Pentatonics??

[scottrolf]

Like many folks who take up the bass, I come from a guitar background.
However, I think my hidden first love has always been the Bottom Line.
I play by ear but have a good understanding and practice of theory.
With the guitar, I will blend the major scale with its relative minor and pentatonic/s.

My bass playing up to now, has just made use of the major scale and playing the root note for each chord change within the song. I guess you could call that the melody?

My question here is, can I blend in major and minor pentatonic scales within a bass line?
If so, when and where is that applicable?

I do not want to approach the bass as I would a lead guitar. i.e. I don't want to sound like I came from a guitar background as I know you folks can spot us a mile away.

Any and all help will always be welcomed.
Thanks,

P.S.
I've bolded the above paragraph as this is my main question.
sr

 

[alltomorrowsparties]

You can use more than just the root but it's not always going to be major or minor pentatonic. Use other chordal notes (usually the 3rd, 5th, octave) to make your basslines more interesting as well as chromatic notes/notes in the scale in between chord changes so they sound more fluid

 

[fearceol]

Use other chordal notes

+1.

OP : No doubt pentatonics are used a lot in rock and other genres. However, rather than scales, try to think in terms of CHORD TONES. These are what the bassist plays mostly.

Check out this link. The site itself is one of the best out there.

Chord Tones Are Primary | Bass Chord Patterns | StudyBass

 

[scottrolf]

This is exactly what I'm needing to hear.
Thanks.

 

[Lobster11]

Here's the first of a three-part lesson on creating bass lines that illustrates what's been said above (you shouldn't have any trouble finding parts 2 and 3 from here):



As you'll see, he starts by creating a line using only roots, then using only roots and fifths, then only using roots, thirds, and fifths, and so forth.

 

[scottrolf]

You can use more than just the root but it's not always going to be major or minor pentatonic. Use other chordal notes (usually the 3rd, 5th, octave) to make your basslines more interesting as well as chromatic notes/notes in the scale in between chord changes so they sound more fluid

Now that I think of it, I guess this is why playing the R, 3rd, 5th in a standard I,IV,V progression always works.

 

[scottrolf]

Here's the first of a three-part lesson on creating bass lines that illustrates what's been said above (you shouldn't have any trouble finding parts 2 and 3 from here):



As you'll see, he starts by creating a line using only roots, then using only roots and fifths, then only using roots, thirds, and fifths, and so forth.

Thank you!!

 

[FunkHead]

You say you play by ear. I am the same way and have been for about 35 years.
So.....I say this: Use your ear to guide you. Sure it's great to know what notes to hit based on everyone before you and Music theory.
But I like to come up with stuff in my head and the get it out onto the fretboard.

Sure it's probably exactly what is printed in Music Theory textbooks but I like to be in control of what I play.

Also, I have found that it's perfectly fine to hit the same note a few times while "Walking". It's also fine to play nothing at all for several beats.

I don't expect this all to make sense to most people and it's really intended for "By Ear" Players.

 

[fearceol]

You say you play by ear. I am the same way and have been for about 35 years.
So.....I say this: Use your ear to guide you. Sure it's great to know what notes to hit based on everyone before you and Music theory.
But I like to come up with stuff in my head and the get it out onto the fretboard.

Sure it's probably exactly what is printed in Music Theory textbooks but I like to be in control of what I play.

Also, I have found that it's perfectly fine to hit the same note a few times while "Walking". It's also fine to play nothing at all for several beats.

I don't expect this all to make sense to most people and it's really intended for "By Ear" Players.

There is absolutely no doubt that a good ear is a vital asset to have at your disposal. So too, is a basic knowledge of theory. It takes lots of different skills to become a well rounded player.

Knowing theory by no means impedes your control over what you play. It forms the building blocks of music. How...and what.. you "build" with those blocks is entirely up to each individual.

 

[Jloch86]

Look into chord substitutions. The general rule is if two chords share two or more notes, you can substitute them.

Example:
Cmaj7 is C-E-G-B
Emin7 is E-G-B-D

They share 3 notes.

If it's a I-IV-V progression with C as the I chord, you could play the pentatonic notes of Em pentatonic instead of C major pentatonic.

Give it a shot.

