Playing bass without playing the roots?

[@eversmiller]

Great video Jon. I enjoy hearing you talk about music your enthusiasm is is reassuring not to mention the awesome information.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Thanks, Evers. I’m glad you’re getting something out of these videos. 👍

[@eversmiller]

@@ForBassPlayersOnly 😎🎶🆒 bass player

[@gordonmorris6359]

​@@ForBassPlayersOnly Old musician (multi-instrumentalist) and new subscriber here. I'm curious as to why the Spanish big six-string guitarron never made it into American ensembles, was it just due to being harder to obtain than a fretless standup bass? Also, I'd love to hear you analyse McCartney's use of the root and other intervals, as well as how & when he played either in the traditional style or when he innovated, especially when he laid down his bass tracks LAST, like a separate melody so to speak. Carry on!

[@charleskleesattel6477]

Agreed, don't be a slave to the root. As far as 'serving the music' (can there be a more subjective concept?). Personally I track the relative importance of rhythm vs. harmony in determining the style. The more the music depends on rhythm, the more the root becomes important. Also it's important, I believe, to constantly be aware of the energy of the phrase in whatever style you're working. Roots on the first chord change and last usually are necessary, however, using other chord tones, and non-chord tones within the phrase and help to move the energy towards the end of the phrase. Again, style and the relation of rhythm and harmony dictate a lot of those choices. Lastly, depending on the size of the group to the best of your ability it's wise to avoid playing the melody note on long durations, phrase endings and beginings. The smaller the group, the more important that idea becomes. OK, all that said, I'm not famous, or rich... just a guy playing bass in different kinds of groups for 50+ years. This is what works for me.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Great perspectives, Charles. Thanks!

[@terenceguerrero2834]

I think context matters: genre, feel, and how the guitar/piano are accompanying... are they giving you room to walk in the mode/key or are they wanting you to outline the harmonic motion with them? Great question that should generate an edifying conversation. I tend to think of walking bass lines as not having rules, but rest in a realm of guidelines which gives us room to stretch the borders of expectations.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Good perspectives, Terence. Right on! Thanks.

[@gb-tm9vg]

Thanks Jon. As I tend more to the Melodic or Harmonic approach I find the root just doesn't always sound right. For me, often it is the octaves that seem to work better, to my ear anyway. The same when playing piano. I seem to like different chord inversions more than root inversions.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Thanks, gb!

[@BassWhispererTV]

Oh, NOW you’ve done it!! 😂😂😂

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

I gave my warning. I take no responsibility for what might happen. 😂😂

[@dexdouglassbassbum]

I thought the upright bass is mostly a jazz thing. I saw some guy playing Rage Against The Machine on an upright, surprisingly okay, plus you're playing a Count Basie thing you definitely want to have an upright, to carry a bridge between rhythm and harmony is something I need to inquire more of.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Yeah, sometimes it shows up in unexpected places. Think back to the earliest days of rock, with Elvis, Buddy Holly, and all the rest. There was plenty of upright back then! 😁

[@stevedamas3412]

No, I don't believe we do and I often play a "heavy" pick up then a 3rd or 5th on the down beat. This is dependent upon the other players in the group...someone needs to be on the dominant on the down beat.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Thanks, Steve!

[@gb-tm9vg]

Hate to bother Jon, but today I was listening and playing some REM. Mostly some root 5 type stuff, for what's that worth. As I play mostly 2 string bass my shapes tend to be different than the normal. Though I learned on the 4 string like most I love 2 string. I am able to play 3 & 4 note arpeggios quite easily. Maybe the hand shifts/movements are more than most would like, I find them quite natural. Any thoughts? Just curious.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

A two-string bass is such a novelty. I think it’s really cool! I can’t really speak to he shapes because I’m not sure if I’ve ever even played a two-string, but if you’ve got the shifts down, more power to you. Awesome! Thanks for weighing in.