Root and Fifth in E (E)
Classic bass accompaniment alternating root and fifth in E major
In E major the open fourth string provides a solid low root. Transitioning to A major the root sounds on the open third string. For B7 the root sits at fret two of the third string with the fifth at fret four of the second string. Rest your plucking finger against the adjacent string to mute previous vibrations cleanly before each new attack.
What the bass plays, bar by bar
The progression
- E
I · Bar 1, 4
- A
IV · Bar 2
- B7
V7 · Bar 3
It runs in 4/4 at 88 beats per minute, so each bar lasts about 2.7 seconds and the whole round about 10.9.
Bar by bar
| Bar | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | E1G#1B1D2 |
| 2 | A | A1C#2E2G2 |
| 3 | B7 | B1D#2F#2A1 |
| 4 | E | E1G#1B1E1 |
Notes with a dotted border are not part of the chord.
Where each chord sits
- E
Bar 1, E.
The root E1 sits on open string 4 and the fifth B1 on string 3, fret 2.
The walking line plays E1, G#1, B1 and D2.
D is not a note of E.
- A
Bar 2, A.
The root A1 sits on open string 3 and the fifth E2 on string 2, fret 2.
The walking line plays A1, C#2, E2 and G2.
G is not a note of A.
- B7
Bar 3, B7.
The root B1 sits on string 3, fret 2 and the fifth F#2 on string 2, fret 4.
The walking line plays B1, D#2, F#2 and A1.
- E
Bar 4, E.
The root E1 sits on open string 4 and the fifth B1 on string 3, fret 2.
The walking line plays E1, G#1, B1 and E1.
How the root moves
E1 → A1 → B1 → E1
The roots are E1, A1, B1 and E1. E1 to A1 goes up five semitones, A1 to B1 goes up two semitones and B1 to E1 goes down seven semitones.
The lowest note of the circle is E1 and the highest G2. It uses strings 4, 3, 2 and 1. Strings 4, 3, 2 and 1 ring open at some point.
Root and Fifth in E (E) line for electric bass
One bar per chord with the root and fifth line for four-string electric bass (E, A, D, G).