Acoustic/electric Bass

[Malcolm]

Just getting started on Bass - Acoustic/electric Bass - big ole monster. Here is what I've figured out so far. Nudge me one way or the other.

Generic Major Scale
G------|------|------|------|
D--6---|--7---|------|--8---|
A--3---|--4---|------|--5---|
E------|--1---|------|--2---|

So a 1-4-5 pattern would be the red intervals.
That seems simple enough. I've changed the chords on my fake chord sheet music to I IV V instead of C F and G and plan on just playing the pattern.

Pattern placement; if the song will use the key of G I then place the pattern as such:
Key of G pattern would start on the 4th string 3rd fret.
Key of A pattern would start on the 4th string 5th fret.
Key of B pattern would start on the 4th string 7th fret.
Key of C pattern would start on the 3th string 3rd fret.
Key of D pattern would start on the 3th string 5th fret.
Key of E pattern would start on the 3th string 7th fret.
Key of F pattern would start on the 3th string 8th fret.

That takes care of notes. Rhythm (beat) could use some suggestions here. I'm making beats instead of strumming and changing notes like I used to change chords - relying on the fake chord sheet music. I can not jamm a note selection like I can jamm a chord progression - yet. So I need a system (cheat sheet) to fall back on.

Is this close to what I need to be doing. Sitting in for our Bass on Monday. Got a crash course going here, need all the help I can get. Still thinking like a rhythm guitar - any suggestions will be appreciated.

Need some of your favorite country licks.

Thanks,

Malcolm

[jrheavymetal]

Maybe its just the way I'm looking at this, but it looks a bit confusing. Are you looking for the major scale for Bass?

[Malcolm]

Well by now I've got most of it figured out. Here is what I've decided to do...........

Yes as once I get the root placed I can then grab any riff I want by visualizing the major scale's pattern. The major scale is repeated all over the fretboard I just need to know where to start it and then it's notes are always in the same spot - relative to the root. The major scale is my go to pattern as we play Country and everything is in a Major key.
.
Song in G. I can place the root on the 4th string 3rd fret. Or if I like 3rd string 10th fret - then decide on what baseline to use. For example:

Generic baselines:
Root nothing
R-5
R-4-5
R-3-5-3
R-2-3-5-6 Major pentatonic
R-R-3-3-5-5-6-5, etc, etc.

Once I've listened to the song and decided what riff will work best for this song I normally keep the same riff, say a R-3-5-3, through out the song - changing the root placement with the chord changes as they come up. Using the major scale pattern to find my riff notes.

If I want a Root-5 where is my 5? Up a string and over two from the root.
Where is my 4? Up a string from the root.
Where is my 3? Up a string and back one fret from the root.
Where is my 6? Up two strings and back one - right over the 3.
Where is my 7? Up two strings and over one.
Where is my 8 or octave? Up two strings and over two.

In relation to the root those notes are always in the same spot within the pattern.

Place the root and then every other note in that scale is waiting for me in it's assigned spot. Piece of cake.

Since that post I've retired the acoustic/electric bass and purchased a standard electric 4 string bass. IMO a much better choice for the music we do. A friend purchased that bass and will use it to jamm Country when he goes to Mountain View, Ark. Jamming in Mountain View is all acoustic, He loves the guitar and looks forward to using it. I found it to be a big ole monster of a thing.