Bassist and song writer

[Denis F C]

Hi,

How hard is it for you to write a bass line AND lyrics for a song ? Is it viable, specially if you show it to your band afterward ? I love writing, but I never though of mixing bass and lyrics.

PS: Sorry if I'm not in the right section.

 

[dreamadream99]

Piano and guitar are more popular instruments for composing, but some compose on bass too. It especially makes sense if it is your primary instrument. Just remember, your finished composition needs to include melody, lyrics, and chords, so don’t forget to go back and flesh out the chords after the bassline is done.

 

[Denis F C]

Thank you for your answer. I'll remember that

 

[zachoff]

For me, I usually come up with a bass riff I like, then I figure out the guitar and program the drums. The words come last. It's not very often I write entire songs w/o some input from the band though... Except when I wasn't in a band. Almost 100% of the time I'll take a riff to practice and we'll all participate in the writing process.

 

[MEKer]

Easy to make a good bass "song", and like mentioned above, the other instruments can be put in with it no sweat. Make sure to write a chord chart to help the guitard guitarist.

 

[Denis F C]

Thanks for your reply guys. Time to work now.

 

[Oddly]

Paul McCartney, Phil Lynott, John Deacon, Sherryl Crow, to name just a few, seem to have managed it...

 

[Basshappi]

Playing and instrument and song writing are two separate skillsets.
Approach song writing as you would if you were learning an entirely different instrument.
Lyricism is just a form of poetry, to become proficient at it study poetry. Study and practice it just as you would dedicate yourself to the specific regimen particular to an instrument.

 

[biguglyman]

Every song I've written is different in that I have no set "this is the instrument I use when I write". It's whatever gives me the inspiration. I have several songs I wrote on bass. Came up with the bass line, melody, and lyrics. I usually have an idea of what I want the other instruments to sound like and usually confer with said instrument player to flesh out the song. Sometimes I write all the parts myself...it all depends on the song.