Need some tips for Country bass!!!

[Noose]

Got called to sit in with an old classic country band tonight. Going in blind. I've heard a lot of old country songs but never really focused on playing bass in a country music setting.

I feel fairly comfortable with the simple root/fifth alternating lines, simple 1 3 5 walking lines (maybe). I plan on keeping it as simple as possible. Sticking mostly to triads, chord tones type stuff. When in doubt Im going to stay as close to the root as possible.

I need some basic rules to follow for turn arounds, walking up and down to the next chords, etc. Please be as specific as you can as I am kinda dumb when it comes to theory.

Something that Im having a hard time picking out on the fly is:

Playing a basic I IV V I in G. The progression resolves itself on the I chord. What are some good ways to walk back down to the G or whatever other the I chord is for the given key? Also, in most country songs that Ive tried to listen to the last day or so, when the chord progression starts over the bass player kinda does a little walk up (without changing chords) right as the singer starts the verse, or the guitar player starts a solo. Any good simple rules to apply for this type of lead in?

Sorry if my questions dont make sense. Im not great with theory and even worse at describing a theory related question.

[JTE]

First, simple is always better for traditional country.

Basic walk up from I to IV is just the major scale, 1, 2, 3, and land on the 4 (which is the root of the IV) on the down beat. Similar to walk down form IV to I or from V up to I. In your example of I IV V in G, you can walk down from D to G via D C B A, or walk UP to G from the D with D D E F#. Sometimes you can get away with a b5, but be very careful with that one. It sometimes pops up going from IV to V that you'll hear 4, 3 4 b5 to land on the 5, but be careful that you don't clash with someone else.

That common walk up on the turnaround (and many intros) is the same thing. 5 walking up to land on 1.

Shuffle and boogie stuff is basic 1 3 5 b7 or 6 (depending on the chord and feel of the song) 1.

Play simply with confidence and authority, listen to what the rest of the band is doing, and have fun! I've love real country music and have missed it since Garth "The Anti Hank" Brook's success ruined country music...

John

Basic pattern is root on beat 1 and five on beat 3, except in the last measure of a chord where it's often better to just repeat the root.

[MalcolmAmos]

JTE and I posted at the same time........ going to be some repeat.

Originally Posted by Noose

Got called to sit in with an old classic country band tonight. Going in blind. I've heard a lot of old country songs but never really focused on playing bass in a country music setting.

I feel fairly comfortable with the simple root/fifth alternating lines, simple 1 3 5 walking lines (maybe). I plan on keeping it as simple as possible. Sticking mostly to triads, chord tones type stuff. When in doubt I'm going to stay as close to the root as possible.

Country and classic ole time Country is dirt simple root five with chromatic runs to the next chord. Depending on the band you will be playing with, anything more than that, may get you some fish eyes from the guys.

I need some basic rules to follow for turn arounds, walking up and down to the next chords, etc. Please be as specific as you can as I am kinda dumb when it comes to theory.

I would not worry with turn-a-rounds and let chromatic runs do that for you. Chromatic run in a nut shell is target the next root note - miss it by 4 frets - then walk to it one fret at a time and be on it in time for the chord change. Should not take you more than 30 minutes to figure out the best way to do that.

Something that I'm having a hard time picking out on the fly is:

Playing a basic I IV V I in G. The progression resolves itself on the I chord. What are some good ways to walk back down to the G or whatever other the I chord is for the given key? Also, in most country songs that Ive tried to listen to the last day or so, when the chord progression starts over the bass player kinda does a little walk up (without changing chords) right as the singer starts the verse, or the guitar player starts a solo. Any good simple rules to apply for this type of lead in?

Yep, that's talking about chromatic runs. I do it several ways depending if the root is on the 3rd string or the 4th string. Lets take root on the 4th.

G at the 4th string 3rd fret. Your next root is probably going to be the C - now to get this all done you are going to have to leave early. Target the C root 3rd string 3rd fret. Most of the time I would grab the G# & A on the 4th string, jump to the 3rd string and catch the A# & B notes then land on the C for the chord change.

