Bass Patterns: In and Out of Sync

We'll begin this lesson with a typical 12 bar harmony progression in the key of A major.
Letters: A D E and harmony numerals: I IV V. Figure 1.



Next, let's present a natural and chromatic "core four" scale degree tone number pattern that may be play on a 4, 5 or 6 string bass. On a 4 or 5 string bass the form is and on a 6 string bass the form is . Figure 2.



In-sync simply means "together". In other words, the tone numbers and the rhythm counting numbers are occuring at the same time. There are many "in-sync" bass patterns that may be "spelled" with tones and applied to each letter and harmony numeral of the above 12 bar progression. Here are a few one bar “in-sync” bass patterns. Figures 3-10.



Out-of-sync simply means "not together". In other words, some of the tones are played "off the beat". When this occurs, the rhythm is called syncopated. Syncopation is most easily created by using the "tie". The tie is symbolized by a curved line and means to "sustain" (connect the sound). Again, there are many "out-of-sync" bass patterns that may be "spelled" with scale degree tones and applied to each letter and numeral of the above 12 bar harmony progression. Here are a few one bar "out-of-sync" bass patterns. Figures 11 - 14.



We'll end this lesson with a two bar syncopated bass line made famous by Ray Charles in the 1959 hit song - What'd I Say. Figure 15.



Till next time, have some bass pattern fun...I’ll be listening.