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Creativity

Progfan44

Progfan44

Aug 4, 2012
104
36
29
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
#1
Does anyone have some advice for a bassist who is looking for ways to be creative? I know my scales, modes, arpeggios etc. extremely well, but I have a hard time using them in a musical context. I feel like this might be a problem many bassists can share, as it seems our instrument is kinda lacking in ways to independently compose (free of writing bass parts for band stuff). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
#2
Scales, modes, and arpeggios are all single-pitch concepts. Rhythm is equally important. Find lines you like, and figure out exactly WHAT you like about them. Could be a certain interval in a figure, could be a certain rhythm, could be how a line works in the harmony. Apply the things you learn that way to your own playing and writing.

Also, never hurts to log some time behind a piano/keyboard.
 
#4
Think more about rhythm. The bass has a stronger impact on the rhythm of music than most other instruments in a band. If you're not focusing on rhythm, you're missing out on about half of your instrument's role.

Learn about chord inversions. You don't always have to open each bar of music with the root note of the chord. In fact, it's often better to play a note other than the root note of a chord. By using notes from the chord other than the root note, you can compose smoother bass lines. Link Removed

If composing music is your goal, you should take up another instrument. While it's definitely possible to compose on a bass, it's usually better to use an instrument like piano that will let you play more notes simultaneously. In fact, on piano you can play the bass line, the harmony notes, and sing a melody all on your own. If you want to compose your own music, I would highly recommend taking up piano as a second instrument.
 
#5
Imagination, it is that simple. Its about having an idea and following it through to the best of your abilities. If your abilities cannot handle the idea, you practice and put in place new learning that will develop and allow you to play your ideas.
 
#6
Progfan44 said:
Does anyone have some advice for a bassist who is looking for ways to be creative? I know my scales, modes, arpeggios etc. extremely well, but I have a hard time using them in a musical context. I feel like this might be a problem many bassists can share, as it seems our instrument is kinda lacking in ways to independently compose (free of writing bass parts for band stuff). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Educate yourself.
Listen to a lot of music and practice.
Play a lot with a lot of different people.
Good luck!
:)
 
#7
Our job is to maintain the beat, call attention to the chord changes and don't step on toes while doing that.

People go for drinks when we solo. Now that does not mean we can not get creative - if it does not throw the rhythm or the vocalist off what they are doing.

Practice your runs, fills, licks, etc. to where they are deep into muscle memory - so they just happen when needed.

When you get fish eyes from the guys back off the creative stuff; a little goes a long way.
 
#8
Creativity is about thinking. Pick a bass line you know well. Play like the recording. Now play it in a different way. Now play it is still a different way. What would your bass line sound like if Count Basie had written it? or Elvis Costello? Or Mozart? How would you play a major scale if that's all you were allowed to play and you had to show your ability to: be soulful, be agressive, popish, jazzy? What would your major scale sound like if you could not play it high to low or low to high but rather you had to play it from the middle to both ends? Pick two notes that are totally illogical in a melodic context. Make a melody with them.. use that interval a lot. Take a melody you know well and change the rhythm so it is totally different, but with the same notes in the same order. Pick a drum lick you like. Put notes to it. Do it again, but with different notes.
 
#9
I'm going to assume the opposite of the previous poster (couple back), and say that you aren't referring to play 10 minute solos during Brown Eyed Girl in a cover band. If you're playing in a rock band, by all means limit your creativity to fulfilling the requirements of the gig while on the gig.

But it is also important (to me, and apparently to the OP too, or they wouldn't be asking) to allow yourself some time to play freely. Improvise completely, with no preconceptions of sounding good or tasteful or impressive. Do this alone or with musicians you trust that are interested in exploring with you. Try to play what you hear in your minds ear, without planning too far ahead, just like you do when having a conversation with a close friend. When you start doing this, don't record; let the experience be what it is without going back to critique. When you feel comfortable and loose, eventually record and see what is there.

One technical skill you need besides knowing scales, modes, and chords is ear training. You need to know what all of the intervals sound like before you play them. There are some tricks an if you google a bit you can find them, I'm sure. The theme from Jaws is a half step, "here comes the bride" is a perfect fourth. Sing along with your improvising and scales, etc to cement these relationships in your ear.
 
#10
I don´t want to sound too cheesy, but basically music is a language. Nothing more, nothing less. To understand and speak a language very well does not qualify for being a poet or writer. I believe that every form of creativity has its roots in the personal structure of the individual with very different driving forces... love, anger, curiosity,humor whatever. Regardless if you are a scientist, carpenter or bass player: There is only so much you can "learn". There are techniques to evoke creativity, but if it´s lacking a real driving force it will puff out sooner or later.
 
#13
puddin tame said:
What kind of music are you trying to write?

Bass guitar is really not the best instrument to compose with but there are different ways depending on what you're trying to do
Click to expand...

Grooves, melody lines, solos, anything really. I've always had a passion for really complex, fusion-y stuff where bass has a more prominent role in the melodic backdrop as well as the rhythmic backdrop
I think this'd be a good example
 

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