Need 12 bar blues bass line help please..

[streetknight]

I'm a noob first off lol.

I've been messing around with a I-IV-V 12 bar blues and I feel comfortable until I get to the Turn around.

I've been playing the R-5-7-octave-7-5 for each bar, but it of course doesn't sound right on the turn around and staying just on the E note doesn't sound right either.

Any ideas?

I know it's hard without hearing what I'm doing, I'm working on a way to make some sound clips.

[cjmodulus]

So basically, your just playing the arpeggios? That's a good place to start. As far as the turnaround, usually you'll see something along the lines of vi-ii-V-I, often with 2 chords per bar. I usually hit the root of each one of those chords and go from there. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me can chime in soon.
So basically what your doing might not be working because te chords are different.

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by streetknight

I'm a noob first off lol.

I've been messing around with a I-IV-V 12 bar blues and I feel comfortable until I get to the Turn around.

I've been playing the R-5-7-octave-7-5 for each bar, but it of course doesn't sound right on the turn around and staying just on the E note doesn't sound right either.

Any ideas?

I know it's hard without hearing what I'm doing, I'm working on a way to make some sound clips.

Try a secondary dominant for the lead to the tonic chord.

On the B7 chord R-3-5-b7 would be a chord tone choice which would be the B-D#-F#-A notes. Change the A to the 5th of E which is a B and this will give you a V-I pull to the E tonic chord.

See how you like that.

[Ric5]

Play 1-3-5-6-5-3 for the main part.

For the turn around play 1-3b-4-3b-1-7-5.

[engedi1]

If you want some great ideas on blues bass lines, I would suggest really listening to (transcribing) some Tommy Shannon bass lines (Stevie Ray Vaughn's bass player. I would suggest starting with Pride and Joy. A masterful example of how to play a repetitive song with variety and groove. Also he does cool turnarounds each time. Check it out. Transcribing is the best and fastest way to grow!

[tabdog]

Originally Posted by engedi1

If you want some great ideas on blues bass lines, I would suggest really listening to (transcribing) some Tommy Shannon bass lines (Stevie Ray Vaughn's bass player. I would suggest starting with Pride and Joy. A masterful example of how to play a repetitive song with variety and groove. Also he does cool turnarounds each time. Check it out. Transcribing is the best and fastest way to grow!

Excellent choice.

I love his grass roots playing. He is so cool,

Tabdog

[streetknight]

Thanks everyone. I'll give these ideas a try. I'm sure all these ideas are not key specific. I failed to mention I'm playing in the key of A. I have a bunch of chord progressions on acoustic guitar all in the key of A and each a different MODE on my looper pedal to practice over.

[Russell L]

Your pattern has six notes. Here's a better blues line (2 notes for every beat, all 7s are b7):

/ / / /
1 1 8 8 7 7 5 5

Do that for every chord. Then, for the last measure do this:

/ / / /
1 4 #4 5______

That last bar comes back to the I-chord, but does the turn-around immediately (let the 5ring through the last two beats). Instead of starting on 4, you could let it be 3 4 5 as well.

EDIT: sorry, but the reply thingy didn't put the beat lines where I typed them. Dang it, never mind.

[Deathblade Eric]

These might help a bit:

24 Bars of a simple I-IV-V in A: PDF Guitar Pro

12 Bars of a similarly simple I-IV-V with a bit more of a swing: PDF Guitar Pro

12 Bars of II-V-I for a bit of variation: PDF Guitar Pro

You'll find that you can mix 'n' match measures from all three & nail 'em together as you see fit. As time goes on, you'll develop a mental 'lick library' of your own - the more you've got to draw on, the less repetitive your lines will be.

Here's 4 1/2 minutes of near perfection - Oscar Peterson and Count Basie on multiple pianos & the sickeningly talented Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen on bass.

Slow Blues

NHØP's bassline is sublime in this, he scarcely repeats himself once. Transcribe that & you'll be all the better for it.

Pete.

[engedi1]

Great link! I love Oscar Peterson, he is my favorite (although Hiromi is starting to catch him up!) I love the hugely satisfied smile on his face. If I were jamming at that level, with Basie, with NHOP on bass, I would be smiling too!

[Stumbo]

Here are some links/threads that may help you out:
5. STYLES
~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 Stumbo's blues jam terms/progressions
2
3
Blues jams tips & terms

Ice Cream Changes
Backdoor Progression
ii-V-I
more 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"
"101 Blues Bass Patterns by Larry McCabe