• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ambient/Post-Rock/Textural bass playing thread

my regimen incorporates any of the following (this is all morning away from amp/effects, which happens later):

alternating fingers/string crossing: different combinations, trying to mix up odd and even tuplet groupings to increase fluidity; constant quarter note.

the standards: sometimes it's playing like "jazz," sometimes it's playing odd-time grooves through them, sometimes it's more chordal.

playing in the style of improv: fake mozart, fake steve reich, fake bach (i've even tried fake stravinsky and bartok, but that seems like usual). sometimes i'll do that through standards.

trying to get my tuplets together: see the string crossings things; also basing stuff on fibonnaci series (2-3-5-8 is about what i can do; also try to go farther with fibonnaci groupings); some of this veers into lameass versions of kanakol.

free playing: letting it go is fun

groove: get those micro timings better; try different (unusual) techniques in the groove

intonation on fretless

modes: in addition to standard modes, harmonic major, melodic minor, harmonic minor

pick and finger playing for all for the above


I understood about 3 lines.
 
I usually take small chunks and create from that.
Even 1 bar can get you going for a long time.

I'm not learning any solos atm that's for sure

I'm working hard at getting the feel right on this.
15_bars_multirest.png
 
so using for theme and variations?
Theme, variations, melodies.
Even bass riff ideas.

Isolate any two bars, then permutate the note patterns and even rhythms.
Change all the rhythms and turn them into 16th notes and you have an entirely different beast to work with.

The notes can inspire colors you might not think of.also. such as patterns starting on a b13 or a 9th.

So a 2 bar Parker solo on Ornitology can become pretty much become anything depending on where you want to take the "basic" idea.


I admit you need a solid "base of knowledge" to work and practice this way.
 
my regimen incorporates any of the following (this is all morning away from amp/effects, which happens later):

alternating fingers/string crossing: different combinations, trying to mix up odd and even tuplet groupings to increase fluidity; constant quarter note.

the standards: sometimes it's playing like "jazz," sometimes it's playing odd-time grooves through them, sometimes it's more chordal.

playing in the style of improv: fake mozart, fake steve reich, fake bach (i've even tried fake stravinsky and bartok, but that seems like usual). sometimes i'll do that through standards.

trying to get my tuplets together: see the string crossings things; also basing stuff on fibonnaci series (2-3-5-8 is about what i can do; also try to go farther with fibonnaci groupings); some of this veers into lameass versions of kanakol.

free playing: letting it go is fun

groove: get those micro timings better; try different (unusual) techniques in the groove

intonation on fretless

modes: in addition to standard modes, harmonic major, melodic minor, harmonic minor

pick and finger playing for all for the above

I actually sat down and practiced tonight. I’m blaming you.
 
I'm really happy with this one I did, last night. One of my practice goals (on synths, you know, those big things that keep me from practicing that bass thing) is to just get better at coherent improv. A lot of the ambient stuff I like walks that line of sounding deliberate yet improvised. Talking to some of its creators, it seems like the creation is often a bit of both. That's what I mean by 'coherent' improv. I don't take a 'throw it at the wall and see what sticks approach', here. I'm a bit more conscious of my sound choices and what comes in and out than I'd traditionally be when improvising.

This one's two Iridium patches, the Wavestate, and the Moog Sub 37 comes in, too. Sorta drony, textural ambient.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
Last edited:
Not to be confused with Wrinkles and Laxatives
Actually, Wrinkes and Laxatives was the original band. But after a few of them left, and they tried another band with the same name, using a Wrinkles and Laxatives tribute band singer (like Journey and Yes do), there was a lawsuit. Hence, the name change. Wrinkles and Laxity only has the original bassist, I believe. Wrinkles and Laxatives has 3 original members.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HotelX
Actually, Wrinkes and Laxatives was the original band. But after a few of them left, and they tried another band with the same name, using a Wrinkles and Laxatives tribute band singer (like Journey and Yes do), there was a lawsuit. Hence, the name change. Wrinkles and Laxity only has the original bassist, I believe. Wrinkles and Laxatives has 3 original members.
giphy (9).gif
 
  • Like
Reactions: monsterthompson