to be shrouded in mystery.
The bottom line *really* though, is what everyone agrees sounds good.
edit; I tried ligning up the numbers to see the patterns easier, but it didn't work...
what note can I use in the chords? 
