How not to play the same over and over again

[javi_bassist]

Hello everyone!



I am looking for some piece of advice. I have been working with some bands playing the classics (80s and 90s), playing some Gospel, some rock, pop... I have been busy and I can't really complain. However, I feel like when I have to write a bass line for a new song or I have to improvise, I tend to play always the same. Like I have some chops that I feel comfortable playing and I am always using them. But that it's boring and I would love to expand that and incorporate more chops. What do you guys think I should focus on? I thought about learning some cool songs and extract ideas, I have a couple of books about improvisation by Sturat Clayton, but I am sure there are other things that I should learn.

Thank you in advance!

 

[fearceol]

What do you guys think I should focus on?

I think inversions would be worth while delving into.

For new songs you could also trying humming a bass line without the bass in your hands. Then when you have found something good, play it on the bass.

 

[Old Blastard]

Grab a book on jazz or rock or whatever progressions and work on them until you get some new body memory. Also, dive into some theory, just small chunks at first, and try to apply it. You'll develop an ear, knowledge and muscle memory

 

[FatStringer52]

It's all about vocabulary. Chord inversions, as mentioned by @fearceol above, is a great starting point. Additionally, there are many things you can do to increase your vocabulary. For instance, if your playing a ii-V-I and you always start on the ii above the root and also play the V above the root, then change that up to playing the ii and V below the root. Explore different ways of moving between the chords (employ inversions). You can also do things like instead of playing the I major chord, play the iii minor, which in essence your playing a rootless I 9 chord. This technique works quite well in a lot of situations. Just be on the lookout for any dissonance that you may encounter. Rule of thumb -- practice them before you employ them! Borrowed chords and chord substitutions can add a lot to your vocabulary.

 

[mambo4]

+1 to thinking of it as a vocabulary issue

Learning Lots of songs, Chord progressions, theory, and listening are how you build your vocabulary

learn to play songs or phrases you like (Lots of songs)
figure out what chord progression the phrases go with* (chord progressions)
figure out how to transpose the phrase to other key centers* (theory)
learn to recognize that chord progression in any key*(listening)
add it to your vocabulary

repeat and build a huge vocabulary

*you need enough theory to understand chord progressions
The pdf linked in my signature is a good basic theory outline

another vocabulary builder is learning specific styles or genres.
In many case, what the bass and drums do will define the style of music.
Learn what distinguishes the Root -5 patterns of country form the Root -5 patterns of Salsa
And you'll have 2 new vocabulary ideas to draw on

 

[SteveCS]

...
Chord inversions
...
(employ inversions)
...
instead of playing the I major chord, play the iii minor, which in essence your playing a rootless I
...

Assuming you still have the lowest note in the ensmble that's just 1st inversion!!

 

[Diplock]

Do a little experiment. Put your bass down and sing a bass line along with a track or drum loop. If you can't sing something better than what you can play on the bass you have a lack of vocabulary. If you can sing something better than what you can play you still need to work on vocabulary (we all do, it's a lifelong project) but part of the issue may be locking into comfortable physical patterns rather than listening. Singing bass lines and then learning them on the instrument is a good step towards fixing that (and a few other things too). Your mind is the instrument not the bass.

 

[mambo4]

RE: Inversions

For creative experiment and ideas they are great

But at a gig, use them with taste, ears, and caution - or maybe don't use them and stick to the chart.
My experience is paying inversions instead of what's on the page has a good chance of confusing the ensemble and getting a "that sounds wrong" from others.

It's more broadly useful to examine ways to move between root notes,
rather than seek replacements for them.

 

[pglaser01]

playing the classics (80s and 90s)

Well thanks for ruining my afternoon and making me feel old!!!

 

[Egg250]

Hello everyone!
I am looking for some piece of advice. I have been working with some bands playing the classics (80s and 90s), playing some Gospel, some rock, pop... I have been busy and I can't really complain. However, I feel like when I have to write a bass line for a new song or I have to improvise, I tend to play always the same. Like I have some chops that I feel comfortable playing and I am always using them. But that it's boring and I would love to expand that and incorporate more chops. What do you guys think I should focus on? I thought about learning some cool songs and extract ideas, I have a couple of books about improvisation by Sturat Clayton, but I am sure there are other things that I should learn.
Thank you in advance!

I don't know theory or scales very well. I tend to fumble a bit. I stick to roots until I'm comfortable with the chord progression, then experiment.

If you learn the scales (major, minor, pentatonic, blues, etc) you will at least know patterns for each chord that you can use. I also try not to focus so much on the root. Yes, it is a major part of what we do, but if you can find a harmony that might highlight or accentuate a line or word, use it.

Sometimes when the guitarist is playing an ascending run, find a descending run that harmonizes and compliments the guitar.

