CHORDS

Chords are groups of notes that can be played together.  Chords are related to scales and arpeggios.  Major chords – E Major for example – are made up from the first, third and fifth note of the major scale – E, G# and B in the case of E Major. 

Unlike with the guitar, full chords on the bass can often sound muddy and overpowering.  There are, however, many shortened chords and triads that work very well on the bass, especially in the upper register.  In fact a good knowledge of two note chords and triads gives a bassist a lot of options, especially when thumb slapping.  Popping can be given a new dimension when a good line of chords is added to a running slapped bass line.

INVERSIONS

An inversion is a chord where the notes are played in a different order to that of the root position.  For example:

E Major triad root position – E G# B

E Major triad 1st inversion – G# B E

E Major triad 2nd inversion – B E G#