Today we’re looking at a preview lesson from the upcoming Groove Trainer volume 2 course over at the Talkingbass website. This bass groove could be seen as a technical etude and is great practice for those of you looking to develop speed and stamina in your finger picking.

Groove Trainer Course Vol.2

This is the follow up to the popular Groove Trainer Vol.1 in which we work through a series of bass grooves specifically designed for the course. Where we focus on developing your technique, rhythm and general playing abilities in a step by step progressive manner.

Volume two focuses on 16th note grooves, swung 8th notes and some different time signatures such as 2/2, 6/8 and 12/8. These grooves cover a variety of different styles and there are 60 grooves from each genre. In this lesson, we will dissect grove no. 34.

Breakdown

Groove 34 has a rock feel with a fairly consistent 16th note pattern throughout at quite a high tempo, so this will be a great workout for the picking hand. This groove also works all across the other strings to really get your fingers in shape.

We play each note twice as we come down the line as shown below in Bar 1. Make sure to get the pattern under your fingers and playing once through, before doubling up on each note. Then we ascend through the D Blues scale before coming back to the start, once you get back home you just play it all again in a loop.

Benefits and Speed Building

This is all alternate picking throughout played at a fair tempo, while crossing strings and doubling up on notes so be sure to get this groove under your fingers and into your muscle memory slowly. Build it up to the played tempo only once you are comfortable with the line. Play with a relaxed technique, while paying attention to every aspect of both hands.

Harmony

Harmony wise it’s quite a simple D minor 7 arpeggio descending in Bar 1, with a Dorian line ascending in Bar 2. There are some occasional chromatic passing tones to watch out for, these are used as leading notes to the next chord tone. Passing tones are used to fill in the gaps and have no effect on the Key of the piece.

Drumbeat Breakdown

The accompanying drum groove is a standard rock beat with the 16th notes accented by the Hi Hats. It’s not really outlining what you’re playing too much, it’s there to give us that driving rock feel and support as we fly through this 16th note groove.