Jump to content
Why become a member? ×
  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt

greghagger

Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    721

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by greghagger

  1. greghagger
    Playing octave patterns can be challenging on the bass guitar because of string skipping and the speed at which you often have to play them. You've probably heard octaves grooves in loads of Disco tunes and these bass patterns are often the most recognisable part of the song. But as well as Disco, mastering octaves is so important for playing in many other styles of music. In my latest lesson I show you the correct techniques to use with your fretting and plucking hands to play different octave patterns. I also show you five classic Disco octave patterns in the video. Let me know your favourite Disco bass line and I’ll look into making a lesson on it.
  2. greghagger
    Thanks! Yes I find that up to a certain level, a lot of players just don’t think about articulation. It really does make all the difference.
  3. greghagger
    If you want to groove on your bass, lock in with your fellow band mates and cut through the mix then you need to be thinking about how you're articulating on your bass. This involves thinking about note lengths and how you're combining your left and right hand techniques. Focusing on these can make the difference between your bass lines sounding sloppy or sounding rhythmic and tight. In my latest Youtube lesson I show you how to work on your articulation with a bass groove that I've written specifically for this video. You can pick up a free transcription of the bass groove under the video.
  4. greghagger
    No worries.
  5. greghagger
    I’ve made an arrangement for bass of some well known Christmas carols. Bass plays the melody throughout and you’ll find some interesting time changes! There's a free PDF and a backing track to play along with. It's a really fun play, will get you in the festive mood and is also excellent reading practice for those of you who use the standard notation.There’s also Tab for those of you that prefer it. I demonstrate the medley in a Youtube video so check that out to get some tips on how to play it. Have fun with the medley and have a Merry Christmas.
  6. greghagger
    Your book sounds great. We should chat. I’ve got a few books out and I’m planning an arpeggio exercises book!
  7. greghagger
    In the early days of playing bass, I discovered something about Pentatonic scales that absolutely blew my mind. I just couldn't believe what I had discovered, that there’s a major and minor pentatonic scale in every key that share the same notes! Looking at the wider picture, I now know why this is and how it can be explained by music theory. But I'm still proud of finding this out all by myself at the time! In a practical context, this discovery massively helps when getting creative with bass fills and licks. You have more fretboard shapes to utilise. Find out more in my latest Youtube lesson...
  8. greghagger
    If you want to play faster bass lines and licks then you need to ensure that you can rake. Raking is an easy plucking technique to learn but one that is essential to be able to use when playing certain descending lines. You may be using this technique without even knowing it or you might never use it and find yourself struggling to play certain things. Find out more in my latest video lesson and use the 4 exercises to perfect this technique. There's also a funky loop to practice with! https://youtu.be/lJ9BuZL1PfQ
  9. greghagger
    Nice video, cheers.
  10. greghagger
    @Happy Jack this is great and a vital part of playing. You’re right that my book is about musical warm-up exercises but the physical warm-up is extremely important too and as you said, both parts compliment each other.
  11. greghagger
    After my Five Classic Madness Bass Lines video a couple of weeks ago, I've had my arm twisted to cover another Madness song. So I picked, 'It Must Be Love' because it's got some great Ska techniques in it that you can pinch and use for your own Ska and Reggae bass lines. It's also a great bass line. If you just want to see me play through the whole bass line then check out Video No.149. If you want the free lesson PDF’s you’ll find them under the video in the description. Have fun with this bass line!
  12. greghagger
    Cream Live- Crossroads - 1968 - San Francisco I can just imagine the impact this song had on the packed crowds. It must have been pretty incredible at the time when Cream were in full flow. If like me you’ve play this song live and tried to play Jack Bruce’s bass line, you’ll know what a masterpiece it is. It might be one of the most iconic but misplayed bass lines ever! I’ve transcribed the first six choruses note for note and drawn up a PDF. I’ve also made a lesson to show you how to play the main riff and some of Jack Bruce’s licks and ideas. If you want a more manageable bass line then try my simplified version that will work over the whole song I hope you have fun with this one and let me know your favourite Cream bass line. I’m up for transcribing more Jack Bruce! https://youtu.be/XikwAdJIHBk
  13. greghagger
    https://youtu.be/a6UJKaTQYRk Any Madness fans? I’ve made a new YouTube lesson featuring five classic Madness bass lines. There’s also a free PDF with Tab and standard notation. Even if you don’t particularly have a preference for Ska, check out the lesson as you’ll learn a lot from these bass lines. They contain arpeggio and root/5th pattens, interesting grooves, walking lines and fast 8th note patterns. All musical concepts that you can take away and use in any style of music. One Step Beyond!
  14. greghagger
    That’s the way to be if you want to progress to be a great musician. I’ve always embraced all styles of music and tried to convincing play bass to them while also trying to put a bit of my own style into them too.
  15. greghagger
    You’re right. That should be an F natural. Thanks for flagging that up!
  16. greghagger
    thanks for answering and no worries getting this thread going again. In my opinion, the application of what you learn in music theory is the interesting and useful part of the picture. You’re not alone with not knowing how to apply this knowledge to your playing. Can I ask if you have a main style that you are currently working on? I can then suggest some of my lessons that should help you. In the meantime others may be able to suggest resources that have helped them with this.
  17. greghagger
    https://youtu.be/XBSOfZhnFaY Stevie Ray Vaughan recorded a version of the Hendrix tune, 'Little Wing' with Tommy Shannon on bass. This is a great version and there are 9 choruses of pure guitar joy without any vocals. The track is very much jammed and you can hear Tommy and Stevie working together really instinctively as the time progresses. In my latest video lesson I pick out key parts of the bass line and show you some of the important techniques that Tommy Shannon uses. There is a free PDF of the whole transcription which you can download under the video in the description. Tab and Standard Notation options are available. Enjoy and have a great weekend.
  18. greghagger
    That sounds like a lot of fun. I bet they went down well with the crowd!
  19. greghagger
    The bass line from 'The Night' by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons has such a good groove. The bass line really drives from start to finish with no let-up and is pivotal to the song. If you haven’t heard ‘The Night’ then check it out then learn the bass line in my new video lesson. Some of you might find it a bit tough at the full tempo though and could struggle to keep up, so I've also drawn up a simplified version which I'll show you in the video alongside the actual bass line. This simplified version still sounds great when you play it with the song. You can pick up the full transcription and simplified version on PDF under the YouTube video. Have fun, this will get your fingers moving!
  20. greghagger
    Great, cheers for these, a couple I haven’t yet listened too 👍
  21. greghagger
    Good call! He’s another one of my real favourites!
  22. greghagger
    That’s a vibey jam!
  23. greghagger
    Good call. I saw Govt Mule a few years ago in London and loved it! What a solid bass player!
  24. greghagger
    Can’t believe Jack Bruce isn’t on the list so far. He’s definitely my biggest influence.
  25. greghagger
    Say you are playing a Jazz Blues in Bb, you could change the Bb7 in bar 4 to | F-7 Bb7 | for example as that would be a 2-5 leading to 1 (Eb7) in bar 5. The rest of the rhythm section wouldn’t necessarily have to play these changes as your new walking line would still work under Bb7. There are loads of substitutions that you can use. Hope this helps?
×
×
  • Create New...