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UNIT 2 Bass and Riffs
UNIT 2 Bass and Riffs
The bass guitar is an important member of the guitar family. This unit will focus on playing bass notes, learning famous bass riffs, and being able to understand the bottom 4 strings on the guitar.
Understanding The Chromatic Scale
Understanding The Chromatic Scale
Western music is written around the idea of a chromatic scale. This scale uses half steps between each pitch.
C | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B | C
Chromatic Scale.mkvE String
E String
Notes on the E string starting with the open string and going through each fret are as follows
E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B | C | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E
These notes continue down the string until you run out of frets. Practice calling out various notes names and being able play that fret afterwards.
E String - Bass.mkvA String
A String
Notes on the A string starting with the open string and going through each fret are as follows
A | A#/Bb | B | C | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A
These notes continue down the string until you run out of frets. Practice calling out various notes names and being able play that fret afterwards.
A String - Bass Notes.mkvTranscription
Transcription
Learning to transcribe music you hear is essential to improving and learning an instrument. Take the time to listen and figure out the bass lines to the recordings below. All of these are famous basslines that you may recognize.
Feel Good -Bass.mp3Another One - Bass.mp3Seven Nation - Bass.mp3Lead Sheets
Lead Sheets
Lead sheets are a great way to learn how to read and play music also. Watch the videos and get a better understanding of how to read lead sheets on bass guitar and guitar.
Lead Sheet Bass.mkv
Write Your Own
Write Your Own
For this project you will be writing your own bass line for a song. Include at least four chords in this project. We will discuss how to use this document in class, but use this chart to help determine what chords you will use.
Examples:
If I am writing a chord progression in the key of C major, there are no sharps or flats on the notes. Therefore based on the roman numerals on the document, the following would be true:
I = C
ii = D
iii = E
IV = F
Use this to help you create your bass line on the bottom 2 strings of the guitar.
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