I ran into a bit of a brick wall in keeping up with chord changes because I was trying to play a bass note for every beat of that chord in a measure. Specifically I'm talking about Night Moves. I wrote the bass line myself based on the chords. For the most part it's accurate, since I compared it to the published sheet music which I finally got.
But there are a few places where my playing doesn't quite mesh with the recording. Looking at the score I realized that instead of trying to play every note in a measure, there are half notes, whole notes and ties that sustain through the measure while the chord is being strummed. You don't have to play every note. What a dummy! :roll: I realized this driving to work this morning. It hit me like a bolt of lightning.
So that's about it... another pitfall for us nooborns to watch out for.
It is difficult to answer when one does not understand the question.
It is just an opinion from another beginner :D
If you work directly with the chords and you create your own bass line, you can play it as you prefer or you like: one note -the root- per measure, two root notes, you can follow the drummer rhythm, you can play the root and also the notes in the chord, you can use a chromatic approach, you can use a riff, etc.
I think it is creativity what you describe and it is fun!
Another issue is if you want to guess the original bass line in the recording.
You're absolutely right. The mistake I was making was trying to follow the rhythm guitar beat for beat. Or rather thinking I had to. The score is hard to play from because it's 7 pages (1 sided pages) even though I can read the notes (yay me! I can read notation much better than just a few months ago :D ), so I'll use it to tweak my tab.
It is difficult to answer when one does not understand the question.
Usually I also start with a 'simplified' version of the bass line and I progressively change it to the final version by adding details or modifying some parts. I don't know if it is right or wrong but meanwhile I am playing the song.
On the other hand, the original player changes also the bass line. For example, currently I am working on the Sting's work. The last week was for Message in a bottle. I used the original recording to guess the bass line. I have two The Police's DVD (really three, but I bought it today, I didn't listen yet). The bass line is different in all the recordings.
And congrats on your improvement in reading! :D
Usually I also start with a 'simplified' version of the bass line and I progressively change it to the final version by adding details or modifying some parts. I don't know if it is right or wrong but meanwhile I am playing the song.
I tried to run before I could walk. :P
And congrats on your improvement in reading! :D
Thanks. It really does make a big difference. It's also nice being able to tell what key you're in by looking at the key signature. :wink:
It is difficult to answer when one does not understand the question.
