bottomdweller13 Posted December 23, 2002 Share Posted December 23, 2002 do any of yall play chords on the bass???i do it to expore new things and to be different.to me it gets a lil old to just play the root.(not puttin down on the oldies music which i love)but i just lik to move around and be happy.(if you do play chords give me some examples please)thankx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addix Metzatricity Posted December 23, 2002 Share Posted December 23, 2002 I don't necessarily PLAY chords, but I try to play something other than the root all of the time, especially if there's a keyboard or rhythm guitar holding the root. It's good to KNOW your chords and intervals so you're not stuck playing I-IV-V all the time. "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted December 23, 2002 Share Posted December 23, 2002 Some of the music I play will call for two note chords at times. I'll sneak in some at other times (usually not 3 notes, but it happens). At times I'll play something like an open string, and the third an octave above (like open A and high C#). Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottomdweller13 Posted December 23, 2002 Author Share Posted December 23, 2002 thanks..i finally know people who play chords or something lik chords. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottomdweller13 Posted December 23, 2002 Author Share Posted December 23, 2002 when i started out on bass at 11 yrs old i never lik chords but now i am 13yrs old and i d all kinds of crazy stuff.i lik to play the root and tap on the higher frets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george costanza Posted December 23, 2002 Share Posted December 23, 2002 It seems really cool when you're doing that but it often just muddies things up unless you keep the notes well separated. You certainly can't use the close-form chords of a guitarist. Even without other instuments playing at the same time, the simple fact is that, by the very nature of sound, the lower pitches get then the greater distance must be between them to avoid harmonic distortion (even with pitches that seem consonant by nature). Try playing the low end of a piano ( a fairly "clean" timbred instrument); in the lowest octave any two notes less than a 5th apart tend to blur...& the more notes, the greater the effect. This is compounded by volume & the further distortion inherent in electronic amplification. I suggest (if you aren't doing so already) that you explore voicings that spread over several octaves (for example, when you think of a 3rd, play a 10th instead---notice how cleaner it sounds?)...this is aided by including open strings & fretting high up for the upper voices. Remember to keep the lower pitches well distant. Another thing that helps is to play the chord as a quick arpeggio. That helps the individual pitches stand out initially even if they blur a bit as they ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted December 23, 2002 Share Posted December 23, 2002 Having a six-string my primary role in my bass band is choral playing. Most of the chords I play are three-voice using 1,3,7's and 1,7,3's. At times I use the altered notes such as the flat 5's & flat 9's when called for. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russfingers Posted December 23, 2002 Share Posted December 23, 2002 A CHORD IS TWO NOTES OR MORE.AT TIMES I USE TWO NOTE CHORDS USUALLY VOICED IN THE HIGHER FRETS SO IT CUTS THROUGH.I ALSO LIKE PLAYING OCTAVE NOTES ON ALTERNATE STROKES AND LET THEM RESONATE ACCORDINGLY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowbell Posted December 23, 2002 Share Posted December 23, 2002 If you want to play chords learn guitar. I thought bass was about providing a solid bass line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I I mjrn Posted December 23, 2002 Share Posted December 23, 2002 Originally posted by Russfingers: A CHORD IS TWO NOTES OR MORE...Not quite correct, old chap, three notes are needed for a chord. (see related thread:"chord theory question") I do occasionally learn something here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fig Posted December 24, 2002 Share Posted December 24, 2002 Yeah, when applied at appropriate spots and not over-used, two or more notes can be chocked full of goodness. Two bands ago, I was doing power trio rock and two songs that come to mind were 'Feel Like I Do' by Frampton (R-5 during solo part, occassional R-10), and "Whippin' Post" by the Allman Brothers (certain breaks in the song). Some basic blues songs you can do the rythym guitar part higher up, double noting. I tend to add an extra note only if we're doing a song and we don't have the instruments to cover a signature or standout part. Then I'll add an extra note to simulate the missing keyboard, horn, or whatever. Tastefully is the key. Many years ago, just for s***s and grins, I did transcribe a classical guitar version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to bass using 3 and 4 note chords (finger picked classical style). It melds into Jaco's "America" nicely. Haven't played it publically, but the other people in the band at practice think it's pretty cool. Two or more notes can be used nicely in songs, as long as you pick tasteful areas to put them. Just my two cents.... Bassplayers aren't paid to play fast, they're paid to listen fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addix Metzatricity Posted December 24, 2002 Share Posted December 24, 2002 Originally posted by Russfingers: A CHORD IS TWO NOTES OR MORE...Two notes played simultaneously is called a Double Stop. Three or more is a chord. Originally posted by CowbellAllenIf you want to play chords learn guitar. I thought bass was about providing a solid bass line?Are you still in the 70's? Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan South Posted December 24, 2002 Share Posted December 24, 2002 I never play chords or double stops except for cover tunes. I approach the bass as a monophonic instrument. If you play chords and it sounds good, that's great. It's just not my thing. The Black Knight always triumphs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kooky Mogessi Posted December 25, 2002 Share Posted December 25, 2002 Originally posted by fig: [QB]Many years ago, just for s***s and grins, I did transcribe a classical guitar version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to bass using 3 and 4 note chords (finger picked classical style). It melds into Jaco's "America" nicely. Haven't played it publically, but the other people in the band at practice think it's pretty cool. QB]I would LOVE to get my hands on that transcription fig. Is there any way you could make it available to one of your fellow bassists. (and I'll give you credit for it when everybody loves it) "Cliff Burton (the "Major rager of the 4-string mother f***er", from Metallica)" Direct quote from Wikipedia (censored out of respect for the forum) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addix Metzatricity Posted December 25, 2002 Share Posted December 25, 2002 I'd also enjoy that... Just for my own personal amusement, I wouldn't be playing it for anyone. Except maybe my girlfriend. "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amcka Posted December 25, 2002 Share Posted December 25, 2002 I'm kind of a one note at a time bass player, but that's just my personality. If it sounds good, I say, what the fork! But I know that a lot of times, to me playing chords makes things sound all confused and mashed together. I guess that could be a good thing, but for me it's just gotta be done at the right time. After all... what do I know? I'm just a cave man! Your flatted 5ths and 9ths confuse and frighten me! My 10,000 year old brain wasn't made to handle the complexities of modern music.... this has been another edition of... Unfrozen Cave Man Bass Player. OK... I'm not real up on all the famous bass players and whatnot, but I think Stanely Clarke might be a dude who does the chord bass thing and lots of people claim to enjoy it. I was talking to a friend who is up on that sort of thing, and he seems to love that dude on bass. He said he went to their show in Seattle this fall and they had two bass players - crazy stuff like that (hope I got the right guy?) Anyway - that might be worth looking into. have fun! "...I'm working fast food now... but, hey, at least it's better than my last job." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECBRules Posted December 25, 2002 Share Posted December 25, 2002 Actually two notes played together is called an interval. I like to use them when I want to keep the bassline solid but expand on the harmony. It's also good for cool little solo pieces. m = minor M = major + = augmented P = perfect m2 (yuck) x---- (open) ----x M2 x--- ---x m3 x--- --x- M3 x--- -x-- P4 x--- x--- +4 dim5 (Tritone banned once by churches) -x-- x--- P5 --x- x--- m6 ---x x--- M6 x--- ---- -x-- m7 -x-- ---- -x-- M7 --x- ---- -x-- 8va --x- ---- x--- m9 ---x ---- x--- M9 x--- ---- ---- -x-- m10 -x-- ---- ---- -x-- M10 --x- ---- ---- -x-- 11 (not sure what to call this one) --x- ---- ---- x--- 11+ ---x ---- ---- x--- http://www.kennyruyter.com/old/cowmix.mp3 <- Cowbell fever REMIX oh damn!!! http://www.eastcoastbands.com aka: ECBRules . thisOLDdude . keny . Scooch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cup Posted December 27, 2002 Share Posted December 27, 2002 Chords or double stops? Whatever, I'm just getting into playing them at the moment. Basically I'm playing the root and the fifth (in majors) and I only really like the bright tones I get when playing them on the D and G strings. I can get them on all four but it sounds too over powering. CupMcMali...this monkey's gone to heaven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan South Posted December 27, 2002 Share Posted December 27, 2002 Originally posted by ECBRules: Actually two notes played together is called an interval.An interval is the relationship between two notes, but those notes don't have to be played together. If I play a C and then up to the next G, an interval of a perfect fifth separates those notes even though they were not played simultaneously. But you're correct in that a narrower use of the term can describe two notes played together, although it more specifical describes their relationship to one another. Double-stop is a term that only applies to stringed instruments. The Black Knight always triumphs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted December 29, 2002 Share Posted December 29, 2002 I don't play chords in a full band, but I do a lot of gigs with a trio...flute, guitar and bass. Sometimes I'll play the chords while the guitar player is soloing. sometimes I'll play the chords while the flute player is soloing or playing the melody and the guitar player can take a break. Sometimes I'll play the melody in unison with someone, whatever sounds good at the moment. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted December 29, 2002 Share Posted December 29, 2002 If the guitarist starts soloing, I often resort to chords. Voicing them to avoid mud can be a problem, but tapping works surprisingly well, so long as you keep it simple. I do the Roscoe Beck thing, keeping the bassline going with the left hand while tapping out horn or organ-sounding parts in the high registers using the right. The neat thing is that you can outline pretty much any chord using nothing but fourths, fifths and tritones on the right hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenLoy Posted December 29, 2002 Share Posted December 29, 2002 I don't play chords in a full band, but I do a lot of gigs with a trio...flute, guitar and bass. Sometimes I'll play the chords while the guitar player is soloing. sometimes I'll play the chords while the flute player is soloing or playing the melody and the guitar player can take a break. Sometimes I'll play the melody in unison with someone, whatever sounds good at the moment.What the man said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abaguer Posted December 30, 2002 Share Posted December 30, 2002 Chuck Rainey, the king of lowdown bass playing puts chords in a lot of his lines, he doesn't dwell on them just slips them in. Like slappin a pentatonic line in an E funk tune and sliding the 3rd and flat7 of the E7 chord from a half step below. He also does that with triads above the 12th fret usually 3rd on Gstring, Root on D, 5th below on A, these definitely sound best up high and are really