Creating a bassline that's right for the song...how?

[TheIndieKid]

I know the key thing people mention is to listen. Don't pick up your bass straight away, but listen to the song and feel the rhythms. However, before you play a single note on your bass, what do you listen for in particular to define your rhythms and note choices? Are there particular parts of the drum kit you pay attention to? Or parts of the melody that stick out?

 

[bholder]

I look for little "hooks" or fragments of rhythm and/or melody I can quote or riff off of.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Don't pick up your bass straight away, but listen to the song and feel the rhythms.

Is the song written already?
Is the song arranged already?
Does that song have any rhythmic pattern/beat?

Listen to the drum's intro and check if your bass line (in your head) sounded the same.

 

[TheIndieKid]

Is the song written already?
Is the song arranged already?
Does that song have any rhythmic pattern/beat?

Listen to the drum's intro and check if your bass line (in your head) sounded the same.

Let's say the song is arranged but requires a bassline.

 

[Malcolm35]

I know the key thing people mention is to listen. Don't pick up your bass straight away, but listen to the song and feel the rhythms. However, before you play a single note on your bass, what do you listen for in particular to define your rhythms and note choices? Are there particular parts of the drum kit you pay attention to? Or parts of the melody that stick out?

Good question. Let's leave rhythm for later in this post. OK, I focus on harmony and leave the melody to the solo instruments. That means I'm following the chords and using chord tones for my bass line.

I know you want to know which ones. Chord tones are the Root, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13th notes of the chord's scale. I suggest you lay down a steady beat using the Root until you feel more is needed. Then add the 5th for root on the first beat and the 5 on the third beat. After that get the 8 or octave into you bass line -- R-5-8-5 will play a lot of bass as its kinda generic and can be used with major or minor chords.

Next bring in the correct 3 and 7 into your bass line - R-3-5-7. If a minor chord this is the b3 and b7. And no you do not have to start on the root all the time. In walks inversions. Do a Google on inversions.

OK now to rhythm. Can you hear the kick bass drum? Reason I ask most new bassists can not identify the kick drum. If that is the case listen and slap your knee to the beat until you can lock with the kick . Now pick up your bass and using the rhythm of the kick bass drum, lock with that rhythm and play the bass line you think works best with this song. Keeping in mind that the ole R-5 can and does play a lot of bass. I ignore the drummer's fills and stay with the kick pattern he established.

The more you play new bass lines will enter into the picture. As long as you are locking with the kick drum, in Key and are playing notes of the active chord there is not a lot of bad stuff you can do. Experiment and have fun.

To make this work you have to know what chord is active. I always call up some fake chord sheet music on the songs I play as that gives me the lyrics, chords used, and if lucky the time signature and bpm this song will use. Follow the chords and recite the lyrics under your breath. That will help you be where everyone else is in the song. Use the chord's tones for your bass line. It's not rocket science, but, you do need to know what chord is active.

Happy trails.

 

[Kro]

My response to a similar question in another recent thread:

My philosophy has always been that the bass is the glue that ties the drums to the rest of the band.

For any chord progression, listen to the drums, if you're like me, your brain will start assigning melodies to the drum parts that goes along with the chord progression. Incorporate any inspiration that comes to you along the way derived from melody parts (guitar, vocals, whatever), and you'll start creating your own groove oriented melodies and counter melodies that tie everything together.

I never think in terms of scales, but rather in terms of rhythm, melodies, and counter melodies. This approach might not work for everybody, but after years of introspection, I've found that this is the way that my brain approaches bass, and it seems to work for me! Good luck!

 

[Groove Master]

First thing to do in general is to listen to the kik pattern. That is the pulse or the heartbeat of the song. Bass in most styles don't fight with it but support it. That would be the place to start with. Then it is your experience or creativity at supporting what needs to be supported and enhanced.

The ONE thing to do is not to complicate your part for nothing and this takes time to learn. This is where the Less is More comes in ;-)

 

[dreamadream99]

Coming up with a good bassline to any song is fairly simple:

1. Listen and play as many popular genres as you can.
2. Do this for a few decades.

 

[nilorius]

No way to find one best line for a song. If you want to record it later. Try out at least 4 different lines. Always secure the drums and percussion and never play to disturb the main guitar or keybourd, but that doesn't mean you can't overplay them. About vocal - try to not play them same what vocal sings when it sings.

 

[glocke1]

I know the key thing people mention is to listen. Don't pick up your bass straight away, but listen to the song and feel the rhythms. However, before you play a single note on your bass, what do you listen for in particular to define your rhythms and note choices? Are there particular parts of the drum kit you pay attention to? Or parts of the melody that stick out?

