Advice

[trust24]

Hello, ive recently started jamming with my first proper band. We have decided on a couple of covers which are richard hawley tonight the streets are ours and wilco california stars to get us started off. Had the first jam which went quite well. i was pretty much just playing root notes following the guitar. i was wondering if you guys had any good advice on spicing to bass line up on these songs. Or would you just leave a very simple playing root notes. i want to make a good imporession for next practice so would appreciate some help. thanks.

[ebonalley]

I'm using Building Rock Basslines by Ed Friedland. Its beginner level and helpful on learning to connect your scales.

[Russell L]

Hi, trust24, how is your ear? Give a go at trying to pick out the bass parts you hear on recordings. I did that when learning to play guitar, long ago. Not only is it fun, but it helps train your ear and gives you a feeling of accomplishment afterward. Sorry, but I don't know the songs you listed. Give it a try and see what happens. Even if you get other advice to follow, it will always be beneficial to be able to identify and play what you hear.

[xXColaXx]

If you have a general understanding for what notes work with the root note you are playing, you can experiment with that. Lets say you are playing 5 on the A string, 7 on the G string would also work along with many others on the fretboard. If you know some basic scales you will have a basic understanding of which notes work with other notes and you can mix those in but still be in tune with your guitarist.

I think you would benefit from watching this video
YouTube - 'wrong' notes and correcting mistakes from Victor Wooten's "groove workshop"

I have this dvd, I love it and would highly recommend it.

[hrodbert696]

Just to get off playing root notes alone, learn your scales. Remember that besides the root, the second, fourth, fifth, sixth, and octave are the same no matter if the guitar is playing a minor or major chord -- it's only the third and seventh that differ. So you can, say, hit the root on the downbeat, play around the fourth and fifth, and then get to the root of the next chord for its downbeat. That is still pretty basic and won't make you Mr. Spicy Basslines, but it's the next step after playing bare roots all the time. As you learn your scales better you can be more creative and start thinking of good turnarounds and things.

[MalcolmAmos]

Normally best to stick to what the band is used to hearing, i.e. don't go too far out from what the old bass did.

If you can get chord charts to the songs being played do so. If not watch the guitar's hands and change chords when he does.

Roots work. R-5-R-5 work a little better. Then R-3-5-8 is generic with all major chords and R-b3-5-8 is generic with all minor chords., except the diminished will have a b5.

Your job is to take the beat into a groove and let the band know when a chord change is coming. If you are not ready to take the band to the next chord change, follow the rhythm guitar and the drums. Basic stuff right at first IMHO.

Good luck.