Rests

1

Hi,

I am new to bass playing. I have playing for about 6 months. I am currently taking the Bass Buzz course. In my spare time, I am trying to play a song with rests on 8th notes and my brain keeps making me play them. My boyfriend, who is a drummer suggested I tap my foot or finger on the rests but I cant seem to stop playing them. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank,

Laura

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Mute with left hand. Play ghost notes or just tap the string to maintain a steady rhythm.

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Can you perhaps share a few of the bars where that occurs!? The best solution is likely dependent on what exactly is “requested” from the bass in a given situation.

Other than that, @BeerBaron has some good suggestions for approaches that help most of the time :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

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It

The song I am trying to play is “Stuck in the Middle with You” by Stealer’s Wheel. For example, the first measure after the intro is all 8th notes with the first, 3rd and last being rests. Several measures start with a rest.

Thanks

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That’s a really hard bass line with some very challenging rests and syncopations!
Are you trying to play it exactly like it is on the recording, or can you simplify it?

If you ignore all the variations and the times where he plays rests on the downbeat, it can be a doable bass line for a beginner… but playing it like the recording would be a challenge for anyone for exactly the reasons you’re describing - the rests and rhythms are very hard to get.

I would recommend just playing the pattern you hear 3 times at the very beginning of the song (where it starts on on beats one and two real strong each time) and not play any of the other variations.

In order to feel comfortable with rests and syncopations, it’s good to start very simply and build in to the more complex bits little by little.

I hope this helps a bit!
I can’t help you count the rhythms, but I can at least let you know that it’s quite OK, and if you’re only 6 months in, this would be a huge challenge.

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welcome Laura! Nothing wrong with tapping your foot to help keep time also you may want to invest in my best friend MR. Metronome!(let me count your beats for you :rofl: ) I think fender has an app. with one built in and a tuner :slight_smile: plus the price is right (free). start slow and take up the tempo as it gets easier.

rock on

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Thank you so much for your response. It is good to know that I am having a hard time because it’s a difficult song. I will definitely take your advice.

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Thank you. I do love my metronome.