Repertoire of bass embellishments

[carlthegroover]

I know, the title does sound exuberant. But it's a simple question really (maybe?).

How many distinctive techniques do you have to "embellish" your core basslines? Such as fills, chromatic runs, hammer ons/ pull offs, slides and the like.

How long did it take you to develop them? Was this development progressive or you just kind of "stumbled" upon them (eureka moments, so to speak)?

How did you learn them? What was your source?

Do you often use these embellishments? Do you stick in a certain part of the neck, or you run all over it?


You can answer to one or all the above questions as you see fit. I'd appreciate any answers that could help me and some other novice bassists to beautify our basslines.


P.S. Apologies in advance if this has been asked already. I just couldn't come up with one thread that answers some or all of my questions.

[fdeck]

"Lesser artists borrow, great artists steal." -- Igor Stravinsky

I hear things, and incorporate them into my own playing, if I remember. Anything that Jaco did is fair game. Yesterday, I played Zappa's "Montana" to my kids, and decided to borrow a couple of those unmistakable solo breaks, next chance I get.

[kanonfodr]

I'm personally a fan of the chromatic run to embellish a chord change, and the occasional slide works great to add some character to certain parts of a song.

Peace,
Greg

[Jhengsman]

Originally Posted by carlthegroover

How long did it take you to develop them? Was this development progressive or you just kind of "stumbled" upon them (eureka moments, so to speak)?

How did you learn them? What was your source?

Do you often use these embellishments? Do you stick in a certain part of the neck, or you run all over it?

.

More like trying to copy a famous bassline and then seeing the opportunity to use that technique developed to add it to a song we are playing. How long? Most stuff is still out of reach,

[MalcolmAmos]

Chromatic runs.
Full chord tones R-b3-5-b7.
Pentatonic fills.

Scott Devine and Ed Friedland mostly. Plus being a sponge and listening.

[sammyp]

Originally Posted by fdeck

"Lesser artists borrow, great artists steal." -- Igor Stravinsky

I hear things, and incorporate them into my own playing, if I remember. Anything that Jaco did is fair game. Yesterday, I played Zappa's "Montana" to my kids, and decided to borrow a couple of those unmistakable solo breaks, next chance I get.

damn ...i thought that quote was Charlie Parker ...guess he stole that from Stravinsky!