Bass line help needed

[Shmone]

My teacher gave me homework - write a bass line for "Blue Bossa",
I did that and it went pretty well but then he taught me something new,
and now he wants me to write a new one for the same song but It seems to be harder now,
every time I try to think of something I go back to the previous bass line.
Does anybody have any suggestions on how to write something again from zero?

Thanks,
Amit.

[PJSShearer]

Try playing it in a different key (then transpose it back afterwards) - different strings and/or positions can spark new ideas.

[angryclown5]

Where before you moved up, this time move down. Where before you approached a chord from above, this time approach from below. But don't hold tight to these rules either, let these devices suggest new ideas to you as you experiment with them.

Hope this helps.

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by Shmone

My teacher gave me homework - write a bass line for "Blue Bossa",
I did that and it went pretty well but then he taught me something new,
and now he wants me to write a new one for the same song but It seems to be harder now,
every time I try to think of something I go back to the previous bass line.
Does anybody have any suggestions on how to write something again from zero?

Thanks,
Amit.

You have a great teacher, that's for sure. Very good assignment, because it teaches you to find new approaches to existing material.

I always like to re-harmonize a whole tune the classical way. Rewrite the melody in simple note values, not minding rhythm. Write alto, tenor and bass voices in simple long notes to find good lines, changing chords if necessary.
Finally rewrite the new simple bass line in a new rhythmic pattern with ornamental additions. Since we're talking latin stuff, you might look for specific types of tumbao grooves for that. Some syncopation (next root before 1 of the next bar etc.) will give it the right flavor.

[Shmone]

Thank you for your help, you all really helped me and I almost finished the line