Thumb Bassline Frustration!

[RadioElectric]

I'm having trouble playing styles of music that require me to play a bassline along with it. Even the classic "root-5th" thumb thing. I can do the bassline fine on its own but as soon as I try to play along with it I seem to forget how to keep the bassline going. I didn't realise it was something that I couldn't do until I tried to follow Eric Roche's "Acoustic Guitar Bible". One of the first exercises in there is some Travis Picking thing, it took me literally hours to get it right. I can play that exercise fine now but I'm having real trouble "transferring" that.

Is this the kind of thing that will eventually just "click"?

[smokingbeagle]

The simple answer is 'yes'. I'm having exactly the same problem; it's just slowing it down so much that you can do it, then keep on playing it!

I'm working on a couple of things of my own, and this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWM7GFbk2t4 (apologies for posting this video for about the third time, but I love it )

[frankus]

Try the Tuck Andress Guitar video. I really really recommend that for this very reason.

One of the things he points out is that basslines are legato and the chords should be stacatto otherwise it doesn't sound like different instruments or music. You'r looking for independence of feel.

Play the bassline seperately get it sounding good and bare that in mind when you try and get the bassline working with the chords.

[RadioElectric]

Originally Posted by frankus

Try the Tuck Andress Guitar video. I really really recommend that for this very reason.

One of the things he points out is that basslines are legato and the chords should be stacatto otherwise it doesn't sound like different instruments or music. You'r looking for independence of feel.

Play the bassline seperately get it sounding good and bare that in mind when you try and get the bassline working with the chords.

Is this the "Fingerstyle Mastery" one?

[Vim Fuego]

I assume you mean fingerpicking (either alternating bass or steady bass style). I think how I managed to get round it was by seeing things as either a pinch (bass note and melody note together) or not. I also seperated what finger was doing what i.e. I pinched using my forefinger and played the off the beat note with my gesturing finger (what's that one called?). So I don't worry so much about just keeping the thumb going, I just play the notes infront of me, in the correct place. Then I just practised it, lots and lots and lots of times. Eventually it becomes (after a fashion) second nature.

[frankus]

Originally Posted by RadioElectric

Is this the "Fingerstyle Mastery" one?

Yeah it's good

[RadioElectric]

Originally Posted by Vim Fuego

I assume you mean fingerpicking (either alternating bass or steady bass style). I think how I managed to get round it was by seeing things as either a pinch (bass note and melody note together) or not. I also seperated what finger was doing what i.e. I pinched using my forefinger and played the off the beat note with my gesturing finger (what's that one called?). So I don't worry so much about just keeping the thumb going, I just play the notes infront of me, in the correct place. Then I just practised it, lots and lots and lots of times. Eventually it becomes (after a fashion) second nature.

That's what I did with the Eric Roche exercise. I worked out when notes were being played together. I even went as far as counting it out "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and..." which is really not something I'm used to doing. I've got it pretty solid now (I sometimes fluff up the "joint" between one repeat of it and the next) but I worry that I'll only ever learn these things as an "off by heart" replication rather than ever being "natural" doing it.

[Vim Fuego]

Originally Posted by RadioElectric

That's what I did with the Eric Roche exercise. I worked out when notes were being played together. I even went as far as counting it out "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and..." which is really not something I'm used to doing. I've got it pretty solid now (I sometimes fluff up the "joint" between one repeat of it and the next) but I worry that I'll only ever learn these things as an "off by heart" replication rather than ever being "natural" doing it.

I think that if you do it enough, it will become second nature. It really is just a matter of plugging away at it.

Originally Posted by smokingbeagle

I'm working on a couple of things of my own, and this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWM7GFbk2t4 (apologies for posting this video for about the third time, but I love it )

holy smokin' shit, that was fucking good stuff. How have I managed not to have heard of him before?!? Care to recommend an album to purchase?

[smokingbeagle]

Originally Posted by Vim Fuego

holy smokin' shit, that was fucking good stuff. How have I managed not to have heard of him before?!? Care to recommend an album to purchase?

His 'Meat And Potatoes' album was awesome, mostly electric blues though. I've not got his new one yet; for the more eclectic stuff (quite Tom Waits-y, actually) with more of the slide guitar and things you want an album called 'I Will Be Standing In The Morning', recorded under the name Revel-ator.

Or see him do a live solo show, he'll blow you away. Now can you see why I REALLY want a TriCone?

[RadioElectric]

Speaking of Mr Waits

Free mp3 of Road to Peace (my favourite Tom Waits track) that I've just found. If anybody doesn't feel like shelling out £30 for the Orphans boxset to get it. I've got Beautiful Maladies which is a compilation of his earlier stuff, I think.