Is there anything wrong with rapid fire 8th notes or busy basslines?

[de la mocha]

That's my style! I compose a lot of my bass lines with upbeat rapid fire tempo. When I play slow, I have to do rapid fire fills. Is there something wrong with me? Is there something wrong with me having this style?

I don't over play, It's just that I hate dead space. It's done tastefully. I just love busy and complex bass lines. When I listen to music where the bass player uses a lot of rests and pauses while the rest of the music is happening, it makes me cringe. Is this a problem?

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by de la mocha

Is this a problem?

depends on what type of music your playing. if your always playing really fast intense stuff, then no. but if you play slower jams, then yes.

learn to do those fast licks slower. eliminate a few notes and make them more tasteful. practice with a metronome at a really slow tempo, and try to do nice, spaced out licks.

[Jazz Ad]

It will be a problem if you want to produce groovy lines.

[Human Bass]

Dont undestimate the power of the silence padawan.

[seanm]

There is nothing wrong with that style if it fits the music. I would think you would have trouble finding a band playing that style.

Rapid fire tempos make it very hard to dance to the music. In fact if the guitars are playing very fast, it makes sense for the bass player to do a half-time feel to bring the tempo down for the dancers.

They hear the fast, exciting music, but they feel the bass and are able to dance to the slower beat. Try it some time.

[MammaryVest]

I promise that if you took those songs that make you cringe, and re-recorded them with your parts, no one would like them. Everything can't be flashy, and sometimes simplicity is more intricate than ...nonsimplicity?

[SteveC]

works for Rocco

[BassDudeSA]

Originally Posted by de la mocha

That's my style! I compose a lot of my bass lines with upbeat rapid fire tempo. When I play slow, I have to do rapid fire fills. Is there something wrong with me? Is there something wrong with me having this style?

I don't over play, It's just that I hate dead space. It's done tastefully. I just love busy and complex bass lines. When I listen to music where the bass player uses a lot of rests and pauses while the rest of the music is happening, it makes me cringe. Is this a problem?

Oh my goodness. I have to be honest with you, being a bass player I don't play with other bass players, but when I play with a guitarist or drummer like that (and there are many from my past) it makes me cringe. Same as when I see a bassist in a local band overplaying or being too busy. With all due repsect, although you may enjoy playing this way, I believe it is selfish when stepping back and looking at the big picture. There is very little music in which this kind of playing is appropriate. Maybe speed metal perhaps? You need to sit back and listen with a whole new ear.

Hey, but if you just like to jam this way, then go for it, more power to ya'. But if you want to produce good music, with any band, you must not be so self indulgent. Most seasoned players who are capable of this kind of playing use more taste than skill. You may have the skill to play fast and fill up space, but you are most likely not using much good taste. Sorry to be harsh on ya', but I am looking at the music, not just a player having fun riffin'. Call it tough love.

[MammaryVest]

The thing is...as you increase the speed, it matters less and less what notes you are actually playing. You can sit there for an hour coming up with an intricate fill that has ALL these notes, but when you get right down to it, people are only going to be hearing that fill for about 3 seconds, so why not let that three seconds of music contain notes that are going to be heard and appreciated, instead of notes that are too numerous to tell what they are, and by the time you are done listening to them, they are gone.

[WillBuckingham]

Originally Posted by de la mocha

Is this a problem?

Only if you want to get a gig.

[BassChuck]

Band work is all about team work. If the music you are playing gives you the space, then it probably works, at least for a few songs in a set. But if the overall sound is that of all musicians fighting to be heard, who needs it?

Variety is probably more important than any one kind of music. And... strangely enough, being able to hold a strong groove on a slow ballad will help your fast playing. The reverse is true too, if you can hold down the tempo.

[Bruce Lindfield]

I was listening to an interview with Andy Summers on the radio this week and he was saying how it was a revelation, when Stuart Copeland leant Sting some Bob Marley records and Sting discovered how playing bass lines with a lot space meant he could find room for the songs he wanted to write and it made a huge difference to the Police - from being no-hopers playing small pubs - to best-selling chart artists!!

Space in basslines can be vital to the band!

[cowsgomoo]

Originally Posted by de la mocha

That's my style! I compose a lot of my bass lines with upbeat rapid fire tempo. When I play slow, I have to do rapid fire fills. Is there something wrong with me? Is there something wrong with me having this style?

