I & V on the 1 & 3
The basic functions of the upright or double bass in bluegrass music is to keep time of the
music as well as to provide the underlying drive.
The fundamental rhythm of the bass is to play the Root (R or I) and Fifth (5) of a given
chord on the 1st and 3rd beat of measure, in 4/4 time.
If the song is in the Key of G, you will need to know the I & V notes of each chord used in
the song.
Let's look at a the following basic pattern #1, in the Key of G
1 / 1 / 4 / 4
1 / 1 / 5 / 5
1 / 1 / 4 / 4
1 / 5 / 1 / 1
1 = G, Root note of a G chord
4 = C, the fourth note in G chord
5 = D, the fifth note in G chord
See the chart below to help visualize the notes of the G chord.
Those notes will make up all the chords used in the pattern.
G chord's root note, G and V note is D.
C chord's root note, C and V note is G.
D chord's root note, D and V note is A.
The Root (R or I) will be played on the 1st beat of each measure, and the Vth note will be
played on the 3rd beat of each measure. Then the basic pattern above will be played
will be played
G D / G D / C G / C G
G D / G D / D A / D A
G D / G D / C G / C G
G D / D A / G D / G D
Additionally, you will want to play the note right at the beginning of the 1st & 3rd beat and
the mandolin will be "choping" the root chords notes on the 2 & 4 beats. Think of hearing a
bass drum and a snare drum syncopation.
In tight bluegrass music the mandolin rushes the chop as soon as the bass player plays on the
1st & 3rd. The rhythm beat is very slightly rushed and it's the bass players job not to allow
the tempo to speed up, no matter how rushed the mandolin is choping. Some may call this
"lock up" with the mandolin player.
It is highly recommended that you practice with a metronome to ensure perfect & critical
timing. Better yet is to get together with a mandolin player and work on rhythms. Also work
at various tempos or Beats Per Minute. Initially working slowly 60 BPM up to at least 160
BPM.
music as well as to provide the underlying drive.
The fundamental rhythm of the bass is to play the Root (R or I) and Fifth (5) of a given
chord on the 1st and 3rd beat of measure, in 4/4 time.
If the song is in the Key of G, you will need to know the I & V notes of each chord used in
the song.
Let's look at a the following basic pattern #1, in the Key of G
1 / 1 / 4 / 4
1 / 1 / 5 / 5
1 / 1 / 4 / 4
1 / 5 / 1 / 1
1 = G, Root note of a G chord
4 = C, the fourth note in G chord
5 = D, the fifth note in G chord
See the chart below to help visualize the notes of the G chord.
Those notes will make up all the chords used in the pattern.
G chord's root note, G and V note is D.
C chord's root note, C and V note is G.
D chord's root note, D and V note is A.
The Root (R or I) will be played on the 1st beat of each measure, and the Vth note will be
played on the 3rd beat of each measure. Then the basic pattern above will be played
will be played
G D / G D / C G / C G
G D / G D / D A / D A
G D / G D / C G / C G
G D / D A / G D / G D
Additionally, you will want to play the note right at the beginning of the 1st & 3rd beat and
the mandolin will be "choping" the root chords notes on the 2 & 4 beats. Think of hearing a
bass drum and a snare drum syncopation.
In tight bluegrass music the mandolin rushes the chop as soon as the bass player plays on the
1st & 3rd. The rhythm beat is very slightly rushed and it's the bass players job not to allow
the tempo to speed up, no matter how rushed the mandolin is choping. Some may call this
"lock up" with the mandolin player.
It is highly recommended that you practice with a metronome to ensure perfect & critical
timing. Better yet is to get together with a mandolin player and work on rhythms. Also work
at various tempos or Beats Per Minute. Initially working slowly 60 BPM up to at least 160
BPM.
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