Bass Exercises: Major 6ths On The Blues

Major 6ths On The Blues Exercises

Bass Exercise #1: Applying R356 on a G blues

In this simple blues bassline you are merely adding the sixth to the plain old major triad pattern you know. (I hope!) Notice the melodic sound of the sixth. The sixth isn't a very supportive bass note. With experience you'll learn how to place it well in a bassline. Be careful to not overemphasize it.

Bass Exercise #2: C Blues Applying a Major 6th Pattern

This bassline applies the same Root, 3rd, 5th, and 6th pattern only in a different order. If the bassline is giving you trouble, practice slowly with the metronome first. ** Notice I used an approach note (B) in bars 6 and 10. This creates a smooth transition from the F6 to the C6 by not repeating the note C. We'll discuss transitions more later.