alternating bass

[andrewjohnsson40]

I am learning Horgalåten. It's hambo so it's 3/4.
The first part has Am-Am-E7-Am then you repeat this for bars 5-8.
The bass notes would be A-E for the Am if you do alternating bass. But...we would then have A-E-E-A-A-E-E-A.
This doesn't feel that good. What do you think and how would you play this progression?

 

[JeffJetton]

I guess you could do the "flip-flop" (well, that's what I call it) on the E7 and start with its alternate bass instead of the root. So the bass notes would be: A-E-B-A-A-E-B-A.

Or you could play what is effectively the "minor counter bass" of the Am for the second measure (I use my pinkie for this): A-C-E-A-A-C-E-A

(Interestingly, in both of those cases, the "new" bass note winds up being what the melody is playing at that point.)

Finally, of course, you could just not play alternating basses at all, which I think sounds just fine for that tune: A-A-E-A-A-A-E-A

 

[Anyanka]

I use the counter basses a lot on repetitive chords like this. That gives you the C# when playing the A chord, and the G# with the E, in addition to your usual alternators!

You can also throw in the occasional descending run if it fits, using bass & counterbass notes only, no chords.

 

[TomBR]

It's not a polska so I wouldn't want to get too 1-3,1-3 in rhythm but I'd be keen to get a nice lift on a late 3rd beat so would play nothing on 2 at least some of the time?
What do you think?
Tom
(Just a dabbler in Swedish music and dance.)

 

[george garside]

Both Anyanka and Tom have made very interesting suggestions which will be well worth trying.

these suggestions and others also highlight the fact that there is no such thing as 'correct' bass for a tune and that a bit of experimentation will not go amiss. If you come up with something different or perhaps a mixture of the suggestions with or without your own additions it becomes your arrangement which can be very satisfying.

I particularly like Tom's idea of leaving the bass off for a couple of notes as this can add a sort of 'reverse ornementation' on the basis that less can be more!

george.

 

[jozz]

I'd say depends on the tempo.

Slow I would play it Aaa Eaa Bee Aaa

Fast I might do a ghost note like Aaa ..aa Eee Aaa, and don't bother with alternates at all because they will disappear in the rythm.