Help w/ bluegrass bass

[boogaloo]

I really like bluegrass and would like to get proficient at it on the bass, but theres no lessons online for it. Can anybody help me out?




P.S. I know that is basically a root to fifth thing, but I want to be able to expand on that.

[brianrost]

It's the same as any other style. You start with root-five, then get into scalar or arpeggiated runs. The thing with bluegrass of course is that less is more...MUCH less. It's very easy to overplay.

If you have specific questions, I'm sure any of the grassers here (including myself) can help you out. Are you playing bass guitar or upright?

[Steve]

Originally Posted by boogaloo

know that is basically a root to fifth thing, but I want to be able to expand on that.

And as soon as you do, you won't be playing anymore bluegrass.

Most of the grassers I know are sticklers for "preserving the art form".

[WillBuckingham]

I'm pretty sure there's really nothing you can do beyond root-five figures. You can slap the fingerboard on the offbeats, and spin the bass around when you're not playing.

[Andrew Jones]

Just a couple of hints


R,5,R,R is a great pattern


When Goin to the 4 Chord Play 2 Roots before going back to one (why because the 5th is the R of 1) See Ex above.

Also Try R,3 then back to the One Chord.


When Going to the 5 chord assend to the 5th of that chord and Down to the Root and back up to the Root of 1, Youe made the sound of the change but that 5th of the scale is in the same place, Or you could look at it like you played a II-V but thats just annoying. this Works Really well at fast tempos.


Dont slap the Fret bord on the Off beat on electric bass! it comes out as a thud/low sound instead of a smack/high sound and really IMHO reverses the basic BoomSwapboomSwap.........



Aj