Playing Chords. What's the purpose?

[5string5fingers]

So I'm starting to look at song I know how to play and really analyze the song and figure out WHY the bassist chose to do those things and learn from them apart from just learning the physical ability to play the song.

I've been working on the song Bleeding Me by Metallica. In the bridge and chorus of the song Jason plays mostly chords on the E and A and A and D string(only using that for reference song is actually tuned a half step down).

So this is where I look at the song and wonder why Jason chose to play chords in that song instead of single notes,and more importantly why on the lower register. Most chords I've seen played on bass are usually on the high register on the D and G strings. Because they're come out more clear.

So what would be the purpose of playing low chords in a chorus like that?

I know no body here is Jason,and knows his thinking but,maybe someone else out there has chosen to do something similar or knows a more music theory side to this.

[blendermassacre]

I play chords to make a bigger sound and a more diverse sound. Obviously not always, but playing chords on my eb3 sounds epic in a driving part of a rock song.

[5string5fingers]

So it adds this...kind of thick fullness in a mix.

[guroove]

Originally Posted by blendermassacre

I play chords to make a bigger sound and a more diverse sound. Obviously not always, but playing chords on my eb3 sounds epic in a driving part of a rock song.

Epic is a good word. I was going to say monstrous. There really is no other purpose other than that.

[5string5fingers]

Ok. Explains why the chorus and pre chorus for that song sounds so huge.

[Hookus]

You need to understand something about different chords. Chords serve to "subdivide" the overall sound of the root. For example, if a guitarist is playing Dmin, you can just hit the D root note. If he is playing D major, you can just hit the D. If he is playing a Dadd9, you can once again, just play the D. If he is playing a Dmin7, you guessed it, you can just hit the D.

But, the chords the guitarist is playing will all sound very different. Even though he is playing a D, the "extra" notes in the chord serve to give the chord a different flavor than a normal D major. These "flavor tones" can have a dramatic impact on what you perceive you hear.

So, you can capitalize on this information, and use it to write better basslines. For example, if you are playing over a D7, you may want to drop down and deliberately hit the C (which is the b7th from a D7), just to tie your bassline to the flavor of what it is the guitarist is playing. Of if you are switching to a Dmin, use the minor third as a leading note into the chord.

Playing chords on bass works very much the same way as it does on guitar. Chords allow you to infer tones and relationships between chords that just hitting the single root note will not let you do. I have not looked at the music for the song you mentioned, but I would imagine the "massive" sound you are hearing is due to the inclusion of a 5th, which absolutely has the effect of making your root sound big and full.

[codeinedreams]

Originally Posted by 5string5fingers

So I'm starting to look at song I know how to play and really analyze the song and figure out WHY the bassist chose to do those things and learn from them apart from just learning the physical ability to play the song.

+1 on this. I encourage everyone learning bass to do this

[groooooove]

dare i say it, metallica is not the worlds most sophisticated muisic, and its obvious why youd play (im going to assume root+5th and possible an octave) chords in the lower register- they sound huge. phil lesh does that all the time. its no secret, it sounds bigger, and is often usefull.

gennerally on bass all the chords you play will be major/minor 10ths, because 3rds will sound muddy in the lower register. 10ths on bass sound marvelous, when put to good effect.

[Hookus]

Originally Posted by groooooove

gennerally on bass all the chords you play will be major/minor 10ths, because 3rds will sound muddy in the lower register. 10ths on bass sound marvelous, when put to good effect.

Double stops come to mind for sure.

[5string5fingers]

Originally Posted by groooooove

dare i say it, metallica is not the worlds most sophisticated muisic, and its obvious why youd play (im going to assume root+5th and possible an octave) chords in the lower register- they sound huge. phil lesh does that all the time. its no secret, it sounds bigger, and is often usefull.

gennerally on bass all the chords you play will be major/minor 10ths, because 3rds will sound muddy in the lower register. 10ths on bass sound marvelous, when put to good effect.

Yea most of what's played in the song are just the root and the 5th. I agree there is alot more complex music than Metallica's,especially when it comes to basslines, but for something that has such a powerful impact on the overall sound of a song,I wonder why it isn't used more often by bassist?

[JimmyM]

sometimes they work, sometimes they don't...that's why.

[Muaguana]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

sometimes they work, sometimes they don't...that's why.

I was going to say something similar, except with more words and pseudo-philosophical yammering, but that ^^^ works too.