Tired of playing the root note

disenchant · #1 08-22-2006, 12:51 PM

I'm pretty new to writing my own basslines. The band I was in had original rock/metal songs written by the guitarist. The guitars were so complicated that I really couldn't do much except play the root note and follow the guitars. Anything else I did that deviated from that was too much. There was a lot of hitting the open E string. Enough to make me fall asleep while playing.

Now the band is defunct (thank God!) but I realized I don't know how to do anything else! Any advice on how I can learn to build up better basslines?

RAM · #2 08-22-2006, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disenchant

I'm pretty new to writing my own basslines. The band I was in had original rock/metal songs written by the guitarist. The guitars were so complicated that I really couldn't do much except play the root note and follow the guitars. Anything else I did that deviated from that was too much. There was a lot of hitting the open E string. Enough to make me fall asleep while playing.

Now the band is defunct (thank God!) but I realized I don't know how to do anything else! Any advice on how I can learn to build up better basslines?

To learn to build up better basslines, a big part you'll need to keep in mind is creativity. Sometimes this creativity can be inspired by other bassists, or at least other musicians. To get started, I'd recommend broadening your listening library to as many musicians as you can...forget about a particular genre and listen more for how musicians build their phrasing. It's important to give credence to ALL music, even if it's not your general taste. For example, I can't stand country music, but some bassists in country do some really interesting things with locking in with the drums. My point is that there's always something to learn from someone.

What you'll find, as you continue to broaden your horizon, is that even a simple root-note line can be played very differently and have a very different affect on the overall feel of a song. You'll also find musicians whose complicated and complex off-time rythms, singing harmonies, and counterpuntal melodies can be very intriguing. Sometimes we come full circle, by the way...

Tom · #3 08-22-2006, 02:35 PM

Actually, pumping the root can sometimes be very effective and functional, depending on the tune. It gets boring, but there are even times when Stu Hamm, Geddy Lee, etc will just pump the root. It doesn't make you a bad player! And it's more functional than making complicated lines for their own sake. Sometimes, it's the best thing to play... not usually all the time, though.

Of course, there is a lot more you can do than pump the root. General Instruction is a better place for this question, as it has been addressed in the past. Check out the FAQ sticky at the top of that forum and do a search. If you have more specific questions, post them there to get the greatest effect (a mod will probably move this one there).

Good luck.

Ale · #4 08-22-2006, 02:47 PM

Just listen to music ,
Study harmonics and chords and scales , so you can se chords and your bassplaying from other angles

simongpaez · #5 08-22-2006, 03:28 PM

Play from the heart, if it is the root note SO BE IT, if its something more complex also do it, just enjoy ,that is all that matters enjoy music and every bit you do with it................................................ .................................................. .................................................. ...............

thewanderer24 · #6 08-22-2006, 03:32 PM

the answer is definitely a tossup between tobias, fender and warwick. Ultimately, it will come down to your taste.

My point is, this is obviously the wrong forum

bassmonkey144 · #7 08-22-2006, 08:05 PM

Sometimes staying on the root and just syncopating the rhythm a bit does wonders. The only example I could think of right away was "Play that funky music." The bass pumps the root mostly on the verse, with a few fills here and there.

Bassist4Life · #8 08-22-2006, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmonkey144

Sometimes staying on the root and just syncopating the rhythm a bit does wonders. The only example I could think of right away was "Play that funky music." The bass pumps the root mostly on the verse, with a few fills here and there.

I agree. You're a bassist, you're not going to escape the all-powerful root note. When the pitches aren't all that interesting to you, try to do something with the rhythm.

Joe

Kristopher · #9 08-22-2006, 09:57 PM

I've just gotten to the point where I've started to stray from the root on a regular basis. It's difficult at first to know what else to play.

When you write a bass line that deviates from the root, you're basically writing your own melody, no matter how simple that bass line is. Notes that will sound most "right" will be the notes of the chord your guitarist is playing. If he or she is chugging on power chords, the notes can use would be the root, 5th, and octave. If he or she is playing normal major or minor chords, you can add the 3rd and possibly the 7th to the mix. (These are music theory terms, if you're not familiar with them I think there's some links to explain them stickied at the top of the forum.)

Another good idea is to check out what your favorite bass players do. There's a lot of good info in your cd collection.