 

[Aussie Player]

The simple way, is to listen to the music created with your eyes closed and don't play so you really listen.
Your mind will usually sing bass melody's and you can change them and explore them without touching a bass. If you can learn this technique, you can find the notes on the bass after you have created something that pleases you, that also expands on the melody of the song to compliment the sound you are hearing.

I heard Clapton say many years ago, that when he plays a solo, he hears/sings the notes in his head and his fingers find them every time he plays. I thought that interesting and found that it works with bass as well.

 

[Engle]

One thing I do as an exercise is to find different versions of a song. And then I'll learn both bassists' versions.
For example you may have heard this:


But there is this take on it. Much simpler, but still a great groove:

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hello everyone!



I am looking for some piece of advice. I have been working with some bands playing the classics (80s and 90s), playing some Gospel, some rock, pop... I have been busy and I can't really complain. However, I feel like when I have to write a bass line for a new song or I have to improvise, I tend to play always the same. Like I have some chops that I feel comfortable playing and I am always using them. But that it's boring and I would love to expand that and incorporate more chops. What do you guys think I should focus on? I thought about learning some cool songs and extract ideas, I have a couple of books about improvisation by Sturat Clayton, but I am sure there are other things that I should learn.

Thank you in advance!

You play bass bro. Consistency is the name of the game.

If want try try something different, try hitting on off rythyms. Try pauses.

When you play, is far more powerful than what you play. The entire feel changes. And you, are the feel.

 

[Pings Bass]

Some of us are cursed/blessed with not being able to play the same thing the same way twice

 

[Govner22]

Another vote for rhythmic variations/pauses. Even the same old notes sound new if you have some fun changing the timing and varying how busily or sparsely you play.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hello everyone!



I am looking for some piece of advice. I have been working with some bands playing the classics (80s and 90s), playing some Gospel, some rock, pop... I have been busy and I can't really complain. However, I feel like when I have to write a bass line for a new song or I have to improvise, I tend to play always the same. Like I have some chops that I feel comfortable playing and I am always using them. But that it's boring and I would love to expand that and incorporate more chops. What do you guys think I should focus on? I thought about learning some cool songs and extract ideas, I have a couple of books about improvisation by Sturat Clayton, but I am sure there are other things that I should learn.

Thank you in advance!

I played in a band that played mostly 1-4-5 progressions. To keep from getting bored, I just tried to come up with as many logical combinations possible going from one chord to the next. Then going through three chord progression and upward from there to where I'm pretty fluid.

I agree, some lesson books should help you.

 

[pbass2]

For me, the biggest leg up to my bass vocabulary was playing as many different genres as I could get my mitts on. I started out as a classic rocker, but eventually did time in reggae/dub, various latin styles, country, soul, blues, afrobeat, etc etc. Best musical education ever, IMHO. Sure, some rock acts incorporate elements from other styles, like reggae or funk or whatever, but nothing beats going to the source and drinking from that well. You'll start to - often unconsciously - infuse what you're playing with elements from these different styles and come up with really fresh ideas.

 

[Cristo]

I will second the idea of "thinking" a new bass line before trying to play it much.

If you listen to a new piece of music and hear in your head what you would like to play over it, it will not be constrained by your hands always doing the same old thing and playing the same patterns. Of course, it might be too hard to play!

 

[elberon]

You might want to think more in terms of how to connect structurally important pitches (usually chord tones) with non-chord tones (diatonic or chromatic passing tones, neighbor tones, appoggiaturas, anticipations etc.). Examine the way notes of a good melody interact with the harmonic progressions that support it. A well constructed bop walking bass line does this too. Think about the bass part as a type of simple counter melody instead of just root-fifth-root-fifth.

 

[bigjames]

I have been through this myself and a few things "fixed" it...or at least helped me get out of my rut. I think they have been mentioned above...

1) Learn some new tunes. Listen to music, when you hear something cool on the bass (or any other instrument really), learn it. For me, I got inspiration from Steve Wonder (Nathan Watts is an absolute BEAST) and Joe Dart in Vulfpeck. I cannot play either of their stuff note for note (not all of it anyway), but I have learned some specific licks and transitions that I like and they inspired some new ideas.

2) Listen to (or think about) a chord progression in your mind...sing some bass line ideas...when you find one you like, learn it on the bass. I honestly need to do this more...I come up with ideas and forget them before I get my bass in my hands, but it works and you end up trying things you never would have tried before being limited by familiar patterns with your fingers. Sometimes this requires learning new fingering patterns or shifts, and that can open whole new landscapes for creativity as well.

3) Try things with the band...part of the challenge for me was that I was playing a somewhat limited set list and the other players always did the same things too, which didnt help. We decided as a group (the rhythm section anyway) to try some new things. We coordinated syncopated sections, we added triplet feel licks and runs, etc. and ultimately everyone had more fun AND we all improved our musicianship.