C to D - I back up one fret and catch the B, C, C# & D. Notice this is three chromatics to the next root. You can have 1, 2, 3 or 4 chromatic notes in your run. Up to you. The timing and the leave early are what you will have to practice.

D back to G. I normally go back toward the nut. D, jump to C then B then something a couple of frets higher - depending on where you are on the fretboard then move to the 4th string 3rd fret for the root. After awhile your run will just be automatic. That run, by the way, is a great way to tag the last line and end the song.

R-3-5-6 is a little too melodic for the band I play with, I can get buy with R-3-5-7 but much more melodic than that and out come the fish eyes.

Walking bass lines - I'll use a secondary dominant some, not a lot, and rely upon chromatic runs for the walk. The chromatic run of 1 fret has merit, i.e. miss the root note by one fret then be on it for the chord change. Experiment, there are all kinds of ways to use chromatics.

It's dirt simple don't make it complicated and you will do fine.

[Noose]

Thanks guys. Thats the stuff Im needing!

So here is my game plan for tonight. Please critique. If there are other things I should consider, your advice is definately appreciated:

1. Stick to roots/fifths as much as possible.
2. When in doubt, see rule one.
3. Listening to as much of merle, waylon, willie, hankas I can in the five hours.
4. Walk ups/walk downs staying in the major scale, sparingly use chromatic walk ups if needed, key word being sparingly.
5. 1,3,5 and either 6 or b7 for walking boogie type feel, again only when necessary.

anything else?

[57pbass]

Take a look at this...

www.nashvillenumbersystem.com

[hennessybass]

You are on the right track...
keep it simple!
Listen to the song - hearing the melody is key.
Follow the singer.
I like to visualize people dancing - helps keep you focused on the feel of the song.

Mostly gonna be I-IV-V stuff... if the song is gonna branch out, those country boys like the minor II.

Sometimes you will get numbers for directions... "55 11 intro" ... two measures of the V chord, two measures of the I chord - for example.

[ghiadub]

Don't be afriad of whole notes on the slow tunes. If you have time, listen to the originals or a recording of the band in question and take notes on the bass parts for any song that you don't think you can bluff thru.

[Noose]

Originally Posted by hennessybass

You are on the right track...
keep it simple!
Listen to the song - hearing the melody is key.
Follow the singer.
I like to visualize people dancing - helps keep you focused on the feel of the song.

Mostly gonna be I-IV-V stuff... if the song is gonna branch out, those country boys like the minor II.

Sometimes you will get numbers for directions... "55 11 intro" ... two measures of the V chord, two measures of the I chord - for example.

That 55,11 thing you speak of, can you give me an example of a song that starts like that. I think I know what you are talking about bi want to be sure.

[Hoffman6000]

I've been a hired gun for county bands most of my life....

If you are not all that familiar with songs, listen to the guitar player or piano player. When you hear a chord that contains a b7, (in G: G B D F)it usually means he going to move a 5th down for the next chord. (V-I or G-C)... If you hear a minor chord, its typically a 2m, or a 6m..(In G: Am or Em). Bridges in Country music often use minor chords. The changes are sometimes based on the "circle of 5ths"... 2m chords will resolve to 5 chords, then back to 1. 6m chords will go 6m-2m-5-1 (E-A-D-G) or 6-5-4-1 (E-D-C-G). Keep in mind these are just examples and not hard and fast rules.

Also be aware that sometimes classic country songs have measures containing only 2 beats (or a 2/4 measure). You can usually listen to the singer or a cymbal crash from the drummer for phrasing. Check out that Nashville Number system link mentioned by 57PBASS. It will save your life.

Once you get the structures and turnarounds down, focus your attention on the length of the notes. 50's-80's country was played with flats or on an upright, so theres very little sustain involved...more of an tuned thud or extention of the kick drum. You can use palm mutes, or left hand muting to dampen the strings. 90's-00's country is typically played with rounds and notes sustain until you intend to leave space. In all eras, your patten (besides walkups and turnarounds) should typically follow the kick drum. Play with confidence, but for now let the other musicians think they're in charge and follow their lead. Over anything else, Have fun!

