Bass riffs that can be used in any situation

[Frugle]

does anyone have any tips on different riffs that can be used in any situation?

like for example, If its just one of those slower paced song where your just pounding one note for a bar or to, I like to slide up to the octive, by punching the 4th, sliding to the 5th, then hitting the octive up.

so it'd be like

G|----------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------5-5-5-5-5-5-5|
A|--------------------3/5-----------------|
E|----3-3-3-3-3-3-3---------------------|

I know thats just basic.. but it can apply to any note at any time, what are some of the things you use constantly.

[Sippy]

I don't use it... but you could always use root, 3rd, 5th.... works in 90% of the situations.

[Frugle]

yeah, stuff like that, but I was hoping for a little more advanced than that, I know the example I gave was simple and stupid, but I was hoping for something a little more advanced...

[CJK84]

As long as you're on the I or IV chord of a song, consider incorporating the 7th (half-step below the root of the chord).

The 7th is a good "leading tone" that can create movement in an otherwise static bar.

For instance, you could punch the 4th, slide to the 5th, then play the 7th before reaching the octave root.


Also, slides can sound great in slow songs. Personally, I find them somewhat difficult to execute, but when done well, can add a lot of subtle movement and color to a song.

You're probably aware of that already, but thought I'd add it anyway.

Good luck.

[remo]

I like this as a run up over a major.. here Gmaj moving to an Em.. kinda loopy feel to it..


- - - -G- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Em

G|-------------------------------------7----------|
D|-------------------------5----7/9---------------|
A|-----------------5/7-----------------------7----|
E|----3-3-3-3-------------------------------------|

[5intheface]

If you're working withmusic that involves the blues scale (chances are pretty great you are) you can always easily throw in a quote based on the blues scale or minor penatonic.

For example, we were playing Manteca in jazz band last semester. I got tired of vamping of the B flat riff or working around it, so every once in a while I would throw in "Sunshine of your love" "One Way Out" or "NIB" riffs to see if anyone caught on. NIB doesn't fit all to well though.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by CJK84

Also, slides can sound great in slow songs. Personally, I find them somewhat difficult to execute, but when done well, can add a lot of subtle movement and color to a song.

+1 A good slide at the right time *really* stands out and can add a lot to a song. I don't know what it is, but a good slide on the bass can sound much better than the equivalent slide on the guitar. It may just be that the sheer length of the fretboard gives more sense of movement. Or it may just be that the bass is more authortative.

[thewanderer24]

become friends with one-five. It works amazingly well almost anywhere when you realize that rhythm is more important than the notes in most support settings.

[Oysterman]

Originally Posted by thewanderer24

become friends with one-five. It works amazingly well almost anywhere when you realize that rhythm is more important than the notes in most support settings.

This is truth. Once you have the rhythm nailed and locked with the drummer, you can get away with very minimalistic and melodically nonsensical lines, and still kick ass. At least in rock music, maybe not so much in jazz.

[Snarf]

Originally Posted by Frugle

does anyone have any tips on different riffs that can be used in any situation?

like for example, If its just one of those slower paced song where your just pounding one note for a bar or to, I like to slide up to the octive, by punching the 4th, sliding to the 5th, then hitting the octive up.

so it'd be like

G|----------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------5-5-5-5-5-5-5|
A|--------------------3/5-----------------|
E|----3-3-3-3-3-3-3---------------------|

I know thats just basic.. but it can apply to any note at any time, what are some of the things you use constantly.

A perfect 4th against a major chord sounds awkward.

And anyway, I don't think you'll ever find a riff with more than one note that works in every situation. There's plenty of versatile ones, but as for working in any conceivable situation, no.

[Dkerwood]

I like this one:

E----3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3----

Rock!

No, seriously, I dig the 1-5-9-8 riff. Also, anything chromatic is cool, although it won't work with all styles...

[Mark Wilson]

Download
"Funky Broadway- Wilson Pickett"
Killer bassline. Jaco used it alot in his solo stuff.


-Mark

[temple_of_boom]

learn some kiss basslines

[Redhotbassist]

Stevie wonder - superstition.

[ToR-Tu-Ra]

Originally Posted by Dkerwood

I like this one:

E----3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3----

Rock!

That sound more like punk rock to me

I like the sound of sixths and ninths. One thing that comes to mind would be some like this:

1-3-6-5-9-8

I don't know how this sounds, it just came to me. I think it makes sense theoretically... THEORETICALLY

[Joe P]

Originally Posted by thewanderer24

become friends with one-five. It works amazingly well almost anywhere when you realize that rhythm is more important than the notes in most support settings.

Yeah, and don't forget the 'instant reggae lick' you get with hitting four real even 'fives' that lead straight to the one-beat on the root. ...Uh - did I say that right? I mean 5-5-5-5-root, all on sixteenth notes, with that last root on-the-one.

...Probably not as advanced as you wanted, I s'pose.

Joe