What may seem simple and cliché can actually fuel more grooves than you imagined

Jon Liebman
September 4, 2025

Ever feel like playing root–fifth is too basic? A lot of people think so. But here’s the thing… once you dig in, there’s way more going on than meets the ear.

In this week’s Essence of Groove video, I’ll show you how that simple root–fifth idea can open up all kinds of possibilities: rock, blues, country, funk, even a samba groove. You’ll be surprised at how versatile this little two-note pattern really is.

The beauty of root–fifth is that it locks you into the harmony while leaving space for the music to breathe. And when you start trying it across different feels, you’ll see just how powerful it can be — not just as a beginner tool, but as a foundation for making great music.

Check out this week’s lesson and see how many grooves you can create from something as simple as root–fifth. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you can do with it.

Watch the video, then leave a comment below with your takeaways.

Let’s play bass!
—Jon