any accoustic bass players?

missy · Post by **missy** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 4:31 pm

or upright bass players?

I got a chromatic bass dulcimer for Christmas. With all the "extra" frets (the usual mountain dulcimer is diatonically fretted) it's a totally different beast, so I decide to be really radical, and stung it up E', A'. D and G (bass to melody) just like an accoutic or upright bass (only an octave lower)

(and yes, before anyone says it, I KNOW this means it's like a guitar, but I still want to play downward, not wrapping my hand around a neck, hense the dulcimer...)

Anyway, besides picking out the triads of chords, etc. - I'd appreciate if anyone has some tips on bass "walks", moving between the chords, what have you. I'll be using this primarily as back-up to Tom playing, so I don't need to concentrate on melody too much.

BrassBlower · Post by **BrassBlower** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 10:06 pm

I occasionally play fretted bass. Actually, it is my instrument of choice in a performance situation.

My favorite walking bass pattern is what I call the "Johnny Cash Walk-Up". In this pattern, going from a C chord to an F chord, you would play a D and an E on the two beats coming into the F chord. Similarly, going from a C chord to a G chord, you would play a B and an A on these two beats. You can even go between two of the same chord by dropping to a fifth below and walking back up (e.g. between two C chords, play G, A and B). Be sure to make the leading tones much quieter than the chord tones, or it will sound "contrived". These work best between the verse and chorus (or A part and B part) of a tune.

Clear as mud?

Hopefully this helps.

-Jim

missy · Post by **missy** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 7:17 am

thanks - I'll try playing around with this!

Domhnall · Post by **Domhnall** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 3:45 pm

A basic walking bass (a blues or a Jazz one) is; root, 3rd, 5th, 6th and a flat 7th of whatever scale your walking in. Take for example a Bb blues, (what I find myself playing alot) would be: :Bb, D, F, G : Ab, G, F, D : % : %: Eb, G, Bb, C : Db, C, Bb, G : Bb, D, F, G : Ab, G, F, D : F, A, C, D : Eb, G, Bb, C : Bb, D, F, G : F :

A blues Chord progression is also (generally) : 1111 : 4411 : 5411(5)
The numbers being the notes in the scale of the key the tune is in and each number being one bar. That's about all I know about walking bass, however just keeping up quarter notes in the right key dosn't sound half bad. I only play bass when I'm playing jazz, blues, or orchestral music, so I'm sorry I can't have been more help along cletic lines. I hope you understood all that.

Cheers,
Domhnall

missy · Post by **missy** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 6:15 pm

thanks Domhall - I'll take a look at what you've written and give it a try.

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:18 pm

I got a chromatic bass dulcimer for Christmas. With all the "extra" frets (the usual mountain dulcimer is diatonically fretted) it's a totally different beast, so I decide to be really radical, and stung it up E', A'. D and G (bass to melody) just like an accoutic or upright bass (only an octave lower)

Hmmm... I doubt that you are getting it tuned an octave *lower*... more likely an octave higher than the upright bass... like the guitar.

The notes that are in the key you are playing, and particularly that are in the chord, are the ones to play around with for your 'walking'. Natural progressions up and down are a good start, and then try going up to higher versions of the same note/chord for contrast. The trick is to keep the proper rythym (not something I can claim perfection at, I might add

), and to keep it complementary to the tune.

Sounds like fun to me! I miss my bass!!!!!!!!!!! (where's that crying icon??)

missy · Post by **missy** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:06 am

yeah - you're correct - an octave HIGHER not LOWER!

I get teased about playing on bridge cables the way it is!

Thanks for your help.

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:02 am

missy wrote:yeah - you're correct - an octave HIGHER not LOWER!

I get teased about playing on bridge cables the way it is!

Thanks for your help.

Yup... and a Suspension Bridge at thatl.... I actually blew one last year!!

Tha's why mine is awaiting cosmetic surgery now... the major orthopeadic stuff has already been completed. NOT a pretty sight! Luckily, though none of the strings broke, just the bridge... no casualties.

LeeMarsh · Post by **LeeMarsh** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 3:35 pm

A common progression in Irish music is G to Em.

G(GBDG) chord, base G, base F#, Em chord (EBEG).

Walking down from major to minor flows well.

You might also want to experiment with DADG tuning (like guitar DADGAD) and pull the bass 4 strings from DADGAD guitar chords. It'll give you a number of modal sounds.

Domhnall · Post by **Domhnall** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 5:05 pm

Breaking your bridge must be a horrible experience, that's why I've remained in contact with my old music teacher, educational discount on parts.

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:05 pm

Domhnall wrote:Breaking your bridge must be a horrible experience, that's why I've remained in contact with my old music teacher, educational discount on parts.

It is handy to be buddies with the local music shop folk.