making a bass line for a song with no reference point

[DaRK_CaRNiVaL]

I am going to hopefully try out for a band which has a few songs that I have downloaded. The thing is they want me to make some lines for the song but without knowing anything about it other than what I can hear. Then I would meet up with the guitarist and fine tune it.

So I am wondering what would be the best way to go about this?, I don't really know any theory.. so trying to do note-recognition by ear won't work. Should I just noodle over to the top of it until it sounds good?

[santucci218]

i would say first establish a key than a progression. if you are really scared that you can not figure out the key but you really want to nail the songs im sure if you link the the talkbassers (myself included) and we could help you a little than let you take it from there.

[santucci218]

ooh also, i would say noodling would be ok depending on the context. if the guitarist is a big jazz guy and really into theory, noodling will not land you the position. on the other hand, if it is a punk band or something, noodle all you want.

[santucci218]

...and i didnt mean all punk bands dont know what they are doing or anything, i just meant that like, if the guitarist doesnt know what he is playing, dont stress yourself out trying to make up for his lack of knowledge.

[Joe Nerve]

Originally Posted by DaRK_CaRNiVaL

I don't really know any theory.. so trying to do note-recognition by ear won't work.

Not sure what you're saying here. Theory and recognizing notes by ear are 2 different things, and pretty much the only two things ya got if you're going to write basslines. Knowing theory isn't necessary, although it would be helpful to at least know what a root and fifth are (the 2 notes that will fit with any chord). You have to be able to figure out, by ear, what the guitars are doing and then at the very least - play along with the roots of that. If you're really struggling you could post the songs here and maybe someone will jump start you. Writing basslines, like anything else, is a skill that develops over time. Whatever ya do - give it all ya got.

[DaRK_CaRNiVaL]

Thanks for the tips.
I will see how I go

[Turock]

As you listen to the song, imagine or sing a bassline that would sound good with the tune; then figure that out on the bass. Play what you hear in your head.

[cowsgomoo]

Originally Posted by DaRK_CaRNiVaL

I don't really know any theory.. so trying to do note-recognition by ear won't work. Should I just noodle over to the top of it until it sounds good?

note recognition by ear doesn't require any theory.. it just requires a good ear

'noodling over the top of it until it sounds good' sounds like the only option you have available... so go for it, and good luck...

have a bit of confidence (less of this "that won't work" thinking), because your instincts are usually worth trusting

[bassbully]

Hey, i responded on your other post. Wont these guys give you or send you a chord chart of the song even if its rough? knowing the root notes you can noodle thru the scales of the root and make up some fills and lines. Getting the songs key is good advice once you know it watch for the root notes and mark down on paper the notes where the guitar changes...these are the root notes. I have not heard the music but unless it is very complex it will be pretty close on the verse and chrous and then have a bridge. Training your ear is a very importent step in any music next to being physicly being able to fret the bass the most importent IMO.

[DocBop]

Just start singing along with the tracks and make up a bass line singing. Once you have a line you like pickup your bass and figure out what you sang. Our ears are ahead of playing skills.

[DaRK_CaRNiVaL]

Originally Posted by DocBop

Just start singing along with the tracks and make up a bass line singing. Once you have a line you like pickup your bass and figure out what you sang. Our ears are ahead of playing skills.

Thats what I have been doing since I started hearing their songs, well humming the bass line that is haha

I already have a good idea how i want it to go, so it seems it is just a matter of trial and error now I guess

I did ask if I could get the root notes or some other reference point but they obviously want to test my skills or something