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Groove/Timekeeping Exercises and Songs

1

18reisd

Aug 12, 2012
17
0
#1
Hey All,
I was wondering if any of you could recommend me some songs or exercises that I can use to have a solid groove, good timekeeping, and overall just be a tighter bassist. I jam a lot, so my reaction and feel should also be good when I'm making basslines on the fly. (Not that I'm saying I'm very good at this;)). I practice with a metronome daily, and gig out 2-3 times a month, so I guess my groove is already decent and I can lock in, IMO. I just want some good exercises and songs to play along with so I can stay as tight as I am when improvising that I would be when playing a practiced bassline.
Thanks!
 
#3
Use the metronome on larger values.
Twice a bar, 1 and 3 or like a snare on 2 &.4. Lock that in and then you can try 1 per bar, every other bar.

Seems simple, but youll find out real fast how good or bad your pulse is
 
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#4
I don't know the type of music you play but practicing disco dance stuff can be really good, Chick ( Bernard Edwards ) Cher - Believe, I realise that I might be suggesting something completely not you style and mostly sequenced lines but they do require tight consistent feel, can be easy over a few bars but keeping a tight groove for a whole song can be difficult, be open to everything. As was said use metronome on alternate beats, also try playing against the metronome on up beats, take a scale over one octave set the metronome to click on quater notes but as you count in start on 4& playing quater notes so each one falls on the up beat, also try start on 1& so you half a beat behind on the up beat, same thing in a way but has a different feel as you not pushing towards the beat.
 
#5
Good timing is absolutely essential to the groove, but it's not the only thing you need to truly groove with a band.

18reisd said:
...and overall just be a tighter bassist.
Click to expand...

Make sure that you practice feeling the music, like in your viscera, especially if you are making up basslines on the fly. When you can really feel the music you'll do a much better job of playing what the song needs rather than what the amalgamation of your ego and habits want to play.

Also listen, all the time, every time you play. Really hear yourself and the entire band (if present). Listen to how each instrument sounds in relation to the others and look for places that need to be thickened or thinned.

The groove is about...well, grooving--fitting into that one perfect part of each song's structure melodically, rhythmically, stylistically, etc...
 
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#6
18reisd said:
Hey All,
I was wondering if any of you could recommend me some songs or exercises that I can use to have a solid groove, good timekeeping, and overall just be a tighter bassist. I jam a lot, so my reaction and feel should also be good when I'm making basslines on the fly. (Not that I'm saying I'm very good at this;)). I practice with a metronome daily, and gig out 2-3 times a month, so I guess my groove is already decent and I can lock in, IMO. I just want some good exercises and songs to play along with so I can stay as tight as I am when improvising that I would be when playing a practiced bassline.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Improving timing is a thing all musicians and especially us, should be work on with good and efficient exercises AND tools.

This [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is all about that and is unique in its genre.
 
#7
Grooving or improving ones groove requires studying the masters of that style of music. Listen to what they played and emulate it. In certain styles that will mean playing more sparse, or maybe busier, longer notes, more staccato, on top of the beat, laid back, swinging, straight, etc. And of course it is all relative to what the other musicians are playing. Record yourself and honestly evaluate it. Compare and contrast with the top bands in that genre. You will quickly hear if improvement is needed.
 

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