How to learn the essentials to have fun

[LordDog]

We are an accompaniment instrument, which means we accompany the melody by playing notes of the harmonizing chord, one note at a time to the beat of the drummer's kick drum.

To do that we need to know what chord is active in the song. I do this by playing from fake chord sheet music like this; Above All

Are you telling me that all I need to do is dig out all of those old chord box books I have from years ago when I tried to play guitar, and play the matching arpeggios over the guitar chords (puts head in hands), why didn't I ever think of doing that? Why?

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Are you telling me that all I need to do is dig out all of those old chord box books I have from years ago when I tried to play guitar, and play the matching arpeggios over the guitar chords (puts head in hands), why didn't I ever think of doing that? Why?

Yep, it all revolves around the harmonizing chord. Instead of strumming the chord we now play notes of the chord. How many notes is dictated by our skill level and the song itself. I have found that basic dirt simple usually works best.

If there is a void, fill it. With what? What is needed.

All you old sheet music can still be used. Instead of strumming play notes of the chord. How many notes? That depends on the song and how much space the other guys have left you. And yes then there is that rhythm thing... AKA groove.

 

[MrLenny1]

SBL Scott's Bass Lessons

 

[Chili_Time]

Great Thread and thank you @MalcolmAmos. I'm in the section of book 3 of Hal Leonard Bass Method where we are learning to play with chord sheets. Up to this point the books taught me to play from sheet music. While it sounds good and I can play it I'm lost making up my own bass line using a chord sheet. Malcom's posts added a ton of good summarized and understandable information. I just need to woodshed and get better playing with chord charts. My lines sound horrible compared to the melodic lines Ed Friedland wrote for us in books 1 and 2.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Wow! Seems a lot right now, but I think it's a cool handy guide with the essentials. Thank you very much!

Take it a little at a time. Major scale to get your fingers moving over the strings, then go to chords. The chord's root and five will play a lot of bass. Rhythm comes into the picture. Follow the drummer's bass drum beat. Rhythm is more important than what note you use. All seven of the scale's notes will sound OK with each other.

Go have fun.

 

[Mushroo]

Pixies and Clash were two of my big influences, too, when I was starting out on bass. My advice is to simply pick some songs you love the bass line, like "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" or "Where Is My Mind." Listen to them over and over again, sing along with the bass part, and try to make your bass sound like the recording. There's really no short cut; just stick with it, a little bit each day, until you can imitate on the bass the sounds you hear with your ears.