tasty fills. P.s. after dropping these in Chuck always goes back to the bass line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fig Posted January 1, 2003 Share Posted January 1, 2003 There were two requests for Somewhere Over the Rainbow I did years ago from a classical guitar version. This is my first attempt at writing tab, so I really really hope this makes sense. I've never played this publically, but it sounds kinda neat. It's out of A, and the chords (vertical numbers) should be plucked individually, classical guitar style, not at once (muddy sounding). I've only included the first verse, because if this is not intelligible, then I've saved alot of time From this point anyway, I go into Jacos America. There's some cool chord substitutions that can be used. If it makes sense and you want America tab or the chord substitutions, let me know and I'll add it later. Hope you enjoy, and good luck deciphering. --2--14--13-------------13--14--2--11--9--9------ --2--14--14----14--16--14--11--2---9--9-----9--- --0------14-------------14--12-----11--7--------7 -----14------0-------------------2------9--------- -----------------2--7--6--------4--6------------ -----2--------0--2--4--7-----7--------7--6--5--4 --0-----0--1--------5--0--0--------------------- -----------------2------------------------------ --7--4-----1--2--4----6--2 -----3-------------------2 -------------------------0 --------1----------0------ Bassplayers aren't paid to play fast, they're paid to listen fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kooky Mogessi Posted January 1, 2003 Share Posted January 1, 2003 Looks good fig. I'll print it out, try it tonight as i sit home doing nothing on New Years Eve and let you know how it goes. Thanks for the tune "Cliff Burton (the "Major rager of the 4-string mother f***er", from Metallica)" Direct quote from Wikipedia (censored out of respect for the forum) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fig Posted January 2, 2003 Share Posted January 2, 2003 Here's the If I Only Had a Brain intro I used, key of C, which I got from a Jaco recording, except at the end, he goes into America. At the end, I've been going into the Over the Rainbow thing (up a couple of posts). The 10 in parentheses (10) means play that note as many times as needed for the song. (Damn, I regret not being able to write music). At the last (and only) two note interval, play both notes at same time (Open A and D flat). This takes it out of key of C and cooly moves it to key of A, setting you up nicely for the first chord of the Rainbow post. If the words are going thru your mind, the two note interval at the end is used on the word 'brain'. Hope you enjoy. --9---10---12---9-------------9------------------ --------------------10---12-------10---12---14--- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------14---12------- ---10-------------10-------------------------14-- --------12---14--------12---(10)----------------- ------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------14---12--- ---12---10-------------10----------------------- -------------12---10--------14---12------------- ------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------16---14---12-------- ---15---14---12----------------------------15--- ------------------15---14----------------------- ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------- ---14---12---(10)---11--- --------------------0---- ------------------------- Bassplayers aren't paid to play fast, they're paid to listen fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kooky Mogessi Posted January 2, 2003 Share Posted January 2, 2003 I tried the Over the Rainbow part and I have to admit its pretty confusing but I've gotten through it a few times with it sounding ok and I can tell when I'm actually able to play it, its going to be good. And thanks for the other part, gives me another thing to work on. "Cliff Burton (the "Major rager of the 4-string mother f***er", from Metallica)" Direct quote from Wikipedia (censored out of respect for the forum) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fig Posted January 2, 2003 Share Posted January 2, 2003 Sorry about the confusion, and I apologize I can't write in standard musical notation, but it sounds like you have the chording down, and now you can do with it as you like. I looked at what I'd done, and maybe this will help seperate the melody from the embellishments. Under the tab are a buttload of asteriks leading to letters. From beginning of the song until point A, you can match the melody to each chord or single note EXCEPT the open E (0). That's just an extra note that sounds cool. From point A to B is just embellishment. Melody is paused, just sounds kinda neat. From point B to C, the melody starts again and matches everything EXCEPT the lone open A (0). From point C to D is a pause in the melody again, another embellishment. Just a neat quick chromatic drop. From D to the end. The D note (7th fret, G string) resumes the melody after the chromatic drop, and the melody continues with each chord or note EXCEPT the low F (1) and open E (0). Hope this helped a little bit. --2--14--13-------------13--14--2--11--9--9------ --2--14--14----14--16--14--11--2---9--9-----9--- --0------14-------------14--12-----11--7--------7 -----14------0-------------------2------9-------- *********************************A******* -----------------2--7--6--------4--6------------ -----2--------0--2--4--7-----7--------7--6--5--4 --0-----0--1--------5--0--0--------------------- -----------------2------------------------------ ************B****************C*********D --7--4-----1--2--4----6--2 -----3-------------------2 -------------------------0 --------1----------0------ Bassplayers aren't paid to play fast, they're paid to listen fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kooky Mogessi Posted January 2, 2003 Share Posted January 2, 2003 Thanks fig, that helped alot. Thats what sucks about tab but thats another story thats been told too many times "Cliff Burton (the "Major rager of the 4-string mother f***er", from Metallica)" Direct quote from Wikipedia (censored out of respect for the forum) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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