Minor bass line

zav

Hi, Michael, hi All.

My simple question is about one of the aspects of rhythm playing, so I put it in this forum.

What is the proper "in tradition" way to play chord(s) for that frequent chromatical bass line going down from the root to 6th when you playing over a minor chord (ie A Ab G F# for Am)? What chord form or subs should I play on higher strings (I've tried several variants - simple triads and more common-"school" chords, but the result isn't very nice yet...)?

Thanks,
Anton

nwilkins

5
5
5
7
7
5

5
5
5
6
7
5

5
5
5
5
x
5

5
5
5
4
x
5

or (still in Am)

x
13
14
14
12
x

x
13
13
14
12
x

x
13
12
14
12
x

x
13
11
14
12
x

etc etc

Michael has an interesting variation in one of his free lessons on this site.

MichaelHorowitz

Hi Anton,

The device you're referring to is called a Line Cliche. For more info see:

http://www.djangobooks.com/archives/200 ... tml#000124

I'll have tons of examples of how to do it in the Gypsy Rhythm book. Also, some of the coolest variations of the Line Cliche are in the Unaccompanied django book.

Good luck!

'm

zav

Thanks!

Yes, Michael, I remember that your variant of Line Cliche but the differense is that I would like to have the movement of a low note as a "walking bass", so the first variant of nwilkins looks fine. Another detail - in fact the question is about Em or Dm - so is it OK to play something like

7
8
9
9
7
x

x
8
9
9
6
x

x
8
9
9
5
x

()
5
4
5
4
x

???

And another thing - is so simple "school" chord forms are OK for the style in such cases?

Thanks and thanks!
Anton

MichaelHorowitz

yes...that works!

'm

Jack

Also in Am:

x
5
5
2
x
5

x
5
5
2
x
4

x
5
5
2
x
3

x
1
2
2
x
2

Michael, on your variation, do you always have that G in the highest voice?
Best,
Jack.

MichaelHorowitz

Jack wrote:

Michael, on your variation, do you always have that G in the highest voice?
Best,
Jack.

On the e minor version that Anton posted? Yes....

'm

Jack

Michael,
I meant on the version you posted here:
http://www.djangobooks.com/archives/200 ... tml#000124
You've got a Dm13 with a G...

Best,
Jack.

MichaelHorowitz

Oh...i see. You don't have to...but it sounds cool. All the Dutch players use that one and they pretty much always end on the Dm13.

'm

kimmo

zav wrote:

x
8
9
9
5
x

I'd change position for the Em7/d to

x
5
4
5
5
x

Otherwise I often play the progression just as you described, stretching the index for the m/maj7, as you can see Birelli do in the Vienna-DVD.