Chord Resources

[lenosgood]

What are some good chord resources for bass, both in print and possibly online?

[MalcolmAmos]

What specifically are you looking for.
http://www.gootar.com/folder/ukulele.html
http://www.smithfowler.org/music/Chord_Formulas.htm

[lenosgood]

I suppose a chord chart, and maybe some info on how chords relate to scales and modes...honestly, I'm really not sure yet. I'm trying to learn all I can until I can take some lessons, so any info I can get is helpful. Thanks.

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by lenosgood

I suppose a chord chart, and maybe some info on how chords relate to scales and modes...honestly, I'm really not sure yet. I'm trying to learn all I can until I can take some lessons, so any info I can get is helpful. Thanks.

• OK - As we play notes of the chord, we do not strum a chord all notes at the same time as the rhythm guitar does, our focus is on what notes are in a specific chord and we play as many of them as necessary to develop a groove.
• If we will be playing from lead sheets or fake chord sheet music all we will have is the chord name - so how we use that chord, i.e. how we make our bass line is left up to us. Because of that I visualize the major scale "box" and think in chord tone intervals (R-3-5-b7). Now if you are reading standard notation you will be reading the bass cleft and want to think in note interval (A, B, C, C#, D, etc). Using the bass cleft and standard notation you don't have to make up your bass line someone has already done that for you and you just play what is written.
• Short explanation.... of how chords are made; A major chord is made from the R-3-5 intervals of the chord's tonic scale. C major chord is made from the C-E-G notes of the C scale. The notes in the C major scale are; C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C (new octave).
  
• The C7 chord is made of the R-3-5-b7 notes. Here is a chord generator http://www.looknohands.com/chordhous.../index_rb.html Ask it about the C7 and it would tell you;

  C 7, aka, C dominant seventh, Cdom
  intervals: 1,3,5,b7
  half-steps: 4-3-3 -- helpful to the keyboard people not so much for the fretboard people.
  notes: C,E,G,Bb

• The Cm7 chord is made of the R-b3-5-b7 notes. Now you figure this one with out the generator.
• The Cmaj7 chord is made of the R-3-5-7 notes. Figure it out and check yourself with the generator.
• The C diminished chord is made of the R-b3-b5-b7 notes. This is the Cm7b5 or 1/2 diminished chord. A full diminished chord will have a bb7 interval. Don't worry about that right now. You will not be playing that many diminished chords until later in your journey.
• Are there more, sure, but, going to the sevenths will let us play a lot of bass. Worry about the other fancy chords later. Remember we talked about the groove..... Just play roots right at first, then add a 5 and play R-5-R-5 then add some more chord tones (3's and 7's. I like the 8's. R-5-8-5, etc.). When your head starts moving - in time to the music - your in the groove. LOL. You are going to need a chart telling you what notes are in each scale or just play the Major scale box pattern and let the major scale box pattern place the notes for you. This should get you started.

This will go into detail on how to use the box pattern. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...67#post9372867
Post # 2 of this will give you some information you may find useful. http://www.ibreathemusic.com/forums/...ad.php?t=11975

www.studybass.com will be a friend. Almost forgot, http://www.guitarhangout.com/wp-cont...itar-notes.jpg you will need a fretboard chart.

I bet your pubic library will have "Bass Guitar for Dummies" if so check it out and give it a read.

Good luck - ask specific questions someone will always help.