Bass Articulation: Lost In Music

[greghagger]

After note choices, the single most important factor to help you develop your own personal playing style is how you articulate your notes. Articulation simply put is the attack and length of your notes.

 

If you listen to some of your favourite bass players closely you'll notice that each one has a unique way of articulating their bass lines. This characterises their own style, often defining that player.

 

Some players clip their notes short, some play longer notes with less attack and others have unique ways of plucking the strings.

 

Bernard Edwards from Chic played with what has become knows as the 'clucking' technique where he used his fingers like a pick. You don't have to use this chucking technique but what is important to take away from players like Bernard Edwards is the shortened, more funky notes that they produced. 

 

In my latest YouTube lesson I discuss articulation in more detail and use the Sister Sledge tune, 'Lost In Music' to help illustrate the important of articulation.

 

Check out the lesson and you can also get a free copy of the Lost In Music bass line under the video.