Getting better at blues bass

[Guest bassman7755]

You knocking out a nice solid groove, timing and feel is good from what I can hear. However your currently tending to play the same repeated figure on every bar and always starting on the chord root.

A few ideas to work on would be:
* anticipating the next chord e.g. on the last bar of the current chord play one beat on the root and then on beat 2 start an ascending or descending run into the root of the next chord (notes from the mixolydian scale and chromatics generally work well)
* try starting bars on other chord tones than just the root, such as the 5th, when your playing several consecutive bars of the same chord. Generally stick to starting with the root note on the first bar of a new chord though.

Work on these ideas one at a time and dont over use them, otherwise it will sound to much like jazz and we wouldnt want that

Edited March 31, 2014 by bassman7755

[Diablo]

"Call Me The Breeze" by Lynskyn is a fine 12 bar blues tune with a simple ascending/descending riff between the main changes. For the main part the A is an octave up, played on the D string 7th fret. If you want to practice something that that is a nice easy one to have in your pocket. The instrumental in the middle of that song drops from a straight to a swing beat and in those 12 bars you can again change your style and play the A on the 5th fret of the E, and with swing style.

Cheers,
Rich

Edited April 1, 2014 by Diablo

[JTUK]

If you are playing with just one gtr you could always jazz up the turn rounds
drop down to the 6th and henstacked 4ths which will turn you round onto the
root just in time.

That Rosco Beck vid shows a few pointers in that regard

[peteb]

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1396347045' post='2412449']
If you are playing with just one gtr you could always jazz up the turn rounds
drop down to the 6th and henstacked 4ths which will turn you round onto the
root just in time.

That Rosco Beck vid shows a few pointers in that regard
[/quote]
What on earth does that mean??

I've played the blues circuit up and down the country and I have never heard anyone use the term 'henstacked 4ths'...

[skankdelvar]

While we're at it, what does 'In from the five' mean?

[peteb]

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1396378718' post='2412953']
While we're at it, what does 'In from the five' mean?
[/quote]
Oooh please Sir, I know the answer to that one!

It means that you start the intro to the song from where you would normally change to the V chord, i.e. if you are playing a standard I-IV-V twelve bar in the key of A, the intro would be 4 bars long and start where you would normally change to E7…

As an alternative, you could start with a 4 bar guitar solo and the band could come in on the change to D7 to play an 8 bar intro, which would be ‘in from the four’…

Edited April 1, 2014 by peteb

[Diablo]

I've been henpecked but never henstacked .

[ezbass]

[b]THIS[/b][quote name='KevB' timestamp='1394447489' post='2391313']
Picked up thisTommy Shannon instructional DVD several years back when I was in a blues/rock band, worth a look. It was only £3 in the bargain bin in a music shop but there are S/H copies via Amazon for not much more;

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tommy-Shannon-Double-Trouble-Bass/dp/B000RC1FDM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394447373&sr=8-1&keywords=tommy+shannon"]http://www.amazon.co...s=tommy+shannon[/url]
[/quote]
[b]COUPLED WITH THIS[/b][quote name='gjones' timestamp='1394454355' post='2391427']
Roscoe Beck's Blues lesson videos are fantastic. If you can find his 'Blues Foundations' video on DVD you'll be set for anything those guitarists throw at you. I've been playing blues for years and he gave me lots of great ideas. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-bxHMnbYI0[/media]
[/quote]
And I reckon you'd be set for just about anything blues-wise.

[skankdelvar]

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1396379160' post='2412963']
Oooh please Sir, I know the answer to that one!
[/quote]

Thanks Pete. I have learned something new today!

[peteb]

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1396380096' post='2412978']


Thanks Pete. I have learned something new today!
[/quote]
Excellent – I aim to entertain and inform!

And when JT comes back and tells us what ‘henpecked 4ths’ are then we will all have learnt something else new…

[skankdelvar]

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1396380666' post='2412991']
Excellent – I aim to entertain and inform! And when JT comes back and tells us what ‘henpecked 4ths’ are then we will all have learnt something else new…
[/quote]

Inform, you did. Y'know, I've never done one of these blues jam things. I'd probably have understood 'Quick change' but 'In from the five' would have left me cacking.