[millsbass5]

Hmmm.... Tips for for playin' country music bass lines......





Patience!








Or,find a hobby for something to do in between notes.

[electracoyote]

All great suggestions, we have some country bass pros on this thread.

One thing I might add: Consitency is crucial to good country bass playing. If you do a turnaround at the verse one way, do it at the verse the same way every time. If you walk up and ascend to the chorus, ascend every time. Don't re-invent your line at each chorus and verse.

[Edward G.]

About 80% of the time the refrain starts on the IV.

[James Judson]

I'm beginning to think there are no bass players on this forum.

I'll say it again. "If you want to be accused of having great tone, PLAY THE SAME NOTES AS THE BASS DRUM".

Am I the only one that thinks "hooking up with the drummer is the bassmans job" (besides rattling the windows).

You said all the rest in your initial post.

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by hennessybass

You are on the right track...
keep it simple!
Listen to the song - hearing the melody is key.
Follow the singer.
I like to visualize people dancing - helps keep you focused on the feel of the song.

Yes, sing the song with the vocalist - helps you get a groove going. Singing under your breath is fine. Nothing wrong with under your breath, you are not stepping on anyone toes and it looks like you are singing along and having fun. It's show business.

All good posts.

[hennessybass]

Originally Posted by Noose

That 55,11 thing you speak of, can you give me an example of a song that starts like that. I think I know what you are talking about bi want to be sure.

Jambalaya on the Bayou - hank williams...
‪Jambalaya on the Bayou - Hank Williams‬‏ - YouTube

fiddle brings it in, 2 measures of the V chord, 2 measures of the I chord... then the song starts.

[Russell L]

All good advice. I'll just add, don't forget to cut off notes as needed. Stuff like letting your picking hand come back to rest on the off-beats. It gives a rhythm of its own.

Also, muting with the palm of your picking hand and picking with your thumb can give an upright sound to the notes. Nice effect when needed.

Watch out for them 2/4s.

[pedroims]

The hardest part for me is the feel, I just started to play country and I dont have problem with the root-five approach the problem is the feel, this morning I asked my wife to listen while I was playing along with redneck woman, she told me what I was afraid of: The notes are righ and you are in time but I cant not feel the groove, sounds more like a rock song.

[hennessybass]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Yes, sing the song with the vocalist - helps you get a groove going. Singing under your breath is fine. Nothing wrong with under your breath, you are not stepping on anyone toes and it looks like you are singing along and having fun.

All good posts.

I also really really like to sing when folks are soloing (in my head, or under my breath) !! You don't even need to know the words... I usually just end up with a mash up of verses,, but I find singing along really helps me keep my place in the song, and will help you make the changes.

I find when I start listening to solo's, it can be easy to loose your place (especially if the soloist is good), singing along helps keep you where you are supposed to be -- know the melody!

[robwren]

I'm no country expert but have had to play a few gigs. Be careful of playing r-5 when the 5 doesn't resolve well to the next chord. For instance, in C, going from F (IV) to C (I) if you're playing r-5-|r-5-|, you'll end up playing F-C-|C-G-. It'll sound like you're getting to the root early. Better to play F-F|C-G-. Similar with V to I. Instead of G-D|C-G-|, play G-G|C-G-|...it's a much stronger resolution. Trust me, the old guys will love you for it

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by robwren

I'm no country expert but have had to play a few gigs. Be careful of playing r-5 when the 5 doesn't resolve well to the next chord.

This is the condensed version of advice given above, but bears repeating because it is so simple yet so effective.

A good example is "I Threw Away The Rose" George Jones version.

At the start of the first verse, bass holds the I instead of rocking to its V, he also holds the IV without rocking to its V as well. Very clean and uncluttered, lets the other instrumentation and lead vocal come through unencumbered.

‪George Jones- I threw away the rose‬‏ - YouTube

Compare George Jones' version to Merle Haggard's, I think you'll agree George's bass player had a lot more control and restraint and it made for a better bass track and overall arrangement.

Sometimes you have to curb the instinct to play extra notes and let the root do the work and the song breathe.