Acoustic Guitar Bassline

[duster]

Hi,

Is there any theory behind how to play independent basslines. I want to learn how to play baseline during chords changes while playing bar chords.any ideas, videos, etc

[gersdal]

What kind of music are you talking about? I could say a few words about jazz comping with bassline, but I'm not sure what you're after?

[duster]

What kind of music are you talking about? I could say a few words about jazz comping with bassline, but I'm not sure what you're after?


I was talking about a bassline that would apply to all genre. but if you can help out with jazz lines that would be great also

[gersdal]

Well, in jazz you would have a good start if you play chord tones on the 1st and 2nd beat, a chord tone or a scale tone on the 3rd beat, and a chromatic approach note to the next chord on the forth beat. If you have a strong motion in the bass line, this can certainly be different, but this will be a good start.

A bass line for a jazz-blues (G7-C7-G7-G7-C7-C#dim-G7...) could be:

|G-B-D-Db|C-Bb-A-F#|G-B-D-B|F-E-D-Db| etc

[Malcolm]

Hi,

Is there any theory behind how to play independent basslines. I want to learn how to play baseline during chords changes while playing bar chords.any ideas, videos, etc
Give you something to chew on ...... Here is something the bass guitar could be doing with that same chord progression. See how that works in with your power chord accompaniment.

G7-C7-G7-G7-C7-C#dim-G7...
Under the G7 chord a R-3-5-7 riff that in effect would be the G-B-D-F notes in a repetitive riff while the G7 chord is alive.

Then when the progression moves to the C7 chord a R-3-5-7 riff of C-E-G-B notes would be used.

Then with that C#dim I'd just use the same riff R-3-5-7 and start it on the C# note, i.e. the bass need not get that detailed on the right hand extended part of the chord unless he/she wants to.

So if I was playing bass to that progression I'd have chosen the R-3-5-7 bass line riff and played the same riff over each chord change. My basic function is to lay down a steady beat and hold everything together.

Thought you would like to see the bass' side of this and the thought process that goes into deciding what riff to use. As I'm still a newbie on bass I've found 8 riffs I like and pretty well stick with those. My decision to use R-3-5-7 was based upon the chords being sevenths. If they had just been three note tirads I'd probably used a R-5 or a R-3-5-3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g35zS1tVO3o
Same basic 5 note riff through out the entire song, moving with the chord changes.

Just for grins here is an example of a very detailed bass line.

Malcolm

[Malcolm]

Hi, Is there any theory behind how to play independent basslines. I want to learn how to play baseline during chords changes while playing bar chords.any ideas, videos, etc
Now --- If what you are asking is how do you play barre chord accompaniment from fake chord sheet music. That's simple, hang on.......

G.......................................C
NEW YORK COULD'T HOLD MY ATTENTION
G .....................D7 ...................G
DETROIT CITY COULDN'T SING MY SONG

Make a G chord and start strumming and singing when you get to the word Attention change to the C chord -- keep strumming and at the word Detroit change back to a G chord. At Couldn't change to a D7 and at Song change to the G chord.

You have to sing the lyric - under your breath is OK - but you have to sing to know when to change chords. All down strums are OK, strumming is a feel thing when you feel like an up strum - up strum. Keep practicing till you can sing, strum, change chords and chew gum with out loosing the beat.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e7UMstGEEk
Hank uses a boom strum, boom strum pattern. Boom is a pick of the lowest string used in the chord and the second boom is a pick of the next to lowest string used in the chord.

http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/www.russell-lawson.com/music/chordpro/HankWilliams_ColdColdHeart.cpm
Here is fake chord on Cold, Cold Heart.

Is this what you really wanted to know?

[gersdal]

Just for grins here is an example of a very detailed bass line.
Malcolm Hi Malcolm. I was hoping you would join in on this. Good points, but how on earth do I read you notation on this :confused: :D

[Malcolm]

Well first understand this is not my original work. I got it from a bass forum I now check in with.
It's in C, but other than that I'm not sure how he is showing the chord changes. That V1, V2 I take to mean verse one and verse two. It almost looks like he just stays in C and does not change as the chords move.
I understand the 1/2, 2/4 etc are time signatures for that specific riff.
the dots . . . . represent beats.
the underline tells you this riff occupies one measure
The ^ and diamond have to do with being ahead or behind the beat - not sure which is which.
On this one the basic riff would be a 4-5-6 then a 4-5-1
That 4-^-1 ----- I read this as a 4-1 with an off beat pause occupying one measure.

I thought it would be good to see how detailed a bass line could become.

[gersdal]

I had a listen to the tune, and I think I have figured out a bit. There is quite a lot of chord changes (quick changes), so a lot of these bass moves just follows the chords.
It's in C, but other than that I'm not sure how he is showing the chord changes. No, but they are kinda indicated by the numbers (1/3 I take as play C or E, 2 play D, etc). That does not clearly indicate the cords, but would do for a bass player.

That V1, V2 I take to mean verse one and verse two. It almost looks like he just stays in C and does not change as the chords move. Not sure what you mean, but the chords move quite a lot, and the bass with it... with some slash type chords.
I understand the 1/2, 2/4 etc are time signatures for that specific riff. I agree, but the 1/3 I think is options (C or E).
the dots . . . . represent beats. the underline tells you this riff occupies one measure I agree.

Cool way of notating. Not sure I would do it like that, but it would be handy if the singer two seconds before the song told me "Let's try it in D today" :rolleyes:

[Malcolm]

Cool way of notating. Not sure I would do it like that, but it would be handy if the singer two seconds before the song told me "Let's try it in D today" :rolleyes:

Nashville numbers - Roman for chords and Arabic for riffs. For some reason I relate to pattern placement much more on the bass than I do on the acoustic. Generic Nashville numbers are much simpler on the bass.

Once I get the Root on the 4th or 3rd string - place the root and the 5th is always in the same spot (relative) as are the 3rd, 6th, 8th etc. Once I place the root everything is just waiting in it's assigned spot.

[Malcolm]

gersdal, you said:
Not sure what you mean, but the chords move quite a lot, and the bass with it... with some slash type chords.
You pulled up the song and listened to it. Mind sharing the address you listened to.

Malcolm