I thought it would be a good idea to expand on the techniques used when playing live bass lines with the left hand.
It's a very different mind set from traditional piano playing, and works best when the melody is coming from somewhere else. ( Singers, other players etc. )

Playing your own bass lines is a great way to personalize an arrangement, and make a really tight rhythm section on the fly.
First thing to do:

TURN OFF THAT ARRANGER !!!!

You can make all the rhythm needed with your right hand. Lets try a simple song like Rt 66. Straight ahead 12 bar blues tune - EZ chords. Let's do it in F.

F/// Bb/// F/// F7///
Bb7/// //// F/Gm/ Am/AbM/
Gm7/// C7/// F/// C7///

For starters ... just play quarter notes in the right hand. Full 4 or 5 note chords, and you can embelish with 2nds, 6ths, 9ths etc.... to taste. ( In he bars that change fast, just stay on the root till you have room to walk again.)

Next, try the bass hand and simply walk through the chord as an arpeggio.
eg: F = F A C A F
(you can get fancier after this gets comfy)

If you can get both hands running at the same time .... try singing the melody along with it. If you can't ( or won't ) sing, then record the backing with a shuffle beat at about 136BPM.

Now, you can play the melody over top of it.
Then, you can reverse the process and record the melody with a drum track only. Then, you play the bass and piano with the track. This is an ez, fun way to practice, and it's almost as good as being in a band!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The persona of the bassist is one of "attitude". You need to accept that. Embrace that, and bulid on it. The bass is the pulse of the arrangement. The very soul of the chord structure. It DEFINES most chords, and creates either tensions or smoothness throughout. It's very, very cool.

A bassist is a supportive player. Not a show off. Not a star. Not a busy, melodic player. ( In most cases, anyway ) The bass putw down the bottom. Stay on the root as often as needed to define the feeling of the piece.

If you are a singer, and have descent facility with your right hand for chords, then there is no excuse to NOT at least try a few numbers with manual bass.
There is no need for auto accompaniment if you are playing the full chords and bass lines along with the melody. It's an intimate, trio sound that is authentic to the tee when it's done right.

On my website - "A Nightingale Sang" was done as I described above. Just LHbass, RHpiano and drum machine.
Check it out @ www.boydsongs.com

In an intimate setting .... it's vibrant, creative, tight and above all "BELIEVABLE". Sometimes, the arranger sounds too produced or canned at lower volumes or slower tempos. A good solid bass line and the right rhythm beat is all you need to make people dance. The rest of the stuff you add, just makes it all the prettier!

Now, "Go forth and Bassify !"

Dave. A nice article and thank you for providing some in-put to your style of playing.
I started to learn keyboard by reading sheet music (can't play without it). My left hand auto drops on the required chords without me thinking. I see a Cmaj7 on the sheet music and my hand without input from myself (well it seems that way) automatically forms the shape required.
I would just love to be able to do it the way your instruction above indicates. You have inspired me to have go.

Graham UK.

Great post, Dave! You've hit the nail on the head. Left hand bass is something every keyboardist should try to accomplish. Also, a knowledge of keys, scales and chords helps immensely when moving away from the basic notes of the chord.

I liked your comment about simple rhythms. I search for the more simple rhythms because I feel they are more natural. Sometimes I just want to scream when I a particular beat, but have to put up with all the background rhythm stuff. Give me a simple chord and a walking bass anytime.

Good job!

Uncle Dave, thanks for taking the time to explain your approach to us. I find it very helpful.

My teacher is working on this very thing with me. My biggest problem is left hand independence. Meaning, trying to keep a left hand bass pattern solid while you comp or solo with the right hand. This is not very easy. Especially for an old dog like myself.

Right now I'm working on a shuffle beat / bass line in the key of G major. I'm also soloing with my right hand using the blues scales. After a few months my left hand is starting to get automatic with this beat. I've already mastered the left hand boogie like the bass line in Jailhouse rock. After I master the shuffle it's on to something more complex.

I also practice with some songs such as My Girl and Pretty Woman. Those bass lines are straight foward and are a signature part of those songs.

Great Topic, thanks!!!


[This message has been edited by kbrkr (edited 11-20-2004).]

Dave, you and I are probably in a small group here who grew up playing left handed bass...most others wouldn't even remember the Rhodes bass unit (I still have mine).

The idea of simplicity is key, at least to me. I also have had situations where a bass player didn't show, and I simply played left hand.

My preferred trio is a B-3 (or other keyboard with left-hand capability), a kickin drummer and a great guitar player. As you mentioned earlier, guitar plays light chords on top rythematically, and the keyboard can add inversions, hold chords and tastefully engage the leslie. When it's time for a solo, the guitar takes up the bottom end of the rythem.It's fun to work with a good horn player too, but this takes a slightly different approach .

This gives you so much more freedom to medley, change tempos, do extended solos and more.

It may not be for everyone, but I've been doing it for over 40 years, and it feels and sounds GREAT.

Give it a try, folks!

Russ

Dave, great post! Anyone having doubts about the value and contribution of LH bass should give a listen to UDs songs on his website... you'll be convinced!