 

[jamro217]

It depends on how busy a bass line you intend to play. For some, root, 5, root, 5... works just fine. I wouldn't suggest that if you're auditioning for a progressive rock gig, though. Decide whether you're going to mirror the guitar line or play a contrapuntal one. If the guitar is playing a descending run and the bass is ascending (or vice versa) when do they meet and pass? What scale or mode is the guitar playing? Once you figure out exactly what is going on around you, you're free to use whatever tools are at your disposal. Hope this helps.

 

[scottrolf]

It depends on how busy a bass line you intend to play. For some, root, 5, root, 5... works just fine. I wouldn't suggest that if you're auditioning for a progressive rock gig, though. Decide whether you're going to mirror the guitar line or play a contrapuntal one. If the guitar is playing a descending run and the bass is ascending (or vice versa) when do they meet and pass? What scale or mode is the guitar playing? Once you figure out exactly what is going on around you, you're free to use whatever tools are at your disposal. Hope this helps.

I had to chuckle regarding the Prog Rock reference. It so happens that is my number-one favorite style of music for listening. And I emphasize "listening".

For playing, I gravitate to the Jazz/Rock genera.
I'm a huge fan of Bill Nelson (BeBop Deluxe).

 

[Lobster11]

A good set of "rules" (which I put in quotes because there are lots of exceptions) to keep in mind are:

1. Root note on "the one,"

2. Chord tones (including root) on other downbeats, and

3. Scale tones (including chord tones) or other "approach notes" on upbeats. Tones from the appropriate pentatonic scale are especially common.

You mentioned blues, which is a really good place to start -- along with other blues-based rock such as classic 50's rock (think Chuck Berry, Little Richard, et al.) For example, a really common line in blues, where most chords are 7th chords, goes 1-3-5-6-b7-6-5-3; a really common line in old-time rock-and-roll is 1-3-5-6-8-6-5-3. Note how both of these follow the "rules" noted above.

 

[Lobster11]

I had to chuckle regarding the Prog Rock reference. It so happens that is my number-one favorite style of music for listening. And I emphasize "listening".

For playing, I gravitate to the Jazz/Rock genera.
I'm a huge fan of Bill Nelson (BeBop Deluxe).

No doubt some of the coolest bass parts are to be found in prog rock and various jazz/rock fusions -- but that's probably not a good place to start for someone just starting out learning how to construct bass lines.

 

[Mushroo]

My rule of thumb is, "when in doubt, learn the song." It's great to know which notes "might" sound good based on your knowledge of music theory, but even better to know which notes "will" sound good because they are the correct and accurate notes of the song. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced bassist, learning the bass lines to your favorite songs note for note is always a good use of practice time.

 

[Spidey2112]

It depends on how busy a bass line you intend to play. For some, root, 5, root, 5... works just fine. I wouldn't suggest that if you're auditioning for a progressive rock gig, though. Decide whether you're going to mirror the guitar line or play a contrapuntal one. If the guitar is playing a descending run and the bass is ascending (or vice versa) when do they meet and pass? What scale or mode is the guitar playing? Once you figure out exactly what is going on around you, you're free to use whatever tools are at your disposal. Hope this helps.

You got me, 217... 'contrapuntal'... At first, I thought it was a resident of Nicaragua, being told to kick as many soccer balls as he could, then I realized the context was all wrong...

 

[Spidey2112]

However, I think my hidden first love has always been the Bottom Line.

We're still talking about the bass guitar, right?

 

[enricogaletta]

I agree with some previous post, definitely chord tones are great to work on bass lines, just think about your scale skills as a tool for some special to insert sometimes on your groove, not always off course, depending on the music scenario you need to gain the "bass experience" to understand when to use it.
Last but not least, rhythmics ideas!! These are the other 50% of good bass lines.
If you need more help feel free to contact me.

 

[scottrolf]

We're still talking about the bass guitar, right?

Yes.

 

[scottrolf]

Thank you all very much for the fantastic input.
I was watching a great interview/lesson with Jaco (nothing like setting the bar high) and what he told his students is to learn the melody of the song. To play how the song was sung if there are vocals involved. From there, branch off and expand but keep the melody as your home base.