Self-Comping/Bass-lines for Solo Guitar

[NSJ]

Besides, for example, the following patterns, what other musical exercises do you cats practice, when learning to integrate bass lines and chords within the realm of solo guitar?

E.g., over a I-vi-ii-V:

Each chord lasts for one measure, the beats for each measure (and chord) divided up the following ways--each number represents the interval of the chord (R + 2 +3 +5 for a CM7 is C-D-E-G), with the first beat syncopated with the bass note followed by the full chord on the "and"):

1. (R + Chord) + 2 + 3 + 5
2. (R + chord) +2 +3 + (approach tone of next chord a semi-tone below)
3. (R + chord) +2 +3 + (approach tone of next chord a semi-tone above)

[jmstritt]

You can go a million different directions, you are only limited by your own creativity.

Here are a few more...

R 3 5 (Approach root half step above)
R 3 5 (Approach root half step below)
R(8va) 7 5 (Approach root half step above)
R(8va) 7 5 (Approach note half step below)

Some of these will make stronger lines than others, but the idea is that you get a million or so of these lines under your fingers and thumb so that when you play you don't have to think about playing bass lines you just do it and follow along the changes.

[NSJ]

Originally Posted by jmstritt

You can go a million different directions, you are only limited by your own creativity.

Here are a few more...

R 3 5 (Approach root half step above)
R 3 5 (Approach root half step below)
R(8va) 7 5 (Approach root half step above)
R(8va) 7 5 (Approach note half step below)

Some of these will make stronger lines than others, but the idea is that you get a million or so of these lines under your fingers and thumb so that when you play you don't have to think about playing bass lines you just do it and follow along the changes.

Yes, thanks for the suggestions. I have been trying various combinations on my 7 string guitar, and it really gives you a lot more to work with, bass-wise, particularly up the neck. you are so right about getting all these "under the fingers", as well as "in the ears.

The difficult part for me anyway is to syncopate the chords in time with the bass notes, a la sambas/bossas, where the bass notes fall on the beat and the rest of the chords off the beat. I've set the metronome to as slow as it will go. 40-60, initially.

[JohnW400]

I wrote out some exercises comping with a bass line (Harmonized bass line). I posted them here a few times. If you haven't seen them and want them send me an e-mail. They may help you.