Nice Bass Riff

[berbie]

I was looking at some youtube videos while practicing on my bass and I came upon a very nice riff.  Very simple but effective.  Watch "Jesus Will Fix It,  Bass Legends" on youtube and see what you think about it.

[cordney]

I couldn't find the video

[berbie]

Hey, that should be, Jesus will fix it, GOSPEL legends, but that will take you to the same page.  Then click on Jesus Will Fix It, the one showing Inez Andrews holding the mike.  I would have imbedded the video, but I am not familiar with that process. Keyboard players might be interested in the piano solo by Herbert Picard after the singing.   A lot of good licks there. Please let me know if you found it.

[cordney]

I think this is the one you are referring to, if so, the piano solo was nice. I heard a few bass riff that stood out as well...which one were you referring to?

Jesus Will Fix It

[berbie]

Yes, that is the one.  I meant the bass beat with walk-ups etc. as a whole.  There were a couple of nice riffs. It was simple, easy to learn and bottom ended the song well.  Actually, I was thinking about a poster who had been trying to get a grasp on fills when I thought to post it. As I listened though, I thought it might be of interest to other bassists as well.

[berbie]

Thanks for posting the video.

[berbie]

I came upon this song on you tube,  "He'll Understand (CVS)-The Williams Brothers." The Best of And More Live"  It had a nice bass lick in it, effective but easy to play.  Check when they are vamping on , He'll Understand".  Check what he's playing when they sing,  "Carrying the staff".  I picked up a lick.  Give it a listen.  See what you think.

[jacksmith2]

I think this is the one you are referring to, if so, the piano solo was nice. I heard a few bass riff that stood out as well...which one were you referring to?

Thanks for sharing this video.

[Mr Duncan]

I'm trying to learn how to play the bass. I love listening to different gospel songs and try to playing them. My problem is once I find the key to play the song in I don't no where to go next on the neck if  I go up or down. I know my scales but that don't seem to help much when trying to find that next note. What can I do to get better?

[berbie]

When you say that you know the scales, do you mean that you know the pattern for playing the major scale on the bass?  Do you know the numbers for the notes in the pattern and how to access them immediately?  Your answer says where you are and helps with our responses.  Speaking generally, though, you can play a great number of songs while yet staying in the box(the basic pattern). My advice to a new player is to stay in the box and get it thoroughly in your mind and under your fingers.  Learn the sound of the intervals in the box.  If I told you to play a 1,3,5,3, would you be able to play it?  Many songs follow a 1-4-5 progression.  Could you play a 1,3,5,3 on the 1, 4 and the five of the key you were in?  If so, you would be able to do a basic lick for many songs.

[Mr Duncan]

Thanks for your response. Yes I know my scales and how to play the scale. I even tried playing songs in the key once I found it by trying a 1-3-5 and then a 1-4-5. Someone told me to just give it up. But I can't I enjoy the sound and the feel of the bass. The video I have talks about the different strings and playing on the different strings. But not where to go to find that next note. If u play the root twice or go up or down a whole step on the knock or even go to the next string.

[berbie]

No, don't give up if you like playing the bass.  It is not the most difficult of instruments to play.  Put your middle finger on the third fret of the largest string (E). That is the note, G. then skip one fret and put your pinkie on the next fret and pluck.  That is an A.  Then go to the next larger string and put your pointer finger on the second fret and pluck.  That is a B. put your index finger on the next fret and pluck.  That is a C.  Skip a fret and play the next fret with your pinkie. That is a D.   Go to the next string and put your pointer finger on the second fret and pluck.  That is an E.  Skip one fret and put your third finger on the next fret and pluck.  That is F#.  Put  your pinkie on the next fret and pluck.  That is a G. That is the major scale box.  You can move it from key to key as long as you keep the same pattern.  Starting with G, notes in the scale are numbered 1-8.  G=1, A=2, B=3, C=4, D=5, E=6, F#=7 G=8(1).  To play a 1-3-5-3 you would play G-B-D=B.

To play a 1-4-5 progression using the 1-3-5-3 you  would first play G-B-D-B(1-3-5-3).  Then you would go to the four and put your middle finger on the four(C) and using the same pattern play a 1-3-5-3(C-E-G-E).  Then back to the G-play the 1-3-5-3, then to the D(5) and play a 1-3-5-3, and then back to the C.  Play the 1-3-5-3.  Then to the G   This is a very basic progression that will fit many traditional songs.  You might have to change at what times you go to the 4 and 5 according to the song. 

[malthumb]

Berbie,

Nice video finds.  Good examples for the bassist you were trying to help.


Mr Duncan,

Here's a suggestion that may help you.  Think about the songs that you are working on.  Try to hum the basslines.  Now go back and note-for-note, find the tones that you are humming.  Just trial and error until you can match the tone that you hum in each place.  Now, since you know your scales, see if you can track where in the scale the notes you hummed / played fall.  It will lead you to understanding the progression of the notes.

[musiqisme26]

did the piano player just get coventioned during song?

[berbie]

Thanks, Malthumb.

[berbie]

For the new (and other ) bassists, the 1-6-2-5-1/3-6-2-5-1/5-6-2-5-1/are your true friends when playing traditional music.  You can play it in the box, but learn it going up from the 8 and down from the 1 as well.  Internalize it.  walk up and down to the main notes.  Go to you tube and listen to the song, "Walk With Me" by bishop G.E Patterson (Walk With Me, Bishop G.E. Patterson singing old time)  The whole song is based on the 1-6-2-5-1.  Try to pick up the parts that are different.
Believe me when I say, that's not at all the only song using that progression.

[berbie]

Listen to Bishop Carlton Preston.  He is singing old school traditional songs.  By and By and Use Me Lord.  Once you nail the bass runs on these two songs, you are almost home free on that type of song.  The you tube video is,  Old Songs Medley-2(VHS)-Bishop Carlton Pearson,  "Live at Azusa".  He's singing in the key of Gb but that doesen't matter.  It is a matter of basic numbers(don't try to get the extra notes). Add your own extra notes.  note that he goes down to the next number sometimes, rather than up.  See if you can catch the number anyway.  Remember the "box"

[berbie]

Also, listen to, Old Songs Medley-1(CVS)-Bishop Carlton Pearson, "Live at Azusa".  The purpose for listening to this video is to hear a very clear example of when the first move from the one is to a six.  1= Hold to His hand, God's unchanging hand,  then a walk up to 6 and Hold to His hand. Note also as you listen further into the song, they modulate.  You will hear it later in the song.   Easy to do on a bass.  Just move the box up 1/2 step.

[Gemini47]

Berbie and Malthumb thanks guys for the in depth information. This is very helpful for me and i am sure for those of us learning. I ask for your opinion and feedback on this.

I used the song "At The Meeting" Gospel Legends Volume 3 soloist The Sensational Nightingales. Sounds like the song is in the key of A Major with the 1(A)-4(D)-5(E) progression. In the song where it says "I want to be at the meeting around the throne" i am hearing the 6-2-5-1. Is that correct? The beginning of the verse "I want to be at the meeting", i used 5(E)-6(G#) to walk the bassline to the 1(A). Is that ok? Just want to make sure i am moving in the right direction with the song.

[berbie]

Yes, that is correct except he didn't use the whole 1-6-2-5-1. He just did a 1-5-1.  I might throw a 7 in the walk up, but it wouldn't be necessary.  He's playing a lot of 1-5s and walk ups--not a busy bottom end.  Many prefer that.