Hey guys! New here, and also, a question.

[TK Nicholas]

Hey!
I've been playing a 4 string bass for 2 years on and off now (self-taught), after being a drummer for the last decade, I've decided I've wanted something more melodic-like, instead of pure rhythm and I absolutely love the bass guitar, but lately I've been feeling that while playing in a group with other musicians, I'm being swallowed in the background more than I would like, don't get me wrong, I'm not about stealing the lead guitar spotlight, he can have it, but sometimes it feels like no matter what ill play on bass, it wouldn't matter, because no one is listening anyway. does any of you get that feeling? what should i do to get my playing to still fit in a band but gain more attention?

Another question is at hand, If I wanna take my bass game to a new level, and the only thing i'm looking for is being more melodic, I'm considering getting a 6 stringer for that high c string, with the goal of being more versatile and easier writing of melodic solos. So I've considered a 6 stringer, but I've also considered sticking with 4 and going fretless, now, I have absolutely no idea what im talking about, I'm just looking to be more melodic! guidance, please!
Thank you!
TK.

 

[Blaze Barlow]

Hey!
I've been playing a 4 string bass for 2 years on and off now (self-taught), after being a drummer for the last decade, I've decided I've wanted something more melodic-like, instead of pure rhythm and I absolutely love the bass guitar, but lately I've been feeling that while playing in a group with other musicians, I'm being swallowed in the background more than I would like, don't get me wrong, I'm not about stealing the lead guitar spotlight, he can have it, but sometimes it feels like no matter what ill play on bass, it wouldn't matter, because no one is listening anyway. does any of you get that feeling? what should i do to get my playing to still fit in a band but gain more attention?

Another question is at hand, If I wanna take my bass game to a new level, and the only thing i'm looking for is being more melodic, I'm considering getting a 6 stringer for that high c string, with the goal of being more versatile and easier writing of melodic solos. So I've considered a 6 stringer, but I've also considered sticking with 4 and going fretless, now, I have absolutely no idea what im talking about, I'm just looking to be more melodic! guidance, please!
Thank you!
TK.

what I have always liked doing is bringing a portable keyboard along and playing some of the bass on keyboards..its a great variation..steve winwood often played bass on keyboard footpedals..

 

[soulman969]

but sometimes it feels like no matter what ill play on bass, it wouldn't matter, because no one is listening anyway. does any of you get that feeling?

If you're playing well a whole lot of people won't notice what you're doing until you stop doing it. Then everyone will notice and know what the bass is for. Trust me.

 

[bassbenj]

Hey!
I've been playing a 4 string bass for 2 years on and off now (self-taught), after being a drummer for the last decade, I've decided I've wanted something more melodic-like, instead of pure rhythm and I absolutely love the bass guitar, but lately I've been feeling that while playing in a group with other musicians, I'm being swallowed in the background more than I would like, don't get me wrong, I'm not about stealing the lead guitar spotlight, he can have it, but sometimes it feels like no matter what ill play on bass, it wouldn't matter, because no one is listening anyway. does any of you get that feeling? what should i do to get my playing to still fit in a band but gain more attention?

Another question is at hand, If I wanna take my bass game to a new level, and the only thing i'm looking for is being more melodic, I'm considering getting a 6 stringer for that high c string, with the goal of being more versatile and easier writing of melodic solos. So I've considered a 6 stringer, but I've also considered sticking with 4 and going fretless, now, I have absolutely no idea what im talking about, I'm just looking to be more melodic! guidance, please!
Thank you!
TK.

If you think you are being "swallowed" and "no one is listening" then just stop playing and see what happens. However, what a bass player does is grab and hold THE BAND (not the audience). This takes some knowledge, experience, practice and skill. The bass is a VERY powerful instrument. You can make the guitarist AND the Drummer do your will just by what you play. Bass is a harmony instrument which drums are not (I'm a drummer too). But bass is also a rhythm instrument like drums. So you and he drummer have to come to a meeting of minds. Groove and setting the fundamental notes for harmony (makes others choose inversions) is what bass is all about.

Now solos are a different matter. In a solo, you have to change modes. Now you will be in guitarist mode. This means you work to grab and hold the AUDIENCE the way a vocalist or guitar player does. AND you (as you note) must switch over to including more melody (because YOU are supplying all the melody in a solo). And of course you have to supply the harmony and rhythm too. Double stops an chords give harmony. Higher notes keep your chords from being muddy. I STRONGLY recommend a fretless 6 string bass in 2 octaves (would be 24 frets if it were fretted) for developing your solos. To me that is the next level. Even better is a pair of 6 string basses in fretted and fretless. Gives you you a musical choice and a backup instrument at the same time.

