Need quickie bass theory lesson.

[Artie]

I've got a couple of really nice bass synthesizers on my computer that I'm trying to use to add bass parts to a couple simple riffs. Other than using purely hit-or-miss techniques, I have no idea what I'm doing.

Is there some rhyme or reason, or "rule" to help select what bass note compliments which chord? Simply playing an A with an A, B with a B, etc., just doesn't sound "right".

For example, what bass notes might you select with this simple chord progression:

F C Am Bb

Thanks all.

Artie

 

[seafoamer]

Re: Need quickie bass theory lesson.

Bass parts often use the root & the 5th of the chord:

F: F, C
C: C, G
Am: A, E
Bb: Bb, F

If u want to be more adventurous, try using some 3rds also.
The 3rd of F is A
The 3rd of C is E
The 3rd of Am is C
The 3rd of Bb is D


Your progression is in the key of F major: F,G,A,Bb,C,D,E,
So any of those scale tone are possibilities.

Also try messing around with high & low octaves. Sounds great when u'r playing in the low register of the bass, and then slide up to the same note, up an octave.

 

[Ken]

Re: Need quickie bass theory lesson.

What style are you playing? I'd be happy to take a whack at it and send some sheets your way. If you have clips you'd like to email me my address is edge2k5@aol.com. I'll send the bass part as a MIDI.

 

[Ken]

Re: Need quickie bass theory lesson.

As a general rule when playing bass (especially in a walking jazz pattern) I look at the common notes from chord triad to chord triad as much as possible.

F: F A C
Am: A C E
C: C E G
Bb: Bb D F

In a jazz pattern, I might play a little walk thing going F C Bb A G | A E D C | G A B C | D C Bb A G

That's just off the top of my head. I'd start on an F above the C in the first measure. The third measure might sound a little odd starting on a G instead of C, the root, but as the G is the fifth degree it might work itself out. On the last bar, the A and G are swung over the fourth beat to refresh the pattern a bit.

Just an idea, and not having actually played the pattern and just writing it out I'm not sure how it will sound. And that's just for a straight walking pattern over the chord changes. Wouldn't sound bad, but it wouldn't sound quite "right" in any other setting.


Edit:
This is how I described it:
|----------- -|----------|-----------|-----------|
|--3-------- -|----------|-----------|--0-------|
|----3--1-----|--7--5-3-|---0--2--3-|----3-1----|
|----------5\3|-5-------|-3----------|--------5\3|

But you might also try:
|----------- -|-----------|-0-2-4-5|---------|
|----------- -|-----------|---------|--0-----|
|----3--1-----|---7--5-3-|---------|3---1---|
|-1--------5\3|-5--------|---------|------5\3|

Starting on the low F gives a good presence at the start and lends itself to repeating after the fourth bar. The walk on the high G adds a little punch before the turnaround on Bb. You might prefer starting on higher F as in the first example and then in measure 3 adding the walk on the G string.

Again, this would be a walking pattern and not guaranteed for other styles.

 

[Artie]

Re: Need quickie bass theory lesson.

Great info Seafoamer and Ken. This, at least, gives me a direction to start in. I'll try this out, and if I have any more questions, will ask.

And Ken, I'll try to send, or post, a short clip to you soon, just to give you an idea of where I'm trying to go with this. Those chords were just for an example. They're not the actual chords I'm using.

A little forum collaboration just might work out great. Sometimes I forget all the great resources available here. (People!)

Artie

 

[Artie]

Re: Need quickie bass theory lesson.

Well . . . I'll have to mess with this some more to see what I'm doing wrong. The F note goes with the F chord, C to C chord, etc., but sounds uninteresting.

But none of the other combo's seem to match up properly. They just don't sound "right". This is probably a dumb question, but when I play, for instance, a C bass note, with the F chord, it shouldn't matter which octave, correct?

I'll keep working on it.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Need quickie bass theory lesson.

Well . . . I'll have to mess with this some more to see what I'm doing wrong. The F note goes with the F chord, C to C chord, etc., but sounds uninteresting.

But none of the other combo's seem to match up properly. They just don't sound "right". This is probably a dumb question, but when I play, for instance, a C bass note, with the F chord, it shouldn't matter which octave, correct?

I'll keep working on it.

Hi Artie , One thing you can try that may work Is when you get to the Am
Don't play the A root.Stay on the C which is the Minor 3rd of A. You may
get a nice poly chord sound...Or it may sound horrable :laugh2: I know
bass players do this behind minor chords. It's kinda the oldest trick in the book. hope this helps.

 

[seafoamer]

Re: Need quickie bass theory lesson.

Instead of going to the C note on the C chord, go to G & then go to C. This will have good Bass movement from the F.