Chaos Daveo Posted February 4, 2013 Posted February 4, 2013 Hello all, I've not really posted up much since I joined so wanted a bit of help and advice, overall I have always played using tab and the like doing a metal rock style.I have now been doing a blues band with my best mate(which I'm finding a breath of fresh air) and been really stepping out of my comfort zone and getting walking bass lines down. I was wondering a decent blues warm up routine from the seasoned blues player's out there and what can help me earn my chops a bit. Also is it me or is it really hard to find blues forums and the like..have a good one and thanks in advance Quote
Coilte Posted February 4, 2013 Posted February 4, 2013 (edited) My advice is to listen to as many blues artists and bassists as you can. Bassists would include Duck Dunne, Tommy Shannon, Nathen East, Willie Dixon, and John Mc Vie. Artists would be, John Mayall, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy and Freddy, Albert and BB King. I would also recommend getting Ed Friedland's book on blues bass. Comes with a CD. [url="http://www.amazon.com/Blues-Bass-Essential-Techniques-Supplement/dp/0634089358"]http://www.amazon.com/Blues-Bass-Essential-Techniques-Supplement/dp/0634089358[/url] Here is a great blues forum : [url="http://blindman.fr.yuku.com/"]http://blindman.fr.yuku.com/[/url] Edited February 4, 2013 by Coilte Quote
xgsjx Posted February 4, 2013 Posted February 4, 2013 Learn the basic 12 bar blues progressions. I started learning them in F when I first took up bass (chord sequence is F/////// Bb/// F/// C/ Bb/ F//C (I've 1/2d things to save typing)). & remember, the secret to a good blues bass line it to play like someone nicked your Schecter bass & left you with a Fender! Quote
Doddy Posted February 4, 2013 Posted February 4, 2013 I see you're in Stoke. *cough* Come to me for a lesson *cough* Seriously,most Blues,at it's core,is pretty simple and the basslines are usually based on walking through chord tones. Quote
mckendrick Posted February 4, 2013 Posted February 4, 2013 [b]Playalongathis....[/b] [b][/b] [b]....and you'll be playing-along-a-most-things.[/b] [b]Check out some variation, too.... 7, 8 and 9-bar stuff, sixteen bar stuff, and stuff beyond the three chord trick.... Stormy Monday Blues, for example, still a 12-bar but with a more complex resolve. [/b] Quote
ezbass Posted February 4, 2013 Posted February 4, 2013 All of the above plus I'd get a copy of Robben Ford and the Blue Line eponymous first album. All manner of different feels and patterns on that album. Roscoe Beck (of the Blue Line) did a great video on blues but it's unavailable now I think. However, he does have a book and CD that probably covers similar ground if you want to through a few quid at it http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultimate-Beginner-Blues-Bass-Basics/dp/0757938000/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1359994985&sr=8-8 Quote
Chaos Daveo Posted February 4, 2013 Author Posted February 4, 2013 Thanks for the help folks, doing a different style has opened up my eyes a bit to it all. Will get the books and stuff and use brain and ears and things...(its the brain that struggles) Mr Doddy I would love some lessons sometime, I will be in touch sir. Quote
nobodysprefect Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 Blues bass is based on time & feel, not so much room for 'interesting' note choices - at least all the time. They'll think you're a jazzer! So my advice is, listen to a TON of blues. Early stuff, too. Delta Blues. Texas Blues. Jump... Quote
Happy Jack Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 Alternatively, try hanging around a crossroads at midnight, preferably with a bass in your hands ... Quote
Low End Bee Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 Just remember. You'll never be as good as the original. Quote
Dave Vader Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 Have you tried the time honoured method of waking up one morning? (Also works for folk) Quote
Lee Carter Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 Nah, folk you have to wake up just as the day is dawning, blues it can be 11:59 and it still counts. Quote
thebigyin Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 I Love the Blues....early stuff, modern stuff....some great bands out there....check out Henrik Friecshlader, Matt Schofield, Kenny Wayne Sheperd, Stevie Ray Vaughen, early ZZ Top, Rory Gallagher, Taste, early Free, Ron Sayer jr, Walter Trout....all the old Blues Legends ect. As for playing Feel/Timing essential....remember the Blues is mainly the Guitar and Vocals.....you and the Drummer just keep it nice n tight....Enjoy!!!!! Quote
thebigyin Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 [quote name='risingson' timestamp='1360078495' post='1964475'] Two words for you sir: Willie Weeks! [/quote] Amazing.......[Donny Hathaway Live]....the Bass playing on this album is sublime. Quote
Dave Vader Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 [quote name='Lee Carter' timestamp='1360077697' post='1964458'] Nah, folk you have to wake up just as the day is dawning, blues it can be 11:59 and it still counts. [/quote] Ha ha! And I stand corrected. Quote
cytania Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 Contradictory advice here, first learn the classic 12 bar I-IV-V progression till it's in your fingers. Second seek out blues numbers that aren't 12 bar I-IV-V songs. There's a blues stereotype audiences dread and a good band will keep things mixed up and alive. When I play along with old RnB/Soul/Country/Rock'n'Roll on Spotify/YouTube I seek out the I-IV-V progression. After a while you start noticing the little deviations, the one's that skip the IV on the chorus or fly over the turnaround. The interesting songs are the one's that deviate from the classic formula. PS. Having gotten I-IV-V in your fingers you'll then find off-beat progressions tough. There's A Guy Works Down The Chipshop Swears He's Elvis, sounds like a classic rockabilly blues but is sorta reversed I-V-VI, sorta... Quote
gjones Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 (edited) [quote name='Chaos Daveo' timestamp='1359970592' post='1962540'] Hello all, I've not really posted up much since I joined so wanted a bit of help and advice, overall I have always played using tab and the like doing a metal rock style.I have now been doing a blues band with my best mate(which I'm finding a breath of fresh air) and been really stepping out of my comfort zone and getting walking bass lines down. I was wondering a decent blues warm up routine from the seasoned blues player's out there and what can help me earn my chops a bit. Also is it me or is it really hard to find blues forums and the like..have a good one and thanks in advance [/quote] As far as Blues forums are concerned here's one. I know it's in Scotland but it's a laugh all the same [url="https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#!/groups/452938594741914/?fref=ts"]https://www.facebook...741914/?fref=ts[/url] And buy this album it's all you really need to get started [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBEuJFSW95k[/media] Oh and buy this too [url="https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#!/JocksJukeJoint?fref=ts"]https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#!/JocksJukeJoint?fref=ts[/url] Edited February 5, 2013 by gjones Quote
mckendrick Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 [quote name='Lee Carter' timestamp='1360077697' post='1964458'] Nah, folk you have to wake up just as the day is dawning, blues it can be 11:59 and it still counts. [/quote] It can be way after midday. Whenever a blues wipes that sleep from his eyes.... ....that's mornin'. Quote
Chaos Daveo Posted February 6, 2013 Author Posted February 6, 2013 Thanks for all the replies,made some purchases and listening the hell out of some fine suggestions... Quote
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