Does any one have some good bass lines for the Silver Spear and Jackie Colemans Reel? I know its not trad, but theres a bass player i know whos trying to get into it and i dont really know bass so anyone who could help that'd be great! thanks
Good bass playing ( ask any Bodrhan player ) is as much about rhythm as about the note.
I play the bass in my band. We were once at a festival in the local park, and the sound-man was getting in a beer as we started playing, and the lead musicians were ( unknown to me ) unmiked, but people were dancing to us, because my bass was rhythmic and accented, as it has to be in the band because there's no drummer.
Speaking as someone who has been playing bass fiddle for several years at different types of jam sessions (Irish, old-time, bluegrass, gospel, etc.), I would suggest mostly playing the root note of the chords with an occasional fifth played for a little variety in the bass line. Another suggestion would be to add fill-in runs either up or down from the fitth to the root note sometimes. If done properly and not overdone too often, this can be especially effective at the end of a section of whatever tune you are playing. Most of these tunes have two sections which are played and repeated before you go on to the next section of the tune. Also, many of these tunes are what I sarcastically refer to as "three chord wonders" because they have a grand total of three chords (usually the "I", the "IV", and the "V"). By this, I mean that if the tune starts in "C", this means that I know the other two chords will automatically be "F" and "G" of if the tune starts in "D", the other two chords will be "G" and "A". Which leads me to one of the characteristics that I like about Irish music. Many Irish tunes have more than just three chords. To me, it is an enjoyable challenge to try to figure out the chords (especially if they are minor key chords). Does this help your friend the bass player?
basslines
basslines
Does any one have some good bass lines for the Silver Spear and Jackie Colemans Reel? I know its not trad, but theres a bass player i know whos trying to get into it and i dont really know bass so anyone who could help that'd be great! thanks
Matt
# Posted on January 16th 2008 by tinwhistler10
Re: basslines
Perhaps go here;http://home.comcast.net/~saustin98/lark/
Find the chord patterns from the tunes and give them to him, he can work out some ideas from there in conjunction with melody.
Fraid its do it yourself time !
# Posted on January 16th 2008 by jig
Re: basslines
Good bass playing ( ask any Bodrhan player ) is as much about rhythm as about the note.
I play the bass in my band. We were once at a festival in the local park, and the sound-man was getting in a beer as we started playing, and the lead musicians were ( unknown to me ) unmiked, but people were dancing to us, because my bass was rhythmic and accented, as it has to be in the band because there's no drummer.
# Posted on January 17th 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: basslines
Speaking as someone who has been playing bass fiddle for several years at different types of jam sessions (Irish, old-time, bluegrass, gospel, etc.), I would suggest mostly playing the root note of the chords with an occasional fifth played for a little variety in the bass line. Another suggestion would be to add fill-in runs either up or down from the fitth to the root note sometimes. If done properly and not overdone too often, this can be especially effective at the end of a section of whatever tune you are playing. Most of these tunes have two sections which are played and repeated before you go on to the next section of the tune. Also, many of these tunes are what I sarcastically refer to as "three chord wonders" because they have a grand total of three chords (usually the "I", the "IV", and the "V"). By this, I mean that if the tune starts in "C", this means that I know the other two chords will automatically be "F" and "G" of if the tune starts in "D", the other two chords will be "G" and "A". Which leads me to one of the characteristics that I like about Irish music. Many Irish tunes have more than just three chords. To me, it is an enjoyable challenge to try to figure out the chords (especially if they are minor key chords). Does this help your friend the bass player?
# Posted on February 12th 2008 by fauxcelt