Using keyboards for bass

HeyMikey · #1 01-15-2007, 01:42 PM

I have subscribed to Bass Player magazine for several years. I think it was about 3 or 4 years ago when the magazine had a feature on keyboards being used to play bass lines. I have emailed the magazine asking about that article but they have not responded (I'll remember that when subscription renewal time comes around). If a person has lost an arm due to some accident and can no longer play a bass guitar, he/she might be able to continue as a bassist by using a keyboard. Does anyone know of a keyboard that would be ideal for this situation. I am looking for a keyboard that is small like a midi but can produce audio through a PA system or keyboard amp. I don't think midi controllers can do that. Can anyone help? Thanks.

BaldBass · #2 01-15-2007, 02:27 PM

Egad this reminds me of the Doors....As a bassist I shudder at the thought. However your scenero has weight. I suppose if I fell victim to an accident I could continue in that manner. If Def Leppard can play with a one armed drummer I guess bass is doable

zac2944 · #3 01-15-2007, 02:44 PM

Almost any keyboard can be used to play bass lines. You can use a midi controller too if you have a laptop or synth to go with it.

Take a look at the MiniKorg or Micron, they're great little boards.

Juneau · #4 01-15-2007, 02:48 PM

Roland seems to make some of the best sounding bass modules around from what I've heard. Neil Evans of Soulive uses one - and even does a version of Continuum by Jaco that you would swear is a fretless bass.

The Owl · #5 01-15-2007, 02:57 PM

ARRRRRRRRGH!!!

OK, let me clarify this. if your band has a bassist already and the keyboard guy is doing basslines, SOMETHING AIN'T RIGHT! It ALWAYS sounds like mud when people do that!

Worse yet, there was a huge fad with synth bass in the early 90's so much it seemed like all of a sudden playing real bass was not acceptable anymore, thank God that passed! I even saw a local Boston R&B band latch onto that fad, and man, their sound just went to hell! Sounded so cheesy and artificial. Thankfully they dumped the synth bass after a few months (in addition to jettisoning a boneheaded producer who told them they should only do ballads).

Now, in the case of someone losing a limb or having a major injury, that's different, just make sure you get a good sound. The other exception for me is a good organ player who can play bass with the foot pedals. Outside of those 2 things for me it's REAL bass or nothing!

Snarf · #6 01-15-2007, 02:59 PM

The best way to do this is to get a Mac and a nice midi controller and some software. Since I have Reason, I'd probably use patches from that. I don't know what pro players use. (apparently it's very common for bass players to double on keys for bass parts on pop tours.)

Peter McFerrin · #7 01-15-2007, 05:12 PM

What is "REAL bass," Owl? By that criterion, shouldn't we all go back to double bass? Tuba?

Doubling a simple, straightforward groove on BG and synth bass can often sound good. So can synth bass on its own, if a decent patch is used; it's a pleasant diversion.

tplyons · #8 01-15-2007, 05:33 PM

Alesis Ion is my weapon of choice for synth bass action.

And I know the issue you're talking about, it's one of my bathroom staples.

HeyMikey · #9 01-15-2007, 10:07 PM

Thanks everyone

keb · #10 01-16-2007, 06:43 AM

Synth bass is a cool thing when it's the right sound or patch appropriate for the music.

The Moog Taurus cannot be denied, and I also have an Ion and it's a great synth. Covers a lot of bases (pun almost intended!) and I can recommend that one. Another synth in its class is the Roland SH-201, which looks like it's a little easier to program than the Ion, but perhaps not as flexible or diverse. And then there's the MicroKorg which is smaller and cheaper than those two, and it's a popular one so you almost can't "go wrong" with it.

Blake Bass · #11 01-17-2007, 07:17 AM

Check out some of Stevie Wonder's synth bass lines. Living for the City and Boogie on Reggae Woman are both good examples.

nysbob · #12 01-17-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blake Bass

Check out some of Stevie Wonder's synth bass lines. Living for the City and Boogie on Reggae Woman are both good examples.

Yep - When I was playing cover music in the 70's I had an arp 2600 on stage for a different bass "voice". Well... several voices actually.

If it's done well & keeps you in the game, go for it.

The Owl · #13 02-07-2007, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blake Bass

Check out some of Stevie Wonder's synth bass lines. Living for the City and Boogie on Reggae Woman are both good examples.

Right on, Stevie Wonder is the ONE exception for me on the whole synth bass thing. His lines on "Too High" are amazing!

badstonebass · #14 02-07-2007, 08:40 AM

RUSH, the Doors, Van Halen, and many others have used keys either live or recording.

I would check out articles about their rigs.

Bardolph · #15 02-08-2007, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Owl

ARRRRRRRRGH!!!

OK, let me clarify this. if your band has a bassist already and the keyboard guy is doing basslines, SOMETHING AIN'T RIGHT! It ALWAYS sounds like mud when people do that!

I played a gig once, with one of the songs being an upbeat swinging song with walking bass. So I look over at the keyboard player (who was quite the experienced player) and what's he doing, walking bass with his left hand.

bassist15 · #16 02-08-2007, 03:19 PM

I think there are guys who play bass keys who have influenced me. Stevie Wonder is number one . The guy learned alot about bass from Jamerson so he knows how important it is. Bernie Worrell also has some great basslines. Also Hammond organists can play some funky basslines. Jimmy Smith is one of them.