Blues bass books and how to use 'em

[Youngspanion]

I have a few Blues bass books and I'd like to know how people study from them. All of them have Songs and bass parts to play along with. But that doesn't seem like the way to learn. Is it?

I don't see any dialogue explaining what lines are good for what type of song. Dialogue would be good to let the blues bassist know why he's using a 6 and b7 or a 1, 5, b7, 8. When to use 1, 3, 5 patterns.

Make sense?

[hdracer]

I'm not sure what books you are using. The School of Blues books do a good job of explaining things. The best book to have is 101 Blues patterns for bass.

[puddin tame]

Originally Posted by Youngspanion

I have a few Blues bass books and I'd like to know how people study from them. All of them have Songs and bass parts to play along with. But that doesn't seem like the way to learn. Is it?

I don't see any dialogue explaining what lines are good for what type of song. Dialogue would be good to let the blues bassist know why he's using a 6 and b7 or a 1, 5, b7, 8. When to use 1, 3, 5 patterns.

Make sense?

the only way I can learn is by playing it. the best bass lines are never played by someone running numbers in their head

[Youngspanion]

so do you guys just memorize the patterns in the book? The way they are played?

[puddin tame]

I don't memorize anything. if i'm playing blues i'll just be feeling it.
playing will develop your feel

but I mean i've been playing for a while i'm not sure how experienced you are. if you're starting out with it then just play the licks and it will eventually sort of seep into you, try and identify patterns or themes in the songs. a beginner will find it much more useful to think in terms of scales etc

[Youngspanion]

But the Books. Whats the best way to learn from them?

[puddin tame]

play through their contents

[S. Katz]

Originally Posted by Youngspanion

But the Books. Whats the best way to learn from them?

Read them. Learn the lines they contain. Learn how to walk. Then put that stuff aside and start working up your own lines. the books don't contain rules. The lines they contain are not the "right" lines. It's all ideas. Some ideas are better. Some are worse. You have to decide for yourself which are which.

[hdracer]

Learn the basic patterns and then expand on them. That is what I enjoy so much about the Blues. If you know 7-8 basic patterns, when the band leader calls out a Rumba, Tramp or Chicago shuffle you can play t as simple or complex as you feel. I have just started to go out to some well organized blues jams. The first thing the leader told me is to play it simple until I get the feel.

[TheDude007]

It's kind of hard to say without seeing the particular book, but if I had to take a guess, I would say that it's probably trying to be broad in terms of "here are the changes that are recommended to play over a 12-bar blues" for example. That way no matter what key you're playing in, if you go in to a jam, you know ok, we're starting in key of __, that means these are going to be the main changes, I should play 1, 3, b7, etc...to bring out the changes. I hope this helps.

[lmfreeman9]

Practice. Repeat. Practice. Repeat.

I find that with some patterns I have to repeat the riff many times to really get it.

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by lmfreeman9

Practice. Repeat. Practice. Repeat.

I find that with some patterns I have to repeat the riff many times to really get it.

+10000 I have spent a couple of nights working on a cool turnaround. Two frickin bars!!!

But when played right it sounds so nice under the guitar

[251]

Originally Posted by Youngspanion

But the Books. Whats the best way to learn from them?

Best way aside, this has worked for me. Most books are deliberately written to illustrate a good way to play each song or song type. Sometimes there is no substitute for learning particular songs. They have a hook, a particular sound or chord changes that set them apart. Still, you have probably noticed, many songs have a lot in common. Having a good way to handle what many songs need, covers a lot of ground, fast. It also gives you a tool kit for faking your way through a song you've never heard.

Look closely at the written lines in your books. If there are play along sound files read the lines while you listen. What sounded good? Bad? Average? Stood out? Did similar patterns sound good in one place in one song & not as good in another? Did you get tired of hearing |Root|V| or |R|R|R|R|? What could you possibly do in those spots to play something you like better? It is a matter of taste. If you don't yet know what you like, here is a way to learn about yourself.

Look at the form of the song, 12 Bar, 16 bar, verse/chorus, etc. What happens at the end of each 4 bar group, 8 bar group, at the end of each chorus? Do you like the turnaround? Is there something you have heard you would like better? Figure it out, write it down, practice it in many keys, use it, often.

FWIW, you will learn by making mistakes. If you don't already do so, play through them without stopping. Sad to say, there are actually no mistakes, just note choices you will unsuccessfully try to remember & avoid playing again. 8-)

The purpose of the exercise is to build a personal library of elements you can use to create interesting basslines, grooves, to accompany a vocal or solo or use when the dynamic changes from regular to soft or loud. Having them under your fingers gives you time to listen & interact with the music going on around you. String the pieces together, pedal them, mix & match & you will reach a point were others will hear what you play & say that's <insert your name here>. Being recognized by what you play is the beginning of having your own style. This is a good thing.

[C.Linton]

Try Ed Friedland's blues bass book. Lots of patterns from blues standards illustrating all the basic blues forms (shuffles, slow blues, rhumbas, etc.) usable for just about any blues song you might be expected to play at an open jam and more . Just play each section along with the CD until you can play it fluently, then go to the next section, learning that, etc.,etc.

[Stumbo]

Here are a few links to check out that may help you:
~Blues
Becoming a blues bass player
Blues progressions explained w/ audio samples
Basic lessons/free backing tracks
Getting into the blues
Slow blues
1 "Must know" blues tunes
2

1 Blues jam terms/progressions
2
3
Ice Cream Changes
Backdoor Progression
ii-V-I
more blues
Abersole's 35 blues variations
Improving the blues

1 First jam
2
3

Gig coming up

Blues bass player's club

Influential musicians (mostly) pre-1959
History and styles
20 important blues recordings & more

"Blues Bass" by TB member Jon Liebman
Ed Friedland's Essential Styles and Techniques
Blues books
"Complete Rhythm Guitar Guide for Blues Bands" by Larry McCabe
"101 Blues Bass Patterns by Larry McCabe
Turn arounds book for blues/jazz

I suggest spending a few hundred hours going over all this good stuff and let us know how it goes. Attend some blues open mic jam sessions to see what's going on. Or attend a few local blues shows and hear how the bass player is covering the low end.

It's all good.

Listen to everything you can. Learn everything you can. Play everything you can.
There are many "best of the blues" lists. Here's a few to check CD's, Albums or Songs.

Some night it'll all come together and you'll think: "yeah...now I get it!"

Most of all, have fun. Life's too short otherwise.

Good luck.

[Chris K]

1. Learn patterns
2. Create variations on patterns
3. Create your own patterns
4. Forget about patterns