If you played rhythm guitar grab some fake chord sheet music and do the same thing you did with your 6 string -- except instead of strumming the chord we play the notes of the chord one note at a time. We get paid to play the root on the 1 beat. If you have a 4/4 song you will have four beats. Start with root on the 1 & 3 beat. Anything else is gravy. Use as much gravy as you like.
The learning curve from rhythm guitar to bass is very easy. The major scale box and interval numbers will take you a long way. For example:
Have a C chord coming up in the song. You can......
Play the R-3-5-8 interval of the C scale or....
Just roots, i.e. R-R-R-R (C-C-C-C) or...
R-5-R-5 (C-G-C-G) or...
R-5-8-5 (C-G -C one octave higher - G)
R-3-5-8 (C-E-G-C one octave higher)
Which ever one fits the song the best. Start with just roots. When you can do just roots and the music does not go off and leave you - add the 5, i.e. R-5-R-5 that will keep you busy for awhile. When that is easy add the 8 and when that is easy add the 3.
Roots, fives, eights and the correct 3 will build some great bass lines. Do a Google on "what is a bass line". Call up some of Scott Devine's Internet lessons - they are free and Scott drops in here every once in a while. Same for Ed Friedland, Ed's books are well written well worth your time.
Here is a cut and paste I found helpful.
Bass Patterns based upon the Major Scale box.
Code:
Major Scale Box.
G|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string
Place the root (R) on the C note 4th string 8th fret and the C major scale await you.
Place the root (R) on the C note and play the R-3-5 and you have just played the notes of the C major chord aka C arpeggio. Chord progression for this song is G-C-D. Place your box root on a G on the 3rd string. Where is your C? Where is the D? The next song's progression is C-F-G. Place your box root on a C on the 3rd string. Where is your F? Where is your G? Yep, piece of cake.
Basic Chords
Major Triad = R-3-5
Minor Triad = R-b3-5
Diminished Chord = R-b3-b5
7th Chords
Maj7 = R-3-5-7
Minor 7 = R-b3-5-b7
Dominant 7 = R-3-5-b7
½ diminished = R-b3-b5-b7
Full diminished = R-b3-b5-bb7
Scales
Major Scale = R-2-3-4-5-6-7
Major Pentatonic = R-2-3-5-6 Same as the major scale less the 4 and 7 interval.
Natural Minor Scale = R-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7 Same as the major scale with the 3, 6 & 7 flatted.
Minor Pentatonic = R-b3-4-5-b7 Same as the natural minor scale less the 2 and 6 interval.
Blues = R-b3-4-b5-5-b7 Same as the minor pentatonic with the blue note added - b5.
Harmonic Minor Scale = R-2-b3-4-5-b6-7 Same as the natural minor scale with a natural 7.
Melodic Minor Scale = R-2-b3-4-5-6-7 Same as the major scale with a b3.
Major modes
Ionian same as the Major Scale.
Lydian use the major scale and sharp the 4 - yes, it’s that simple.
Mixolydian use the major scale and flat the 7.
Minor Modes
Aeolian same as the Natural Minor scale.
Dorian use the Natural Minor scale and sharp the b6 back to a natural 6.
Phrygian use the Natural Minor scale and flat the 2.
Locrian use the Natural Minor scale and flat the 2 and the 5.
Generic Notes - notes to use in your bass line.
The root, five and eight are generic and fit most any chord. Remember the diminished has a flatted 5.
The 3 is generic to all major chords. See a major chord R-3-5-8 is a generic bass line that will work.
The b3 is generic to all minor chords. See a minor chord R-b3-5-8 is a generic bass line that will work.
The 7 is generic to all maj7 chords. R-3-5-7.
The b7 is generic to all dominant seventh and minor seventh chords. R-3-5-b7 or R-b3-5-b7.
The 6 is neutral and adds color, help yourself to 6’s. I like R-3-5-6 for major chords. Has a great sound.
The 2 and 4 make good passing notes. Don’t linger on them or stop on them, keep them passing.
In making your bass line help yourself to those notes, just use them correctly.
Remember roots, fives, eights and the correct 3 will play a lot of bass. Run your scales so your fingers know where to go and your ear recognizes the lower notes. Get your scales
and generic bass lines into muscle memory.
Online Bass Lessons at StudyBass.com is a great Internet lesson site.
Have fun. Yes I play rhythm guitar in one band and the bass in another. Rhythm guitar is on auto pilot, I'm having fun with the bass. They augment each other.