But remember I'm talking about SOLOS on bass. If you forget the groove and start getting all melodic on bass you'll be committing the sin of playing bass like a guitar player and it is NOT something you want said about your playing. It is a MAJOR gripe of musicians who play other instruments. They'd much rather you just stood there pounding on the root note than shredding all "melodic" all over the bass. Without solos you really don't need the high string. 5 strings is enough or for classic bass lines 4 strings is enough.

good luck!

 

[TK Nicholas]

If you think you are being "swallowed" and "no one is listening" then just stop playing and see what happens. However, what a bass player does is grab and hold THE BAND (not the audience). This takes some knowledge, experience, practice and skill. The bass is a VERY powerful instrument. You can make the guitarist AND the Drummer do your will just by what you play. Bass is a harmony instrument which drums are not (I'm a drummer too). But bass is also a rhythm instrument like drums. So you and he drummer have to come to a meeting of minds. Groove and setting the fundamental notes for harmony (makes others choose inversions) is what bass is all about.

Now solos are a different matter. In a solo, you have to change modes. Now you will be in guitarist mode. This means you work to grab and hold the AUDIENCE the way a vocalist or guitar player does. AND you (as you note) must switch over to including more melody (because YOU are supplying all the melody in a solo). And of course you have to supply the harmony and rhythm too. Double stops an chords give harmony. Higher notes keep your chords from being muddy. I STRONGLY recommend a fretless 6 string bass in 2 octaves (would be 24 frets if it were fretted) for developing your solos. To me that is the next level. Even better is a pair of 6 string basses in fretted and fretless. Gives you you a musical choice and a backup instrument at the same time.

But remember I'm talking about SOLOS on bass. If you forget the groove and start getting all melodic on bass you'll be committing the sin of playing bass like a guitar player and it is NOT something you want said about your playing. It is a MAJOR gripe of musicians who play other instruments. They'd much rather you just stood there pounding on the root note than shredding all "melodic" all over the bass. Without solos you really don't need the high string. 5 strings is enough or for classic bass lines 4 strings is enough.

good luck!

Thanks for the quick reply!
Don't you think a fretless 6 stringer will be too much for my level? Although I do like the sound of that, I don't wanna get in over my head and get discouraged quickly. would I be able to also play the bass role and also solo when necessary?

 

[Wisebass]

I've been playing a 4 string bass for 2 years on and off now (self-taught), after being a drummer for the last decade, I've decided I've wanted Something more melodic-like, instead of pure rhythm

what should i do to get my playing to still fit in a band but gain more attention?

Hi TK Nicholas

Welcome to TB!!!

When you are a drummer, you should already know the answer!

So you and he drummer have to come to a meeting of minds

Groove and setting the fundamental notes for harmony (makes others choose inversions) is what bass is all about.

great advice!!!

A good groove can be everything from "kick, snare, kick, snare, kick, snare, kick, snare…"
with "roots only" coming from the bass , (don' t get me wrong : Sometimes this is what a song needs!)
to a more complex rhythm, with a melodic bass line on top, that gives the drum part a meaning in the harmonic context…

It's not easy to put that in words. So maybe I should post some music.



Killers at work!

So now to the second part…

considering getting a 6 stringer

going fretless

I am a fretless player, so don' t expect me to talk you out of going fretless
(btw: Pino Palladino played a 4 string fretless on "Give Blood")

6 string basses? I play 5ers (I need it deeper but that' s just me)

Don't you think a fretless 6 stringer will be too much for my level?

would I be able to also play the bass role and also solo when necessary?

Now this is a question only you can answer

All I can say is, that I started playing fretless only in 2003 (started playing bass in 1982)
and I wish I had started on fretless earlier, because it' s so much fun!

so these are my 2 cents

may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

[bassbenj]

Thanks for the quick reply!
Don't you think a fretless 6 stringer will be too much for my level? Although I do like the sound of that, I don't wanna get in over my head and get discouraged quickly. would I be able to also play the bass role and also solo when necessary?

