[quote name='risingson' timestamp='1326312824' post='1495415']
You say you're into your James Jamerson bass lines, but James Jamerson knew his theory... he could read, and he could develop ideas around chord progressions.
If you're new to this then you should be starting out simply instead of diving in at the deep end. There is no point trying stuff out until you've got the nuts and bolts of your theory down.
Once you've familiarised yourself with some of the sheets, then experiment. If you're well versed in Jamerson's bass lines then its worth noting his use of open strings as stepping stones to get to places, for example in the key of F major, you have your maj 3rd on your A, your maj 6th on your D, and your 9th on your G (also your maj 7th on your open E). He would regularly use his D and G strings in the key of F major as passing notes in order to drop down from his open G > F and D > C, plus every which other way.
This is just an example, and there are many other instances where open strings will not be musically relevant to the key in which you are playing. But the human ear is a very forgiving thing, and James Jamerson exploited this by using open strings in order to move from non-relevant notes to relevant one. Chuck Rainey arguably took this even further in subsequent recordings with the likes of Steely Dan.
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Yes i get your point, but i have never thought about the theory behind his lines. His sophistication if just one of the things that had brought me playing the bass lines. i mean i have noticed the open strings, i was made to love her, what's going on, but sure i'll just have a look at them, analyse them in depth hopefully furthering my knowledge. Thanks for that, you've opened my eyes