Approaching cover songs with no bass line

[BigOldHarry]

So I'm working up a set with yet another cover band, and this time it has several tunes that have no bass part - yet here I am, bass in hand...

What tunes, exactly?

* All the Single Ladies -Beyonce
* Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake
* Kiss - Prince

So, I've done "Kiss" before, and being given zero guidance by the band, I just did a percussive slap part that followed the chords... But I don't want to keep doing the same thing on every one of these keyboard intensive tunes - particularly "All the single ladies" - it hardly has chords - mostly vox & percussion...

What have you other cover band bassists done in cases like this?

[slaps76]

For single ladies, probably going to have to do something pretty repetitive...hum the melody to yourself without listening to it, and try to put a bassline over it? Maybe ring out the notes in the chorus, while playing more in line with the drums during the verses? There is something playing in the background you could mostly duplicate with bass.

Sexy back, I'd probably follow the synth, maybe fill it out a little more. Unless you have keys doing that? Good luck! Sexy back should go over really well.

[Bullitt5135]

Piss break? Dance like Prince? Keytar solo? Sorry man, I've got nothing but wisea-- remarks.

Anything on YouTube that you can nick?

[joehaven]

Dance routine.

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by slaps76

For single ladies, probably going to have to do something pretty repetitive...hum the melody to yourself without listening to it, and try to put a bassline over it? Maybe ring out the notes in the chorus, while playing more in line with the drums during the verses? There is something playing in the background you could mostly duplicate with bass.

Sexy back, I'd probably follow the synth, maybe fill it out a little more. Unless you have keys doing that? Good luck! Sexy back should go over really well.

Yeah, I figured I'd track the key hits - the whole tune is in one key, with the rhythm being the key part, so it should be easy.

Single ladies I'll have to do some thinking on. I sure HOPE they have a regular key player!

[Eublet]

Invest in a midi-synth module for your bass and experiment with holding down those key parts on your own. They're lots of fun to play with once you figure out the quirks. Lots of professional players have talked about playing synth bass as part of their daily career tasks. Nothing to shy away from IMHO.

[Skitch it!]

For the B' track, I'd follow the kick on the root, chorus has a slide down from the octave, get that in to emphasise the change, for the rest root note/kick drum + funky little Octave - b7 -5th riff anticipated just before and over beat 4, for the feel.

Timberlake, Synth line with an Octaver.

That's my take.

[BigOldHarry]

re. midi-synth: I have pedals that can give me a good fat bass-syth sound, but in some of these tunes, there isn't even a bass-synth sound... And given that this is a dance band with one female singer, I'm thinking she isn't going to fully rely on the big wall-o-chick-vox that Beyonce has going in "Single ladies"... I suspect a band-friend arrangement is in the offing - I'll have to bend their ear about it before they just have me stand up and play it!

[Skitch it!]

Improve and fill on the originals, you need a wall of synth's playing and triggering to replicate the studio produced track. Make up a better line and feel than the original, all the cover bands I've played with, usually improve on them and in their own style and fill them/funkifize them. If the cats in the studio had more time, I'm sure they would have come up with better lines.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

So I'm working up a set with yet another cover band, and this time it has several tunes that have no bass part - yet here I am, bass in hand...

What tunes, exactly?

* All the Single Ladies -Beyonce
* Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake
* Kiss - Prince

So, I've done "Kiss" before, and being given zero guidance by the band, I just did a percussive slap part that followed the chords... But I don't want to keep doing the same thing on every one of these keyboard intensive tunes - particularly "All the single ladies" - it hardly has chords - mostly vox & percussion...

What have you other cover band bassists done in cases like this?

Single Ladies-There are sections with bass.
Sexy Back-There is bass in it. Just not out front. Play in an upper register and blend in.
Kiss-I've played a James Brown like bassline to this. I've also played single root notes. Can also play this in an upper register.

[wisemonkey]

I think you need to consider if your band wants or is able to authentically recreate the original arrangement. That can be difficult on songs work a lot of production on them. But it can be really cool if done well. So if that's the case you're looking at either just not playing, or maybe adding some BVs, or maybe get a cheap keyboard you can plug into your rig and add one of the extra parts that isn't being covered by your keyboard player. If on the other hand your band is going for it's own arrangement then you're free to get creative, come up with a really good bassline and you could really give the song a new lease of life

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by wisemonkey

I think you need to consider if your band wants or is able to authentically recreate the original arrangement. That can be difficult on songs work a lot of production on them. But it can be really cool if done well. So if that's the case you're looking at either just not playing, or maybe adding some BVs, or maybe get a cheap keyboard you can plug into your rig and add one of the extra parts that isn't being covered by your keyboard player. If on the other hand your band is going for it's own arrangement then you're free to get creative, come up with a really good bassline and you could really give the song a new lease of life

I suspect it will be a "band arrangement" thing - this isn't a group of rock stars here, it's a bar/casual band. But I'm getting some good ideas from the responses here!

and since I do double on keys a bit, I have considered schlepping my Triton too - Bass amps make dandy keyboard amps!

[MrTAteMyBalls]

1 word. TAMBOURINE.

[BobaFret]

I'd look for live performances on YT as well. See what Divinity plays live for Single Ladies and use/expound on that.

Seems like these kinda songs change a bit in a live setting. Just an idea.

Kiss w/ Rhonda Smith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76RhkQSjj_k

[Hoover]

I've been in a similar situation (though not recently) and I generally took one of three tactics:

1) Play the melody
2) Play some kind of background/orchestral line...either cop one from the recording, or make up your own
3) lay out


My personal preference, when appropriate, is for #3. I think too many bands think "We've got 5 people in the group, so every song must be arranged for 5-pieces." Screw that, mix it up for some variety! Take a break from playing.

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by Hoover

I've been in a similar situation (though not recently) and I generally took one of three tactics:

1) Play the melody
2) Play some kind of background/orchestral line...either cop one from the recording, or make up your own
3) lay out


My personal preference, when appropriate, is for #3. I think too many bands think "We've got 5 people in the group, so every song must be arranged for 5-pieces." Screw that, mix it up for some variety! Take a break from playing.

The problem is that this is a *dance* band - and if there's not bass (assuming no key bass) then it kinda doesn't work. I flew some of these ideas up the flag-pole with the band, and they're happy with what I'm doing. Terns out I've been doing this longer than they have, so they're going to trust my judgment! Woo hoo! Now to get them to play some P-funk...

[HeadyVan Halen]

Follow kick drum..move body in suggestive ways...call the insurance company before you stage dive...that's expierence.

[James Judson]

Listen to your band and pick a line they are not playing. Sax line in "Turn the Page" is a good example but it has to fit. Try using the volume knob, making swells or ambiance stuff. Follow the bass drum. Practise hiding behind other instruments (your there but very suttle). Pick up some percussion (shakers, cabassa, tambourine etc.). How about vocal parts (they are easier when not playing).

[JimK]

Originally Posted by DWBass

"Kiss"- I've played a James Brown like bassline to this.

I heard "Kiss" on the radio this morning...I've never played it but, back in the day, I did play "When Doves Cry"....basically, a 1-bar figure that doubled the kick drum.
I would adopt a similar thing for "Kiss"-
1-bar figure l1ea---&---------/

Something minimal & disiplined to say the least.

[bjabass]

Play what the keyboard player is playing with his left hand.....he'll do it to YOU.....