Yes welcome to the bottom end. I two came over from rhythm guitar. I use the same fake chord sheet music I did with the rhythm guitar, but, instead of strumming the chord I now play notes of the chord one at a time to the beat of the drummer's kick drum.
To give you something to get started with:
Chord tones aka the R-3-5-7 notes of the chord seldom get into my bass line in that order. I normally go root first, and if more is needed I'll add the 5, still need more I'll add the 8 for a R-5-8-5. That is a safe generic bass line. Major and minor chords have a root, a five and the eight. Minor chords will have a b3 and a b7. Major chords will have a 3 & 7. Diminished chords will have b3, b5 & b7. Flat "b" is one fret back toward the nut and "#" sharp notes are one fret toward the bridge.
In case you have not found this;
From your root the 2 is same string and up two frets. Always....
From your root the 3 is up a string and back a fret. Always....
From your root the 4 is up a string same fret. Yes always.
From your root the 5 is up a string and over two frets. Or down a string same fret.
From your root the 6 is up two strings and back one fret. Over the 3.
From your root the 7 is up two strings and over one fret.
From your root the 8 is up two strings and over two frets.
G~~|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D~~|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A~~|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E~~|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string
Same pattern you probably have seen with dots. Adding the scale degree numbers let's the box come alive.
- place the box's R on the tonic root of the key - song in the key of C use the 4th string 8th fret C note for the R - and everything for the C major scales, arpeggios, chord tones, etc. are all within the box.
- place the box's R on the tonic root of the key or chord that is active. Let's use the key of C for our example and use the C @ the 4th string 8th fret. Then use the "spelling" for what you need. C major scale = R-2-3-4-5-6-7. Cm7 chord = R-b3-5-b7 and C dominant seven = R-3-5-b7. C major triad = R-3-5.
Is there more? Sure, but, if
you look up what you want to know it'll stick with you. Google is an old friend.
