I’m stuck on bass lines. I don’t think that many mandolinists think about playing “bass lines” behind others. Don’t think you can do in every setting (especially if there is a bassist–then you would need to make sure you accurately double the bass), but when playing in a duo or trio where there might be a guitarist and a harmonica player/harpist, the bass line can give character to the song that might otherwise be missing. For example, today’s “lick” is one of those ultra-cool blues back-up bass licks that you can’t use all night, but man when you do, it pops.
About the Lick
This is another bass line that has a chromatic walk between parts of the triad. Here, there is a walk-down from the root to the 5 of the chord (In this case, G down to D).
The tablature isn’t written in a shuffle rhythm. However, if you note, it says “Swing.” That means “swing” the notes (which will be your shuffle rhythm).
Tablature for this blues mandolin instruction is available to patreon subscribers at www.patreon.com/jimrichter
