As bass players, it is important for us to know many grooves that cover a wide spectrum of styles and feels. But, this goes beyond simply learning established bass lines. We also need the knowhow to craft our own, original grooves.
In her course, Bass Groove Creation Station, Ariane Cap reveals a number of simplified, creative, and intuitive approaches for crafting your own grooves in practically any style.
Here are eight video bass guitar groove lessons from the course. For the full course, check out Ariane Cap’s Bass Groove Creation Station on TrueFire!
Bass Guitar Lesson – Phrasing Essentials: Overview
How to make it groove is not just a matter of accurate timing (AKA exact note placement according to the actual beat), but the pocket becomes really deep when you adhere to the “subdivision” (AKA the smallest division of the beat that guides the beat) not only for starting a note but also for ending the note.
Bass Guitar Lesson – Rock Groove Phrasing Example: Demo
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I play a rock groove with a few different phrasing options. It sounds like a different groove just by playing with the phrasing!
Bass Guitar Lesson – Pop Groove Phrasing Example: Demo
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In this segment, I show you a few pop grooves in various phrasings. And I give you some tips on what to use when in a band context.
Bass Guitar Lesson – Syncopated Grooves: Overview
Syncopated grooves place the emphases of the beat predominantly on off beats, either eighth or sixteenth note offbeats. This creates a slightly “up-beaty” feel that, when done right, makes people want to dance.
Bass Guitar Lesson – Syncopated Straight Groove: Demo
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Make sure to not mix up syncopated and shuffled. They are not the same thing. Let’s start with an example of a syncopated straight groove. I suggest you use the rhythmic template to come up with your own variations!
Bass Guitar Lesson – Syncopated Shuffle Groove: Demo
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Here is a syncopated shuffled groove!
Bass Guitar Lesson – Soul Groove Example: Demo
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Bernard Edwards says hello here! Lots of octaves, triads and chromaticism are featured in this two bar phrase. The phrasing is a bit longer than in the reggae and the subdivision is straight. Use your fingers to pluck the strings. A quarter note groove kernel starts the bar and more variation follows in the later part of the bar.
Bass Guitar Lesson – Mowtown Groove Example: Demo
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James Jamerson, thank you for the inspiration! Lots of fifths, triads and chromaticism are featured in this two-bar phrase with lots of busy and syncopated sections. The subdivision is straight and the tone is mid-heavy.
Digging these free bass guitar groove lessons? Check out Ariane Cap’s full course, Bass Groove Creation Station.