I’ll keep it short sweet guys. I like playing rock and blues but I picked up the bass to learn how to play R&B, soul, and funk. I’m still starting out (but quickly improving), and I can play some of my favorite bass lines from those genres (thanks to tab) already. But what resources are available for me to learn theory and technique when it comes to those genres (as a beginner)? I would like to get to the point where I can freestyle or compose those kind of bass lines (I’m a producer as well), but whenever I look up videos on the subject its always guys who have been playing forever talking way over my head instead of breaking down what I need to know in order like Josh does. I wish he covered more of this stuff but I don’t fault him. We play what we listen to. Help?
Sadly that doesn’t exist, however, there are some good ones anyway.
This one I have done some of and I think has what you are looking for essentially…
The hard way is to steal the lines from what you like a little here a little there and put them together.
The easy way is to just learn your theories. Sure it takes much longer but when you hear them you can kind of figure it out on the fly.
Composing your own? Well, there’s not really a lesson for that. You can do that right now on your bass it could be good or it could use a little more help check it these 2 examples both are great, one practice like a MoFo and another practice like a MoFo too but also touch by God.
Both can come up with some tasty line and it should fits your genres.
I actually am trying to learn more theory (in general for production, not just for bass) but I don’t really know where I can learn theory progressively other than just putting together random videos on YouTube. I’m sure there’s a good book or course or SOMETHING, I just have yet to find it. Still, helpful advice. Thanks
I’ll check this out. Much appreciated
Talkingbass.net Ultimate music theory for bass. Also Chord Tones. Neither is focused on a particular style of music, but I think both would be meeting what you’re asking for. Applied theory for bass.
I dont know of any courses that specialize in oldschool hiphop. But a lot of the oldschool beats were borrowed from funk and motown. That should open some options. Rapper delight is basically Chic good times. Most of the chronic is p-funk. NWA express yourself is charlie wrights express yourself and so on. You’ll want to get really proficient with major and minor scales if your going to improvise beats. So fresh so clean is 100% found in c minor scale. It wouldnt hurt to dabble into some reggae as well.
Dan Hawkins is a great teacher and a straight-up nice guy. I have this course as well as his Blues Bass and Funk Bass courses. All good, and highly recommended.
I bought this after completing B2B a few years back. It was worth it