Listening and writing basslines

[aor]

Hey all, my friends have a band and they need a bassist. I've only been playing for like a month and a half but they said that's it's ok and i can learn as i practice with them etc.

they've already got like 3 songs without bass, and to be honest, i've not got a clue how to write a bassline to them.

the old bassist (they told him to leave) said that i won't be able to write basslines until I know how to play the electric guitar and know what chords and notes they're playing. he also said i shouldn't even think about jamming until i know exactly what i'm doing.

what's the best way to start learning basslines and creating them? is it just to listen to songs and try and figure out by trial and error what works with what? also, he said that if a guitar is playing C Major or etc., i have to play C. do i need to ask the band what keys their playing so i can make it, or do i have to learn the electric guitar?

sorry for the long post, i've been listening to songs and trying to find out which keys work etc. but i've not made much progress at all.

[somegeezer]

you just need to learn your music theory [scales, chords, rhythm etc] and learn your instrument [where certain notes are, different techniques]... it's all about how much effort you put into learning really

[COOL AND DEADLY]

Talk to your bandmates. Find out what chords they are playing. What chord does the song begin and end on? That one is usually the key of the song. If the chords are major, minor, dom, or whatever, use the notes within those chords. Ask your guitarist or keyboardist to write the chords on a chart. If there are lyrics, try to write the opening few words above the first chord of each measure. That way you won't get lost. If you have a cd of the songs, work it out with the charts and cd by yourself first. Play the roots for starters, moving with the changes. Then when you feel comfortable with that, thorow in some other notes. The perfect fifth is usually a good one, as it works for most scales. Also, if the songs are original, the writer should have an idea of what he/she wants. Talk to them. The most important thing is to LISTEN to the song and make your choices based on the song. In other words, don't try to fit a lick you've been working on into a song just because you can. Try to make the bassline fit the song. At first listen before you play. Get a real feel for the aspects of the song then you are on your way. As some geezer said, theory will help you to make strong basslines.

[JHorstmann]

Originally Posted by COOL AND DEADLY

Talk to your bandmates. Find out what chords they are playing. What chord does the song begin and end on? That one is usually the key of the song. If the chords are major, minor, dom, or whatever, use the notes within those chords. Ask your guitarist or keyboardist to write the chords on a chart. If there are lyrics, try to write the opening few words above the first chord of each measure. That way you won't get lost. If you have a cd of the songs, work it out with the charts and cd by yourself first. Play the roots for starters, moving with the changes. Then when you feel comfortable with that, thorow in some other notes. The perfect fifth is usually a good one, as it works for most scales. Also, if the songs are original, the writer should have an idea of what he/she wants. Talk to them. The most important thing is to LISTEN to the song and make your choices based on the song. In other words, don't try to fit a lick you've been working on into a song just because you can. Try to make the bassline fit the song. At first listen before you play. Get a real feel for the aspects of the song then you are on your way. As some geezer said, theory will help you to make strong basslines.

+1

Theory is huuuge, not exactly essential at this point, but you are heading down a dead end if anyone thinks they can go without it. At this point it'd be really important for you to learn major and minor scales. If you can learn those, it'll be a night and day difference for writing and improving bass lines. After you learn those, I'd check in to pentatonic and the 7 pentatonic forms, then modes of a major scale, followed by modes of a minor scale. (note, everything after pentatonic scales should take you awwhille, don't get frustrated!!!!)

Anyways, if you catch up to that point, you'll make most any rock band proud, if they are jazz, you've got alot more scales to learn, but it didn't sound like it was jazz.

Hope this helps

[LaklandBass]

Id say just listen to the songs and figure out what sounds good. A great idea is to get a cheap recording of them playing the songs so you can listen at home and take all the time you need to figure out a line. Also since youre a beginner just play the root notes of the guitar line for now and then add what you want as you get more comfortable. For reference the lowest note of their chord is usually the root.

BTW, Its called music theory for a reason. Otherwise they'd call it music fact.

[somegeezer]

Originally Posted by LaklandBass

BTW, Its called music theory for a reason. Otherwise they'd call it music fact.

Exactly, you can always play around with it. You don't have to go by strict rules. That's why music is an art form.

[ttomom]

Originally Posted by LaklandBass

Id say just listen to the songs and figure out what sounds good. A great idea is to get a cheap recording of them playing the songs so you can listen at home and take all the time you need to figure out a line. Also since youre a beginner just play the root notes of the guitar line for now and then add what you want as you get more comfortable. For reference the lowest note of their chord is usually the root.

BTW, Its called music theory for a reason. Otherwise they'd call it music fact.

ding!ding!ding!.... we have a winner!

[LaklandBass]

Originally Posted by somegeezer

Exactly, you can always play around with it. You don't have to go by strict rules. That's why music is an art form.

very well put. +1

[Nashrakh]

Originally Posted by aor

the old bassist (they told him to leave) said that i won't be able to write basslines until I know how to play the electric guitar and know what chords and notes they're playing. he also said i shouldn't even think about jamming until i know exactly what i'm doing.

That guy was told to leave for a reason - I think he is a jerk for saying that. There's no solid reason against jamming, even if you have no clue about what you're doing - if it sounds good, it sounds good. period.

Originally Posted by aor

what's the best way to start learning basslines and creating them? is it just to listen to songs and try and figure out by trial and error what works with what? also, he said that if a guitar is playing C Major or etc., i have to play C. do i need to ask the band what keys their playing so i can make it, or do i have to learn the electric guitar?

You obviously don't have to play a C when the guitars/keys play a C chord - hitting the root on the 1 ties your line together, but once again, do what sounds good.

As suggested, get yourself a chord sheet from your guitarist (maybe a rehearsal tape, too) and you're basically set.

[Vittu]

I like to think of bass, in metal or rock, as the rhythm guitars rhythm guitar. back up and empower the riff and if the guitars go higher try to fool around with your own rhythm to hold up the low end. But then again i dont know any theory i just play what i think sounds good.

[G00D+~VIBES]

Start w/ Major and Minor scales. Understand where the most frequent chord tone's are likely to be. Play w/ them enough to get a "feel" for how they relate. Know what arpeggio's (spelling?) are. Close you're eyes, play with your soul. Oh, and get over the nervous thing. Just smile and give you're best genuine effort because as it turns out... the world doesn't end from a "wrong" note or dropped grooves (It just quits dancing). When you get lost, (and you will, we all do) just wait until the next bar or some familiar place comes around before you jump back in. MOST IMPORTANTLY, keeping a solid line is key. By that I mean you're since of time. Start at 1/4 or 1/8th notes on the root, and when you can keep that solid without much effort, begin looking for what I call flavor.