17The New Basics: Rock Bass
Eighth NotesSo far, we’ve covered whole notes, half notes, and
quarter notes. An eighth note is half a beat long, so two eighth
notes equal one beat.
Eighth-note bass lines are a staple in rock music. Despite their
seemingly easy construction, they can be tricky to play
effectively. When practicing eighth-note patterns, it’s important
to think of going forward and not letting the lines get bogged
down. As always, practice with a metronome or drum machine. Always
play with what I call “attitude.” Drive the music—give it life.
Remember, you’re the bass player—play like it!
Notice that when eighth notes occur in succession, they are
beamed together.
AN EIGHTH NOTE
e = ½ beat
? 44 ....
etc.
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤
4 4 4 4 2 2 2 2
5 5 5 5 3 3 3 3
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
2 2 2 2
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1
3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2
0 0 0 03 3 3 3
B
TA
Fingerings:
Example No. 21Track 12
On the surface, these lines seem easy. Technically, they are.
Musically...now that’s another story. If you need inspiration,
listen to any Rolling Stones or Van Halen tune.
Here’s a line that uses ties across the bar lines. This produces
a very cool bass line.
In the Style of Van Halen
? 44
etc.
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ≥Bmin ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤
1
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ#≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤
(1) & 2 & 3
0
&
1
4
3
&
0 2 4( )2 2 2 2 2
etc.
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≥ ≥ ≤
1
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
œ œ# œ# œ œ œ œ œ
≤F#≥ ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤
(1)
3
&
1
2
1
&
0
3
0
&
1
4
0
&
4( )2 0 0 0
2 2 2
? ..
..etc.
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤
1
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ#≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤
(1) & 2 & 3
0
&
1
4
3
&
0 2 4( )2 2 2 2 2
œ œ œ# œ œ œ œ œ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤
0
1
0
&
3
2
3
&
1
3
1
&
0
4
0
&0 0
4 4 2 2 0 0
œ# œ œ œœ# œ œ œ
≥F#≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤
3
1
3
&
3
2
3
&
1
3
1
&
0
4
1
&
4 4 4 40
2 2 2
Chords played on the CD, or for your teacher or friend to
play:
B
TAB
TA
Fingerings:
COUNT:
Example No. 22Track 13
beam
NBRB-Mac.indb 17 6/27/12 5:56 PM
37The New Basics: Rock Bass
BuiLdinG Bass LinesRoots and 5thsIn learning to build your own
bass lines, it’s best to start with the fundamentals, so let’s
start with some basic lines. The fi rst involves root motion. In
other words, only the root of each chord is played. At a rock gig,
you could do this all night long and be slammin’. Many of rock’s
best bass lines consist of nothing more than the root of each chord
being played in eighth notes.
? 44 ....
etc.
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ≥D7 ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤
3
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤ ≥ ≤
( )5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
etc.
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
1
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 3
etc.
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œC
( )3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3B
TA
? b 44 ..etc.
Root 5th
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ≥D7 ≤ ≥ ≤
4 4 4 4 0 0 0 0
5 5 5 5 0 0 0 0
Root 5th
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œG
2 2 2 2 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 53 3 3 3
Root 5th
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œC
2 2 2 2 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 53 3 3 3
Root 5th
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œF
2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1
3 3 3 33 3 3 3
B
TA
..
? ### 44Root 5th
˙≥ ≤̇A
0 1
20
Root 5th
etc.˙ ˙D
0 1
20
Root 5th
˙ ˙A
0 1
20
Root Root
˙ ˙
0 0
0 0
Root 5th
˙ ˙D
0 0
00
Root Root
˙ ˙
4 4
5 5
? ### ..5thRoot
˙ ˙
A
0 0
00
Root Root
˙ ˙
0 0
0 0
Root Root
˙ ˙Bmin
1 1
2 2
Root Root˙˙
E7
0 1
2
0
Root Root
˙ ˙
A F #min
0 1
02
Root Root
˙ ˙
Bmin E7
1 0
20
B
TAB
TA
..
Example No. 59Track 33
Example No. 60Track 34
Adding the 5th of the chord makes this line more
interesting.
Example 61 uses both concepts.
Example No. 61Track 35
NBRB-Mac.indb 37 6/27/12 5:57 PM
