Why do simple songs screw me up?

[DeanAngerer]

Songs that have straight 8th-note patterns really screw me up sometimes. I think it might be because there's a few different variations that you could play that would be acceptable, but being unsure about this kind of takes away some of my confidence as a bassist.

Some examples would be:

*The verses for "Everlong" by the Foo Fighters
*The chorus for "American Idiot" by Green Day
*The verses for "Shimmer" by Fuel.

I usually just try to play what feels right or look at the drummer...but I'm really unsure, which probably is a bad thing. I listen to the songs and I really can't derive a definite strum pattern from what I hear. Is this just something you develop? I think if I was more sure and could dial in those strumming patterns better we'd be a lot tighter.

Any ideas or tips?

[xgator4u]

Straight 8th notes,,, You are "over thinking" it my friend. Straight 8th notes are just that, straight 8th notes, otherwise they are NOT straight 8th notes. Where does it say that you have to play it exactly like Dirnt , or whomever. Make the song yours, however if straight 8th notes it is, then play 8th notes.

[Vic Winters]

There are straight 8th notes in Shimmer?

[Shroom]

The versus of Everlong are petty simple, but I think there are some accents that can screw you up. Don't think about it too much though. Don't worry about whether it's 8th notes or 16ths or whatever, for example. Just pick at a constant pace.

[Mikio]

American Idiot isn't straight 8ths beat xP

but it's quite easy to get... just... listen harder?

[Allen_VA]

Originally Posted by DeanAngerer

Songs that have straight 8th-note patterns really screw me up sometimes. I think it might be because there's a few different variations that you could play that would be acceptable, but being unsure about this kind of takes away some of my confidence as a bassist.

Some examples would be:

*The verses for "Everlong" by the Foo Fighters
*The chorus for "American Idiot" by Green Day
*The verses for "Shimmer" by Fuel.

I usually just try to play what feels right or look at the drummer...but I'm really unsure, which probably is a bad thing. I listen to the songs and I really can't derive a definite strum pattern from what I hear. Is this just something you develop? I think if I was more sure and could dial in those strumming patterns better we'd be a lot tighter.

Any ideas or tips?

I agree about the overthinking part. The verse sounds fairly straightforward in Everlong, so if you're trying to copy the song's feel, try to pay attention to the feel. Its probably not the notes that are in the way, but the feel, articulation, tone, etc. Perhaps there's something you're feeling in the rhythm of the song that's being handled by a guitar on the recording that's NOT playing straight 8th's.

I personally feel the bass in "American Idiot" accenting with the kick drum (may just be how I'm "wired") with the guitar doing straight eighths there.

Usually when I'm pedalling on the root like that, I tend to throw accents in with the kick drum while keeping the straight eighth pattern...same pattern, different feel, IMO.

[tegnoto89]

This is the pattern green day uses in a TON of their songs, American Idiot included.

Q = quarter note
E = eighth note
+ = tie (for example, E+E is two tied eighth notes, which value the same as a quarter note).

Q Q E E E E+E E Q E E E E

Or this variation

Q Q E E E E+E E E E E E E E


Just out of curiosity, is there a better way of demonstrating rhythm on forums?

[bThumper38]

if you find yourself falling asleep during the bridge, play more variations because you might be narcoleptic=)

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by DeanAngerer

*The chorus for "American Idiot" by Green Day

Cover it. Not straight 8ths mate. I play the same rythm as the guitar with a little distortion on the bass. I also use an open E to pass from the C# to the G# and also from the G# to the D#, and somewhere else. If you listen carefully this passing note is reflected on the Green Day album. Good test for picking those bass notes too, and such an annoying riff to boot....almost as bad as that "So What" riff by Pink (which we also cover haha).

Originally Posted by DeanAngerer

*The verses for "Shimmer" by Fuel.

Cover it. Well, used to. Not...a...chance thats driving 8ths

Originally Posted by DeanAngerer

I usually just try to play what feels right or look at the drummer...but I'm really unsure, which probably is a bad thing.

Play what feels right for you AND what works with the drums, then those looks might start to change

Originally Posted by DeanAngerer

I listen to the songs and I really can't derive a definite strum pattern from what I hear. Is this just something you develop?

Yes. First, try levelling off your EQ to zero then boosting the 100Mhz to 200Mhz range which should hopefully put the bass out front. Now listen to the notes and you should be able to hear what the bass is doing in relation to the drums.

[DeanAngerer]

I'm sorry, not to seem like a dummy, but it's hard for me to pick out the rhythms in some songs, let alone describe them. It might be because songs like Shimmer don't really have much attack to their strumming. I do know there's some combination of 8th and 16th note strums (which could mean anything ) but I totally put the wrong terminology on it.

I think I should face the facts: I'm.......rhythmically challenged! :-O

Thanks guys for some of the tips, especially that strumming pattern. I can practice that and get it internalized.