Extended chords (9th, 11th, 13th) on bass

[mattj1stc]

I agree with everyone's input so far. First, it would likely be best if you're thinking about arpeggios vs. actual chords in most case, with the occasional exception for double stops (5ths and octaves). On the extensions, I usually try to understand how much of these extensions will be utilized by other instruments and in what relative frequency range. For example, it might make more sense for me to play lower notes (e.g. the 13th as the 6th, the 11th as the 4th, the 9th as the 2nd). It also may make sense for me to just stay within the familiar ground of roots, 5ths, 3rds, 7ths and octaves. If I can't work it out with everyone else ahead of time, I will tend to follow the later course as well as try to stay within the frequency ranges that are specific to bass.

 

[lermgalieu]

Usually when I fret a chord, it's only to play arpeggios. I sometimes will play "power chords" (root/5/octave) but I am not clear if that's truly considered a "chord" (I am sure someone here can set me straight). I often throw in an extended double stop (like a 10th) for flavor. If I play an actual chord on bass, it is almost invariably above the 12th fret.

 

[Drucifer]

I've checked your suggested web-site.
Here is my opinion about one of them.
Bass Scales, Chords & Arpeggios Book By Guitar Command
Bass Guitar Scales Chords And Arpeggios is a printable PDF book for bass guitarists. It contains a huge range of movable scale, chord and arpeggio fingerboard diagrams – allowing you to play in any key.

Does the author realize how it sounds in REAL LIFE?
The author indicates playing Em as - Open E, B on the A string, E on the D string, and Open G.
Or playing (barre) Fm on the first fret???

It's a BASS GUITAR!

View attachment 3338544

Yes, many are terrible.

 

[dheafey]

I think learning to play chords correctly on bass is a good skill to have, but like all "tools in the toolbox", it needs to be in service of the song. Simple one note chord tones can sometimes be the best option, again depending on the song.

As an example, I created a bass line for a friend's original and the song ended on a big, fat open Emaj on guitar and keys. I could've played a chord with a G#, B, and E but it sounded cluttered and overbearing. In the end, I chose to use a G# on the E string which added some tension and fit nicely with the lyrics of the song.

K.I.S.S. works for me.

 

[HolmeBass]

Leaving out the root makes the chords sound like different chords.

One strong voicing for 9 or add9 is stacked fifths: 1, 5, 9. You can play this one fairly low and get away with it not being too cluttered.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Hello,

I lately started to play more chords on bass, mostly for fun and for practicing melody, voice leading and chord progressions. But I have been limiting myself to basic patterns i.e. up to 7th chords. In order to expand further, I was wondering how you would play extended chords on bass. When playing a 7th chord I basically removed the 5th as it does not bring much color to the chord. So I assume extended chords would also work in a similar way. I play on a 4 strings so my range may be limited, I understand that. But are there ways to play such extended chords anyway?

Cheers,

You don't really need a higher string to play chords. I've owned 6 and 7 string basses and they don't actually provide much extra range. Their benefit imo is more so in how easy it is to play the smaller strings and it reduces position shifts a little. Playing the open E string and open g string at the same time is tenth that doesn't require your fretting hand at all. I think what may be misleading is that when everyone first gets into chords they think of them as "shapes" but there's more than one way to skin a cat. Especially when it comes to simple two note chords. In the beginning of learning chords it's kind of like only knowing how to play a scale in one position but as you continue to do it you'll connect the dots and see the the same notes are available on different strings in different positions.

This is one of my bands songs. The bass part during the verse is all two note chords. There are 3rds, 5ths, and octave and a 10th all played with just the d and g string.

 

[bassliner50]

Cool thread this one...

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Leaving out the root makes the chords sound like different chords.

Let's take a look at a very basics of the walking bass concepts from Chris Fitzgerald's,
"Walking Bass Line Theory Basics".
http://chrisfitzgeraldmusic.com/wp-.../Walking-Bass-Line-Theory-Basics-PDF-File.pdf


"Target Note: a note that is played with the intent to outline a chord in a chord progression, usually on the first beat that the chord appears within the progression. For beginning bass lines, the Root of the chord is the most common target note to play because it is the fundamental note of the chord.
Approach Note: a note that leads into a target note in an aurally logical way. Approach notes usually occur on the beat before a target note."

If the bass does not need to play Roots on all 4 Beats, then, why it - the Down/Strong/Weak Beat system should change while accompanying?

 

[lermgalieu]

The bass part during the verse is all two note chords

So...not chords, double stops.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Now, let's take a look at some simple chord playing recommendations for beginner piano players.

