Rhythm Reading Basics


Updated

Reading music on the bass breaks into three elements: knowing the note names across the fingerboard, identifying notes on the staff and their possible locations, and counting and playing rhythmic notation. A good reader controls all three well enough that the line being played still grooves and sounds like music, not reading.

Originally published June 9, 2013, lightly edited for clarity.

In my last post I was looking at steps to use when practicing note reading, hope you liked it and found it helpful. As I said last time, reading music on the bass guitar can be broken down into three elements that need to be nurtured in order for reading to progress smoothly. First is knowing the note names of all of the notes on the fingerboard, second is knowing the written range, which means to be able to identify the note on the staff by name and know all of its possible locations on the fingerboard, and third is being able to count and play rhythmic notation on the staff. The following video addresses the way I recommend working on developing your rhythm reading. Hope you enjoy it and find it helpful. Reading music is one of the fundamentals I teach.

  1. Bebop Arpeggios

    Repertoire & Reading Advanced 2 min read

    Bebop arpeggios are the chord-tone vocabulary of bebop-era jazz soloing, worked through every chord change so strong beats land on chord tones. Even if you never plan to play jazz, spending time in this style sharpens your rhythmic control over which note goes where — a skill that carries straight into bass lines in any style.