Lesson 25 of 29BassIntermediate

Approach notes

2:29

Bruce demonstrates how to use approach notes in his bass lines.

Part of the courseContemporary Bass Guitar Grooves29 lessons (1h 11m)

This lesson is part of the full course. 1 lesson is free to watch.

from$13/month

Explore the course
Cancel anytime30-day refund
Bruce GertzYour guruBruce Gertz

What's in the course

29 lessons (1h 11m) · 1 free
    • 01. Root motion and harmonic rhythm (beats per chord), scale and chromatic approach

      7:49

    • 02. Approach notes

      You are here

      2:29

    • 03. Inversions, Triads

      2:18

    • 04. Sequences

      1:29

    • 05. Combinations of all ex.5, practice ex. 1-5

      1:55

    • 06. About Bruce Gertz & Bass demo

      1:32

Lesson transcript

Approaching the F Note

Okay, so say I want to approach the F by half step above.

  • Play two Cs.
  • This is a half step above the note.
  • Here's a half step below the note.

Example 1: Combinations of Chromatic Approaches

Now, combining these ideas with:

  • Triads
  • Scales up
  • Scales down
  • Root fifths
  • Octaves

Here's what we get:

1, 2, 3, 4.

Okay, that was just Example 1.

Example 2: Two Beats Per Chord

I should probably give you an example of that:

1, 2.
1, 2, 3, 4.

$13/monthSubscription

29 lessons

1h 11m of structured video lessons

Advanced video features

Slow down, loop a passage, follow along

Mobile, tablet & desktop

Practise wherever you are

100% satisfaction guarantee

30-day money-back guarantee

Meet your guru

Bruce Gertz

Bruce Gertz

Bruce Gertz is an award-winning bassist (acoustic and electric), composer, educator, and author. He is a professor of bass at Berklee College of Music, where he has taught since 1976.

Bruce is the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Performance Award Grant, the Massachusetts Cultural Council Musical Composition Award, and numerous outstanding bassist awards from the Boston Music Awards, A.S.C.A.P. Plus Popular Awards, and multiple recognition awards from the International Association of Jazz Educators and the Jazz Education Network. Bruce also serves on the board of directors of the International Society of Bassists.

He has performed and recorded with such artists as Gary Burton, Jerry Bergonzi, John Abercrombie, Joey Calderazzo, Kenny Werner, Mick Goodrick, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Billy Hart, George Garzone, Mike Stern, Larry Coryell, Joe Lovano, Cab Calloway, and Count Basie, among many others.

In Contemporary Bass Guitar Grooves, Bruce puts all of that experience to work for you. You'll learn to build solid, swinging bass lines and lock into authentic grooves across funk, jazz, and fusion, so you can hold down the bottom end and walk into any band situation with confidence.

His extensive discography and additional information can be found at www.brucegertz.com.

Bruce Gertz
Pat Levett
Joe Glossop
Frank Doll
Katie Melua
Ed O'Brien
Imogen Heap
Adam Mishan
Chet Atkins

Learn from Bruce Gertz and hundreds of others

Unlimited access, money back guaranteed

$13/month

Subscription