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I started off banging 8th notes on the root but started playing fills around the changes and learning or developing proper lines.
I started using the plectrum less as my grip got worse from carpal tunnel and play mostly with fingers now.
Try to match your notes with the kick first. Then any time the drummer hits something.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I remember an interview from years ago with Bruce Thomas when he said when he was starting out he couldn't really tell what notes were being played so he just copied the rhythms being played on bass on his favourite Motown records and his own choice of notes. When he then started in the Attractions he was being told the notes but he could add the rhythms he'd learned so even if he was playing the root it was interesting.
Many years ago I once nearly fell out with another bass player by complementing him on the nice dub-reggae feel he got by playing just behind the beat. It turned out he didn't like reggae, and was playing in time... he thought!
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I found with finger style it takes a while to get used to the fact that the action of moving your finger across the string takes longer than you think, and to play truly in time you have to anticipate it a bit.
If the bass line is a repetitive groove, the horns could stab away anywhere in the bar and it should all still work.
Throughout the album, Astral Weeks, Van Morrison can be heard getting extremely free with his vocal phrasing. The session musicians keep things together behind him.
It’s hit and miss. Like all players I have good and bad days. The timing really comes with how well your muscle memory is developed - you get an ear for anticipating the beat and working with the drummer (they have the same issue as they have to raise the stick before they can hit something!)
Click tracks helped a lot as they are merciless and really expose timing issues, and getting that “rolling over the string” technique for each finger works well too.
The biggest improvement in my timing though came with learning proper floating thumb
I tried it, and it revolutionised my timing, feel and articulation so I worked on it. It isn’t for everyone tho