Citation:
From: ndawson@soulcage.inmind.com
DICTIONARY OF BASS CHORDS
DISCLAIMER:
I can not spell to save my life, I do use Spell-Check but don't hold me
accountable for spelling mistakes
Thank you
O.K. you say, "what is a Bass Chord?" Well, as some of you may know, a bass
chord is a chord played on a bass. WOW! If that's not the discovery of the
decade. Just like a guitar chord, it's composed of two or more notes played
together. (Yes the definition of a chord is three or more notes played to
gather, but a yellow light is supposed to mean slow down). If your a
experienced bass player there's not to much about chords that are hard. It
takes a little finger strength and memory, and if you play guitar too then
you got it made. I recommend that before you get started you do a little
warming up, it's a good habit to get into before you ever play. Make sure
you are in "as close to perfect" tune as possible. A general note to
fretless bass players: Chords can be done, it just takes a good ear and
practice. Try turning on your chorus effect if you have one. Set the depth
all the way down (to 1) and the rate all the way up (to 10 or 11). That
will help hide those minor tonality problems caused by the lack of frets. I
personally prefer my fretless for chording. A six string bass is optimal,
five is great, and four works fine. This guide is written in four string
tab for the comfort of the masses. I play all of the above and find the six
string really accommodating for chords but not too much else.
OK! With out to much more talking we should be ready to go. This is
the preliminary to my (soon to come) self contained guide for bass players.
It's almost complete in the MAC format and I'm still trying to find a way
to get it into DOS. Not every chord is in here. If you have the need for
augmented, and deminished chords you probably know enough about theory to
figure them out. BUT they will be in my new guide (hint, hint).
HERE WE GO
I'm gonna start with A and go from there
legend:
A =A chord (1,3 ,5)
Am=A minor (1, b3, 5)
A7 =A seventh (1,3,5, b7) (also know as dominate seventh)
AM7= A major seventh (1,3,5,7)
Asus4 =A suspend 4 (1, 3&4, 5)
from these basic chords you can determine many more, should you need them.
Most of these are BAR CHORDS meaning they stay the same where ever you play
them. So if you play an E and move it up a few frets it's and A. The
numbers in "()"'s are the spelling of the chord based on a major scale. In
some cases the 3 or 5 may be omitted to accommodate 4 string basses.
A
g------9--
d---11-----
a-12-------
e----------
A g---18-----
d----------
a-----19---
e-17-------
Am
g----------
d---10-----
a--12------
e--12------
Am
g---17-----
d----------
a-----19---
e--17------
A7
g---12-----
d-11-------
a---12-----
e----------
A7
g---18-----
d---17-----
a-----19---
e---17-----
AM7
g---13-----
d--11------
a--12------
e----------
AM7
g---18-----
d----18----
a----19----
e---17-----
Asus4
g-(11)12---
d--12------
a--12------
e----------
a lot of times this chord is played as a major (with the 11) then the 12 is
applied or hammered on. It can be played with out the (11).
Asus4
g----19----
d----------
a----------
e---17-----
Alllll riiiggghhhttyy thennnn, That's the majority of them. Any of those
chords can be played anywhere just be moving them up or down the neck. Try
to keep the root of the chord above the 12th fret or else it gets really low and muddy. The root is the note in the chord that names the chord. I.E.
the root of any A chord is A (go figure). The only chords that work well
below the 12th is a fifth, fourth, or third chord. This is not a rule but a
opinion.
here it is
A fifth chord
g----9----
d---7-----
a----------
e----------
A fourth chord
g---7-----
d---7-----
a----------
e----------
A third chord
g----6-----
d---7------
a----------
e----------
Notes:
The fret numbers in the TAB's may look staggered but all notes are meant to
be played at the same time. Chords can be combined. For instance you could
take a Am (A minor) and add the 7th and get a Am/7 It's pretty simple if
you figure out which one is the 7th.
Use chords to be your own rhythm and lead sections, as part of a song, for
an entire song, for funk rifs, you name it. You'll not I gave you two ways
to play every chord. There are as many ways as you have fingers and strings
to play a chord so experiment.
finally, I'd love to hear from anyone about anything except spelling and
grammar mistakes. Any funky chords you come up with, suggestions, the
works.
The new GUIDE FOR BASSETS will contain photos and drawn diagrams for almost
every known chord. I'll try to have to out by march of 95.
ENJOY
I'll leave you with one more chord and trick
A9 =A ninth chord (1, 3, 5, 9) very popular in police songs
g----18----
d----21----
a---19-----
e--17------
A9 =A ninth chord (1,5,9)
g-----16---
d----14----
a---12-----
e----------
The ALMIGHTY BASS TRICK. This only works once! THIS IS SAFE TO YOU AND YOUR
BASS. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE (I'm never responsible for anything)
When you count time or play music you count One, Two, Three, Four, One,
Two..... and so on. You count in fours. Like-wise your brain is pulsing in
that same time. By making your brain pulse at a rhythm it doesn't know it
has to learn it. It's not logical or learned so your bran works at it. The
resulting effect is a state of unbelievable high. It's like nothing you
will ever experience again.
This takes about 30-60 seconds to kick in so don't get discouraged if it
doesn't work right away. This involves your right hand mostly so warm it
up.
Lock the first or second finger of you left hand on something like the 12th
fret on the G string (the highest string). Now when you normally play the
bass you use your first and second fingers on your right had. We're gonna
use first (1) second (2) and third (3). Try alternating 1,2,1,2,1,2. You
should be comfortable with that, it's how you normally play. Now to get the
ultimate rush do this one. 3 2 1 2 1 (using your right hand). keeping doing
3 2 1 2 1. your brain is now pulsing at that rhythm DO NOT COUNT 1 2 3 4!
COUNT 3 2 1 2 1! It's a new way of counting. By the way READ THIS IN FULL
BEFORE TRYING. It's worked for everyone I know, so it should work for you.
The high will last a long time but will only be intense for as long as you
are playing and counting 3 2 1 2 1. You won't be able to play it for too
long though.
This is also a great way to learn to use your third finger. Use this as a
warm-up for your right hand.
That's ALL FOLKS
Nick Dawson
ndawson@soulcage.inmind.com
ndawson@slip.net
nicholas@slip.net
zarniewoop@delphi.com
_________________
BAD SPELLERS OF THE WORLD UNTIE!
The answer is ALWAYS 42
"This is me Clive Anderson saying good night, Good night!" - Clive Anderson
Ndawson@soulcage.inmind.com
nicholas@slip.net
ndawson@slip.net
Zarniewoop@delphi.com
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