HELP! Really Challenging my Musicianship...

[KillerNeuron]

First thing first: I play in a classic rock cover band.

We play a lot of stuff with some really active bass lines, and I don't struggle at all. I haven't, however, mastered marrying my music theory knowledge to the bass...

Well, there is a prominent figure in our local music scene who spends most of his career out in Hollywood as a sound engineer and songwriter. He saw me play with by band at an event his band also played, and called me up last night to tell me that he thinks I have the most talent in this area. Now, I have been playing less than a year and I don't know how to take that. He asked me to be part of a "super band" he is putting together for his "moving back to hollywood" going away show. I was under the initial impression that I would be playing cello, which was totally cool because that is what I do... but he said he wanted me as a BASSIST. Oh. My. God.

So now I have 2 weeks and 2 practices with them to write some basslines for their bluesy rock thing. I am COMPLETELY intimidated because while I can play a bass, I have not written on bass yet, and these guys are all SUPER legit musicians and are not going to be playing some I IV V crap.

Can anyone give me some advice? What would be the best way to approach this as someone who can't just sit down an improvise a badass bassline to anything?

Much appreciated... our first jam is tomorrow.

[KillerNeuron]

nothing?

[knumbskull]

give it a try, what's to lose? you may not cut it. but it's nice that he noticed your playing and asked.

in at the deep end can be fun.

[anderbass]

Have them record that first jam tomorrow and burn it to a cd so you can work on writing your bass parts at home.

[mellowinman]

I agree with recording that jam. Don't "have them" record it. YOU record it! Take the initiative!

But I have to disagree that you are "someone who can't just sit down and improvise a badass bassline."

Just because you never have doesn't mean you can't!

All music has a bassline that BELONGS to it. Don't be overly complicated! Start with the basics, and then embellish, but embellish tastefully.

For me, Blues Bass should have some WALK to it. Listen to a lot of great blues, and then go from there.

Do not think!

FEEL!

[JohnMCA72]

Whatever you're doing, somebody likes it, so do what you do & have fun with it! If you stay true to yourself, you can't go wrong.

Congratulations on being picked!

[pklima]

This is a band being put together for a one-off gig, right? You got two weeks? How many songs?

I'd keep it pretty simple. There's not a lot of time to try things that won't work. Start off just playing roots at first, then you can add some sevenths and fifths. As long as you avoid any obviously non-rock patterns (reggae or tango or disco, haha) you'll be all right.

You can do some walking sometimes, too. If you've never built a walking line before here are the very very basics. Just play root, second, third, fifth for every chord that gets a full measure, unless the root of the next chord happens to be the fifth of the current one - in that case just go root, fifth, third, second instead.

If you end up playing nothing but roots on some of the songs in the end, that's fine.

[klaus486]

PLay low and fat. Pick something in the drums to groove on. I did a tune where a tiny shaker part is what sparked the bass groove. If nothing else it's you and that bass drum kicking it along with the roots.

[KillerNeuron]

Thanks guys, all good ideas. I talked to one of the guitarists and he is going to try to get me a cd tonight to listen to, so I can get some ideas from the other bassist. 8 hours until jam time and counting... :P

[c-ba55]

Reminds me of a story about Miles. Don't remember which bassist, but he hires this guy who is not really a jazz player. The guy is of course nervous and intimidated, but Miles eventually explains he hired him exactly because Miles wanted him to do just do his thing, which he knew would fit into the band.

[Muttleybass]

Although without hearing it "Bluesy Rock" is usually pretty basic. Most of that stuff is less about "writing" a line and more about improvising. If you can walk, shuffle and hold it down, maybe throw in some cool licks, it sounds to me like you do awesome.

It's kinda hard to give you specific advice without hearing the music. There's a HUGE gap between Government Mule and George Thorogood The Destroyers, yet both could be described as 'blues rock'. That said, the guy obviously chose you for a reason.

[pklima]

How'd it go?