Learn the songs they are doing first.
Then explore other blues/jazz/rock and find your own voice.
Then explore other blues/jazz/rock and find your own voice.
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Scale-wise you'd to well to look at the major and minor pentatonic scales. There's also one called the blues scale which apparently works on, the blues.
So the first gig is in one week? Presumably they are aware that you don't have much experience with the blues - have they offered you an opportunity to run through the material with them between now and the gig?
If not, is there a recording of them you can use to learn the material?
Having the set list is good but they may do some of those songs differently than the standard versions you'll find on Spotify or YouTube.
If not, is there a recording of them you can use to learn the material?
Having the set list is good but they may do some of those songs differently than the standard versions you'll find on Spotify or YouTube.
Bring the good technique, leave the fast fingers home.
Unlikely you'll be able to learn enough of an unfamiliar genre to be of much use in a week. I'd listen to Stevie Ray Vaughn's In Step. Tommy Shannon is a killer bass player and you learn a couple of grooves.
I know it might be a long shot, but if there is any chance of getting together with just the drummer for a few hours I would grab it. The tighter you guys are the more likelihood of giving the band a good feel. That doesn't mean playing metronomically (is that a word?). It means synchronising your collective feel for swing and groove. Nailing a shuffle on your own is one thing and everyone has their interpretation, but if you guys gel and have an understanding...
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Super dark sunglasses and a beat up hat.....you're set.
- Oct 22, 2015
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1) Get a pawn shop bass. If it ain't been in a pawn shop it can't play the blues.
2) Avoid malted milk this week.
3) Consider arranging for your girl to cheat on you.
4) Nail 1-5 shuffle 8ths, and toss in a triplet walk on the changes.
2) Avoid malted milk this week.
3) Consider arranging for your girl to cheat on you.
4) Nail 1-5 shuffle 8ths, and toss in a triplet walk on the changes.
I thought they sing about their woman leaving them in the Blues, or "Baby". I could be wrong, but I don't recall any songs about "girls" in the Blues.
If your dog isn't dead, let a friend take the dog for a while & pretend like it's dead...
You should probably practice while riding a train.
I would mention other tragic things that the Blues are known for, but it would be morbid.
As mentioned, less time on TB & more time behind your bass. You can login here once/day & get all the info you need in 30 minutes.
The biggest blues mistakes I hear are:
(1) if it's a slow 4 feel (drums on ride, not hat)play LONG quarter notes.
(2) you better know how to swing.
(1) if it's a slow 4 feel (drums on ride, not hat)play LONG quarter notes.
(2) you better know how to swing.
I learned both of those songs in my OP, which they play. My biggest concern is in the transitions...walk ups, walk downs and how to make that work. Otherwise I'm stuck on the root.
Can I learn that in a week?
I do understand the "feel" component, and totally get that it is extra important for blues.
Can I learn that in a week?
I do understand the "feel" component, and totally get that it is extra important for blues.
