I have a blues gig coming up.... I have never played the blues...

[schmig]

Don't know if it was mentioned but, definitely look at:

- Key To The Highway
- Like It This Way
- Dust My Broom
- Check out some Rory Gallagher (They Don't Make Them Like..)

Also I'd recommend looking at some Taj Mahal for blues that are very easy to play.

I've been playing blues for slightly over 12 months and as many of the posts so far have said, do your utmost to play BEHIND the beat.

[dalconthenovice]

a song i learned that ultimately helped me figure out how to play the blues is "i can't quit you baby" led zeppelin version (originally by willie dixon)

but by learning i learned not just to play the song like a parrot, i learned what was going on musically as for as the dynamics and the changes etc

just i thought

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Here's my transcription of the complete bassline for Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Pride and Joy", as recorded by Tommy Shannon on the 1983 album "Texas Flood". Of course, it is not that all blues tunes should be played like that, but this one strictly follows the I-IV-V changes and it will give you some ideas (I hope so).



EDIT: Hmm... I've just noticed this is an old thread. Anyway, I hope this will be helpful to anybody interested in blues bass playing.

[dalconthenovice]

so i'm actually having a real hard time playing this shuffle on freejamtracks dot com
http://www.freejamtracks.com/music/b...le_No_Bass.mp3

any thoughts and ideas on how i should attack this?

[Andrew Jones]

That's a "March".

It's ALL about the length of the note,,, Short notes but not too short or it will sound tight and stiff. Deceptively difficult groove,,, If the Drummer goes to the ride..you can lengthen the notes.. But be careful to know when to pull them back.

Note Choices,,SIMPLE SIMPLE... 1,3,5,6 Ect.


Aj

[butchblack]

Actually that's a flat tire, not a march. Although you could easily play a march over that and it would work.

[Stinsok]

Eh, you're just there "to provide the comfy couch and Hustler magazine" for the wankfest.

[Rockmusician]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

To the OP: don't think too much about walking lines. Walking constantly is bad. Play the root a lot, pedal it when guitar drama happens-it helps bring up the energy when done at the right times.
Listen very carefully to the changes, especially the last two bars as stated by Andrew, because a lot of tunes have particular chord choices at the end which must be played. If there's a keyboard player get the changes from him. Listen, listen, listen.
Fat tone is important.
And whatever you do, don't rush the feel, it kills it. Lay back.
Have fun.

Walking constantly is not bad if that's what the song calls for.