I don't over play, It's just that I hate dead space. It's done tastefully. I just love busy and complex bass lines. When I listen to music where the bass player uses a lot of rests and pauses while the rest of the music is happening, it makes me cringe. Is this a problem?

it's a problem if it doesn't fit the music... and it's an even bigger problem if you're doing it because you don't have the self-control to prevent your ego from exploding through your fingers

but if it fits the music, great! you could have a unique style in formation

[morf]

Originally Posted by SteveC

works for Rocco

Thats also who I thought of when reading his post

[de la mocha]

Well, a lot of the music I write is sublime-ish and Audioslave-ish. I don't play flashy or to show off, I don't like too much attention, but I like to sweat when I play, I want to work.

When I play slow, it just feels like I'm naked, when their are a lot of rests or silence I just feel like I'm useless. Don't get me wrong, the song matters more then anything, I'll do whatever it takes for the song, but still, I just feel bored when I'm playing with a lot of rests, it just feels weak.

[ric1312]

Originally Posted by de la mocha

That's my style! I compose a lot of my bass lines with upbeat rapid fire tempo. When I play slow, I have to do rapid fire fills. Is there something wrong with me? Is there something wrong with me having this style?

I don't over play, It's just that I hate dead space. It's done tastefully. I just love busy and complex bass lines. When I listen to music where the bass player uses a lot of rests and pauses while the rest of the music is happening, it makes me cringe. Is this a problem?

A lot of people are trying to walk the line here and tell you in a nice way that, yes there is something wrong with this, but they dont' want to look like music Nazi's. Yes you can do anything with music.

But, if you play like you describe the simple fact is you will be playing by yourself. No musical project with anything resembleing good songs will have you.

I don't care what type of music it is, speed metal or simple pop, you don't hear the bass constantly hitting notes. some sort of rhythmic groove is set up. Some sort of space, no matter how small, is needed for that. Learn that their is an implied beat and you don't have to play on every beat. Play for the song.

Too many notes in a row is like a person that never shuts up, and is just talking for the sake of talking, pretty soon you just tune them out.

If you want to play lead bass, then start an instrumental band where your bass is the center of attention. Good luck putting that together though.

P.S. If you can't stand pauses and love busy complex bass lines, and play that way all the time, that is the very definition of overplaying.

[Bruce Lindfield]

I think there is definitely a case that it is harder to play less notes - especially on something like a very slow ballad.

You are suddenly very "exposed" and your timing needs to be absolutely accurate - the slightest mistake will stick out like a sore thumb! Every note becomes important and needs to be meaningful and keeping the music breathing and moving - it has to say something!

If you are playing every note in a bar, then in a way it is easier to keep time as you are counting it out for yourself and you can disguise slight mistakes by moving quickly. Momentum is no problem and if you aren't saying anything meaningful about the tune/chords, it is less noticeable.

[Alan Vorse]

The only bass players I can think of that could get away with all over the place playing are Andrew Weiss with Rollins Band and Geezer with Black Sabbath. That's like 2 out of how many hundreds of rock bands?

Go listen to "Airbag" by Radiohead and tell me the use of space in that bassline isn't effective.

[de la mocha]

Originally Posted by ric1312

A lot of people are trying to walk the line here and tell you in a nice way that, yes there is something wrong with this, but they dont' want to look like music Nazi's. Yes you can do anything with music.

But, if you play like you describe the simple fact is you will be playing by yourself. No musical project with anything resembleing good songs will have you.

I don't care what type of music it is, speed metal or simple pop, you don't hear the bass constantly hitting notes. some sort of rhythmic groove is set up. Some sort of space, no matter how small, is needed for that. Learn that their is an implied beat and you don't have to play on every beat. Play for the song.

Too many notes in a row is like a person that never shuts up, and is just talking for the sake of talking, pretty soon you just tune them out.

If you want to play lead bass, then start an instrumental band where your bass is the center of attention. Good luck putting that together though.

P.S. If you can't stand pauses and love busy complex bass lines, and play that way all the time, that is the very definition of overplaying.

Wow, at first I was mad, but after reading this post again, I see your point. After listening to my stuff then commercialy released stuff, I can see where I'm going wrong. I have to play more relaxed. I guess I should take a chill pill!

[Bassist4Life]

There's nothing wrong with it. It just depends on the song.

Joe