Hi I've been ask to create a bassline for this song http://www.petrafied.net/vor2007.mp3 I got some ideas and been jamming to it trying to see what fits. But I would like some additional ideas and tips from you guys on creating a line. Thank you.

I can't download the file properly, could you upload it somewhere else?

Doesn't it play when you click the link? I don't know where else to upload it too. That link should work. I could email you it if all else fails.

Hmm, its a pretty straight forward song. When the electric guitar comes in, just start pounding those 8's following the guitar, that would sound best imo.

Is that one song? It's all over the place IMHO. . .

No offense Jsbass and not targeting your good advice, but if I was approaching the task of laying down a bassline to this song personally I would avoid pumping the root throughout. Sure, in a lot of places it's called for but all through IMO risks coming off as boring and would be what a lot of other bass players chose to do with it to play it safe. It's a long song and needs something to keep me interested, might as well be the bass line ;)

When I listened to the song a few times I heard my bassline rest the first time the guitar comes in then the 2nd time round follow the root note of the guitar one note at a time at the intro then the first riff I would play 4 root notes then the guitar riff. (0:00-0:56)

I followed the guitar/drums next (0:57-1:18) when the drums double hit I staccatto'd along with it and when the vocalist screams "Yeah" I thought a nice two string chord could fit maybe, then follow the guitar again.

The riff on the 1:30 mark I would play roots while the guitar strummed the rythm then follow the guitar on the riff coming down, maybe even 2 notes to his one or higher up the neck on the 3rd of 4.

I held the note at the 1:57ish to match the vocal being held.

The first guitar solo at 2:15ish asks for melodic bass behind it IMHO, and I wouldn't match speed with the drums on the fast part after that, to me its sounds a little out of time and I would be worried me following it could hilight the mismatch played live, causing some to presume I'm the problem. It even sounds almost like a drum machine being used at that point, but even so to me there's a snare out somewhere or timing is off on the recording. Again, IMO only, no offense meant and it's up to you whether to follow it...it would show good plucking speed if you did match the drum's kick :)

And I would do something melodic while that guitar finishes on it's own in the end (3:34), either follow it or support it at the start of each "scale", using what I perceive to be an avoid note at 4:05 as my clue when to ring the last bass note ring out. I wouldn't use that note though ;)

Trying to communicate my ideas I found it really hard putting my ideas down to paper so to speak, so feel free to ask me anything if I've confused you or you don't get what I mean, and I hope this was a little useful to you as well...

Lastly, good luck! There's a lot of potential for a bassist to seperate him or herself from the pack with that song IMO...

Cheers,

I wouldn't play straight 8ths on this.
The guitar part is very simple, you need to bring a bit of life into the song. I agree with the melodic hints counterpointing the singer.
The drum part needs improvement badly IMHO.
I would play an example but for some reason I can read the file, not download it.

Meh, what do I know, I was just trying to be easy on the kid! If he can't write his own line, thought it was good advice for a start.

Try to play high fills in the Intro like a lead bass then go for 8ths like most people had suggested.

SB

I can write my own line but I just wanted some other more knowledgable people to give me advice. I see nothing wrong with that. Thanks.
Yes it has programmed drums.
Depth_Charge, thanks for that very informative post. Gave me a lot of great ideas. Some I already had but others i didn't. The melodic part is a great idea. I will do that.

No problems mate, any time...good luck with that bassline and shoot me a link to a full band recording if you get that far with it.

And Jsbass, you're right it is good advice for a start, hope I didn't offend ya I Was just offering up some other possibilities.

Cheers