Rock Guitar

LLC All Rights Reserved 1 .24 pt 20 pt Presents Learn Bass The Method for a New Generation 1 Written & Method By: John McCarthy Adapted By: Jimmy Rutkowski Supervising Editor: Joe Palombo Music Transcribing & Engraving: Jimmy Rutkowski Production Manager: Joe Palombo Layout. Graphics & Design: Jimmy Rutkowski Photography: Jimmy Rutkowski. Rodney Dabney Copy Editors: Cathy McCarthy Cover Art Direction & Design: Jimmy Rutkowski HL00102681 ISBN: 978-1-4768-1427-8 Produced by The Rock House Method® © 2013 Fred Russell Publishing. . 21 Rhythm – Playing Eighth Notes ……………….....11 Timing Explanations – Note Values …………12 Your First Bass Line …………………………......... 23 Riff Challenge …………………………………. 31 Minor Pentatonic Scale: Positions 2 & 3 …………………………………… 31 Minor Pentatonic Single Note Pattern: Positions 2 & 3 …………………………………… 33 Blues Riff Rhythm ………………………………............. 28 Minor Pentatonic Scale : First Position Key of “A” ………………………........… 16 Blues Progression ……………………………. 39 Staccato Groove ………………………………..24 pt Table of Contents 20 pt Digital eBook . 47 Applying Octaves: The Chase …………………........11 Counting Beats ........15 Body Clock …………………………………….....10 Alternating. 18 Attaching Your Strap …………………………… 19 Finger Flexing ………………………………….................. 19 Bass Line #3: Hit it Hard . 51 Applying the Mute Technique: Rockit Center ……………………………………........ 54 Applying the Slap & Pop Technique …………… 54 Warm Up Exercises ……………………………… 55 Heavy Bass Progression ……………………… 56 Single Note Riff Rhythm .... 41 Major Triad Progression: Cherry Sky …………. 11 Using a Metronome ………………………….15 Rhythm – Playing with the Drums …………… 16 Bass Line #2: Gear Shifter …………………..…….... 56 .. 17 Blues Shuffle Progression ……………………........................ 39 The Major Scale: Key of “G” …………………….... 24 Notes in the First Position ……………………..... 42 Minor Triads ………………………………………....23 The Chromatic Scale ………………………….4 The Rock House Method Learning System ........ 43 Minor Triad Progression: Unbreakable ……… 44 Major & Minor Triads: A Spell on Me ………… 45 Octaves …………………………………………… 46 Octave Rock Progression ………………………..8 Names of the Open Strings & Tuning ……....... 36 Triplet Pattern ……………………………………..6 Holding the Bass …………………………. 37 Staccato ...................…..............… 9 Finger Numbers ……………………………… 9 Reading Tablature ……………………………... 27 Single Note Riff: The Mission ………………… 27 How to Read a Scale Diagram ………………..........5 Icon Key ……………………………... 47 Minor Pentatonic Scale: Positions 4 & 5 …………………………………… 48 Minor Pentatonic Triplet Pattern: Positions 4 & 5 …………………………………… 49 Finger Flexing #2 ………………………………… 50 Using a Pick ……………………………………….. 34 Bass Power Chords …………………………….... 29 2 Minor Pentatonic Single Note Pattern ……….. 36 Triplets ……………………………………………....…............... 51 Palm Muting ……………………………………...... 30 Complete Song Progression: Clockwork ………………………………………..……..5 Parts of the Bass ……………………….14 Time Signatures ………………………………......... 20 Eighth Notes …………………………………….......………………….............................. 35 Applying Power Chords: Double Trouble ………………………………….. 25 5ths ……………………………………………… 26 Applying 5ths: Rock Climbing ………….................... 52 Basic Slap & Pop Technique …………………… 53 Slap & Pop Exercise ……………………………..........…………....... 22 Open String Bass Progression ……………….......... 17 Shuffle Feel …………………………………….. 40 Major Triads ……………………………………….…………………….14 Counting with a Drum Beat ....... ......... I discovered that fact shortly after I was given my first instrument..... 60 Crossword Puzzle ..... this is it..... challenge yourself and realize everyone learns at a different rate....... 64 About the Author ……………………………….......Appendix 24 pt …………………………………………..... I know it is hard to imagine..................... I truly believe you too will enjoy years of fun and will pass on the passion you discover. GET EXCITED.... be consistent............ but even the all-time greats started somewhere............. 61 Changing a String …………………………… 62 Bass Triads ....... YOU are going to play bass! John McCarthy 3 . Be patient..... As you progress as a bass player. keep your mind open to all styles of music...... When I designed The Rock House Method.... Set-up a practice schedule that you can manage.............. 58 Word Search .............. I show you ways to use what you learn so that you can make music right from the start...... persistent and remember music is supposed to be fun! NOW. I have spent my career sharing the passion I have for music with others.......................... If you follow the method step-by step you will be successful and enjoy playing bass for years to come........ With my teaching method. 71 Words from the Author Playing music is a rewarding art form that will last you a lifetime..... I accomplished this by developing and systematically arranging a modern method based on the needs and social demands of today’s players........... 59 20 pt Musical Words ... my mission was to create the most complete and fun way to learn........ there was a time when they too didn’t even know what a chord was. I not only tell you where to put your fingers.. and the tuners (also called machine heads) are used to tune the strings to pitch. A strap can be attached to the strap buttons to play the bass standing up. Most bass guitars will also have a pickup selector switch along with volume and tone knobs. the neck and the headstock. It will help guide you through the important first steps of getting started with your bass. The dots between certain frets are called position markers and help you know where your hand is on the neck while playing. W Parts of the Bass A bass is made up of three main sections: the body. 6 . At the end of the neck is the nut which guides the strings onto the headstock and keeps them in place. the strings are wound around the tuning posts. A cable is plugged into the bass’s input jack to send the signal into the amp. Body Neck Head The bridge is the assembly that anchors the strings to the body.com. Pickups are also mounted to the body and work like little microphones that pick up the sound from the strings. On the headstock. The metal bars that go across the neck are called frets. All of the other parts of the bass are mounted on these three sections.24 pt Quick Start Video 20 pt Download this free video from our On Demand System at RockHouseSchool.     Indicates four beats      Four beats per measure.” per measure. type of beat is receiving the count.     0 0  0  0   5 5 5 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 etc. permeasure. measure.    = The= type of note receiving one beat. Also known as “common per per measure. beats per measure.” . This bass line is played using alternate plucking in steady quarter notes. one beat. beats per measure. Also known as “common time.” “common time. The top number tells you how many there are each measure and the bottom number tells what = beats Number ofinbeats per measure. A quarter receiving one beat.” 14 time. Also knownAlso as “common known astime. Once you can play this without hesitation play it along with the backing track to create a full band sound. Indicates four Indicates beats four beatsFour beats per Fourmeasure. Indicates four beats Four beats per measure. Follow the tablature below and be sure to use the proper finger for each note. Number of beats per measure.CD Track 24 pt Your First Bass Line 20 pt 7-8 Get excited! It’s time to learn your first bass line. = Number of= = beats Number perofnote measure.  = The type of = The notetype receiving of note one receiving beat. The sole function of a time signature is to tell you how to count the music you are about to play. 0 0 0 0   Time Signatures    Time signatures are written at the beginning of a piece of music. This creates a very syncopated rhythm. half and quarter notes you keep time only there is no sound. Example 3    Example 3 0      0   1 & 0 0 2 & 3 0& 0   4 &           0 40 0 0 0   Example       0 0 0 0 0       1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 4 followed by three up beat notes played on the In example 2 you will play onExample the 1 count “&” counts. These rhythms contain notes played on the up beat or “&” count. A rests is a period of silence. 1 1 22 & & 2 2 & & 3 3 & & 4 4 & & .24 pt W Rests 20 pt The following examples contain your first rests. In example 1 you will play notes on the 1 – 3 – & counts along with the drum backing track. Like whole. See what each rest looks like below: whole note half note quarter note eighth note Whole Rest Half Rest Quarter Rest Eighth Rest rest rest rest rest 4 Beats 2 Beats 1 Beat 1/2 Beat   Count: 1 2 3 4   1 2 3 4   1 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 2 3 4 CD Track Rhythm – Playing Eighth Notes 26-27 When playing eighth notes in a bass line you can create syncopated rhythms. These are movable triad patterns and by just playing the same pattern at other frets you will change keys. Often when playing with a guitar or keyboard player you can follow the chords they play with the triad of the same key.CD Track 24 pt Major Triads 20 pt 64 A triad is the three notes that make a chord. 6 Remember that the 3 note is the name of the triad.    =  Dotted Dotted Dotted 1 1/2 Beats Half Note Quarter Note Quarter Note 5 = 5 5 + 5  5 5 + 5 5 5 = + = Dotted Half Note 5  5 5 + 3 5 41 3 3 . 5 5 You 5 need to 5 become familiar playing 3 6 these anywhere 6on the 3 neck. Many bass lines are written using triad patterns. A dotted quarter note would receive 1 ½ beats or counts. In this lesson you will learn a common major triad pattern. This is a great way to begin creating bass lines. G Major G Major C Major 1 1 2 2 4 4 C Major G Minor 1 1 2 4 G Minor C Minor 12 4 4 1 34 34 4 3 4  G 3 Finger: 2  C 2 5 1 4 5 4 5 2 4 1 3 3 2 2 Music Assignment Gm 3 Finger: 1 1 2 5 1 4 4 5 4 5 2 4 1 4 3 2 Cm Take the triad shapes from this lesson and 5move5 them around the neck. 6 first 4 3 3 3 4 1 1 4 3 3 3 4 1 Dotted Quarter Notes The dot after a note increases the duration of the note by half of its original value. This song is played with a swing or shuffle feel so pay close attention to the backing track for the rhythms timing. Once you have the bass line so you can play it smoothly play it along with the backing track. Below is a simple song that will incorporate three octave shapes.    0 0 0 Count: 1 S 0 0 & P 2 S 0 0 & P 0 3 S & P 4 S 0 0 0 & P 1 S 0 0 & P 2 S 0 0 & P 0 3 S & P 4 S & P   CD Track Applying the Slap & Pop Technique 92-94 Now let’s apply the slap & pop technique into a song. Play each separately first then put them together with the backing track.    Example 1 2 0 S Finger:    5 3 P 1 S 1 7 5 P 4 S 1 2 0 P 4 S 5 3 P 1 S 1 7 5 P 4 S 1 P 4 Example 2 Finger: 54 2 0 S 5 3 P 1 S 1 7 5 P 4 S 1 2 0 P 4 S 5 3 P 1 S 1 7 5 P 4 S 1   P 4   .24 pt CD Track 20 pt 91 Slap & Pop Exercise In this example you will slap the open E string and pop the open G string.