When I was in an original band(s), my bass lines would typically reflect the melody in some manner.

For a well written song, I found the bass line would often just write itself. Fun stuff!

 

[Kro]

For a well written song, I found the bass line would often just write itself. Fun stuff!

It's a fact: while I like to say I agonize over the choice of every single note, good songs tend to magically write themselves... that includes bass parts.

 

[Basehead]

Usually, I "sing" the bass line in my head and then learn what I'm hearing in my head...works almost all the time for me.

 

[gelinas666]

Map out the structure in your mind.. Start,Verse's,Bridge,Chorus,Solo's,End.. Key or Scales needed.. Melody and Rhythm... Create and Record your part.. Listen and change if needed.. Try to "Play for the Song" not "Play with the Song".. Above all ,Have Fun !

 

[Kro]

Usually, I "sing" the bass line in my head and then learn what I'm hearing in my head...works almost all the time for me.

That's good advice as well, if I'm not creating bass parts on the spot with the band, I'm usually creating them in my head while commuting, listening to recorded songwriting nuggets in my car.

This has the added benefit of getting me out of my playing comfort zone as I sometimes create parts in my head that my chops need to catch up with.

 

[BobDeRosa]

Good question. Let's leave rhythm for later in this post. OK, I focus on harmony and leave the melody to the solo instruments. That means I'm following the chords and using chord tones for my bass line.

I know you want to know which ones. Chord tones are the Root, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13th notes of the chord's scale. I suggest you lay down a steady beat using the Root until you feel more is needed. Then add the 5th for root on the first beat and the 5 on the third beat. After that get the 8 or octave into you bass line -- R-5-8-5 will play a lot of bass as its kinda generic and can be used with major or minor chords.

Next bring in the correct 3 and 7 into your bass line - R-3-5-7. If a minor chord this is the b3 and b7. And no you do not have to start on the root all the time. In walks inversions. Do a Google on inversions.

OK now to rhythm. Can you hear the kick bass drum? Reason I ask most new bassists can not identify the kick drum. If that is the case listen and slap your knee to the beat until you can lock with the kick . Now pick up your bass and using the rhythm of the kick bass drum, lock with that rhythm and play the bass line you think works best with this song. Keeping in mind that the ole R-5 can and does play a lot of bass. I ignore the drummer's fills and stay with the kick pattern he established.

The more you play new bass lines will enter into the picture. As long as you are locking with the kick drum, in Key and are playing notes of the active chord there is not a lot of bad stuff you can do. Experiment and have fun.

To make this work you have to know what chord is active. I always call up some fake chord sheet music on the songs I play as that gives me the lyrics, chords used, and if lucky the time signature and bpm this song will use. Follow the chords and recite the lyrics under your breath. That will help you be where everyone else is in the song. Use the chord's tones for your bass line. It's not rocket science, but, you do need to know what chord is active.

Happy trails.

This is excellent advice.

 

[cnltb]

1st, 2nd and 3rd; sit back and listen.
then ask: is anything 'missing' and if so 'what is?'
If not ask: 'which part can do with a little support' and 'How do I become the most comfortable 'sofa' for the lead voice and teh other players'?

Then try things out.

I think that'd be my approach.

 

[Jazz Ad]

I sing or whistle it and only get to play it when I'm finished buildingit.
Actually most of the time Iwhistle it virtually in my head but you get the idea.

 

[zubrycky]

One thing that I always have on my mind when I create a bassline is the song's musical genre itself. Each musical genre has its own language and accents, its own codes and its own tradition.

If you want to reassure the musical genre you must play a line that is authentic to it (you can do that if you listened and studied the musical genre that you are playing).

If you want to spice it up then you can bring elements from other musical genres (once more, listening and studying are a necessity) to your bassline.

Sometimes I follow tradition, sometimes I pervert it.

One more thing about it: Keep the band politics in your mind always because if you change the bassline the song will sound different and the authenticity will be gone. Sometimes your bandmates will accept it, sometimes they won't. So, I will repeat myself: Keep that in your mind always.

 

[zubrycky]

Usually, I "sing" the bass line in my head and then learn what I'm hearing in my head...works almost all the time for me.

Good call! Some of my best basslines were created that way.

 

[Mr40mm]

Coming up with a good bassline to any song is fairly simple:

1. Listen and play as many popular genres as you can.
2. Do this for a few decades.