Passing Tones

[phaneo]

I'm playing a lot of really simple root note bass lines right now. Are there any "rules of thought" for the passing tones in between? I think some of the best bass lines are very simple root note lines with perfect subtle passing tones. I don't know theory so I don't really know if there are any general things I should know.

I realize it's all a matter of taste and personal creativity as well as ultimately sounding good to me, but I'm sure there are some rules.

Thanks

[Jake of Bass]

Bass Line Construction: Target Approach

Read this thread here, it's in the stickied thread above this one titled "Music Theory/General Instruction Links"


Jake.

[Snarf]

Listening to music on this subject will be a much better education than asking for advice here.

[Jake of Bass]

Listening is only part of it, it's like watching someone make a cake but not knowing half the ingredients. So when you go to do it yourself you'll be missing a few things and it won't be the same cake you're trying to bake, so to speak.

You need to round your education in everything - studying, listening, practicing, talking to others who know a lot about these sorts of things to pinpoint areas of knowledge, and apply it all to your bass. It takes a while but once you've got it the musical world opens up to you quite a lot.

[DocBop]

Transcribe and analyze.

There are no rules for PT's they could be scaler or chromatic. So transcribe a bass player you like and analyze the transcription then decide what you think the notes are. If note sure what to call a note in a transcription ask someone what they think. Doing this process will teach you a lot more, not only line you like, but how to make you own similar lines.

[slybass3000]

My definition and usage of passing tones is this:
It is a chromatic note that connect two scales notes.
For example in the scale of C major: C-c#-D-d#-E-F-f#-G-g#-A-a#-B-C.

These chromatic notes for a pleasant sound and use should be place on a weak beat such as a two and four in a Walking bass style or on an up-beat in a solo in 8th notes for example.

This is on practical use and theorical purpose..................BUT.........

I just watched yesterday part of the new VW DVD and he makes a solo with only the passing-tones and he makes pretty good music out of it, BUT.......

He is Victor ;-)


Sly

[Richard Lindsey]

They don't have to be chromatic or between two scale tones. They can be diatonic and between two chord tones.