A brief glossary explaining stuff that people suddenly shout out a pico-second before the count-in would be dead handy. I've had a lengthy Google and can't seem to find anything. Any pointers, anyone?

[peteb]

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1396381445' post='2413010']


Inform, you did. Y'know, I've never done one of these blues jam things. I'd probably have understood 'Quick change' but 'In from the five' would have left me cacking.

A brief glossary explaining stuff that people suddenly shout out a pico-second before the count-in would be dead handy. I've had a lengthy Google and can't seem to find anything. Any pointers, anyone?
[/quote]
The thing is I have done loads of ‘em, so you do tend to pick up the lingo!

I’ve done quite a few as part of a house band at jam sessions at festivals etc, where the featured artists (who generally are great players) get up and stand in after they have done their set earlier in the evening. With these guys you are lucky if you get a quick shout of “fast shuffle in D, in from the five”! The worst are the Americans, who for some reason always want to play fast funk tunes in E flat. Occasionally they may tell you the name of the song, not that that is too important in blues!

Still, keeps you on your toes and can be great fun…

[JTUK]

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1396380666' post='2412991']
Excellent – I aim to entertain and inform!

And when JT comes back and tells us what ‘henpecked 4ths’ are then we will all have learnt something else new…
[/quote]

was really worried there when I read a post out of context... even I didn't know how I could have written that...
but, suffice to say, I meant 'stacked 4ths'
so the line should have read 'then stacked 4ths' and not 'henstacked'

I really should get round to proof reading some of my posts, but why change now ??

[JTUK]

I found you need really switched on piano players to show you round the chords as I have never had a gtr do it.
For a start they want to play in A..whereas pianos and horns want anything but, prety much.
You know the old saying of how to shut a gtr up... this is a useful trick. give them Chicago in Bb.

But the rounds tend to be, as a bassline
Root, 4th root, root over 4 bars
4th, 4th, root, root down to 6th. over 4 bars
2nd, 5th, maj3rd/ 6th, 2nd/5th. with judicious passing notes to get between the changes.

Horns players always seem impressed if a bass player takes a twelve out of the traditional 3 chords.
Almost garaunteed to get you invited onto another gig if you can swing it as well.

[Bloodaxe]

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1396381445' post='2413010']
Inform, you did. Y'know, I've never done one of these blues jam things. I'd probably have understood 'Quick change' but 'In from the five' would have left me cacking.

A brief glossary explaining stuff that people suddenly shout out a pico-second before the count-in would be dead handy. I've had a lengthy Google and can't seem to find anything. Any pointers, anyone?
[/quote]

Here's a list I culled from a few threads over on Talkbass:—

[b]Rhumba:[/b] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNsLyQGSqIg"]Crosscut Saw[/url], [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2eFJo5IIZ0"]Don’t You Lie To Me[/url]

[b]Texas Shuffle:[/b] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnCW2niiJBE"]Texas Strut[/url], [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vo23H9J8o8"]Pride 'n' Joy[/url]

[b]Clave:[/b] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMZjAOoX6nw"]Bo Diddley[/url]

[b]Ice Cream Changes:[/b] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNco-e2CXuo"]You Send Me[/url]

[b]Downtown Shuffle:[/b] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4SPbRmWROs"]Linda Lu[/url]

[b]Uptown Shuffle:[/b] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-bW-g0JFCM"]Little By Little[/url]

[b]Swing Shuffle:[/b] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPIQcFRWpNw"]Extra Jimmies[/url]

[b]Flat Tire Shuffle:[/b] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSZuwTZaTjk"]Everyday I have the Blues[/url]

[b]In from the V:[/b] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-qtmZHofMc"]Built For Comfort[/url], [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIE6wXObQaQ"]You Ain't Nothin' But Fine[/url]

[b]Boogie:[/b] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwt15IwwTdw"]Boom Boom[/url], [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vppbdf-qtGU"]La Grange[/url]

[b]Quick Change:[/b] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5unZ3BTqck"]Sweet Home Chicago[/url]

[b]II-V-I:[/b] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of7eH3DJFVw"]When My Baby She Left Me[/url] - (Intro & solos), [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjBuF8wQr_E"]Lovin' Machine[/url]

P.

