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Double Bass Playing over a D/E chord?

Hopefully the title isn't confusing, and my apologies if so.

I'm curious to know how to play over a chord like D/E. The entire progression is Emaj7, D/E, Amaj7 and D7/9.

I know it's probably something I'm overthinking but I'd really like to understand this. And for the last chord of D7/9, I'm assuming a dominant arpeggio/scale will work fine for this?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
 
Hopefully the title isn't confusing, and my apologies if so.

I'm curious to know how to play over a chord like D/E. The entire progression is Emaj7, D/E, Amaj7 and D7/9.

I know it's probably something I'm overthinking but I'd really like to understand this. And for the last chord of D7/9, I'm assuming a dominant arpeggio/scale will work fine for this?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
E Ionian (major)
E mixolydian (major dominant)
A Ionian (major)
D mixolydian or blues, maybe fourth mode of (A) melodic minor
 
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D/E

This is called a slash chord. You have a chord on the left and the bass note on the right. So, this is a D Maj chord with an E in the bass.

Never seen D7/9

If it's supposed to be D7(9) D9 is just a D7 with a 9th added. The correct symbol is D9.

D7+9 or D7-9 possibly. These are altered dominants.

upload_2023-10-31_20-49-19.png


upload_2023-10-31_20-49-39.png



Another possibility. D6/9 is not a slash chord:
upload_2023-10-31_20-51-50.png
 
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Wow, thanks a ton you all! I didn't expect so many responses this quick, but very much appreciated.

So let's say we're playing the Dmaj triad, but with the E in the bass. I know the triad, but where would the E come in on the bass? Or how would you all approach adding the E in the bass in the Dmaj triad?

Apologies in advance if I'm sounding stupid, but I'm new to this particular situation.

Also, here is the link for the track, which has the chord chart in the video: (89) BASSLESS Funky Groove - Backing track Jam in E - YouTube
 
Wow, thanks a ton you all! I didn't expect so many responses this quick, but very much appreciated.

So let's say we're playing the Dmaj triad, but with the E in the bass. I know the triad, but where would the E come in on the bass? Or how would you all approach adding the E in the bass in the Dmaj triad?

Apologies in advance if I'm sounding stupid, but I'm new to this particular situation.

Also, here is the link for the track, which has the chord chart in the video: (89) BASSLESS Funky Groove - Backing track Jam in E - YouTube
When the harmony is specifying "D/E" (or, E7,9,sus), YOU, the bassplaya, are obliged to play and supply the E note, the Root of the Chord. The chording instrument(s) (piano/keys/guitar?) will rely on your E to build their chord voicing of the "D" and together, you all will have collaboratively constructed the "E7,9,sus" sound. If you are clever and knowledgeable, you would be able to embellish the E with other notes, while still conveying a strong sense of "E".
In a "Funk" situation, (as on the YT track), you need to play a lot of the Root of each chord...measure by measure. Additionally, you might want to copy the drummer's bass drum rhythmic pattern - this is a good starting point on creating a "groove". (This is the very short answer!)
Note: In a Jazz Walking style, you would need to be even more clever and knowledgeable and connect each measure to the next as the chords change and move through the harmonic structure.
This is the short answer.
IMFO, of course.
 
Last edited:
Wow, thanks a ton you all! I didn't expect so many responses this quick, but very much appreciated.

So let's say we're playing the Dmaj triad, but with the E in the bass. I know the triad, but where would the E come in on the bass? Or how would you all approach adding the E in the bass in the Dmaj triad?

Apologies in advance if I'm sounding stupid, but I'm new to this particular situation.

Also, here is the link for the track, which has the chord chart in the video: (89) BASSLESS Funky Groove - Backing track Jam in E - YouTube


The E in the bass is held over from the previous bar. Essentially the bass stays the same but the chord changes. This is fairly common in this type of music. Notice there is an E in each bar.

|:|EMaj7|D/E|AMaj7|D9|:|

This is a nice progression. Harmonically it's constantly moving around.

To my ears:
Bar 1 is in I of E Major [E,F#,G#,A,B,C#,D#]
Bar 2 is sub for V of A Major [A,B,C#,D,E,F#,G#]--hard not to play ii of A Major IMHO
Bar 3 is I of A Major [A,B,C#,D,E,F#,G#]
Bar 4 is V of G Major [G,A,B,C,D,E,F#]
 
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