Classical Support Bass?

[Bass_Bear]

Hey guys,

Basically I need to know if the is anyway of supporting a more classical or arppegiating guitar. It's a little hard to explain, but imagine if you will a guitar arppegiating chords in a roll type fashion. How would you guys prepare a support bassline for this?

I personally thought of trying something very lyrical. But to be totally honest I'm not familiar with this style of music or its bass presence. To give you a better idea of what's going on, think http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS4e36B8NdI but obviously not the same rhythm, vocals, etc. It's a purely original track, and I'm not asking for you guys to write me a bassline, but rather guide me as to the best way to go about it.

Thanks guys

J

[Beast]

If you have a basic understanding of counterpoint, you could try and do something that is lyrical, and works off the vocal line.

I know you didn't ask for this kind of advice, but you may want to try using an upright for this? I personally have always loved that sound.

[Bass_Bear]

Yeah, would love to but I don't have one. We also don't any vocals for it yet.

J

[Jim Carr]

I disagree with the counterpoint advice.

That has its place, but in an arpeggiated texture like the wallflowers recording, you have two jobs. One is rhythmic and the other is harmonic. Play on the down beat of each measure, the "one," and keep the harmony clear. Root, 5th and diatonic passing tones are your friend. Keep it simple.

The more accurate rhythmically you are, and the less you obscure the chord quality (avoid wrong 7ths and wrong 3rds which are easy to commit with typical minor pentatonic rock licks), the more clearly the musical intentions of the guitarist/composer/leader/boss are heard. Is that good? What is your job?

Here is what I do: Write a chart with the changes, and if possible get an mp3 in advance. Practice it until I can play it over and over with no errors. N.B., this means that once I can play it correctly, I then need to do that again, many times in a row. Why?

[Bass_Bear]

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

I disagree with the counterpoint advice.

That has its place, but in an arpeggiated texture like the wallflowers recording, you have two jobs. One is rhythmic and the other is harmonic. Play on the down beat of each measure, the "one," and keep the harmony clear. Root, 5th and diatonic passing tones are your friend. Keep it simple.

The more accurate rhythmically you are, and the less you obscure the chord quality (avoid wrong 7ths and wrong 3rds which are easy to commit with typical minor pentatonic rock licks), the more clearly the musical intentions of the guitarist/composer/leader/boss are heard. Is that good? What is your job?

Here is what I do: Write a chart with the changes, and if possible get an mp3 in advance. Practice it until I can play it over and over with no errors. N.B., this means that once I can play it correctly, I then need to do that again, many times in a row. Why?

This is great advice, thanks a lot. This is mostly how I want to approach it. Quick question just to me things clear, I'm to avoid the 3rds and 7ths as to let the guitar highlight the chord?

J

[Beast]

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

I disagree with the counterpoint advice.

I actually did too once I realized that he wasn't talking about "classical guitar". My mind just didn't register that he was talking about just the arpeggiating style, not a classical kind of playing. My bad

[HaVIC5]

Personally? I just wouldn't play if its something like what's in that youtube video. There is something more musically satisfying of having less instrumentation for this kind of music versus more. If I had to, I'd take the advice of Jim Carr and play as simply as possible. Whole note roots probably. I'd also wait a chorus/verse or two until coming in. Sometimes less really is more.

(I just finished listening, that's what the bassist ends up doing for the most part. He plays a couple inversions of chords, though, which is a neat little trick.)

[Bass_Bear]

Thanks Havic,

For anyone with regular gigs and experience on the scene, how often does it happen where the bassist just sits there and doesn't play. Are there many songs where just the chorus is played?

J