BazzLow
ENIT
Module 9 · Lesson 1

Roots

Play the roots of a progression in time and understand why the root is the bass's main note.

Before this lesson: 8.5 Common progressions · 2.5 Strong and weak beats

Before you add any other note, learn to play the root well. It is the most important note a bass can play.

The root on the beat

The root of the chord, played on the beat where the chord changes, is the most important note in most bass lines. It makes the chord sound clear and stable, and it tells the band where “one” is.

Roots can be played with any rhythm: one whole note per bar, half notes, quarter notes, or steady eighths, typical of rock (“chugging”, lesson 2.4). The note choice stays simple; the rhythm carries the groove.

Bass neck, frets 0–12The roots of C, Am, F and G on the neck: C at fret 3 and A open on the A string; F at fret 1 and G at fret 3 on the E string.AE01234CAFG
The roots of C, Am, F and G on the neck: C at fret 3 and A open on the A string; F at fret 1 and G at fret 3 on the E string.
Bass clef staffThe progression C – Am – F – G, one root per bar as a whole note.44
The progression C – Am – F – G, one root per bar as a whole note.
Bass clef staffThe same roots as half notes: two per bar.44
The same roots as half notes: two per bar.
Bass clef staffThe same roots as steady eighth notes.44
The same roots as steady eighth notes.

Harmonic rhythm and pedal

The harmonic rhythm is how often the chords change: every bar, every two beats… The bass usually changes note exactly when the chord changes. A pedal (pedal point) is a single bass note held or repeated while the chords above it change. It builds tension or a feeling of stillness.

Playing only roots well is not a beginner’s compromise. Many great bass parts are essentially roots with a strong rhythm.

Try it

Play the roots of I–vi–IV–V in C at 80 BPM: one bar of whole notes per chord, then quarter notes, then eighths. Keep every chord change exactly on beat 1.

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