I'm joining a Metalcore band and I'm not sure how to practice for it ...

[Crit222]

So my friend asked me to be in his Metalcore band (For those who don't know, it's pretty much scream-o) and to make a long story short, I don't know how to practice for it. We have our first meeting in a week and I don't know how to prepare my wicked bass skills for when the day comes. So I thought I'd come here for help. Any help would be awesome!

[kander]

Here's how to practice: tune to drop D and just pound away on the open D.

[Crit222]

Hahah! I have done that. I usually flip on my distortion and just shake my head at how simple the riffs are to play. Is that really all there is to it tho?

[Von Felgenhauer]

It all depends on what you and the band feels the song needs. A lil arpeggio never hurt any bass line when it's done tastefully. Maybe a couple octave jumps to make it bounce a little.

[kander]

Originally Posted by Crit222

Is that really all there is to it tho?

Of course not. You'll need to throw in some spin kicks to keep the kids doing the "crab" in the pit away from you.

[Josh Pelican]

Tune to Drop C for added oomph.

[KingNikko5]

Yea you will most likely be playin in drop C. At least i'm sure thats what your guitarist(s) will be playing in. Practice locking in with the drummer. Especially in the breakdowns.

Try practicing with some August Burns Red. They have a lot of different timed breakdowns that are good practice and good guitar work you can follow.

And yes... Watch out for crabs

[niels125]

Basslines are what you make of it...

(wouldn't add too much distortion because it will probably make your bassline unhearable between downtuned distorted guitars)

[Von Felgenhauer]

Originally Posted by niels125

Basslines are what you make of it...

(wouldn't add too much distortion because it will probably make your bassline unhearable between downtuned distorted guitars)

Unless he is bi-rigging it(2 different channels) using both channels in my amp to 2 separate cabs really maintains my lowend with 2 heavy guitars

[Josh Pelican]

Learn some As Blood Runs Black for fun. Really simple but fun to play, especially if you're new to metalcore. I'm personally the type of person who listens to grindcore and death metal, but if I touch a bass in Drop C, the first thing I do is jam on their riffs.

[mantrabass]

Definitely practice playing in time. Get used to playing with a drum track or some form of rhythm, consistency and staying locked in is key to the bass player's success. The bass isn't very prominent in metalcore, but it can always dispell that rumor.