Re: Bass Lines
Dick Bay ( DBay@AICI.COM )
Fri, 30 May 1997 17:00:06 -0500
>Can anyone suggest a method to improve my bass lines on keyboad. I'm a
>converted horn player who has recently switched to keyboard. I listen and
>play along with i.e. Ron Carter, Bob Cranshaw etc. but there seems to be
>something missing. I practice lines in all keys to blues and standard tunes
>but my coordination is lacking when adding my right hand. I try to keep it
>simple by playing the melody in my right hand. I also play melody in my left
>hand.
>LNADIEN@aol.com
I'd recommend starting with very simple tunes. Try starting with a basic blues
with a simple repetitive 1/3/5/6 bass line. Just start with chords in the
right hand, then when that feels pretty solid, add simple melodies or riffs.
Then try improvising a melody in the right hand. Then go back to chords in the
right hand & try improvising a walking bass in the left hand; and then work
back to improvising in the right hand too. It's pretty hard to fathom how the
brain can manage to improvise with both hands simulataneously, but it can &
does. Like everything else, it just takes practice.
--Dick Bay * DBay@aici.com