HIP HOP BASS GROOVES

[kirkm24]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Hip Hop basslines are basically R&B basslines. Just rapping instead of singing on top.

Not necessarily. I think hip hop basslines are more simplistic. I play for a local hip hop artist and the simpler the better. Of course yours and my definitions of R&B may differ. When I think of R&B I think of Motown and Jamerson bass playing which is awesome and groove oriented but more busy compared to most hip hop bass lines.

When I play hip-hop, I try to imitate a synth bass line that you often hear in a lot of hip hop recordings. I play over the fretboard and roll the highs and mids back almost like reggae dub. The tone is essentially the same has reggae but the lines are different in that they are not based on roots and octaves as much.

[pbass2]

There's so many different kinds of music that can be called hip hop, it's impossible to generalize. Personally, I don't care if it's a synth, a bass, a sample, or a tuned kick--if the part is good and makes the track groove, it's good. But, I DO take note of great bass playing in hip hop when I hear it. Hub and Pino stand out of course. Adam Blackstone--also killer.

[theoldmiami]

Originally Posted by Loves2Jam

You guys may give me a ton of s**t for saying this but sometimes I really dig old hip hop grooves.

Are you serious?

Why would anyone give you crap for liking hip-hop grooves? Hip-hop has and still does lay down some of the most unreal grooves.

[elBandito]

If I may butt in. As far as I know, hiphop beats are primarily sampled? Alot of 'grooves' were lifted from RnB, soul or funk... So 'hiphop' bass lines are as good as the sample source. Unfortunately, modern hiphop with programmed beats and synth bass dont appeal to me the same way. Cant stand those machine gun hi hats. ching ching ching ching ching ching...

[PoundinThunder]

wu-tangs "wu-tang clan aint nothing to **** with" has a sweet bassline IMO

[ZeSharc]

I'm a fan of A Tribe Called Quest's seminal Low End Theory - the bass grooves on that are near flawless.

Many of my friends think I'm nuts, but the leanness of Ben Kenney's grooves on some Incubus tracks are amazing (my friends are Dirk Lance fanatics), and I find some of his lines to be very hiphop based.

[elBandito]

That whole album was done with samples.

Originally Posted by PoundinThunder

wu-tangs "wu-tang clan aint nothing to **** with" has a sweet bassline IMO

[elBandito]

Also from sample heavy era(not much synthy hiphop from 90s in NY), and qtip sampled alot of jazz records for that album, unlike typical soul stuff. On their midnight mauruders album, Ron Carter was actually involved in production.

Originally Posted by ZeSharc

I'm a fan of A Tribe Called Quest's seminal Low End Theory - the bass grooves on that are near flawless.

Many of my friends think I'm nuts, but the leanness of Ben Kenney's grooves on some Incubus tracks are amazing (my friends are Dirk Lance fanatics), and I find some of his lines to be very hiphop based.

[ZeSharc]

Originally Posted by elBandito

Also from sample heavy era(not much synthy hiphop from 90s in NY), and qtip sampled alot of jazz records for that album, unlike typical soul stuff. On their midnight mauruders album, Ron Carter was actually involved in production.

I'm aware most of it is sampled, but though the basslines weren't written or played for the specific purposes of hiphop, it's certainly inspired me to give it a shot when my jamming with my friends for hiphop purposes...

[elBandito]

I was just trying to say that there is no such thing as 'hiphop' basslines.. Since much of those sampled basslines were prerecorded without hiphop in mind, you can pretty much make anything fit into hiphop application, as long as it sounds good.

[ZeSharc]

Sure, but I think that undermines the genre in and of itself. The vocal aesthetic and turntablism are what is usually associated with hip hop, but I don't think they are the exclusive factors. Truly, sampling is a staple of hiphop, which kind of sets it apart in its evolution from most other genres.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by kirkm24

Not necessarily. I think hip hop basslines are more simplistic. I play for a local hip hop artist and the simpler the better. Of course yours and my definitions of R&B may differ. When I think of R&B I think of Motown and Jamerson bass playing which is awesome and groove oriented but more busy compared to most hip hop bass lines.

When I play hip-hop, I try to imitate a synth bass line that you often hear in a lot of hip hop recordings. I play over the fretboard and roll the highs and mids back almost like reggae dub. The tone is essentially the same has reggae but the lines are different in that they are not based on roots and octaves as much.

Hmmm......check out some Electro Deluxe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X405dknHQd4 The music is still R&B or Funk in nature. I don't feel the basslines between the 2 are any different. Some tracks use minimal basslines and some tracks make full use of a somewhat busy bassline. I also have experience recording basslines for rap music/hip hop, dating back to the early 80's. It's whatever the producer wants.

Also, check out all the top hip hop stars who tour with 'live' bands. It's all funk, r&b (sometimes rock/metal) but the basslines are related to the musical style and not the rap style, IMO.

[narud]

Originally Posted by tasty sweeps

i dig the bass line in skee-lo's "i wish". remember that song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wehOW5fvMqE#

marcus!

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by narud

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wehOW5fvMqE#

marcus!

Straight up R&B vibe. I dig.

[narud]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Straight up R&B vibe. I dig.

man, that bernard wright album is classic. i use the a/b of haboglobotribbin and snoop's g'z and hustlas with my bass students all the time.

[hands5]

Originally Posted by narud

man, that bernard wright album is classic. i use the a/b of haboglobotribbin and snoop's g'z and hustlas with my bass students all the time.

I still play Bernard Wright' lp and it's over 22 yrs old !

[phunku]

Man gotta Love old school hip hop, ive somewhat just got into it recently, like the last 6 months, but RUN DMC, Beastie boys, Public Enemy, and Nas i have been listening to, ill be sure to check out all the bands u guys have listed!!

cheers!

[Bassmingo]

some of you statesiders may not be exposed to this, but over here in europe we not only have hip hop to draw from, but european hip hop and dance music you may not have heard of.

heres a good case in point, this song:

Freestyler

was a europe wide hit in the late 90's. the bassline is done on synth, but i thought it sounded so cool, i transcribed it for bass. you need a low B for some parts, but you can get by without it.

If you want to have a go at something different, give it a listen..its a fun line to play.

[BassMystic]

here here the "clap" is everywhere. could be a sign of some very uninspired producers trying to sound like every one else. I saw a clip of Chuck D and they asked him why does everyone sound alike on the radio and he said "So they can keep their record contracts"