Usually I say "do as I say , not as I do!" but in this case you can do as I do! My first 6 string bass was a 6 string unlined fretless Alembic Epic. (still have it) I had been switching from 4 strings to 5 for about a year at the time. Talk about jumping into the deep end of the pool! Yes, no question it was WAY too much bass for me at that time! But, I'm not sorry I did. Soon, I also got a fretless Carvin semihollow body AC50 5 string I played blues with and that made transition to fretless relatively painless. Note that for a while I had the Carvin strung EADGC for solos. The Carvin was lined though later I wished I hadn't done that. Interestingly, the 6 string Alembic really showed me what 5 string basses are all about! It's not just about a couple of lower notes. I won't kid you. It took me about a year until I started to feel that I was playing the Alembic rather than it was playing me! But like all things that take some effort, eventually it ends up more than worth it.

Good luck!

 

[TK Nicholas]

Hi TK Nicholas

Welcome to TB!!!

When you are a drummer, you should already know the answer!





great advice!!!

A good groove can be everything from "kick, snare, kick, snare, kick, snare, kick, snare…"
with "roots only" coming from the bass , (don' t get me wrong : Sometimes this is what a song needs!)
to a more complex rhythm, with a melodic bass line on top, that gives the drum part a meaning in the harmonic context…

It's not easy to put that in words. So maybe I should post some music.



Killers at work!

So now to the second part…





I am a fretless player, so don' t expect me to talk you out of going fretless
(btw: Pino Palladino played a 4 string fretless on "Give Blood")

6 string basses? I play 5ers (I need it deeper but that' s just me)





Now this is a question only you can answer

All I can say is, that I started playing fretless only in 2003 (started playing bass in 1982)
and I wish I had started on fretless earlier, because it' s so much fun!

so these are my 2 cents

may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

Usually I say "do as I say , not as I do!" but in this case you can do as I do! My first 6 string bass was a 6 string unlined fretless Alembic Epic. (still have it) I had been switching from 4 strings to 5 for about a year at the time. Talk about jumping into the deep end of the pool! Yes, no question it was WAY too much bass for me at that time! But, I'm not sorry I did. Soon, I also got a fretless Carvin semihollow body AC50 5 string I played blues with and that made transition to fretless relatively painless. Note that for a while I had the Carvin strung EADGC for solos. The Carvin was lined though later I wished I hadn't done that. Interestingly, the 6 string Alembic really showed me what 5 string basses are all about! It's not just about a couple of lower notes. I won't kid you. It took me about a year until I started to feel that I was playing the Alembic rather than it was playing me! But like all things that take some effort, eventually it ends up more than worth it.

Good luck!

Thanks a lot guys! Ill take the challenge and go for a fretless 6 string, knowing it will be hard at first but im not the kind of guy to give up easily.

Keep rocking fellas.

 

[hrodbert696]

To quote the cliche, "Jaco only played four strings." (Jaco Pastorius, in case you're so new you don't already know the reference).

Which I am NOT saying the way people usually do, to pooh-pooh the idea of playing a bass with more than 4. However, I would question the logic of buying a fretless 6 in this case.

If you want to be more melodic, the obvious way to do that is to play more melodies. You can do that on any bass, fretted or not, however many strings it has.

The question, though, is whether the music you're playing calls for melodies from the bass. It may, or you may be playing freestyle jams where you can do what you want, or whatever. But if the music calls for the bass to lock in with the drums and lay down a groove, flying off on a melodic thing will ruin it.

Extra strings give you extra notes. That's all there is to it, no more, no less. Is there something you want to play that you NEED the extra notes to be able to play? If so, then sure, buy an instrument that has them.

Fretless just gives you a different tone - the "mwah" that people rhapsodize about. Just getting a fretless doesn't give you melodiousness - it gives you mwah. If you want mwah tone (and all the microtones and stuff), buy a fretless. If that isn't where you're going, it won't get you there.

 

[twinjet]

I once owned a four, with desires of more range. I bought a six-string.

I once owned a four and six-string, with desires of mwah. I bought a fretless five string

I once owned a four, six-string and fretless five-string. I desired for simplicity. I sold all but one.

I own a four, and desire no more.

Welcome to TalkBass, hope you liked my poem.

 

[Basshappi]

Just like rhythm and harmony, melody comes from the mind not the instrument.

Welcome to Talkbass.

 

[MrLenny1]

you can do a 5 string with Hi C.

 

[twinjet]

Another question is at hand, If I wanna take my bass game to a new level, and the only thing i'm looking for is being more melodic

A C string will give you this option. You will certainly benefit from listening to other melodic players and practicing free improvisation.