Rhythm Troubles

[Reviaul]

I apologize in advance if this post isn't in the right forum. Anyhow, I'm a long time reader, first time poster here.

My problem was pointed out at my last lesson by my teacher. We were doing 12 bar blues in A while he was playing the guitar he wanted me to solo/improvise over it.

The problem is that I completely lack any kind of variation in what I was trying to do. I didn't notice it until he pointed out that I was doing was just playing quarter note the whole way through it.

Is there any way to get out of that rut or is it just something that requires alot of practicing?

[kraigo]

Long walks. Your legs will give you a nice 4/4. Clap or pat or sing counter rhythms to it.

KO

[mambo4]

+1 to kraigo. Its useful to free your rhythmic thinking from an instrument and just use your imagination.

Try sticking to the root note to free up the brain space for rhythmic ideas.

Learning notation can go a long way towards increasing your rhythmic awareness. It really pays to internalize how a bass line relates to the metronome pulse.

there are a few books that contain decent catalogs of bass rhythms in various styles.
Bass Bible by Paul Westwood I own and reccommend.
BASS GROOVES: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION by fellow TB'r Jon Liebman is on my wishlist.


And of course, listening and copying others is invaluable.

[Hookus]

I recommend practicing some exercises to get used to different rhythm structures as well. For example, in stead of Quarter/Quarter/Quarter/Quarter walking, maybe Half/Eighth/Eighth/Quarter, or whatever. The point is, you can use the same notes from your walking quarter note line, and make it sound completely different simply by changing the note structure of a measure.

[Reviaul]

Thank you all for your response. I plan to start doing all of these suggestions as well as pick up the Bass Bible book.

[jonster]

mambo4,

Thanks for your kind words about my new Bass Grooves book. I'm ready when you are! Be well, my friend.