Passing Notes
Although the root note is a great foundation for any chord, bass lines can be made smoother and more interesting by the use of passing notes. A passing note can be any note that is not part of the chord being played. Passing notes are often used in bass lines to connect up root notes or other notes of a chord. The following example uses the same chord progression as the previous one, but passing notes are used to connect the root notes.
The most important thing to work on when using passing notes is arriving at the new root note exactly where the new chord change appears. In this example, the bass line arrives at each new root note on the first beat of the bar, except for the change between F and G where the G chord appears on the third beat of the bar. When playing quarter note bass lines, it is most common to use passing notes on beats two and four, as chords generally change on beats one and three.
The passing note on the fourth beat of bar 2 is a C# note which is played with the 4th finger of the left hand. If you are not familiar with sharps and flats, see Progressive Beginner Bass .
The Quarter Rest
Rests are used to indicate silence in music. There are different rests for different lengths of silence just as notes indicate different lengths of sound.
This symbol is a quarter rest. It indicates one beat of silence. Do not play any note. Small counting numbers are placed under rests.
The following example shows a common way of using quarter rests in a bass line. This is often called a half time feel, or a two feel. It is essential to for a bass player and drummer to listen carefully to each other and work together to create a tight rhythmic foundation for the rest of the band.
Tap your foot and count as you play, regardless of whether notes or rests appear in the music. This will help you keep time as you play. An interesting feature of this bass line is that all the notes used – C, G and Bb are notes of the C7 chord.
Here is another bass line which makes use of quarter rests.
The Half Note
This note is called a half note. It has a value of two beats. There are two half notes in one bar of * time.
This example uses half notes along with quarter notes and quarter rests.
The Half Rest
This symbol is a half rest. It indicates two beats of silence.
Once again, remember to tap your foot and count as you play regardless of whether you see notes or rests in the music.
The Whole Note
This is a whole note. It lasts for four beats. There is one whole note in one bar of * time. The whole note is the longest note commonly used in music.
The Whole Rest
The whole rest indicates four beats or a whole bar of silence. The symbol for the whole rest is very similar to that of the half rest. The difference is that the half rest sits on top of the line, while the whole rest hangs below the line.
This example uses both the whole note and the whole rest. Be sure to use the correct fingering as shown below the tablature. The stretch involved here may be difficult at first, but in time this kind of movement will become easy if you practice regularly.
