Writing bass lines around complex melodies.

[supersnake52]

So ive been playing for 2 years in January, and i know major scales, minor scales, inversions blah blah blah.

Im in a band. The style is metalcore, think parkway drive, i killed the prom queen sort of deal.

We have two guitarists, which makes things hard when they are both playing melodies and there are no real harmonies.

Im wondering how to create an effective bass line to these melodies without jsut playing exactly what they are playing, i try to deviate from the guitar as much as ppossible, but in this style of music with little chords it can be rather hard.

Any help people?

xxx

[Dave R]

If you know the chords they are playing to, just play a nice groove to those chords. If the guitars are "pushing the envelope", that the time the bass needs to define the chords to hold it all together.

[JimmyM]

Yeah, when the guitarists are going nuts, the simpler you can play, the heavier it'll sound.

[mutedeity]

On the other hand you might not want to play simply.....

In which case you have several options.

You can play a counterpoint line which is a melody that is separate to the other melodies around it.

You can play in parallel motion to one of the guitars, ie play each note up a 3rd, for example, to the melody that the guitar is playing. In this case all the notes will be the same interval apart.

Or you can use similar motion in which case you are adjusting the notes to a relative interval ratio, for example if you are playing in the key of C and using similar motion of 3rds if the guitar plays C you would play E, for example, which is a M3 interval, if the guitar plays E you would play G which is a m3 interval.

The best thing to do is try different approaches including less technical ones to see which works best where. Sometimes static motion against more dynamic melodies can be quite effective. But don't be affraid to experiment.

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Yeah, when the guitarists are going nuts, the simpler you can play, the heavier it'll sound.

+1 When everyone else is going nuts simple is what is called for to give them a foundation. If no one is play harmony maybe pedal some 5ths or 10ths. As James Brown's bass players will tell you its all on the One.

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by DocBop

+1 When everyone else is going nuts simple is what is called for to give them a foundation. If no one is play harmony maybe pedal some 5ths or 10ths. As James Brown's bass players will tell you its all on the One.

On the other hand you might want to re-read post #4

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by mutedeity

On the other hand you might want to re-read post #4

I did read your other post and I've heard groups with harmonized lines or clusters like you are talking about and most get old real fast or sound like a bad big band arrangement. For me in that situation I would be keeping it simple roots, maybe outline the chords, and strong approach notes. A simple strong bass line will help make the other stuff work.

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by DocBop

I did read your other post and I've heard groups with harmonized lines or clusters like you are talking about and most get old real fast or sound like a bad big band arrangement. For me in that situation I would be keeping it simple roots, maybe outline the chords, and strong approach notes. A simple strong bass line will help make the other stuff work.

The point is that not everyone takes your approach or mine for that matter. You of all people should realise that. My post was to illustrate the options, not give my opinion about what the wrong or right thing to do is. Also your post looked a lot like it was trying to undermine what I said. I'm not offended at all, just pointing out that the OP was probably looking for an objective reply rather than an opinion about what gets old.

Also my comment was directed at anyone who read it.

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by mutedeity

The point is that not everyone takes your approach or mine for that matter. You of all people should realise that. My post was to illustrate the options, not give my opinion about what the wrong or right thing to do is. Also your post looked a lot like it was trying to undermine what I said. I'm not offended at all, just pointing out that the OP was probably looking for an objective reply rather than an opinion about what gets old.

Also my comment was directed at anyone who read it.

I think you were reading more into it than was there. Like you I throw my ideas out for everyone to read and think about. Hopefully they will try all ideas and come up with something they like. We're on the same track.

[mutedeity]

Fair enough, maybe I was reading into it. I was just commenting on how it read to me. My main aim is to try and keep an open mind and help everyone else to as well if I can. I know we are on the same track for the most part, though.