[skankdelvar]

[quote name='Bloodaxe' timestamp='1396438188' post='2413552']
Here's a list I culled from a few threads over on Talkbass:—
[/quote]

Outstanding work, Sir, and thanks for all your work linking to the examples on YT. Really too kind.

I've played most of those at one time or another so linking 'the name to the face' should be a doddle. Next time I'm in a blues outfit I shall bellow 'Flat tire shuffle, quick change, in from the five' and watch a few heads melt.
[color=#ffffff].[/color]

Edited April 2, 2014 by skankdelvar

[Bloodaxe]

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1396457617' post='2413931']Next time I'm in a blues outfit I shall bellow 'Flat tire shuffle, quick change, in from the five' and watch a few heads melt.[color=#ffffff].[/color]
[/quote]

Don't forget to add "It's in Bb" as well, with any luck the guitarist's head will explode.

Whilst checking the links still worked, I was reminded of post 26 on page 1 which pointed out that the OP seemed a little repetitive in that swung-up take on Red House. Some time ago I transcribed Keith Ferguson's masterclass bassline in 'Extra Jimmies' where he barely plays the same thing [i]once[/i] . Dots 'n' tab:— [url="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8453031/Extra%20Jimmies.pdf"]https://dl.dropboxus...a%20Jimmies.pdf[/url]
I know I'll get stick from the proper musicians for setting it in 6/8 rather than 4/4 with a swing feel, but it made transcribing it a lot easier for a notation numpty like me. One of these days I'll get around to finishing Willie Dixon's part in Johnny B Goode - now [i]that's[/i] a bassline & a half.

Another bit of mastery is this little effort involving Neils-Henning Ørsted Pedersen & some other blokes:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3drqJ1bUmEA[/media]

P.

[Guest]

Number three doesn't work because the drummer doesn't seem to know how to play a shuffle.
For your part, if you have an iphone or ipad there's a fantastic app from ninebuzz called drumbeats+. It has most of the blues grooves on there and it's great for practising along to.
For any drummers out there here is a fantastic video for a Texas Shuffle. If you can snatch a loop out of it your set for practising your shuffle playing.
[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlNpI8UxzkQ"]https://www.youtube....h?v=YlNpI8UxzkQ[/url]

keep it up, the blues however basic it may seem is extemely rewarding to play, especially as part of a band that "gets it".

Edited April 2, 2014 by kennyrodg

[skankdelvar]

[quote name='Bloodaxe' timestamp='1396460925' post='2413996']
Don't forget to add "It's in Bb" as well, with any luck the guitarist's head will explode.
[/quote]

Ah, yes. Mentioning the key might be useful.

That's me getting over-confident again

[Diablo]

This month I will be mainly playing blues, and 1000 thank-you's to all who have posted up at least a years worth of learning in this one thread. I've got the books of Amazon and the stuff in this thread. I'm now off to get learning. Red House will be mine, all mine!

Cheers,
Rich

[Bloodaxe]

[quote name='Diablo' timestamp='1396466437' post='2414087']Red House will be mine, all mine![/quote]

Ah... another one (like JBG) that tends to get overlooked. The bassline on the Hendrix version is something I've never heard played in the wild. I keep promising myself I'll tackle it, but...

[CPBass]

Ive played blues for a bit of a bass hero for years. What ive found is to never fear the silence on slow tracks, a note can ring for 3 even 4 bars. A great album for a fresh modern approach is Little Walter 'C'mon in da house' wSuper old school with a more modern approach to the rhythm section, certainly pricked my ears up.

Blues is a funny genre as its pretty free within strict formulae, sounds like your well on top of it, just have a good listen around to convince yourself of this and maybe inspire some new moves.

Good luck and blues on ;-)

Edited April 2, 2014 by Buzzardist

[gjones]

[quote name='Bloodaxe' timestamp='1396467298' post='2414100']
Ah... another one (like JBG) that tends to get overlooked. The bassline on the Hendrix version is something I've never heard played in the wild. I keep promising myself I'll tackle it, but...
[/quote]

It was played on a electric guitar by Noel Redding not bass. I used to play it that way on bass, but inevitably ended up getting cramp before the end of the song.