Good afternoon everyone, I don't think this is the area I should be posting this thread, however I need some help. I had a friend of mine come over to play/jam we've been talking about getting something moving for a while. We ended up playing for about 30 min. He then turned to me and said "I don't want to just jam on the same three chords, I need a bass line that creates space" what on earth does that mean?
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Creating space
- Thread starter pLewis
- Start date
You'd have to ask him what he means by "space". Might be he wants you to hold each chord longer and try some different progressions? Just guessing, really, he's the only one that can tell you what the heck he means.
A lot of times, "space" means you stop playing here and there - your rhythm is not a parade of quarter notes, it's got little stops and starts. Or you might not play all legato - you shorten note lengths so there's a tiny bit of "dead air" between the notes you play.
But he might mean something different. It's probably a really good idea to ask him - music is a team sport, and we need to talk with each other at times about what we'd like to hear. Guessing what someone wants is not an effective strategy long term.
But he might mean something different. It's probably a really good idea to ask him - music is a team sport, and we need to talk with each other at times about what we'd like to hear. Guessing what someone wants is not an effective strategy long term.
Yeah last guitarist I gigged with used to say it an basically mean "play less, and only roots and 5ths". I ignored him, of course (he imagined himself "band leader", but, well....)
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Listen to your favorite bass lines. It's not just what they play. It's also where they DON'T play.
I’d ask him. As said before, music is a team sport.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
You asked a question, you got answers. All we can do is guess based upon the information given.
More space: Playing a groove on one chord and then changing chords after maybe 8 bars.
If this guitar playing is improvising over your playing, then changing chords too often can be like changing the topic in a conversation too often.
If this guitar playing is improvising over your playing, then changing chords too often can be like changing the topic in a conversation too often.
Less is more, plain and simple. Also a 3 chord only jam for 1/2 hour can be a little much, no?
No I appreciate yalls feedback, guitarist said and I quote "your baselines are generic you need to create more space" I guess thats where I am confused.
Remember that you’re just hearing one person’s opinion, so don’t be too quick to accept it as gospel. Your friend might be looking for something very specific. You could ask him to refer you to examples of the kind of bass parts he wants to hear. Then you can decide it that’s something that interests you. It might be an opportunity to expand your horizons a bit.
The flip side is that I’d be very hesitant to work with somebody that rude. I wouldn’t care if the guy was a genius. There are better ways to express yourself to your fellow musicians. Having respect for them is the first rule.
That was my thought process, we are getting together for the 1st time and already my ability is generic? I would no matter build up someone first, or show them what I meant. Dude just packed up his stuff and bounced.
Being called generic and needing space? I’ve been told that! By my wife! Seriously, if criticism is constructive in nature it opens up possibilities. It’s not harsh if it’s well meaning. Reggae bass lines have loads of space and in interesting places. Drop out occasionally. Mix busy and sparse. Experiment. Ask him what he’s looking for. Dusty Hill in ZZ Top (RIP) tended to be driving bass lines but then he’d dropout to give space. Listen to Zeppelin, tons of space balanced with drums. I agree with @buldog5151bass listen to your favorites. Listen to what they play and where they don’t.
Perhaps the guitar player meant: "Whatever I had in mind and did not communicate is not what you are doing. Please do other things until I have nothing to complain about."
There are times when a jam can spontaneously come together. It can also help to bring multiple ideas to the table with forethought. Someone needs to steer the boat unless the plan is to circle aimlessly. Actively listening to each other can also provide inspiration for changes in direction.
Record the next jam and then listen to it.
There are times when a jam can spontaneously come together. It can also help to bring multiple ideas to the table with forethought. Someone needs to steer the boat unless the plan is to circle aimlessly. Actively listening to each other can also provide inspiration for changes in direction.
Record the next jam and then listen to it.
I find for first time jamming with someone, that it is easier to pick songs everyone knows. This easier than trying to make something up on the fly. Also, if everyone is playing their part correctly, there should be no complaints.
Listen to Traffic’s Low Spark.
Learn to hit the notes. And learn to hit the “not notes”. On the surface it’s a very simple bass line but really it’s an exercise in timing and restraint.
There are a bajillion examples in every genre. It’s like when you have a conversation you have to listen as well as speak.
Learn to hit the notes. And learn to hit the “not notes”. On the surface it’s a very simple bass line but really it’s an exercise in timing and restraint.
There are a bajillion examples in every genre. It’s like when you have a conversation you have to listen as well as speak.
