Keep It Groovy: Learn Minor Triads and Make Them Groove (Key Of A)
In this “Keep It Groovy” lesson, we take a look at minor triad shapes on the bass and figure out how to transform them from an exercise to a groove. We’ll begin with our basic triad shape and move it around a “one-four-five” chord progression. Then, we’ll spice up the rhythm and use dead notes to add a bit of funk.
What’s the big takeaway? There are plenty of ways to turn triad exercises into musical grooves. By playing certain notes multiple times, changing the order of the notes, and figuring out how to move around the fretboard, you can come up with plenty of cool bass lines. This is great practice for improvising and will certainly come in handy the next time you sit down to groove.
Ryan Madora is a professional bass player, author, and educator living in Nashville, TN. In addition to touring and session work, she teaches private lessons and masterclasses to students of all levels. Visit her website to learn more!
