Soloing For Bass Players: the Number 1 Problem
This lesson addresses one of the biggest problems I see in students when trying to solo through chord changes. As bass players we deal with root notes of chords a lot. So when it comes to that time to solo we automatically aim for the root note and then take it from there.
In this lesson we have an exercise that aims to shake you out of that habit by aiming for the other chord tones.
Chord Progression
CMaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7
Chord Construction
Major 7 1 3 5 7
Dominant 7 1 3 5 b7
Minor 7 1 b3 5 b7
Chord Tones
C Maj7 C E G B
Am7 A C E G
Dm7 D F A C
G7 G B D F
Exercise 1: Play the Root Note of each chord
Exercise 2: Play the 3rd of each chord
Exercise 3: Play the 5th of each chord
Exercise 4: Play the 7th of each chord
Mark, I missed more on the mixing of chord notes during the solo. You just performed an example at the end. Can you develop a bit more? For example, when finishing a chord bar, which note of the following to target. How to visualize them and how to choose the best one according to the ideas you have in your mind. Thanks
I find soloing the most difficult area to improve upon. Great lesson, Mark . . . would love more info/lessons on soloing ideas, maybe permutation suggestions and rhythm variations??
Steven, go to the Improvisation section in the lesson map. Very good!
Thanks, Joaquin!
Mark – fantastic lesson. Still pretty rubbish at soloing, this is going to help. A lot!
Cheers
Gerry
Using the bass note of an inversion to create colour
Very cool lesson.
i like how you demo the possibilities after the detail from 24:57 but its a jump way too far. I could do with a talk through of what you’re doing there. it’s like here’s how to work the controls of your car, now we’ll do a lap of rbands hatch without explanation.
This is a great lesson by any standard; so useful and practical.
Well done Mark!
I’m an age-pensioner with a touch of arthritis in the fingers so I need to use
a plectrum most of the time. I was wondering if you could perhaps demo the
use off a plectrum occasionally; it would be so encouraging for ‘us’ older folk.
Also, I would like to make a small contribution/donation to say ‘thank you’ for
all these great instructional videos you give out for free; where can that be done?
Have a great 2018!
MUITO LEGAL,SHOW DE BOLA, GOSTEI
ADOREI OS VIDEOS ,E AS AULAS ,ESTÃO ME AJUDANDO MUITA NA MINHA PERFORNANCE .
You are the best teacher ever!
Great lesson!! I’m Having fun again. Thanks.
PS the sight reading course is GREAT.
IRMÃO VOCE É MUITO BOM PARA ENSINAR E ABRIR A NOSSA MENTE
EU TOCO A 20 ANOS E COM VOCÊ APRENDI EM UMA SEMANA COISAS QUE NUNCA CONSEGUI FAZER EM 20 ANOS
BRAZIL SÃO PAULO SP FERNANDOPOLIS
CESAR
Mark ,to say thank you is very little for this lesson….just wonderfulto understand and helped a lot in the development of my playing…!!!!!!
Mark, outstanding explanation on the approach starting from the 3rd, 5th and 7th degrees. I also appreciate the approach from the 15th fret to practice in this area as well which I hardly do.