Bass Lick of the Week: Basic 16th Note Patterns

Welcome to Bass Lick of the Week! In this article, we'll take a look at basic 16th note patterns that you can use to improve your bass playing. We'll start with some simple patterns and then gradually work our way up to more complex ones. By the end of this article, you'll have a solid foundation of 16th note patterns that you can use to create your own bass lines and solos.

Why 16th Notes?

16th notes are one of the most important rhythmic subdivisions in music. They're used in a wide variety of genres, from rock and pop to jazz and funk. Learning how to play 16th notes will help you improve your timing, coordination, and overall dexterity on the bass guitar.

Bass Lick of the Week (Bass Guitar Techniques Series by Stuart Clayton Book 7)

by Alice Hudson

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	15563 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	106 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Getting Started

Before we start learning any patterns, let's take a look at the proper picking technique for 16th notes. You'll want to use a down-up-down-up picking pattern, with your pickstrokes alternating between the downbeat and the upbeat.

Once you've got the picking technique down, you can start practicing the following patterns.

Simple Patterns

These patterns are a great place to start if you're new to playing 16th notes. They're simple to learn and they'll help you develop a solid foundation.

• Down-up-down-up: This is the basic 16th note picking pattern. Start by playing the root note on the downbeat, then the next note on the upbeat, and so on.
• Down-up-down-up-down-up: This pattern is a variation on the basic pattern. It adds an extra downstroke on the fourth note.
• Up-down-up-down: This pattern is similar to the basic pattern, but it starts on the upbeat instead of the downbeat.

Intermediate Patterns

Once you've mastered the simple patterns, you can start learning some more intermediate patterns. These patterns are a bit more challenging, but they'll help you develop your speed and accuracy.

• Down-up-down-down-up-up: This pattern adds an extra downstroke on the third note.
• Down-up-down-down-up-up-down-up: This pattern is a variation on the previous pattern. It adds an extra downstroke on the sixth note.
• Up-down-up-down-up-down-up-down: This pattern is similar to the basic pattern, but it adds an extra downstroke on the eighth note.

Advanced Patterns

These patterns are the most challenging of the bunch. They're great for developing your speed, accuracy, and coordination.

• Down-up-down-down-up-up-down-up-down-up: This pattern is a combination of the basic pattern and the intermediate pattern.
• Down-up-down-down-up-up-down-up-down-up-down-up: This pattern is a variation on the previous pattern. It adds an extra downstroke on the eleventh note.
• Up-down-up-down-up-down-up-down-up-down-up-down: This pattern is similar to the basic pattern, but it adds an extra downstroke on the twelfth note.

Putting It All Together

Now that you've learned a variety of 16th note patterns, you can start putting them together to create your own bass lines and solos. Here are a few tips:

• Start by playing simple patterns and gradually work your way up to more complex ones.
• Experiment with different combinations of patterns to create your own unique sound.
• Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes when they're first learning how to play 16th notes.

Learning how to play 16th notes is a great way to improve your bass playing. By practicing the patterns in this article, you can develop your speed, accuracy, coordination, and overall dexterity. So what are you waiting for? Start practicing today!

Bass Lick of the Week (Bass Guitar Techniques Series by Stuart Clayton Book 7)

by Alice Hudson

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	15563 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	106 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE