Hello

[Streetrodrick]

My name is Rick and I am a stringaholic. 55 years playing guitar and our music leader said we need a bass player. She said ,Rick, you have a bass don't you ? Meet St. Marys New bass player. Quite a transition not to over play, but I look at it like I get a solo every song.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Over play - yep that is what we guitar guys do right at first. Follow the active chord and play notes of that chord. Roots first, then add the 5. Need more throw in the 8 for a R-5-8-5. And yes the correct 3 and 7 plus the major 6 have a place in our major key bass lines. Start pounding roots....

Notice I left out the 2 and 4. Why? If we are to play notes of the active chord about the only chord that will have a 2 or 4 in it's makeup are the sus and add chords. I seldom run across the sus or add chords, so the 2 & 4, would normally clash with the music I play.

Major scale box showing scale degree numbers
and the root note on the 4th string.
………..Index..Middle..Ring….Little
G~~|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D~~|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A~~|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E~~|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string​

I leave the melody notes to the solo instruments. It's your bass line do what you think fits.

Have fun.

 

[Streetrodrick]

Just caught this way late. But still helpful and will give it a try. Solid technical advice. Thank you for taking the time to pass on your knowledge to a noob.