General Music Chat

I'm doing some 1 4 and trying to get 1 2 3 4 5 up and down while keeping time. Some songs do 1 5 like picking both notes of power chords. Some just do root notes. Doing different Scale

1 3
1 1 3
1 2 3

for
do re
me fa so
la ti do

main thing is having fun.
seems most of the runs i think of on the guitar have always been base runs.

Bass, mainly the electric bass is such a "new" instrument that it's still finding its place in music. From the 50's to the 70's it was in the role that had been giving to it by the Upright Bass. The 70's found guys experimenting with what it could do, now we have bass in lead, melody, chordal work, percussion, and solo works, giving rise to extended range basses and breaking the mold left to it by the Upright.

Blair,

I suggest that you score a copy of "Building Walking Bass Lines" by Ed Friedland. It comes with a CD and the exercises are recorded with the bass on one channel, and piano and drums on the other, so you can turn off the bass and jam with the piano and drums.
My wife picked up a copy when she was just learning, and I do believe that it was instrumental in turning her into a solid player FAST!

Its a classic and I'm sure you can still get it so CHECK IT OUT!. You'll be "walkin' the dog" in no time.

I even became half decent at noodling a bass line or two. Its the only learning aid that I ever considered FUN.

Howlin'

not for a beginner but...
I've found "john leibmans funk bass" to be an absolute treasure in terms of developing timing and all around chops.

Thanks alot will check out walking bass lines.

Having played a bit o the basement in my yute. I would have to say an instrument that "fits" is a most important thing to consider. To much neck girth or too high an action can really hamper your progress. Seems to be much more variation in the physeque of the bass than to guitars in general. I played with what my guitar friends called hammer fingers, much simular to someone would play classical guitar. I feel it was due in part to the large guitar that I bought for myself, not knowing any better.

You're not a good bass player without a good drummer

A great band with a lousy drummer is a mediocre band. A mediocre band with a great drummer is a good band. If you can't play with a good drummer you may as well not even play, it's that simple. Later...

What cocstatutes a "good Drummer" ? What differentiates a good drummer for a mediocre drummer? What could and should a new drummer focus on in order to become "good"?

I'd say keeping the beat/tempo/rhythm/pace/whatever you wanna call it. Creative fills. But most importantly getting along with him/her both musically and socially.

In our group the drummer is responsible for the beer

Just kidding if you play with a good drummer you will know it. They have to hold everything together.

I'm a drummer, but I'll comment -

The best bassist I've found are former lead guitar players.
Simply, because they understand the difference between playing chords and single notes as in lead playing and picking.

Also, learning scales even if it's just the basic blues scales is paramount to good technique and playing the instrument properly.

G'Luck
El' Peno'

What cocstatutes a "good Drummer" ? What differentiates a good drummer for a mediocre drummer? What could and should a new drummer focus on in order to become "good"?

Coordination, Meter and Dynamics. Also, learning to not overplay especially during vocal parts and other instrument solos.

G'Luk /EL' Peno'

Our Basest is the only seasoned player in our band. Steve our drummer is not allways spot on but he has a real good feel for the originals we are doing. I rarely dislike anything he plays, but to be honest, I have to really concetrate on what I am doing. So I dont pay that much attention. except to try and stay in tempo.

A good drummer is only as good as his bass player. They both need to hit the bass notes at the same time. That's all there is to it.