Bass lines simpler than I imagined

[guitardefector]

Hey TB community,
I've just noticed recently that most of the bass lines I've eventually seen on 'official' transcriptions [after I meticulously deciphered this and that note and wrote an elaborate counterpoint production] had a lot LESS notes than I originally heard and were, basically, very elementary.

Has this happened to anyone out there after they saw the official transcription on, say, BP magazine or other publications? I always scratch my head and say "Huh, that's it??" when I see this. Any similar stories out there?

[MalcolmAmos]

The ole I IV V7 I has written a zillion songs. We do enjoy making it complicated, but, it is truly not necessary. Old time country is dirt simple roots and fives with chromatic runs to the next chord.

Any thing beyond that will get fish eyes from the guys. The ole I IV V7 I with a few ii's and vi's thrown in for color is about all you will need to harmonize most major key songs; holds true for rock, pop, country or gospel.

Bass lines then are also basic in most cases. R-3-5-8 for major chords and R-b3-5-b7 for minor chords. Root on one, and if you have room insert the 5, then the 8, then the correct 3 and 7. Those notes will play a lot of bass.

[gurensan]

"Underwater Love" by Faith No More. My bass teacher used it to help teach me to trust my ear back when it first came out and he totally had it wrong ;P

I recommend landing on a chordal tone on any strong beats in the measure and steering clear of the 7 except as a passing tone to resolve to I or for a little color. Generally. Then I'll break that guideline just to tick a guitar player off XD

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

The ole I IV V7 I has written a zillion songs. We do enjoy making it complicated, but, it is truly not necessary. Old time country is dirt simple roots and fives with chromatic runs to the next chord.

Any thing beyond that will get fish eyes from the guys. The ole I IV V7 I with a few ii's and vi's thrown in for color is about all you will need to harmonize most major key songs; holds true for rock, pop, country or gospel.

Bass lines then are also basic in most cases. R-3-5-8 for major chords and R-b3-5-b7 for minor chords. Root on one, and if you have room insert the 5, then the 8, then the correct 3 and 7. Those notes will play a lot of bass.

Again,wise words to live by as a bassist. This is where I shine and Less is more in music I enjoy at least.

[t77mackie]

Originally Posted by guitardefector

I always scratch my head and say "Huh, that's it??"

So do I all the time. It kinda takes the mystery out of it. Welcome to the 'Jaded bass players club' - here's your number...

[guitardefector]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

The ole I IV V7 I has written a zillion songs. We do enjoy making it complicated, but, it is truly not necessary. Old time country is dirt simple roots and fives with chromatic runs to the next chord.

Any thing beyond that will get fish eyes from the guys. The ole I IV V7 I with a few ii's and vi's thrown in for color is about all you will need to harmonize most major key songs; holds true for rock, pop, country or gospel.

Bass lines then are also basic in most cases. R-3-5-8 for major chords and R-b3-5-b7 for minor chords. Root on one, and if you have room insert the 5, then the 8, then the correct 3 and 7. Those notes will play a lot of bass.

So spot on accurate! Yet we continue to live in denial.

[guitardefector]

Originally Posted by gurensan

"Underwater Love" by Faith No More. My bass teacher used it to help teach me to trust my ear back when it first came out and he totally had it wrong ;P

I recommend landing on a chordal tone on any strong beats in the measure and steering clear of the 7 except as a passing tone to resolve to I or for a little color. Generally. Then I'll break that guideline just to tick a guitar player off XD

Yup, that happens occasionally. The ones I get 'totally wrong' most of the time are Phil Lesh's live stuff with the Dead. Those bass lines can send you to the asylum.

[guitardefector]

Originally Posted by t77mackie

So do I all the time. It kinda takes the mystery out of it. Welcome to the 'Jaded bass players club' - here's your number...

Phew! Glad it's not just me. Thanks for the club membership.

[stratovani]

I learned this playing in our Tom Petty tribute band. The bass lines can be so simple at times that I tend to jazz them up a bit, but I know it's really not necessary. Ron Blair and Howie Epstein are masters of the simple, serve the song bass lines.

[carlthegroover]

Well, some TBers have said it repeatedly: less is more, and this applies to plenty of genres.

For instance, I'm trying to learn how to play and develop reggae basslines. While starting complicated and cluttered, I've been realizing that leaving the almost-complusory spaces in between certain notes, passages and/or beats makes the bassline sound way better: more groove, more laid back feel, more reggae style.

[slagbass]

Originally Posted by stratovani

I learned this playing in our Tom Petty tribute band. The bass lines can be so simple at times that I tend to jazz them up a bit, but I know it's really not necessary. Ron Blair and Howie Epstein are masters of the simple, serve the song bass lines.

I agree, but some people confuse "simple" and "easy". What Ron Blair and Howie Epstein did is simple, but not easy. The note choices aren't complicated, but great bass lines are more about time, touch and space. To develop that instinct takes lots of work.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by slagbass

I agree, but some people confuse "simple" and "easy". What Ron Blair and Howie Epstein did is simple, but not easy. The note choices aren't complicated, but great bass lines are more about time, touch and space. To develop that instinct takes lots of work.

Agree and many bass players find out what they thought was so simple really is not.
Some of those basslines in Petty are country like and require you to have good timing, taste and to stay out of the way for leads.
I can hide better behind rock and even most blues basslines . The basslines like in Petty's music you have to solid all the time the time or you will stand out like a turd in a punchbowl.