Guitarists trying to write your basslines..

[duff beer]

It sounds like there are a lot of spoiled people on this forum. If someone writes a song and just so happened to write a bass line for it, then grow up play it. It won't kill you. Just because you play bass doesn't mean that someone else is incapable of writing a bass line as good or better than you.

Our songwriter usually comes in with all the lyrics and chords and just tells me what style to play..."play a walking line", or "play something simple", "funk it up". On a few occasions he has showed me a specific bass line that he wants me to play, and I just play it. It usually fits the song better than what I could have come up with, and he has written the guitar parts around that specific part.

 

[Mystic Michael]

What are you guys' opinions on when guitarists try to write a bassline for you?

The same as if any other member of the band - or any other musician - had written the material instead of me: I try to add the part that will best serve the song - and keep ego out of it!

Several years ago I did a little original material recording project with a keyboard player friend of mine. He came up with most of the basic structure, key, time signature and melody of each piece - and he wanted me to play his bass parts - as written.

While I'd have had no problem accepting direction from him (they're his songs after all) if he had written really good bass parts, the fact is most of his bass parts sounded as if they were written by a keyboard player (i.e. way too busy, not nearly enough authority or groove). It took some doing, but I finally prevailed upon him to allow me to rewrite or adapt his bass parts, so they flow better.

Once the guy realized that a) not only could I play well, but b) I could also arrange well, he began to relax and trust my musical instincts. He now acknowledges to this day that my input made all those tracks much better than they would otherwise have been.

The bottom line: Music is a meritocracy. You gain power and influence to make creative decisions - and to make them stick - in direct proportion to the amount of musical skill and productivity you bring to the table. So write your own material already!

MM

 

[MatticusMania]

It sounds like there are a lot of spoiled people on this forum. If someone writes a song and just so happened to write a bass line for it, then grow up play it. It won't kill you. Just because you play bass doesn't mean that someone else is incapable of writing a bass line as good or better than you.

If I wanted to play other peoples bass lines Id join a coverband.

 

[Jazz Ad]

I play what the band think fits the best.
If I'm handed a line, I will play it. If I think I have a better idea for the line I will try it and the whole band decides which one works better.
Ego is for guitarists and singers. I'm just the bass player.

 

[Twobass]

The first band I was in the guitar player wrote a lot of the basslines, not all but a lot. He knew what he wanted and the basslines were usually pretty good. As time went by I started doing the basslines. Are his basslines any good? If so what's the problem, just add what you can to the songs.

 

[Buxtehude]

The same as if any other member of the band - or any other musician - had written the material instead of me: I try to add the part that will best serve the song - and keep ego out of it!

Several years ago I did a little original material recording project with a keyboard player friend of mine. He came up with most of the basic structure, key, time signature and melody of each piece - and he wanted me to play his bass parts - as written.

While I'd have had no problem accepting direction from him (they're his songs after all) if he had written really good bass parts, the fact is most of his bass parts sounded as if they were written by a keyboard player (i.e. way too busy, not nearly enough authority or groove). It took some doing, but I finally prevailed upon him to allow me to rewrite or adapt his bass parts, so they flow better.

Once the guy realized that a) not only could I play well, but b) I could also arrange well, he began to relax and trust my musical instincts. He now acknowledges to this day that my input made all those tracks much better than they would otherwise have been.

The bottom line: Music is a meritocracy. You gain power and influence to make creative decisions - and to make them stick - in direct proportion to the amount of musical skill and productivity you bring to the table. So write your own material already!

MM

Just so. Well said.

 

[more coffee]

maybe less coffee? Imagine you worked hard to create a song, put your feelings into the lyrics and vocal line and a bandmate starts re-writing it without even listening to what you came up with first? Most folks would be ticked at the dismissive nature and lack of respect that shows....

Yes, it sounds ridiculous doesn't it? That was the point I was making. I hope you didn't think I was earnest. (I thought the "Controlly McFreakson" term would be a dead giveaway.)

So, to expand, why is a bassist that insists on changing the bassline for someone else's song (because "they're the bassist!") any different than a vocalist who insists on changing the vocal melody, or the lyrics, to someone else's song (because they're the vocalist!).

If you ("you" meaning members of the forum, not you specifically, pudgychef) think there's a difference, what is your reasoning?

 

[madmartyr17]

I say, "Cool, man, can I get a Midi Track to practice to?" That night, I go home, and I do work my funky bass player magic on the part, till it is fit for a man of the low end. That way it's still technically "His Line" You just made it better.

 

[more coffee]

If I wanted to play other peoples bass lines Id join a coverband.

If I wanted to play other people's chord progressions, I'd join a coverband.

If I wanted to sing other people's lyrics, I'd join a coverband.

Unless a person is the grand-poobah songwriter in an original band, or every member of said band is perfectly happy limiting their songwriting role to their instrument's specific part (yeah, that's realistic), sooner or later that person is going to be playing stuff they didn't write.

 

[totallyfrozen]

The issue of whether or not the songwriter has full arrangement rights for other instruments is something that needs to be made clear when you join/start the band or when original songs start getting introduced.

If they're paying me, then it's their call. If I'm not getting paid by the songwriter or producer, then I have ultimate decision making authority over the bass part. I'll listen and be receptive to their ideas but if they want a hired gun, then they'll have to hire one.

There's a phrase for songwriters who get full creative control over the arrangement: "solo artists".

^^I like this!^^

 

[riotorgun]

I guess im quite lucky in my band we all get input into the song,and we all try and listen objectively.I've thrown out riffs i wrote in exchange for ones the guitarist did because it was better and vice versa.

