Straying from the root ...

[David Sutkin]

Hey all,

I just came across this really great article from "No treble" about straying from the root as you lay down grooves while playing with others.

Thought this article would be of interest here, it certainly was to me

Is It So Bad To Play The Root When I Solo?

 

[dreamadream99]

It's OK to play the root, but not as the first note. Starting off every chord change with a root is a sign of an inexperienced soloist. Someone who wants to solo, but has trouble breaking away from the root function of the bass line.

 

[Lobster11]

It seems to me that avoiding the root -- or at least not starting a phrase with it -- is in part related to the idea of not always starting your phrases on "the one." If you come in somewhere in the middle of a bar, it creates the impression that the root on the one was implied; you just didn't play it.