Whole note, half note, quarter note, eighth note, sixteenth note - on paper it's logical, but when my hands are on instruments it's been a challenge!
Reflecting on the last 14mths of bass playing - it seems that it's the most bass-ic concept that I didn't internalize when learning.
This thinking reflection stemmed from a chunk of djenty tune I've been struggling with - It's three sections, 8th notes into a 8th note triplets into a 16th notes. A bunch o' feels following on from each other, with the drum patterns changing with each section and I'm hacking the changes - which isn't good, djent needs very crisp timing with a exact feel - otherwise it's just mud.
So I asked myself why the **** was I struggling? I can't put it more simply - I've been a lazy musician.
I've a lot of love for funky, old school bass lines - which typically have a 8th note feel - so I've jammed and played mostly in that zone of comfort. Which, for me, equates to 75-110bpm and a drum pattern with heavy emphasis on kick (1,3) and snare (2,4).
Thrown into a djenty band where the drums are just a wall of kicks and cymbals, the guitars are tighter than <insert offensive metaphor here> - I'm not getting by on my one feel.
Oddly, I havn't found a great overview on youtube - without a doubt the best overview I've found is on studybass. It's a fair amount of reading complimented with plenty practical examples.
https://www.studybass.com/study-guide/studybass-fundamentals-one/
Don't be mislead, this one section contains a LOT of information, I've gone through it couple times, I'm finding the the exercises are a useful mirror/checkpoint - can't hide if you ain't feeling it.
I'm a touch happier with my efforts of hearing the pulse in unfamiliar drums patterns, improvising in a feel (other than a 8th note groove). The side effect is that I'm feeling less rhythmically challenged on guitar and drums...win!
If you have any resources that may help (youtube or other), feel free to post and share!
