In this lesson we’ll be looking at a cool funky bass riff that will help you develop your timing, 16th note rhythms and overall technique.

Buckle up and get ready for some syncopated bass goodness!!

The Riff!

While this riff might sound simple, we’re really using it to look at the subtleties of technique – particularly the way we play a shuffle feel on the 16th notes, and staccato notes to get that syncopated feel. You’re looking to develop a kind of muscle memory so you can play those really sharp, quick notes. This is all very much related to fingering and muting – so hand position on your fretting hand is the key element to think about here.

Practice Tracks:

80bpm:

100bpm

Playing Tips

• Tip #1 – Play fairly hard over the pickup of a Precision bass or neck pickup of a Jazz bass to get that characteristic snap on the upper notes
• Tip #2 – Stab at the notes with the fretting hand finger and quickly move from and to home position to create a more staccato duration on the upper notes
• Tip #3 – Subdivide and count slowly through the bar to gain accuracy playing the syncopated 16th notes