Need some ideas for a bass line

[Skel]

I couldn't find a forum that fit my question and this seemed about the closest so if it's wrong, sorry:

I want to do a cover of the old Joan Baez song "Diamonds & Rust". My band is basically a power trio with a female vocalist. I know "Judas Priest" did a remake of the song - I haven't heard it and I'm not going to even listen to it. I only want to be inspired by the original.

I'm hearing well tuned drums carefully miced through the PA, the signature guitar riff, but done, probably with a Les Paul or Strat through a vintage Marshall - nothing real fancy, but very good tone. The vocals are the vocals. I can't quite get my mind around some good ideas for a great bass line.

I'm not a music theory expert, but I guess the song is either in 4/4 or 2/4. Anyone familiar with the song knows it's in Em.

Anyone have any ideas on a bass line that has a nice rhythmic structure? Nothing stupid like doubling the guitar riff, I want it to counter that and fill in the empty spots without being too busy.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I think the bass line will either make or break the song with regard to my interpretation of it.

[Stumbo]

Take a listen here:
http://www.last.fm/music/Joan+Baez/_...Rust?autostart

Since it's a folk song with the guitar playing what I would call the "bass part", if you redo it with a power trio, I suggest having the guitarist come up with his part (play the chords only), leaving the "bass part" for you. Maybe play the "bass part" with some chorus to expand the sound a bit.

This would be a a place to start, then maybe you and your guitarist can do some type of harmonized parts and you can create some additional lines where necessary. Insert a nice, flowing lead solo and then you may have something there.

[Stumbo]

btw, here's JP's version for comparison http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIC7KQPDuDc
It's acoustic guitar based as well until the last few measures. (Don't listen if you don't want to).

Maybe upping the tempo a bit would add to your version.

[Skel]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

btw, here's JP's version for comparison http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIC7KQPDuDc
It's acoustic guitar based as well until the last few measures. (Don't listen if you don't want to).

Maybe upping the tempo a bit would add to your version.

Lol, like I could resist clicking. Nice interpretation. The anticipation for the dramatic ending built up so much tension that was finally relieved.

Thanks for the link and the ideas - you pretty much confirmed an idea I already had. I'd like to see what it would sound like having the guitar (me) just do chords and let the bass do the melodic run, that is the guitar riff in the original. It's a single note run, so it might be really cool sounding, and with some chorus on the bass, maybe even better.

[Stumbo]

That's right. You're the guitar player.
My bad.

I guess TB is becoming the place to go for all musicians.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by Skel

I'd like to see what it would sound like having the guitar (me) just do chords and let the bass do the melodic run,

I suggest not doing it in an acoustic sounding style, (well, maybe at the very beginning) but more with distortion, echo and chorus.

Whatever works.

Have fun with it. Change tempo, change drumming style. Put in some breaks, put it together with another song and do some kind of medley thing.

[Skel]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

I suggest not doing it in an acoustic sounding style, (well, maybe at the very beginning) but more with distortion, echo and chorus.

Whatever works.

Have fun with it. Change tempo, change drumming style. Put in some breaks, put it together with another song and do some kind of medley thing.

Stumbo, you just said something that I've been just now beginning to realize; the power of the stop. I think that's what you mean by "break". Good idea, I love stops - they add so much as long as you don't go over the top with them.

[Stumbo]

Yeah, breaks (stops) can be very effective.

I suggest one with the vocals. One with a lead solo starting up.
Then one with the vocals again.

And maybe another near the end where the "bass" line is emphasized and then the guitar doing multiple stops during the "bass" line as the song ends.

Just my .02.