This week I’d love to spend some time diving into some more practical music theory tips that you can use in your worship ministry (or in any modern musical venue for that matter).\u00a0 Very often I will run into bass players that know where the root notes of chords are but have no idea what to do beyond playing the root note.\u00a0 Today we’ll try and look at some simple tips bass players can use to get off of the root:<\/p>\n
The absolute best way for bass players to find their way out of the familiar root note is to listen to recordings and pick out the bass part.\u00a0 Crank the bass on your EQ and pick out everything the bass player is doing.\u00a0 Attempt to play along with the song (you might have to pause quite a few times!) and learn what notes the bass player is using.\u00a0 Start with a slower song with a less intricate bass line to avoid a lot of frustration.<\/p>\n
These two intervals are very key to making bass playing a little more interesting while keeping it simple.\u00a0 Because the root chord is built up of a root, a third, and a fifth – the fifth of the chord can be used to add interest.\u00a0 Alternate between the root and the fifth in rhythm with the rest of the song.\u00a0 It doesn’t have to be fancy right away.\u00a0 If you’ve never tried to get off of the root note before, play the root note for three beats (if you’re in a 4\/4 song) and then use the fourth beat to switch to the fifth of the chord.\u00a0 Then, on the first beat of the next measure, come back to the root note.\u00a0 By playing the fifth on the last beat of the measure you create a great transition note into the next measure.<\/p>\n
Knowing where the fourth of the chord is can be very helpful in adding a note that transitions to the fifth.\u00a0 It could be a quick transition that helps create a rhythmic, punching bass line.\u00a0 Or it could be a transition from one chord to the next.\u00a0 If the music goes from a I chord to a V chord, use the fourth to transition between the two.<\/p>\n
In the same way, use thirds to transition to a knew chord.\u00a0 The third note of a I chord helps transition perfectly to the first note of a IV chord.\u00a0 Use the third note of the IV chord to transition to the root note of the V chord (take note that you will be going down<\/strong><\/em> instead of up<\/strong><\/em> in this case.)\u00a0 The third note of the V chord has to <\/strong><\/em>transtion back to the first note of the I chord.\u00a0 Use the third of every chord to find your way either up or down to the next chord in the song.<\/p>\n If you absolutely have a hard time getting away from the root of the chord – use rhythm to help create more interest.\u00a0 For a driving song, play repeated eighth notes instead of whole notes.\u00a0 Repeat the root as a separate note on the fourth beat of the measure (in 4\/4) and then repeat it again on the first beat of the next measure.\u00a0 This helps create movement in the music.<\/p>\n These are some very basic tips that will help beginning bass players move away from the root note of each chord and create much more interest in the music.\u00a0 Anyone have any more?<\/p>\nRhythm<\/h3>\n