From here:
http://www.khabdha.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/piano-chapter-chords.pdf

Here is a voicing scheme of a simple Cmaj7 chord for a "jazzier" piano player.
That simple maj7 chord includes the 6th and the 9th.

Now, let's find those Cmaj7 plus 6/9 notes on the 4-string bass starting around the 12th fret.

N.B. Remember that Down/Strong/Weak/Off-beat, etc... concept.


Let's play the double stops related to that Cmaj7 (6/9) chord by using the A and the G strings.

Now, let's do the same with that chord, just by playing the double stops on the E and G strings.

Let's include another string, the D string for the same chord and try to play three-tone voicing/s for the same.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I love to post this!

 

[Nephilymbass]

So...not chords, double stops.

By definition a chord is any harmonic set of pitches consisting of TWO or more notes heard simultaneously. Double stop specifically refers to two notes played simultaneously on a stringed instrument like a guitar or bass guitar. So just because it's a double stop doesn't mean it's not a chord.

 

[lermgalieu]

By definition a chord is any harmonic set of pitches consisting of TWO or more notes heard simultaneously. Double stop specifically refers to two notes played simultaneously on a stringed instrument like a guitar or bass guitar. So just because it's a double stop doesn't mean it's not a chord.

That's one opinion on the subject. There have been multi-page threads on here about this very point, so I wouldn't present it as such an absolute fact. Many would in fact refer to a 2-note chord as only an interval or a double stop, and not a chord. IOW, you are right that others share your opinion, but your opinion isn't necessarily right.

 

[hintz]

I find that 7th's sound muddy until you get into the middle of the neck(by the octave), 10th's OTOH sound great up and down the entire range. Unless there's a sharp 11th that has to be there, Id avoid many of these chord tones.

However, 2 handed tapping can be very useful if you really want/need some of these chord tones.

 

[Nephilymbass]

That's one opinion on the subject. There have been multi-page threads on here about this very point, so I wouldn't present it as such an absolute fact. Many would in fact refer to a 2-note chord as only an interval or a double stop, and not a chord. IOW, you are right that others share your opinion, but your opinion isn't necessarily right.

how would you define a dyad then?

 

[hintz]

And more stuff from my old tapping book, maybe it'll give you some ideas?!

Harmonics are another good way to get chords going, my favorite is doing an E7 chord: with 9th fret E string, 9th fret D and 7th fret G(all three right over the fret). There are other but that's always my go to harmonic chord. Using harmonics is yet another way to avoid mud with chordal bass playing!

 

[ole Jason]

Oh please can we get another "are double stops chords?" thread going?

 

[ole Jason]

Hello,

I lately started to play more chords on bass, mostly for fun and for practicing melody, voice leading and chord progressions. But I have been limiting myself to basic patterns i.e. up to 7th chords. In order to expand further, I was wondering how you would play extended chords on bass. When playing a 7th chord I basically removed the 5th as it does not bring much color to the chord. So I assume extended chords would also work in a similar way. I play on a 4 strings so my range may be limited, I understand that. But are there ways to play such extended chords anyway?

Cheers,

You are correct in the fifth is usually not played unless it is altered. An easy exercise to do on 4 string bass would be to play the root on the E string, nothing on the A, and the color notes on the D and G. Something I'd recommend doing is look at chord shapes for gypsy jazz. Django played a lot of three note chords that can be applicable to the bass. Here's a common line you'll hear gypsy jazz players play at the end of a minor tune or on an extended m7 chord (play it at the 12th fret or higher, just easier to write out on the forum using single digits)...

G--5--5--5--5---
D--5--4--3--2---
A-----------------
E--5--5--5--5---

 

[Whousedtoplay]

So...not chords, double stops.

I would like to propose a compromise.
The regular 4-string bass players who desperately savor each of those (only) 4 strings, could (as an exception) be granted a temporary relief to call a dyad a two note chord, but...
All those with 5 or 6 or more string basses, or playing the guitar, the piano Must stop calling dyads Chords!

 

[lermgalieu]

I would like to propose a compromise.
The regular 4-string bass players who desperately savor each of those (only) 4 strings, could (as an exception) be granted a temporary relief to call a dyad a two note chord, but...
All those with 5 or 6 or more string basses, or playing the guitar, the piano Must stop calling dyads Chords!

I honestly don't care what they're called but I do note that the 2 note thingies are much more useful on the 4 string thingies than the 3 note or more thingies.