Changing Key Sounds Tinny

[Ox Boris]

We're playing a song in C that was originally in F. The Bass line from that low F was beautifully warm and resonant. Now, in C, I start much higher and the difference between the two is really noticeable to me. How do I deepen, thicken and warm everything up?

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you are changing the key so that the vocalist can do the song, such if life. A big part is that you are used to hearing it in the original key - likely it won't be as noticeable to the audience. Not much else you can do other than look for parts to change octaves - even if then, it would still sound different to you.

 

[Atshen]

Assuming you don't have a 5-string to reach that low C... You can still use notes in the key that are in the lower range. So if the song is in C major, you can use the low E, F, G, A and B! Just make it sound natural and musical.

Treat the song like it's an original. It's already dramatically altered if you move the key a whole fifth up. Have fun with the bassline, make it your own!

 

[buldog5151bass]

The more often I play along with live versions of favorite older bands/singers live shows on youtube, the more I realize how many of them have changed keys - and no one notices...

 

[Ox Boris]

Assuming you don't have a 5-string to reach that low C... You can still use notes in the key that are in the lower range. So if the song is in C major, you can use the low E, F, G, A and B! Just make it sound natural and musical.

Treat the song like it's an original. It's already dramatically altered if you move the key a whole fifth up. Have fun with the bassline, make it your own!

That may well work! Thanks. I had tried playing it further up the neck so I can get at the lower strings and that improved things a bit, but going low for the high bits doesn't wreck the song. I'll try it out with the boys tomorrow.

 

[Ox Boris]

While we're at it, is there anything electronic that'd help? Put the pick-ups, knobs and amp to work.

 

[Atshen]

Well, turning down your tone knob will "warm" things up a bit, even moreso if you softly pluck near the base of the neck.

Another idea: You could use an octaver.

 

[davegt666]

Nothing will make a note sound fatter than simply just playing with your thumb.

Playing up the neck works too but using your thumb is an instant noticeable fix.

Learned that from watching a lot of reggae dudes-- and I don't even play reggae.

Of course this only works if the bass line is not that fast. If it is then playing up the neck might be the next best thing apart from turning down the tone knob.