Wasn't sure where to put this..

[slapcracklepop]

Well, I'm looking to write a song and I've hit a wall. I have a little more than basic music theory knowledge, I just don't know how to apply it in the songwriting process. I'm looking for it to be a slow, sort of depressing bass groove. Almost like Metallica's "Fade to Black" bassline. (That bassline inspired me to write my own, because it feels like it holds so much emotion everytime I play)

If anyone has any tips for me, they're appreciated. Thanks alot

[BassChuck]

Think of the part you want to write... in this case maybe its best to start with the bass line. Sing it, so you can get it clearly in your head, then play it on bass, then either record it or write down whatever you need to so you won't forget it.

Same process then with the vocal line, guitar part, or whatever you want in the song. Don't worry too much about music theory, if you are hearing the song in your head, the parts will go together.

Get some people together, teach them the parts. Experiment until it sounds like you want it to.


Good imagination and a clear vision of what you want to have in your music will always trump any knowledge you could gain of other peoples music (music theory).

[slapcracklepop]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

Think of the part you want to write... in this case maybe its best to start with the bass line. Sing it, so you can get it clearly in your head, then play it on bass, then either record it or write down whatever you need to so you won't forget it.

Same process then with the vocal line, guitar part, or whatever you want in the song. Don't worry too much about music theory, if you are hearing the song in your head, the parts will go together.

Get some people together, teach them the parts. Experiment until it sounds like you want it to.


Good imagination and a clear vision of what you want to have in your music will always trump any knowledge you could gain of other peoples music (music theory).

Thank you for your insight. I'm in a metal band, so I was hoping to maybe make this into a ballad. (Maybe a tribute for my friends mother who recently passed away.) One thing I've realised is that It's extremely hard to write music with just a bass.(for me at least.) Seeing as the guitars will probably hold the melody. Should I find the melody I want first, then start writing a bass harmony for it? Can I choose a scale and then base it off that?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks

[Bushfire]

Originally Posted by slapcracklepop

Thank you for your insight. I'm in a metal band, so I was hoping to maybe make this into a ballad. (Maybe a tribute for my friends mother who recently passed away.) One thing I've realised is that It's extremely hard to write music with just a bass.(for me at least.) Seeing as the guitars will probably hold the melody. Should I find the melody I want first, then start writing a bass harmony for it? Can I choose a scale and then base it off that?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks

Depends ultimately on how you write. I myself find writing a song off a bassline nearly impossible, and if I do, the bass is re-written, after I've figured out the guitars and such. So I will always start with a guitar or piano piece usually, but YMMV