How to Play Bass: Octaves

This is quite an easy way to get started with creating more interesting basslines. You can still follow the root notes of the chords (as I demonstrate), but you’re adding another note an octave higher. This kinda thing can really make your bass playing stand out and allows you to increase the intensity and/or interest of the song.

This is the main octave shape on bass:


G ------
D ----2-
A ------
E -0----

Which, because of the way the strings are tuned, can be moved and played from any starting note. There is also another shape that I mention in the video:


G ------
D ------
A ----7-
E -0----

Ways to Use the Octave

There are four main ways that you can use the octave shape (all of which I talk about in the video). They are: creating a rhythm between the two notes, taking the root note up to increase the intensity of certain points in a song, playing funk/disco style basslines (with or without slapping), and using them as a reference point for finding notes and moving shapes around.

I hope this video has given you some ideas.
Rob.

March 18, 2011 at 4:08 pm | Bass Lessons, How to | 1 comment

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