Bass line trouble/critique...guitard changed his part

yamark · #1 11-26-2010, 08:09 AM

Hello all,

I had a great line going for this track for the past year. Then, the guitard changed his part for our studio sessions. My old part doesn't fit at all. I am struggling for a new part as I can't get the old part out of my head.

Here's what I've come up with so far...this is a 1st take so there's an issue or two.

http://soundcloud.com/yamark/mmi-take-1

How does it sound? Any suggestions?

yamark · #2 11-26-2010, 08:15 AM

sorry there's no drums. our drummer won't record without a bass scratch track as well as scratch guitar and vocal.

MrDOS · #3 11-26-2010, 02:07 PM

Without the drums, I can't tell if the off parts are out of time or work with the drums. Have you tried just following the main guitar lick?

Sounds like a Neil Young or Tom Petty feel.

yamark · #4 11-26-2010, 06:07 PM

Yeah, it works with the drums and sounds better when the drums are there. I am strongly debating just going along with the guitar part.

I think I am just trying too hard with this new rhythm of his. This guitar player has actually had 3 bassists quit on him due to his difficult rhythms. This one, for some reason, has stumped me.

kevin newsham · #5 11-26-2010, 08:14 PM

Well, they can be that way sometimes.

Working out a bass line can be a little difficult, and not knowing your band, offering advice and critique can be even more so. Root playing is perfect and expected for some bands, and doing more would be frowned upon. If that is the case, then just work on the syncing the parts and you will be fine.

If you are trying to do more with the bass line than the root alone, then I might be able to offer advice, as could many more talented than I here on TB.

Guess the question is, what do you want to do with the song? Not knowing what your material is normally like, I am not sure what your looking to do with this one. Can you give us a little insight?

yamark · #6 11-27-2010, 05:29 AM

The guitarist is the song writer and he has a very tough time communicating what he wants any song to sound like. When I ask for an example of a band/song he wants the bass to sound like, he'll give me a punk band or something of the likes. But to me, his songs are far from punk. He'll say, "make it drive."

So, I am trying to make it drive. The drum beat is pretty much a straight rock beat.

My biggest issue with coming up with parts is that I have been told what to play for the past 18 years. Sheet music was put in front of me and I played it. I am very very well versed in theory but struggle at times (this song in particular) to come up with a creative rock groove.

johnboy65 · #7 11-27-2010, 06:01 AM

Maybe alternating between the root part that you're playing and then grabing the leadish line that the guitar is doing. Also the drums would help, but this line doesn't "make it drive" to me. It feels more laid back maybe because of the way you are picking/scooping up the notes particularly on the 1.
My suggestion is to straighten it out, play on or a touch ahead of the beat, and play longer notes (if you want to make it drive).
We've all been there as far a song that we have a hard time with. Hope this helps.

Febs · #8 11-27-2010, 06:14 AM

I was working on learning how to use Reaper yesterday, so I laid down a quick track on the first verse and chorus. Sorry, it's not the greatest performance, but it may give you some ideas:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/vcv2ht

Hope this helps.

Winnb · #9 11-27-2010, 06:41 AM

I would just "boom boom" on the root during the first 3 bars of the measure. Then at the end of each measure when your guitar player does the run, you run with him on the bass. Really open it up and let the notes ring during the run.

Kinda hard to explain "boom boom" without the "stick" on the snare drum. But I think ya get me. It's a staccato "boom boom" in time with the kick drum.

By keeping the bass line REALLY simple throughout each measure you make the bass run stand out more at the end. Then when the chorus comes you can really open up, let your notes ring, do a line that's more pulsing and driving. Then when the song goes back to the verse you can pull way back on your bass again and leave room for the vocal line to stand out.

My advice is to just listen to every Neil Young song you can find. Because this track you posted is 99.9% Neil Young.

yamark · #10 11-27-2010, 07:37 AM

Febs: I finally had to put the track away for a while b/c it was frustrating me so badly. I got up this morning and sat down with it again. On the first attempt, I played something I really liked. Played it again and recorded it so i wouldn't forget. Then popped on TB to check this thread...listened to your track...what I played is about 90% identical to your track. The difference is you go higher for your lead notes and I went lower.

Thanks guys!

Winnb: We get the Neil Young comment at every gig.

Winnb · #11 11-27-2010, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yamark

Febs: I finally had to put the track away for a while b/c it was frustrating me so badly. I got up this morning and sat down with it again. On the first attempt, I played something I really liked. Played it again and recorded it so i wouldn't forget. Then popped on TB to check this thread...listened to your track...what I played is about 90% identical to your track. The difference is you go higher for your lead notes and I went lower.

Thanks guys!

Winnb: We get the Neil Young comment at every gig.

Good work yamark! I'm glad you found a line you like. Oh and I hope my Neil Young comment wasn't taken as criticism. I apologize if it was. Cuz I like Neil Young.

yamark · #12 11-27-2010, 08:00 AM

I like Neil Young too!!

yamark · #13 11-27-2010, 08:28 AM

OK...just for reference....here's a track with drums and no bass.

http://soundcloud.com/yamark/mmi-with-drums

Febs · #14 11-28-2010, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yamark

Febs: I finally had to put the track away for a while b/c it was frustrating me so badly. I got up this morning and sat down with it again. On the first attempt, I played something I really liked. Played it again and recorded it so i wouldn't forget. Then popped on TB to check this thread...listened to your track...what I played is about 90% identical to your track. The difference is you go higher for your lead notes and I went lower.

Cool. I'm not surprised that we independently came up with something similar. I saw a video of Joe Osborn a few months ago where he said, "the song will tell you what to play, if you listen," which is a quote that has really stuck with me.

Best of luck with the track. It's a good tune, and I'd be interested in hearing a recording of it once you put all the parts together.