Bass Resources

Website (Basic)

https://www.studybass.com/
https://www.guitarscale.org/bass/g-major.html
6 bass tone fixes
Scales Tool
How to Slap Bass
Change strings

EasyTrax for playalong tracks in both guitar and bass

Current Exercises

https://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-scales/one-octave-chromatic-scale/

• Maj Scales, straight up and down 123456787654321
• Maj Scales, triplets pattern 123 234 345...
• Repeat for G,A,C,E
• Try doing a two octave scale

Boogie Woogie Scale
| Root-3-5-6 | b7-6-5-3 |

References

Bass Notes

Bass Scales

Practice Melodies

Boogie Woogie

| Root-3-5-6 | b7-6-5-3 |

Ideas

Bass melody, Run for the Hills
Bass melody, Sneaky Bass
Bass Melody, Funky Melody 2
Bass Melody, Grove in D

G
A
A#
D D# D C A# A

Key points when just starting out

• Let the strap or your knee hold the weight of the bass
• Your fretting palm should never touch the neck of the bass; use the thumb to support the fretting fingers
• Keep the bass close to the body and facing outwards

Progress

Basic Bass Technique

• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/basics/the-elements-of-music/
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/basics/about-music-theory/
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/basics/mistakes-beginners-make/
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/basics/protect-your-hearing/
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/basics/bass-guitar-resources/
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/basics/the-musical-alphabet/
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/basics/how-to-tune-your-bass/
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/basics/how-to-tune-your-bass/2
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/basics/how-to-tune-your-bass/3
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-technique/about-bass-technique/
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/basics/up-and-down/
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-technique/holding-the-bass/
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-technique/plucking/
  • Why learn the technique?
    • It generally sounds better
    • It's more effecient
  • Use at least 2 fingers to pluck
    • Should cover most playing styles
  • The tone of the bass depends alot on where you pluck
    • Close to the neck = Fatter warmer tone
    • Close to the bridge = Brighter, more percussive tone
      
  • Don't pluck too hard, always play with an amp so you develop a light touch

• Fretting | StudyBass

• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-technique/breaking-bad-habits/
  • Play new songs and work on using a metronome consistently
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-technique/legato-and-staccato/
  • It’s important to practice how to play legato (notes extending into one another) and Staccato (Notes stop between) intentionally.
  • Practice both techniques
  • More Tips
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-technique/pick-vs-fingers/
  • Using picks is valid as long as it’s the sound you’re looking for
• https://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-technique/string-crossing/

Reading Music, Part 1

Excercises

• Plucking: Bass Exercises | StudyBass
• Fretting: Bass Exercises | StudyBass
• Legato and Staccato Exercises | StudyBass
• String Crossing Exercises | StudyBass

Interesting Notes

Amazing MIDI Bass Lines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NoLT_c-LTA

Passing Notes

• Weak beats that’s meant to connect the strong notes (micro tension)

Syncopation

• Shifting the strong notes to play on the off-beat
• Makes them feel stronger

Rests

• Give some room to other tracks
• One-drop: Delay the note by 1/8 note

Ghost Notes

• Percussive, very short note
• Used to telegraph the drums
• Used to add more color

Pitch bends and slides

• Emulates actual playing

Humanizing Timing and Dynamics

• Use midi velocity to emphasize accents or ghost notes
• Move the midi around to change the groove

Chord inversions

• Moves the bottom note up one Octave