bass waltz technique / variety

[smdc66]

i was thinking about this and wondering about 2 things

1) there is not a lot you can do with this as its just a case of playing it a certain way( unlike tango etc where you can alternate basses etc - )or can you ?

2) i play um , pa , pa - once on the um and twice on the chord
is it worth experimenting - (eg um, and then pa and then um and pa holding 2 buttons together
or um and then um+pa , um+ pa holding both buttons together on the 2nd and 3rd beat) or not

 

[pentaprism]

>> is it worth experimenting?

Absolutely. Attached are two versions of Silent Night. Each has its own character.

 

[Glenn]

There is a fair amount you can do with the choice of um. Starting a 5th above or doing an um1.pa.um2 where both ums are different. Also you can swing the pa.pa a little give other sorts of feel (eg. vienna style).

 

[smdc66]

Starting a 5th above or doing an um1.pa.um2 where both ums are different. Also you can swing the pa.pa .

do you mind wording this differently as i dont really understand it :?

 

[george garside]

When playing a waltz for its intended purpose i.e for people to dance to 1-23 or UM pa pa rhythm is important whereas a waltz tune played for listening does not require such a strict tempo but can of course still be played to strict tempo if desired.

There is much scope for experimentation within the basic rhythm in order to prevent monotony creeping in and to add a bit of interest

the following aare totally intercheangeable and can therefore be used at any point in a tune that the player fancies i.e. they all maintain the 123 rhythm

)( um = bass or counterbass , pa = any osrt of chord)
Um pa pa

pa pa pa

bass/counterbass/chord

Chord held for 3 beats
bass and chord together held for 3 beats

bass and chord thumped thrice!/

counterbass/chord/ counterbass above t'other one

bass+counterbass as the UM followed by pa pa as chords

bugger all x thrice i.e leave bass of for 3 or even 6 beats and gently pulse in um pa pa with the bellows

george



.

 

[donn]

I wouldn't think about it as a matter of `variety' so much, as `what's a good bass line.' Which of course depends on the tune. The bass line that's simply the root of the chord at each down beat, and chords for the rest, is good for a lot, that's why we do it so much. For a more dynamic, interesting bass line ... substitute compatible notes at random, or follow a formula for more interesting bass lines, but listen to what comes out as a result, and get a feel for when and how to use your bass notes.

One of the vices of popular/folk music is the chord chart. We understand a tune in terms of a possibly complex and beautiful melody that flows along on its own terms, and then the rest of the harmonic/rhythmic structure of the tune is encoded in a simple sequence of chords. It's a tragedy, perhaps, but also an opportunity, inasmuch as you have the opportunity and responsibility to reinvent a significant part of the tune, to breathe life into those bones.

Not to leave it without a concrete example, a very common bass line feature is the note(s) that anticipate a new chord. You've been on C for a while and F is coming up, so just before it, you might play E (counter bass), or you're on C and you're headed down to Am, so you drop a B (G counter bass) on the way. Don't do it all the time, though, that would turn out poorly.

 

[dunlustin]

I would add to all the above that playing the left hand through on its own isn't a bad thing.
If you find it boring/repetitive then
1. If all you're looking for is rhythmic support perhaps it doesn't matter - if not
2. You will probably want to change it.
Oh, and did anyone mention bass runs against long notes in the melody? - good way to get to know the bas rows better.

 

[Soulsaver]

Did someone mention the obvious - Yes alternate bass is common? C CM CM/ G CM CM./C CM CM etc

I also like, for example C E G/ C CM CM/ G B D/ G GM(G7) GM(G7) etc (E & B in example, use counter basses);
Vary it with C E G/C rest rest etc too.

Also, have a look here: http://www.linkonardo.com/en/accordion/d4256/how-to-play-accordion-bass-runs-video.html