How do you feel about root style?

[rapturebass]

How do you feel about root style playing, like punk or fall out boy/blink 182 type stuff.

[christw]

I adore Blink 182 for being what they were. I grew up on Enema of the State / Take Your Pants Off. I wouldn't have what they do any other way. They had pop punk to a science. Fall Out Boy don't interest me at all. Some of their stuff is more interesting with regards to bass, like "Dance, Dance." That song, I do like the bass riff in. It's more interesting.

I'm all for whatever is played if it sounds good. A lot of times in the pop punk styling a crazy bass riff might sound out of place. Then again, they have their time and place. I have someone on the tip of my tongue but can't think of what I was going to mention...

I know when it comes to my playing, I keep it to what I feel is appropriate. If given the chance, yeah, I feel free to get a little crazy on the bass parts. But for a Blink 182 -like verse, I'd keep it simple and like it simple.

[Derek_L]

Eh, it has it's time and place. Shouldn't really matter - you should only be trying to contribute positively to the song and if you feel root note playing does that best then do it!

[rapturebass]

Thanks, i just put this up mainly becuase of all the Mark Hoppus/ Pete Wentz/ etc. flaming becuase of their playing, and i wanted to see what fellow bassists think.

[bassbully]

When i think of the style of playing you use as an example i am not so impressed by the bands you posted. I am impressed with root playing by bands like Dead Kennedys,Sex Pistols, Clash, Black Flag, Dead boys, Ramones etc. That was true pounding out the root bass playing IMO.

[rapturebass]

Well FOB and Blink 182 are what first came to mind

[BassChuck]

You gotta do what the music requires. That's not to say you have to do exactly what other players have done, but every style has its boundaries. If you're doing original work, you have keep in mind what your listeners will accept. No matter what we do we are in the service of something.

[anthowl]

i can cope with it if it suits the music.
also it's better if it's rhythmically engaging, rather than just 16th or 8th notes all the way through.
for instance i can cope with some of the more root notey paramore songs because it's articulated well and there are a few odd and veyr fitting fills here and there.

[Fendr1320]

Yeah, it's all about the band and what the song requires. I really don't like Fall Out Boy and Blink, but who cares? If they're making the music they want to make and people dig it, then great. Beyond them, there's tons of examples where riding on the root is an effective approach. Even the legends knew/know when to do it. Typically my own parts in my band are more intricate than that, but that's just based on our music and what we're going for. No one wins points based on playing bass like an Olympic sport. People just care about whether songs are good and whether the band rocks/jams/grooves/[insert stylistic goal]; as I've had more than one record producer drill into my head, whatever you play, no matter how complicated or simple, doesn't mean **** if it's not locked in with the drums and doesn't serve the song.

[mrhardy]

Originally Posted by Fendr1320

as I've had more than one record producer drill into my head, whatever you play, no matter how complicated or simple, doesn't mean **** if it's not locked in with the drums and doesn't serve the song.

I like that.

Nothing wrong with roots when they are put in the right spot.

"Papa was a rolling stone" comes to mind.

As far as Hoppus, and Wentz goes more power to them for making a living. I don't dig them, but thats just me. For root type playing I'll take ZZ top. Even Pink floyd is not really all that complicated, but it sure is tasty.

[Mr_Sore_Fingerz]

Well playing the root note in a punk band and playing the root note in any other kind of band is a different matter.

If I'm struggling for a complex bassline, just dont feel like experimenting, or think the song just needs some bottom end to be great...i play roots.

But when its just me, a guitarist, and a drummer...i feel the need to push myself as a bassist and stand on my own. Just like I voted for up there, it's good in moderation but don't go crazy....overusing ANYTHING can really cheapen it or make the listener tired of it/the style.

[gotmule?]

The best bassline is the one that fits best in the mix. If that means playing root notes the whole song, then play root notes. If it mean playing slap and pop the whole song, then do that.