Getting into metal

[Goose72]

I didn't know where esle to put this thread...so I put it here.
I am getting into metal, starting a band with a couple friends, and I don't really have any clue as to metal "theory" or whatnot. Just try to help me out by explaining some style/technique stuff to get me going.

I play a Fender J(not exaclty metal i know, but its my bass, and i love it).

Some bands that are our "influences" are:
Showdown
As Blook Runs Black
The Devil Wears Prada
War of Ages
As I Lay Dying
Lamb of God

[nasaldischarges]

you should at least get a fast and consistent right hand

[Yngwie 4String]

The best way to get into metal is to start with black sabbath, and follow it up through today chronologically, sampling its subgenres. As far as creating it. I suggest using either very very slow tempos, or very fast tempos. Also their are 2 intervals used frequently when creating metal. Diminished fiths are nearly a must. I personally like to use an augmented 8th every once in a while.

[genocide roach]

you mean youre getting into metalcore. biiig difference. in most metal bands you just double what the guitarist is playing. but the best (digiorgio, malone) add alot of jazzy stuff underneath.

a couple things to mention:
fast fingers, on both hands. a fast string hand is more important when doing BM/DM tremolo style picking, but it could come in handy (har har har)
triplets are commonly used in metal. big in thrash bands
invest in some thicker guage strings, so you dont get all floppy when you down tune.
and learn to love the minor scales.
~gR~

[MoD_Scotty]

Personally, I try to focus a lot on what the drums are doing. It's obviously great to double the guitar parts, but you can really strengthen a song by tying in with the bass drum.

And of course: practice, practice, practice. Nobody wants to hear a sloppy metal band. The tighter the band, the better the sound, the more people will kill each other in the pit.

[Alan Vorse]

Originally Posted by Yngwie 4String

Also their are 2 intervals used frequently when creating metal. Diminished fiths are nearly a must. I personally like to use an augmented 8th every once in a while.

These are not actual intervals. I think you meant to say "flat 5th" (b5) and "flat 9th" (b9). Chords are diminished, but intervals are flatted. An octave (or the "8th" as you put it) is always the octave, you never flat or sharp it. You either deal with the 2nd or 9th above it or the 7th below it.

[megadethjohn]

Listen to a lot of different types of metal and try to emulate the artists you like. Fast hands help a lot but more importantly learn to groove. Really tie your playing in with your drummer. Listen to older genres that influenced metal; blues, classical, bluegrass, jazz, fusion, ect...

I would also recommend listening to bands like Rush, Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Iron Maiden...older bands that are known for having good bass players.

Originally Posted by genocide roach

...but the best (digiorgio, malone) add alot of jazzy stuff underneath.

+1,000,000!



Unfortunately, it's also a great way to get fired from a band.

Originally Posted by megadethjohn

Listen to a lot of different types of metal and try to emulate the artists you like. Fast hands help a lot but more importantly learn to groove. Really tie your playing in with your drummer. Listen to older genres that influenced metal; blues, classical, bluegrass, jazz, fusion, ect...

I would also recommend listening to bands like Rush, Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Iron Maiden...older bands that are known for having good bass players.

+1 (C'mon, let's not be quantitative here! )


There's plenty of bassists to be inspired by, both inside and outside of the metal world. Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, and Geezer are all great musicians, and as mentioned, Sean Malone and Steve Digiorgio have been pioneers on bass in more progressive and/or technical forms of metal. Of course, that's the short list. Beyond that, there's plenty of good advice in this thread already. Practice, become inspired, and play your heart out.

[genocide roach]

Originally Posted by Tired_Thumb

+1,000,000!

Unfortunately, it's also a great way to get fired from a band.

only the crappy ones.

Nobody wants to hear a sloppy metal band.

unless you play grind
~gR~

[theunknowndude]

well for what its worth, id follow what static x's bass player Tony Campos (SP?) said to do,...

lock in with guitar parts to strengthen when needed
lock in with drum to strengthen when needed
Then once you have got a "grounding" for surging the music foward
listen to every genre, I find on a whole bass in metal can get a bit uninspiring, Tony listened to slayer etc early on (which he reckons helped his playing fast hehe) but also listens to RHCP and jazz and a few other styles to help create some of his bass lines,...
sounds good to me,...

one of my fav metal bass lines is from song 'the rich man' from the roadrunner united album its slow, but it drives the song,...
have fun

[Traver]

If you want to play like those bands, just ask your guitarist what he's playing, and play the same.