From God Above (Bass)

By Bass Levite

The song "From God Above" is an electric guitar driven song. Hence, the bass provides the overall background rhythm to complement the guitar drive. The verse follows the rhythmic guitar while the chorus follows the drums. The only riff that needs to be learnt is the prechorus, which has a great bass/lead riff combination.

I realise that this song is also rich with different types of bass rhythms and right hand techniques. Hence, this song is great to practise the various techniques for beginners.




Intro: (just electric guitars)

Verse: (bass comes in here)
Long tones are used for the verse. What this means is that you allow the note to ring out everytime you play it. Play in sync with the rhythmic guitar.

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--------------------
-8-8------------6-6-
------9-9--6-6------

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-8-8----------------------
------9-9--6--6-6-6-6-6-6-


Prechorus:
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------11-11-------11-10-8----
--------------------------11-
-9-9---------9-9-------------

-----------------
-----------------
-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-
-----------------

-------------------------
-------------------------
-11-11-11-11-------------
-------------11-11-11-11-

-----------------------------
------11-11-------11-10-8----
--------------------------11-
-9-9---------9-9-------------

-----------------
-----------------
-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-
-----------------

-----------------
-----------------
-----------------
-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-


Chorus:
The bass follows the drum rhythm during the chorus. The beat goes like this

| J J jj J |

for one bar, where
J = crochet / one beat
j = quaver / half beat

The chords are
| Ab | Eb | Fm | Db |
| Fm | Eb | Cm | Db |

It is also important to familiarise oneself with the notes on the fretboard, instead of just relying on tabs. Hence, I have not included tabs for the chorus.


Bridge:
Hit the Ab* note once and then let it ring out for 4 bars. I only have a small practise amp at home, so in the recording, I couldn't get it to ring out long and loud enough.

| Ab* | Ab* | Ab* | Ab* |
| Db | Db | Db | Db |
| Ab | Ab | Ab | Ab |

Now for the last 4 bars of the bridge, play the Ab* every half beat. I call this "finger running".

| Ab* | Ab* | Ab* | Ab* |

It is important to develop this basic technique, because it is very commonly used. If you are a beginner, practise this method by picking the string alternatingly with your right first and second finger. Try to develop speed, accuracy and endurance. A good song to practise this technique is "I Believe".


Outro:
The notes played are exactly the same as that of the verse. However, this time, short tones are used.This means that you mute the strings after you play it (don't allow it to ring). Play in sync with the rhythmic guitar.

--------------------
--------------------
-8-8------------6-6-
------9-9--6-6------

--------------------------
--------------------------
-8-8----------------------
------9-9--6--6-6-6-6-6-6-