How do you Write Basslines?

[Stickk]

Just wondering how you TB'ers write your basslines. Personally when I write a bassline, I think of a scene in a movie, and try to put all the emotion and energy from that scene (currently the car chase at the beggining of Quantum of Solace [terrible movie, great action scenes though]) and craft it into a bassline. Most of the time they end up in odd rhythms (currently 27/1 with a tempo rubato breakdown). Please comment!

[Zombbg4]

Dude, 27/1......really? That seems more like a rediculous time sig than an odd time sig. What about just 3/4? I know my brain wouldn't hemorage if i saw 3/4 instead of 27/1...!

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I write it:
B A S S L I N E S

[iamthebassplayr]

Listen to what the drums are doing, the main melody line, and what kind of feeling I'm getting from everything. Then I get something rough and bend it around to support vocals.

[Alaska Bass]

Why not a 63/3 (dotted half note gets one beat) just for kicks, I mean you are the one writing it, not that anyone will ever play it...

How moronic is this thread??? And to think I even responded... oh well, it's late, perhaps I am too tired...

The easiest way to begin to learn how to write bass lines (if it is for music that doesn't already have one written, ie. your own) is to look at the chord structure of the song (you do know a little music theory right???) and find the root of each chord. At that point you can look at adding passing tones and inversions (where you most commonly play the 3rd, and sometimes the 5th, occasionally the 2nd or 7th even). From there try to emulate (copy) players from the style or genre you are trying to sound somewhat like.

[skeptikal]

If i'm playing by myself just jamming or whatever I tend to use the bass more as a drum. Make the 1 known by the root of the chord and let it flow from there.

If i'm playing with a drummer use the drums. A few well placed notes can say alot. Adding fills where appropriate.

If I'm playing with others (guitars, drums, etc..) see/hear the progressions and feel the groove.

Lol sorry it's all kind of philosophical but it really does make a difference. The most important part to me is feeling the music. Cut out your brain from your hearing to your hands. Let them do the talking.

[namraj]

It comes from the soul

[namraj]

Originally Posted by Zombbg4

Dude, 27/1......really? That seems more like a rediculous time sig than an odd time sig. What about just 3/4? I know my brain wouldn't hemorage if i saw 3/4 instead of 27/1...!

3/4 isn't an odd time sig, but I aggree that 27/1 is ott, i'd say 7/8 or 5/4 are good odd time sigs

[jmac]

I usually ask Satan and Jesus for their input. Then I use the idea I like best.

[KsToaDangr]

Most of my originals start as bass lines. I'll come up with a simple rhythm in my head, then sit down with a bass & figure out where on the fretboard I think it sounds best, and play it over and over again, making small changes until I like it enough to keep it. I'll write it down, and start coming up with a second part that would sound good to follow it, and proceed from there.

[Stickk]

bump.

[sal87]

sing em out loud before you play, that way its more musical and has less to do with hand patterns.

[Zombbg4]

Originally Posted by namraj

3/4 isn't an odd time sig, but I aggree that 27/1 is ott, i'd say 7/8 or 5/4 are good odd time sigs

3/4 isn't an odd time sig, but it seems like he turned 3/4 into 27/1 just for the sake of it being odd.

I agree with singing a line that sounds good to you, then figure it out.

very carefully

[Stickk]

Originally Posted by Zombbg4

3/4 isn't an odd time sig, but it seems like he turned 3/4 into 27/1 just for the sake of it being odd.

I agree with singing a line that sounds good to you, then figure it out.

27/1 and 3/4 are not the same time signatures, even though 3 divides equally into 27 9 times. 3/4 means there are 3 quarter note counts per measure. The most you can fit in a 3/4 measure is a dotted half-note. You could fit a note beyond a longa in 27/1. In 3/4 a quarter note = 1 count, a half note = 2 counts, a whole note = 4 counts, etc. In 27/1 a quarter note = 1/4 count, a half note= 1/2 count, whole note = 1 count, etc. They're different time signatures.

[JimmyM]

I think of what chicks would dig the most, and I do that.

[Stumbo]

Here's some previous TB threads on the same topic that might help:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f30/creating-bass-lines-8154/#post80043 Creating bass lines
Bass Line Construction: Target Approach Creating bass lines
http://www.talkbass.com/wiki/index.p...arget_Approach Creating bass lines

[Bathead]

Whenever I'm goofing off, just playing around with riffs or something, I sometimes come up with something of my own.. I take note of it just in case I can use it later for something else.

[bassteban]

Crayon, or spray paint. I'm not welcome in most conservatories.

[Arpeggiator]

depends on style - for thrashy stuff following the guitar is what i do. for things like progressive rock/metal or funk say, i get more creative thinking in keys, chords, and about flow and rhythm.