another "METAL" question thread

[Soverntear]

So last night walking to buy some video games, a band in a car drives by me and yells to ask if im a bassist. long story short after a jam im in like flint.

so now im faced with not knowing anything of metal bass. I managed to wing through most of it, using triplets and following the lead for key and using the cricle of 4ths to just get some funky fills going on so im not rooting my night away.

So that being said, im in need of metal guidance. how do metal guys write there lines? ive tried listening to allot of metal but the bass is normally so drowned out by the guitars its hard to appreciate the playing.

other then that any general tips on playing metal? the speed surprisingly was easy to keep up with, a little hand cramping but a couple hours of high speed jamming will do that to yah.

[somegeezer]

Depends what style of Metal really. You can play along with rhythm guitar, follow the kit with something funky, play a walking line, do some Jazz. Anything really. Whatever you usually play, play that. Just make sure it fits with the rest of the sound.

[Soverntear]

good to know that metal does have room for pulling in different styles. ill try that next jam see what some jazz does with it

[somegeezer]

Of course. Metal probably has more subgenres than any other music. People who don't give Metal a chance never seem to realise that. I think the only things that are looked down on are Rap and Hip Hop. There are a few Metal bands who mix the styles, but most Metalheads wouldn't ever consider it Metal.

[djaydjay]

The "basic" bassist will usually follow the guitar(s).
But it's like a rock bassist only playing 8th notes roots, he does the job, but nothing more.
Like somegeezer said, you can probably do anything that fits with the song.

Your biggest struggle will be the sound. Beeing heard behind these wall of distortion without overpowering the rest of the band isn't that easy (especially if you like mid scooped sounds).

a few examples:
Mudvayne - IMN :-D
Iron Maiden - Fear of the dark
Limp Bizkit - The Propaganda
Obscura - The Anticosmic Overload

[Soverntear]

I've never loked down on metal. just never been a fan. if anything id say were going for death metal with some sludge :P

[Soverntear]

Originally Posted by djaydjay

The "basic" bassist will usually follow the guitar(s).
But it's like a rock bassist only playing 8th notes roots, he does the job, but nothing more.
Like somegeezer said, you can probably do anything that fits with the song.

Your biggest struggle will be the sound. Beeing heard behind these wall of distortion without overpowering the rest of the band isn't that easy (especially if you like mid scooped sounds).

a few examples:
Mudvayne - IMN :-D
Iron Maiden - Fear of the dark
Limp Bizkit - The Propaganda
Obscura - The Anticosmic Overload

thanks for the tips, ill check those songs out. Being heard is not a problem. Im running DI to a 700watt PA the low end is like a fist. honestly one of the best sounds ive had. plus the guitarist is willing to turn down when needed which is awesome!

[Elrend]

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[shadow_FIX]

Originally Posted by Elrend

ROOTROOTROOTROOTROOTROOTROOTROOTROOTTRITONEROOTROO TROOTROOTHALF-DIMINISHEDFILL-ROOTROOTROOT

^This.

LOL

[Ayliffe]

Metal bass playing can be whatever you want it to be.

here's a thread about how to be heard in the mix in a metal (death metal specifically) band: Demystifying Metal styles, how to make fingerstyle playing heard in Metal


P.s. if the band's from toronto, what's it called?

[Soverntear]

Originally Posted by Ayliffe

Metal bass playing can be whatever you want it to be.

here's a thread about how to be heard in the mix in a metal (death metal specifically) band: Demystifying Metal styles, how to make fingerstyle playing heard in Metal


P.s. if the band's from toronto, what's it called?

didnt get the name lol and they didn't put it on the flyer they were doing. ill ask next time we jam

[Progtastic]

Like the others have said, you can do pretty much anything as long as it fits. I play in a Prog-Metal band, and I have lots of jazz and other stuff mixed in. It's up to you, really.

[Thunder Pulse]

Originally Posted by Soverntear

So last night walking to buy some video games, a band in a car drives by me and yells to ask if im a bassist.

Say what?
Why would they do that? Were you wearing a shirt that said "Ask me if I'm a bass player" ???

[Waterpilot]

^ Haha I found that a bit odd as well when I read it...

[Beginner Bass]

Metal is whatever you play and you believe sounds right, it could be 16ths at 200 BPM, it could be a walking line, it could be a funky slap lick, or it could be you just be playing whatever the guitarist plays. Just make sure it fits the sound you're going for.

And just why did they ask you if you played bass? Were you wearing one of these?

[djaydjay]

Say what?
Why would they do that? Were you wearing a shirt that said "Ask me if I'm a bass player" ???

I got in my band the same way. They were searching for a bassist, I met the singer at the gym. After a few minutes of discussion he saked me if I was a guitar/bass player ^^ (dunno, maybe long hair+beard looks like a musician ^^)

[tpmiller08]

One mistake I made, is filling up to much space. Don't be afraid to throw in some walking bass lines that sit on the 1, 2, 3, 4. Or if the drums and guitar are playing 16th notes, play 8th notes. Always good to leave some space here and there =)

[irishryno]

get Iron Maiden, any album....all albums. Steve Harris is very noticable as he writes most of their songs. He can be heard over everything. Just dont try to play like he does, you will strain a finger, sprain your arm, your ear will have a stroke, and you will blow some tubing somewhere in your lower quadrant. Enjoy, you will find out that metal bassists are extremely proficient and knowledgable.

[Mr wiggl3s]

Originally Posted by djaydjay

The "basic" bassist will usually follow the guitar(s).
But it's like a rock bassist only playing 8th notes roots, he does the job, but nothing more.
Like somegeezer said, you can probably do anything that fits with the song.

Your biggest struggle will be the sound. Beeing heard behind these wall of distortion without overpowering the rest of the band isn't that easy (especially if you like mid scooped sounds).

a few examples:
Mudvayne - IMN :-D
Iron Maiden - Fear of the dark
Limp Bizkit - The Propaganda
Obscura - The Anticosmic Overload

Just... Just no man. No.

Depending on what metal you play, because there are a LOT of genre's of metals, and all have different styles, you're playing different.

I assume it's nu/core. No offense or anything, but thats just what i would think. Which is basically drop-d following the guitar with a few fancy licks once every few songs. Like, Machine Head would be a good band to listen to.

If you're really playing Death/Sludge, then ****ing rock on. First thing you need to do is go out and buy a Big Ass Muff or something that will give you some heavy distortion (check in the skull crusher thread in misc) and listen to some Morbid Angel, who are like a golden standard of death. And, also, Crowbar, who are a golden standard of sludge.

But for reals man, more info.

[djaydjay]

Originally Posted by Mr wiggl3s

Just... Just no man. No.

Depending on what metal you play, because there are a LOT of genre's of metals, and all have different styles, you're playing different.

I don't know if I didn't explain my pov well, but you completely missunderstood what I said.

beeing a "basic" bassist and "getting the job done, but nothing more" are NOT compliments. It was an explanation of what many (most?) metal bassists do, but certainly not what he should do (I would even say that he should avoid doing this).
It still is a way to "fill" if you haven't found a line going with the song yet and don't know what to do (which is probably the case when beeing the new one).

I assume it's nu/core.

Iron Maiden is nu/core?
Obscura is nu/core?
seriously?
Did you actually really read what I have written in my post befor refuting it? oO
Mudvayne and Bizkit are indeed nu. That doesn't change anything to the fact that Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne) is probably of the most interesting bassist in metal. I choose the propaganda because it showcases an easy (yet effective) bassline the nicely emphasis the guitar.