My teacher always reminds me that root - fifths are the most important tool bassists have in their mental "tool box". And I would like to know if there is anything else as important as a root - fifth in writing good bass lines?
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What is the Most Important Tool/Technique bassists have.
- Thread starter buddysilver
- Start date
As it relates to chord tones and bass lines the root - 5 is the power chord - the starting place if you are playing chord tones. Understand it's a generic chord there is no major or minor sound to it as it does not have a 3rd interval. So next on the list I would put the 3rd (b3), then the 7th (b7) I'd put the 8th next to get another octave into the mix. The 6th next followed by the 2 or 4. I'm never sure what function the 2 plays in all this - it's a passing note sure - ask your teacher which comes next in his/her hierarchy of things. While there ask where the 9, 11 and 13 fall in the order of things. Then this brings up chord tones, scale notes and chromatics, I'd say chord tones first followed with scale notes if there is room. Chromatics fill in the gaps.
But my most important - tool, thing, whatever - is the groove. The groove may not need the R-5 it may only need the Root. My next most important tool is root on the first beat then all that other stuff after that.
Good question.
But my most important - tool, thing, whatever - is the groove. The groove may not need the R-5 it may only need the Root. My next most important tool is root on the first beat then all that other stuff after that.
Good question.
Style of music is important here. Add b7 for lots of blues lines, like Crossroads and too many more to mention. Older school R&B adds the 6ths to that mix. Add the third for walking type blues lines, sometimes in a blues you can play the 3rd of the chord instead of the root, when the V goes to IV, on V play root, on IV go up a whole step for the 3rd of the IV chord.
Rythmic variation is more important for popular forms, you don't really get to use as many note choices as jazz, but I've found lots of ways to add approaches that work.
When I first read the title "What is the Most Important Tool/Technique bassists have." My immediate thought was Ears/ Listening. Trite,maybe unhelpful in the short run, but ultimately true.
I would submit that there is one element that is easily as important , or more important: RHYTHM
Ideally, when I'm writing a bass line, once the root is established I spend time listening to the song and playing just the root, searching for the rhythm that best serves the song. Only then would I look beyond the root.
However, as mentioned, the style/genre is central the note choices that "want" to be heard. Root-Fifth motion is pervasive in so many styles that it is justifiably the "most important" .
I would submit that there is one element that is easily as important , or more important: RHYTHM
Ideally, when I'm writing a bass line, once the root is established I spend time listening to the song and playing just the root, searching for the rhythm that best serves the song. Only then would I look beyond the root.
However, as mentioned, the style/genre is central the note choices that "want" to be heard. Root-Fifth motion is pervasive in so many styles that it is justifiably the "most important" .
Mark Wilson
Supporting Member
If we're talking musically, my most important note choices are the root, 5th, and octave.
If we're talking NOT notes, then it's dynamics, feel, phrasing and listening.
If we're talking NOT notes, then it's dynamics, feel, phrasing and listening.
a good ear, as with all musicians. to me that's everything. otherwise you might as well be playin' with yourself.
- Jul 8, 2009
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I would say root , 5th, and octave. But along with that, equally important is rhythm. An appropriate rhythm can do anything. You can add tension, establish a feel, or even just walk. The right pitch is useless if it isn't placed right.
A fender bass
On a more serious note, i would add a varied and ever growing music collection.
Then of course, as others have said: Listening, rhythm, dynamics, phrasing and appropriate / interesting note choices.
I would say rhythm and feel. Some may say that these two are the same, but we all know they are wrong. Without feeling, you are just banging on some strings.
The best tool isn't in the hands IMO, it's in the head. I have seen and heard players with very 'wrong' (if you like) technique that were better musicians than some of the speed boys and technically gifted who thought that's all they needed to do, IMO.
As has been said: rhythm, feel/groove, and a good ear. It's kinda the same with all instruments/musicians, but it all starts with that.
I have to disagree with the OP's teacher in that those things are far more important than R-5-octave, so much so that it has no meaning if you have no rhythm and whatnot. It really doesn't matter if you're playing root-fifth if you're playing it with a bad rhythm, off-key, and in a way that doesn't mesh with the song. However, oftentimes you can play whatever you want, and as long as you follow those basic three concepts it will almost always sound good.
I have to disagree with the OP's teacher in that those things are far more important than R-5-octave, so much so that it has no meaning if you have no rhythm and whatnot. It really doesn't matter if you're playing root-fifth if you're playing it with a bad rhythm, off-key, and in a way that doesn't mesh with the song. However, oftentimes you can play whatever you want, and as long as you follow those basic three concepts it will almost always sound good.
