When listening to the bass line in songs how do I determine the root notes? I am new to dissecting bass lines so at this stage when I'm trying to play by ear I guess each note one after the other until I get it right. It is a very time consuming process. I will have to use this method until I am able to hear and guess the right intervals. Based on everything I have read and heard the interval quality is always determined by the root note. Also the chord name and quality is determined by the root note. Is there a specific method to determine which notes in a bass line are the root notes verses the notes that are connecting the root notes? I think once I am able to determine the root notes when listening to a bass line it will make playing it a lot easier instead of the way I am doing it now. I appreciate the feedback. Thank you!
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How to Determine The Root Notes in Bass Lines?
- Thread starter IAmNewToBass
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Hello and welcome!
When I was a little kid learning to read English, here is the method that my parents used for me: We would open the book and look at it together. Then, my parents would read out loud while I followed along looking at the words on the page. Eventually, I was able to recognize certain patterns and read out loud myself.
The same technique works with learning the language of music, too. I recommend to purchase, download, or check out of the library some songbooks and printed scores to your favorite music. In particular, look for arrangements that have the chord symbols printed above each measure. Then, open the book and read along as you listen to a recording. Try to match the patterns on the page to what you are hearing. For example, if the chord progression goes C, Amin, F, G7, then you know the roots of the chords are C, A, F, G so try to hear what that sounds like.
With time, your skills will improve to the point that finding the roots of a chord progression will be effortless and instantaneous. In other words, you will be able to hear and play the roots in real time as you are playing. Not only that, but you will have the vocabulary to begin writing your own progressions and songs!
When I was a little kid learning to read English, here is the method that my parents used for me: We would open the book and look at it together. Then, my parents would read out loud while I followed along looking at the words on the page. Eventually, I was able to recognize certain patterns and read out loud myself.
The same technique works with learning the language of music, too. I recommend to purchase, download, or check out of the library some songbooks and printed scores to your favorite music. In particular, look for arrangements that have the chord symbols printed above each measure. Then, open the book and read along as you listen to a recording. Try to match the patterns on the page to what you are hearing. For example, if the chord progression goes C, Amin, F, G7, then you know the roots of the chords are C, A, F, G so try to hear what that sounds like.
With time, your skills will improve to the point that finding the roots of a chord progression will be effortless and instantaneous. In other words, you will be able to hear and play the roots in real time as you are playing. Not only that, but you will have the vocabulary to begin writing your own progressions and songs!
- Jul 30, 2006
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- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
I often play a major scale shape over the song until I find the one that fits. The first note of that scale comprises the root chord - which is not necessarily the first chord from that scale - and then you'll have a choice if those seven as the root of most chords in the song. This is probably worded wrong and of little help.
If you know the chord progression,find the fifth interval chord(should be a dominant chord if Major)The root is five notes below that dominant chord.
Learn how chords are formed. Once you do that, learn how to identify chords by ear. Comes with time, but it's no great mystery.
I agree with this. Make sure you have decent speakers/headphones, so the bass spectrum is clear. This may make a world of difference. Play easy songs with lead sheets or tabs to get the sounds in your ear. Each song should get easier as you begin to hear the shapes.Hello and welcome!
When I was a little kid learning to read English, here is the method that my parents used for me: We would open the book and look at it together. Then, my parents would read out loud while I followed along looking at the words on the page. Eventually, I was able to recognize certain patterns and read out loud myself.
The same technique works with learning the language of music, too. I recommend to purchase, download, or check out of the library some songbooks and printed scores to your favorite music. In particular, look for arrangements that have the chord symbols printed above each measure. Then, open the book and read along as you listen to a recording. Try to match the patterns on the page to what you are hearing. For example, if the chord progression goes C, Amin, F, G7, then you know the roots of the chords are C, A, F, G so try to hear what that sounds like.
With time, your skills will improve to the point that finding the roots of a chord progression will be effortless and instantaneous. In other words, you will be able to hear and play the roots in real time as you are playing. Not only that, but you will have the vocabulary to begin writing your own progressions and songs!
Also, might be a good idea to get a private instructor.
Doing this by ear is not the easy way and can lead to much confusion and is probably beyond the skill level of a lot of us. So what is a guy to do? Here is what I do, does not make this correct, just what I do.
I call up the chord progression of the song. Google usually finds it for me and once armed with the chords of the song it becomes something I can do - if I also use the following music theory facts. Remember your math facts; 9 + 8 is always 17, and 9 + 5 is always 14. A few facts put to use......
Asking Google, use these words; Chords, "name of the song" The comma and quote marks help in the search. For example Chords, "Horse with no name" got me this. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Chord progression starts out with the Em chord. The root is E and the rest of the notes in the Em chord will be the b3 and 5 of the E major scale. Or R-b3-5. Now the D6/9 is an interesting chord as it's a slash chord and with slash chords we bassists play the note after the slash. The 9th note of the D major scale is an E. So in effect if you were pounding roots that first line of the verse could be played by pounding E's to the beat when the Em is active and then E in the next octave up for the D6/9. This should help. Chord Formulas And I lived on this site when first starting out. Chords In The Key Of C Notice it not only gives the chords in the key but also the notes in the scale.
If you can wade around in just the first three inches of the theory stream it really makes identifying notes much easier. Yes I see A, B, C's and think in 1, 2, 3's.
Major Scale Box.
G~~|---9---|-------|--10---|--11---| 1st string
D~~|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A~~|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E~~|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string
G~~|---9---|-------|--10---|--11---| 1st string
D~~|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A~~|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E~~|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string
Major scale spelling is R-2-3-4-5-6-7.
Major pentatonic spelling = R-2-3-5-6 use the major scale and omit the 4 & 7.
Minor scale spelling is R-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7.
Minor pentatonic spelling = R-b3-4-5-b7 use the minor scale and omit the 2 & 6.
Major triad spelling = R-3-5 Major always has a 3.
Minor triad spelling = R-b3-5 Minor always has a b3.
Diminished triad spelling = R-b3-b5 The diminished is both minor & diminished so you flat both the 3 and 5 and if you take it on out to the 7 the 7 is also flatted.
Major seventh spelling = R-3-5-7
Minor seventh spelling = R-b3-5-b7
Dominant seven spelling = R-3-5-b7
Diminish seven (m7b5) spelling = R-b3-b5-b7
If there is something else - figure it out.
All that said; just roots, fives and eights make the generic R-5-8-5 bass line and those scale degrees will play a lot of bass. But, should you need some of what I've listed; help yourself.
Good luck.
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A lot of time the song ends on the root note. Not always true but usually a good place to start.
