When playing the blues on bass, just like with any other instrument, you play it with a basic blues form which we discussed in Basic Blues Theory. Below is the E Blues form that we will be using for all the exercises for this lesson.
E Blues Form
E Blues Form Exercise #1
This first exercise is simply to play the root note of every chord for this E blues form with a whole note, so one note per measure like the example below.
E Blues Form Whole Notes
E Blues Form Exercise #2
This exercise is the same as exercise #1, but you'll play half notes, so two notes per measure.
E Blues Form Exercise #3
This exercise is the same as exercise #1, but this time with quarter notes, so four notes per measure. You should try to play this one with one finger the first time; the second time, try to alternate between your 1st finger (index) and your 2nd finger (middle).
E Blues Form Exercise #4
This Exercise is a typical blues walking bass line. Walking bass refers to your fingers that look like they are walking on the bass. In this exercise we use patterns that will be repeated on every chord of E, then a very similar pattern every chord of A, then a bit of a change for the chord of B.
E Blues Walking Bass #1
On the chord of E, try to use your 3rd finger for the 4th fret and your 1st finger for the 2 fret. Use the same fingers for the corresponding notes for the chord of A. For the chord of B, start the pattern with your 2nd finger, then 1st finger for the 1st fret, and 4th finger for the 4th fret.
E Blues Form Exercise #5
This blues walking bass is a variation of the exercise #4. It is a two measure pattern, which means that you can only use it when you have two measures with the same chord next to the other.
E Blues Walking Bass #2
E Blues Form Exercise #6
This exercise is the same as exercise #5, but you play eighth notes swing throughout the blues form. Alternate your plucking fingers, between your 1st and 2nd finger.
If you have any questions, please contact us at patrice@paliatsky.com