The underrated Hard Rock Groove, making your lines groovy..

Music_for_life · #1 09-09-2010, 09:46 PM

Instead of plain and flat
I refer to the Typical 8th notes hard rock basslines I hear lots of amateur bass players of this genre playing flat they don`t pay attention to the groove. Dynamics is so important as in other genres, Listen to those lines of Tom hamilton or Cliff williams or tony frankling or Geddy Lee. I realized this after playing other styles that seem to be more difficult, but playing constant 8th notes fingerstyle with dynamics and articulation without falling is a tastefull and interesting art fot the bass. It is not punk rock, you are laying down a groove, I had to re-learn a lot of things to play this simple stuff, Groove in Hard rock is very underrated. The typical use of a pick in this style is to have more control over the dynamics???
Why nobody refers to Groove in this style of music???

**bassybill** · #2 09-09-2010, 11:21 PM

I'm sorry, but I read your post several times and although I could understand most of it. it wasn't clear what your main point was, as it rambled quite a bit. What exactly are you asking for comments on?

My apologies if English is not your main language.

dannster · #3 09-09-2010, 11:35 PM

It just doesn't get any better than this.

Music_for_life · #4 09-09-2010, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

I'm sorry, but I read your post several times and although I could understand most of it. it wasn't clear what your main point was, as it rambled quite a bit. What exactly are you asking for comments on?

My apologies if English is not your main language.

My question is If you also think groove is usually overlooked in Hard rock and bassists don`t sound groovy, they play plain and flat. Make comments about it.
I think by adding articulation, dynamics elements widely talked about in other styles of bass playing, the songs become more interesting. Others noticed this or I am crazy!
Sory english is not my main language

puddin tame · #5 09-09-2010, 11:49 PM

He's talking about the merits of simple straight 8th/16th lines that vary articulation and dynamics. I do this all the time, especially going from a more varied note patterns/rhythm then dropping it into a line like that under a solo, definitely grooves.

You're not the only one. I was checking out victor wooten's groove workshop dvd and it's largely about how the notes we play are only about 10% of what makes up the music (so why spend all your time thinking about what notes you're going to hit) and other stuff like articulation and dynamics were just as important. And I know i've seen countless theories that basically rephrase the idea

slybass3000 · #6 09-10-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannster

It just doesn't get any better than this.

Wow that is serious kick-ass band: Billy, Steve and Greg backing up David right after VH.

TL5 · #7 09-10-2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannster

It just doesn't get any better than this.

That was precisely the first bass line, at that spot, that came to my mind when reading the thread title.
To me, that whole album is a clinic on the genre.

mambo4 · #8 09-10-2010, 01:32 PM

When someone says " Hard Rock with a Groove" I can only think of John Paul Jones.

mid_life_crisis · #9 09-13-2010, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mambo4

When someone says " Hard Rock with a Groove" I can only think of John Paul Jones.

Jack Bruce doesn't cross your mind at all?

jazzblade · #10 09-13-2010, 04:58 PM

Yes I agree?? I think, I agree with your statement that much of the bass playing today is just played flatly without expression and dynamics that you would think separates the bass players from each other. IT sounds almost generic. However much of the music sounds generic also

The bass is played under the root for most songs. (and buried back in the mix) unless it is an exciting bassist that understand how to really express himself.

**duff84** · #11 10-17-2010, 08:45 PM

id say duff mckagen off app for destruction thats some serious bass grooving in hard rock man. great playing well played basslines.

big_z_in_miami · #12 10-16-2011, 01:32 PM

I got the origonal post right away.....and it is right on the money. The other posters comments about Wooten's comments about articulation and dynamics....so dead on right. I have avoided playing AC/DC, although probably one of my favorite ass-kicking foot tapping, head banging rock rythym powerhouses around.......for one reason, I thought pumped 8ths was sort of lame.

But I finally listened closely and then learned a few songs and looked at Cliff Williams's two fret, three string efficiency, and than found that his timing isn't all that easy. He does add some effective, simple groove elements in there, usually using a combinations of only the fifths, 7b (below the root) and the 4th (above the root). Use open strings and the second fret and you can noodle all night with that.

Has got me thinking about less is more, and timing and articulation.

Also, has got me wondering about the theory behind his style of playing? Is there any? Is it some sort of mode or scale that he uses? Or just simple fretboard management?

5StringFool · #13 10-16-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slybass3000

Wow that is serious kick-ass band: Billy, Steve and Greg backing up David right after VH.

Man... I was front row on Billy's side of the stage for that concert. I think I was slack jawed nearly the entire time.

I'm not a real technical player, most of the time I'm thinking much more about timing, dynamics, and articulation. I'm a big fan of the "statement and answer" type basslines that are variations on a theme.

The guys I'm jammin with all seem to like it, and I get approached to sit in with folks frequently, so I must be doing something they like.