Nubile bassists, take heed!

Benjamin Strange · #1 09-26-2004, 11:47 AM

When listening to your favorite bassists for inspiration, do yourself a huge favor: listen to the way the bass interacts with the drums. This is something that I never really paid much attention to as I was learning (and still don't, really), and now it's come back to bite me in the buttocks. My band is currently tracking bass, and I'm discovering that I have a tendency to attack the bass more like a rhythm guitar player, rather than locking in with the drum track. Not good.

When you're practicing, writing a new bass line, or soaking up Fieldy's bass lines, pay attention to the bass drum. Bass is the lynchpin between rhythm and melody - make sure you're solid on both. Don't just go flailing around hitting the strings whenever it pleases you - make every note count. You are part of the rhythm section, so try to make the transition from yourself and the drummer as seamless as possible. You are just as much part of the drums as the drums should be a part of you.

Take my advice, or don't. By all means, I encourage people to do their own thing, but it's helpful to know what makes a solid rhythm section before you go off into whatever tangent strikes you.

And that's about all I have to say about that.

DigMe · #2 09-26-2004, 11:54 AM

It should also be noted that when the drums and low tones lock in an interesting scientific phenomenon occurs in which a vibration is created that for some unknown reason causes the buttocks to oscillate in a rhythmic manner.

brad cook

Osama_Spears · #3 09-26-2004, 12:01 PM

great post. thanks!

Lyle Caldwell · #4 09-26-2004, 12:06 PM

What about those over thirty?

Benjamin Strange · #5 09-26-2004, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyle Caldwell

What about those over thirty?

It's too late for you. Give up now.

Brendan · #6 09-26-2004, 12:28 PM

I actually listen to the drummer more than anyone. The snare and the bass drum are what I go off of. The guitarists are just those annoying things I have to play in key with.

jeff schmidt · #7 09-26-2004, 01:36 PM

Norm Stockton delivered pretty much the same idea at Bass Quake yesterday - althought in a much more rambling, not sure what I wanna say next kinda way.

DigMe · #8 09-26-2004, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMASH

Good advice .. poor choice of word? http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=nubile

nu·bile ( P ) Pronunciation Key (nbl, -bl, ny-)
adj.
Ready for marriage; of a marriageable age or condition. Used of young women.
Sexually mature and attractive. Used of young women.

Maybe he was just speaking to people who are sexually mature and attractive....just like me.

brad cook

Lyle Caldwell · #9 09-26-2004, 02:36 PM

Brad,
Never met you, but I bet you're one ugly young woman.

Brad Barker · #10 09-26-2004, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMASH

Good advice .. poor choice of word? http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=nubile

nu·bile ( P ) Pronunciation Key (nbl, -bl, ny-)
adj.
Ready for marriage; of a marriageable age or condition. Used of young women.
Sexually mature and attractive. Used of young women.

yes, i was extremely disappointed with this thread.

Benjamin Strange · #11 09-26-2004, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMASH

Good advice .. poor choice of word? http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=nubile

nu·bile ( P ) Pronunciation Key (nbl, -bl, ny-)
adj.
Ready for marriage; of a marriageable age or condition. Used of young women.
Sexually mature and attractive. Used of young women.

I was playing around with the whole "noob" thing, which I refuse to use.

Brendan · #12 09-26-2004, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

I was playing around with the whole "noob" thing, which I refuse to use.

Uh, Ben...

Christopher · #13 09-26-2004, 03:47 PM

+1

Bass guitar and bass drum should be as one.

Benjamin Strange · #14 09-26-2004, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendan

Uh, Ben...

Got your attention, didn't it?

Munjibunga · #15 09-26-2004, 04:57 PM

Even before I played bass, I loved the sound of the kick drum making the attack on the bass note. I've strived for years to get that lock with the kick for the same sound (but never stooped to ducking with a compressor). It sounds especially cool when the kick is syncopated and the bass goes along for the ride. There's a lot of this in Sheryl Crow's stuff.

bryan bailey · #16 09-26-2004, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMASH

Good advice .. poor choice of word? http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=nubile

nu·bile ( P ) Pronunciation Key (nbl, -bl, ny-)
adj.
Ready for marriage; of a marriageable age or condition. Used of young women.
Sexually mature and attractive. Used of young women.

I am SO gonna use that word now.

Aaron Saunders · #17 09-26-2004, 05:43 PM

Nubile? What's a nubian?

canopener · #18 09-26-2004, 11:08 PM

Nubians

Matt Till · #19 09-27-2004, 12:43 PM

Oh yeah, that's what makes a good bassline. A bassline that does it's own thing with no consideration to everything around it isn't a bassline.

Awesome example: Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight.

Laugh if you want, but when the bass comes in, you'll need to change ya diapers.

Mon Rominee · #20 09-27-2004, 12:49 PM

Whenever I key into new music, I'm always (primally I suppose) drawn into the drums first. I soak in the nuance, and then absorb the song around it.

Not huge on hip hop per se, but I dig repetitive rythms too, but I like it mixxed up.

I love a good Charlie Watts drumline, but dig a Jimmy Chamberlain more. You dig?

I always write basslines with the drums in mind...I have such good interplay with my drummer that when I jam elsewhere, I admit to feeling a tad lost. My reliance on the kick is that strong...

So yeah. Great post man. Very important stuff to consider. There are moments where you can fly as long as you remember where your "anchor" is.