Root notes=Real world

[Mingus Dew]

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

root notes are definately the real world. i play for a pop singer and thats all i do. occasionally ill get a space for a little lick, which will be the highlight of the whole gig.

This is what I've found to be the truth in my experience. I play rock so sometimes theres not alot of room for me to play anything incredibly flashy. However, people really love it when you throw in some cool little fill here and there. Alot of times no one will really be paying attention to the bass and then you throw in a fill and everyones like "whoa cool, bass"

[steveb98]

Originally Posted by AcidShred

After a months making up sweet bass solos and riffs in my room. I've just entered the real world..............
Okay it was band practice as you do. Guitar player plays a song he made up. When I play a separate bass part it dosn't fit with the tune, when I play root notes it fits but it's boring. Their wasn't even space for bass fills. So we changed the riff slightly to acomadate a few guitar and bass fills. Any body else have trouble trying to keep songs interesting melody and basswise.?

Welcome to real world of bass it isn't always interesting. Sometimes playing roots is what is needed for the song. The bass is the foundation of the band mixing rhythm of the drums with harmony of the other instruments. Sometime you have to play simple and anchor the band. Many times you will get no attention for making the drummer or band sound good. Also funny how the bass players who are great at playing simple in good time, seem to work all the time.

[Mark Wilson]

If you're playing in the key of C, and he's playing a G7 lets say, try playing the Db7. Might sound cool

[purduebass]

I play in a 2-guitar melodic metal band which is VERY riff based. So obviously there isn't too much room to move around. I normally double the guitar. But seeing how it is very fast, doubling the guitars brings the groove out of the music and adds heavyness to it. Most of the time this is what you have to do. In my case I give the guitarists ideas for bass interludes, intros, and right now we are adding a bass solo in our latest song.
If you present ideas during the writing process, you will be able to add places for fills.
As previously stated though, if you are bored, there is a problem. If you are just playing roots, you should be going crazy with stage performance. There should be nothing boring if you are into the music, however simple your basslines are.

[Joe P]

Originally Posted by purduebass

...As previously stated though, if you are bored, there is a problem. If you are just playing roots, you should be going crazy with stage performance. There should be nothing boring if you are into the music, however simple your basslines are.

Yup.

Maybe you didn't really mean 'bored'; maybe you meant "Don't feel like I'm 'pulling my weight' in the arrangement" or "feel like I could be contributing more" or something.

Bored? Really? I even have to play songs that I don't like (like 'Love Stinks' - Egads..) - but I still love playing The Bass! I play every note like I mean it!

I could see getting bored playing in a certain band situation, but at that point I probably should give my notice - else it'd really be wronging my bandmates (although I must admit that if it were a $100 or $150 a night gig, I'd probably either grin and bear it - or the money itself would 'inspire' me clear of a bad attitude! Now if we're talkin' $50 a night - it'd have to pretty-much be the music alone that inspires me.)

I bet it was just a wrong choice of words.

Joe

[Cristo]

Originally Posted by K2000

Try not to write your bass parts during rehearsal, that's my suggestion. Or just play an easy "temporary" part that you develop later, when you're on your own. It can be really chaotic during practice, with everyone making a racket. It's easier to find your musical voice when you have a calm and maybe even quiet environment. I

I second that.

Spend time "thinking" out the part outside of when you are on the spot with it. Sometimes that can generate new ideas that do work.

But sometimes, the root is right! If you still need variety there, the root can be played in different octaves, and of course there is always still rhythmic variety.

[bassist15]

Ive experienced this in my old band also . Some of the songs they would come up with wouldnt be in my comfort zones musically but Id chug along on roots , not necisarily play 4 quarter notes . sometimes Id hold in certain places or play a few eighth notes here and there. Whatever I was playing I tried to make it groove. Even if that ment play roots then throwing a lick or two in on changes or any other open space.

[debozkurt]

Try not to worry so much about creating an amazing or technical bassline as much as making sure that you are fulfilling your role in the band---Keeping time and being that cohesive bridge between the harmony and rhythm.

Some styles of music, its just not necessary, nor appropriate to be all over the fretboard. And certainly not in every song all the time.

The bass is called "bass" for a reason. The bass is actually THE foundation of music. If you ever compose music, or study music theory, its the bass that determines where the music is going. Yes melody definitely plays its part, but melody doesnt determine inversions. It doesnt determine HARMONIC progression. And if you analyze music, its always analyzed with the bass being the KEY voice.

For example, the band I am in right now is a metal group...Not the "emo" or "math" metal, but more melodic. (think more along the lines of In Flames) There are 3 guitarists, plus a keyboardist. Now, I find myself playing closer to the root and focusing on solid leading in my bass playing to help enhance the music and create a cohesive experience. Sure it is possible to play more technical lines. However, in such a case as mine, it would, many times, only detract from the music....After all, theres already plenty of melody between the keys and harmonizing guitars and solos....I wouldnt be doing my job as a solid bass player by not providing the much needed harmonical support in the music. Now, my style would definitely change according to the type of music, and even the texture of the music (ie, 1 guitar instead of 3 in a metal group)

One thing Ive always thought was good advice, and its already been brought up in this thread is that its not necessarily what you play, but what you DONT play. Silence can be just as powerful as presence. Roots just as important as doing modal runs all over the place.

Basically, Just remember what the purpose of your instrument is. Yes, The bass can truly be a great melodic tool, theres no denying that. But my point is that we should strive to be a solid and flexible bass player.

[DarthEntity]

When I was playing for a punk band that would just play just power chords, sometimes, insted of playing the root I would play the thrid.

I know what you mean, maybe try locking in with the dummer?

[Poop-Loops]

Originally Posted by Joe P

Sigh...

Something's wrong, Shred. If you're playing music that calls for roots in the bassline, and you're bored, then - at BEST - you're either playing the wrong music, or the wrong instrument, or the band isn't grooving. Am I missing something? I guess regardless of the rest of the band: if you're bored, then YOU most-likely are not grooving.

You should never be bored with grooving.

What if your music isn't supposed to be groovy?

[HPBass]

My two cents on root notes, and I've been in many more original bands then cover, is if you're locked into a song (probably some form of rock) where root notes are basically the only thing you "can" do (and I say "can" loosely here because there can always be more) then... make it interesting or fun by being innovative with the rhythm. In addition, use passing tones to jump between chords and remember there is alwyas the triad that will work with the chord (or the fifth if it is a power chord). In guitar solo sections change the chord every once and a while, invert it, ... Work with the drummer syncopate drum fills with bass fills and of course you could just put it with the kick. This will make the rhythm section sound tighter then a zip lock. Good songs are about good dynamics and good bass players make the dynamics happen.

[yaniv]

advice for that song:when there's only guitar,double the guitar.when the vocals kick in,double the vocals one octave lower.
if the vocals are in a nice groove then it would sound very cool
if not,well,just find some white spots to fill (help the drummer a little)

[Alan Vorse]

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

What if your music isn't supposed to be groovy?

Why would you want to play music that dosen't groove?

Even metal, country and polka can groove.