I write most of the lyrics and we all sit down read them get the feel of the song and then throw ideas around till one sticks then build it up.

Its really nice to be in a band where its so relaxed and easy.

 

[hrodbert696]

If we're talking the composer of an original song, then you owe it to the composer to let them actually hear the music they composed. Play it as they wrote it.

But if it's not a good bass line, I would feel free to critique it and suggest improvements. It's then up to the composer to decide if he wants to adopt your ideas or not.

The closest thing I've run into was just recently, our band is going to do Britney Spears' "Hit Me Baby One More Time" but the guitarist has a version he used to do solo with a looper. So he shows me the line he would lay down on his E string with the looper. It's not too bad, but basically it's too busy and sounds cluttered on bass. I asked if I could streamline it some and he was fine with that, and it looks like it will work out.

 

[mellowinman]

As a songwriter, I tell every instrument what to play on a song I write. Then we play it just like that. If one of the players shows me a way to improve upon that, I thank him, and my song gets better. If anyone is uncooperative, they will not be playing with me. It's called acting like a professional. If you want me to play something in YOUR song, I will listen to you, and do my best to complete your vision. Songwriters have the right to at least HEAR their vision. Even if it's only once.
Sometimes, I'll tell a guitar player to play a certain riff, and upon hearing him play it, I'll know it was a dumb idea. I have the humility to know I can be WRONG.
But if someone said to me, "if I wanted to play someone else's bass lines, I'd join a coverband," I would simply walk over to the door, open it, and point to the great world of opportunities awaiting them outside.

 

[Jarrett]

I'll usually ask the writer of a song to give me a bassline with the understanding that I might not use it. I do this because 1. it makes my job easier if the line is good, 2. it gives me an idea of what they think is appropriate, and3. it gives me something to borrow ideas from.

This sounds pretty good. Learn it his way. See if you like it. If not, change it to what you like.

Really depends on the situation. Did he form the band to play his music and pay the other players as sidemen? If so, then note for note.

Or is the group on equal footing with everyone contributing? If so, then play what you want.

There's always another gig for a good bass player.

 

[rtslinger]

HA HA HA guitard writing a bassline MOD this needs to be moved to the Jokes section forum.
It is sad how many guitar players who aren't bass players try to write bass lines it is my findings they are most of the time lame without creativity root note or play the same riff the guitar is playing no space to breath. It seems all of them think the bass has to be constantly thumping away during the entire song where we all know sometimes playing nothing in the song can make a bigger impression then filling in every possible space on the music staff. Leave the bass line to the bass player we don't need you to tell us what to play or how to play it.

 

[Southpaw5]

Usually, there is more than just one way to serve a song.

Preferably with bacon

 

[Rual1]

As a songwriter, I tell every instrument what to play on a song I write. Then we play it just like that. If one of the players shows me a way to improve upon that, I thank him, and my song gets better. If anyone is uncooperative, they will not be playing with me. It's called acting like a professional. If you want me to play something in YOUR song, I will listen to you, and do my best to complete your vision. Songwriters have the right to at least HEAR their vision. Even if it's only once.
Sometimes, I'll tell a guitar player to play a certain riff, and upon hearing him play it, I'll know it was a dumb idea. I have the humility to know I can be WRONG.
But if someone said to me, "if I wanted to play someone else's bass lines, I'd join a coverband," I would simply walk over to the door, open it, and point to the great world of opportunities awaiting them outside.

I agree.

 

[MatticusMania]

But if someone said to me, "if I wanted to play someone else's bass lines, I'd join a coverband," I would simply walk over to the door, open it, and point to the great world of opportunities awaiting them outside.

It wouldnt come to that, as Id have already packed up my stuff and left at:

As a songwriter, I tell every instrument what to play on a song I write.

Its just not I want to be doing in a band. When I put a band together, its becuase I know how well the people I have selected can play AND write on their respective instruments. I dont want to have to tell others what to play, and I dont want others telling me what to play. Thats not to say that if someone has an idea it won't be listened to or taken into consideration, but its not my place to tell out keys player what he should be playing when he knows his instrument better than I do. Same goes for a guitarist... I dont play guitar, and Im not going to tell them how they should play.

every member of said band is perfectly happy limiting their songwriting role to their instrument's specific part (yeah, that's realistic),

Outside of minor suggestions, this is exactly how our band writes material. Of course, everyone has input, if we think the song should go in a certain direction, but usually our songs begin with our songwriter having the basis of a song written. From there, it gets shown to the band, and the members are left to write their parts.

 

[mellowinman]

HA HA HA guitard writing a bassline MOD this needs to be moved to the Jokes section forum.
It is sad how many guitar players who aren't bass players try to write bass lines it is my findings they are most of the time lame without creativity root note or play the same riff the guitar is playing no space to breath. It seems all of them think the bass has to be constantly thumping away during the entire song where we all know sometimes playing nothing in the song can make a bigger impression then filling in every possible space on the music staff. Leave the bass line to the bass player we don't need you to tell us what to play or how to play it.

I will never understand the use of the word "guitard."

Not even a little.

I would say that if someone is going to be demeaning to those who play other instruments, they are not professional.

Not at all.

 

[Art Araya]

What's the harm in trying his line out? If it sounds good, keep it and make it your own subtly. If you think you can come up with a better line, demo it for him - perhaps he'll like your idea better?

If he's the type of guy where his idea is always the best idea, then it could be hard to work with him.