Need Help With Traditional Songs

[Bullitt]

This is going to sound totally backwards but during our services I do just fine playing along with newer contemporary songs (fred hammond, donald lawrence, ricky dillon, etc) but struggle with some of the more traditional songs that we usually sing during Praise & Worship.

Examples:
-What A Mighty God We Serve
-Victory is Mine
-Jesus I'll Never Forget

They are all songs that the organ player can just flow into one right after another but maybe I'm making things more complicated in my own mind.

How do you guys (and gals) play these songs?  I'm sure somebody will know what I mean about all of the songs "sounding the same" from a bass players perspective...


God Bless,
-J

[jeremyr]

hehe...they do all sound the same. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. You probably already know what i'm goign to say, but i'll state it for others that may be reading.

Remember you're just there to hold down the grove first and foremost.  Those song are VERY repetive so use that to your advantage. You're making it harder on yourself by trying to overcomplicate the song. Try throwing in differnt runs when making the bigger moves towards the ends of the verse, but you don't have alot of room to play around with down there, so it has to be quick and sweet.  Other then that which I'm pretty sure you are already aware of there really isn't to much that you can do besides during the turn around where you can really get funky with it that would spice up the song quite a bit more.
 

[djgroovin]

This is going to sound totally backwards but during our services I do just fine playing along with newer contemporary songs (fred hammond, donald lawrence, ricky dillon, etc) but struggle with some of the more traditional songs that we usually sing during Praise & Worship.

I know EXACTLY what you mean.  I am going through the same thing.  The trick is learning how to flow from one chord to the other.  Then learning the turnarounds.  I wont bore you with theory (unless you want it) but this is what I'm doing.  A friend of mine had a playlist of just those types of songs (about 20 or 30).  He burned them to a cd for me and I just go through and copy the bass lines.  It takes a lot of stopping and rewinding but this has been the most effective way for me.  I've been at it for about a week now and I've noticed some improvement.  All I really need is a few days that I can dedicate to it and I should have a good hold on it.  But even when I'm away from my bass I play the cd's just to get the sound in my head.  It helps.  These lines really are not that complicated once you get them down and understand the progressions.

[Bullitt]

Thanks guys, you both nailed exactly what I was talking about

djgroovin...bring on the theory, I consider to be the "meat & potatos" behind everything that we play and without it, the music is just empty and meaningless runs and fills.

Could I ask the name of the cd that your friend burned for you?  I'd love to pick up a copy to help me practice....and I do the same thing as far as listening to songs when away from my bass (listening to "Healed" by Donald Lawrence now )

jeremyr, thus far I have been just playing the "basics" of each song and seldom throw in any extras on them but our organist keeps giving me this funny look and asking why I don't "play more" lol

God Bless,
-J

[djgroovin]

Could I ask the name of the cd that your friend burned for you?  I'd love to pick up a copy to help me practice....

The cd he burned was a complilation of many different songs from his IPod playlist.  It's actually 2 CD's.

djgroovin...bring on the theory, I consider to be the "meat & potatos" behind everything that we play and without it, the music is just empty and meaningless runs and fills.

I'll see if I can break one down and post it.  Transcribing it will actually help me too.

[uriahsmusic]

these may help


there is power..bass line#2

there is power..bass line#3
 
powerbass1!


bassline to progression #11!

bassline to progression #12!

bassline to progression #13!

bassline to progression #31!
 :roll:

bassline to progression #33!

BASS W/ BACKUP#3!

BASS W/ BACKUP#6!

bassline to progression #41!

bassline to progression #42!

BASS W/ BACKUP#4!

bass in action 1!

BASS W/ BACKUP#2!

[Bullitt]

The cd he burned was a complilation of many different songs from his IPod playlist.  It's actually 2 CD's.
I'll see if I can break one down and post it.  Transcribing it will actually help me too.

That would be awesome!

these might help

You are the man 

Thanks ALOT....I'm about to spend most of the work day listening to these and learning haha


God Bless,
-J

[chrismc101]

djgroovin,

Man if I could get a copy of that CD it would truly be a blessing. I too need some help on the older hymn type praise & worship songs. And you're right, they are so simple in construction. I need to get those runs and changes down pack. I'm from the South, North Carolina to be exact and that old school shouting & run type style needs to be a staple in my playing.

Hook me up. If I need to send you a blank disc or two I will. LOL...

chrismc101

[Bullitt]

djgroovin,

Man if I could get a copy of that CD it would truly be a blessing. I too need some help on the older hymn type praise & worship songs. And you're right, they are so simple in construction. I need to get those runs and changes down pack. I'm from the South, North Carolina to be exact and that old school shouting & run type style needs to be a staple in my playing.

Hook me up. If I need to send you a blank disc or two I will. LOL...

chrismc101

Where at in NC are you located?
I'm in Charlotte but travel quite a bit.

djgroovin....I'd be willing to send you a blank CD or two for a copy as well


God Bless,
J

[Dwalk]

The cd he burned was a complilation of many different songs from his IPod playlist.  It's actually 2 CD's.

Hey dj could you post the names of the songs and I'll get them?

[djgroovin]

Hey dj could you post the names of the songs and I'll get them?

I don't know if I actually know the names of the songs...or who they are by.

[cleveakabig]

I don't know if I actually know the names of the songs...or who they are by.

I guess this is what Uriah meant in another thread about not being where you should be. These songs are easy to play if you play them on key. All of that show out/solo /very loud over the rest bass playing won't work on these song to well.


Other words keep it low ,nice simple and most of all ON KEY or play the root note

[djgroovin]

I guess this is what Uriah meant in another thread about not being where you should be. These songs are easy to play if you play them on key. All of that show out/solo /very loud over the rest bass playing won't work on these song to well.


Other words keep it low ,nice simple and most of all ON KEY or play the root note

"Being where you should be" is a relative term.  Maybe if you've been playing for several years it seem elementary.  The progressions for traditional songs is not the hard part.  It's the variety of turnarounds and and key changes.  There are several possibilites to approach "root notes".  Every bass player will play it differently depending on their knowledge of approach notes.

[anointed_strings]

I was having the same problem, but actually working on my scales has help alot.  I also got the COGIC cd with Bishop Patterson singing all old congregation songs.  It's just learning the patterns.  I realized that most change ups are right below the root note.  I don't know musch about theory and I haven't been playing long but those are a couple things that I have been working on.