Keep It Simple Stupid Basslines

[Xandrell]

I've noticed the songs I like best and like to play are melodic rock with simple bass lines and a smooth, full sustaining sound without effects or overdrive, leaving the overdrive to the guitar.

I mean, I like Dream Theater as much as anyone and early Beatles, Motown, 60s, 70s etc... that at times have busy bass lines, but I don't even like bass solos. I draw the line at walking bass lines in Jazz.

I know a lot of bass players are the complete opposite of this but wonder if my views would change if I were a better player ?

 

[MalcolmAmos]

I've noticed the songs I like best and like to play are melodic rock with simple bass lines and a smooth, full sustaining sound without effects or overdrive, leaving the overdrive to the guitar. ....... I know a lot of bass players are the complete opposite of this but wonder if my views would change if I were a better player ?

I play Praise and Country. Praise is roots. With how the root is played left to you. To the beat or one root note per chord change and nothing more till the next change are two of the most used methods. Country is root - five with chromatic walks to the next chord. In Country the walk to the next chord is expected as it alerts everyone to the fact that a chord change is coming. Anything beyond that on both Praise and Country will get you fish eyes from the guys.

Praise can and will use all seven of the chords in one progression, I really welcome a good ole I-IV-V-I progression where we all fall into a groove and just enjoy the music. We had one of those 6 chord songs that was giving everyone problems, so I looked for some Internet chord charts on the song and found one using a I-V-iii-V-I progression. I Ended up combining the two and the simplified version went much better.

Being a better player often means you recognize what the song needs, most of the time IMO that is, less IS more. All that fancy stuff often just gets in the way or steps on toes.

As to your thinking changing if you were a better player, I don't know, but, I do know I don't need all those pedals and distortion with the music I play. And like you said some music welcomes this. So it depends...

 

[drumsnbass]

I'm guessing OP is not a Jamiroquoi fan?

 

[Xandrell]

I'm guessing OP is not a Jamiroquoi fan?

Jamiroquoi Funky Acid Jazz. Sounds to me like a form of torture.

 

[drumsnbass]

Jamiroquoi Funky Acid Jazz. Sounds to me like a form of torture.

 

[Creede]

In general, I disagree with the merit of stupid simple basslines. They can fit and add to a song, and in some music it is beneficial to play stupidly simple lines, but some bands just wouldn't be the same without busy bassists or syncopated lines. Would Tower of Power be the same without Rocco Prestia?

 

[Xandrell]

Thanks for the link. I've seen her before and she's fun to watch, and even fun to play a song like that, but I don't like the song. The question is do you think bass players like simple bass line songs starting out and then "like" (not just playing ) more intricate bass line songs as they get better? Does one's taste in music change because they get better at an instrument? The reason I ask of course is I don't see my taste in music changing because I get really good. I could be totally wrong though. A Pro can play anything put in front of them, but does their taste in music change obtaining that?

 

[Rib 13]

I've noticed the songs I like best and like to play are melodic rock with simple bass lines and a smooth, full sustaining sound without effects or overdrive,..........snip...............
I know a lot of bass players are the complete opposite of this but wonder if my views would change if I were a better player ?

"More Notes" in a bassline doesn't necessarily translate into "Good Bass Player".....

 

[drumsnbass]

Thanks for the link. I've seen her before and she's fun to watch, and even fun to play a song like that, but I don't like the song. The question is do you think bass players like simple bass line songs starting out and then "like" (not just playing ) more intricate bass line songs as they get better? Does one's taste in music change because they get better at an instrument? The reason I ask of course is I don't see my taste in music changing because I get really good. I could be totally wrong though. A Pro can play anything put in front of them, but does their taste in music change obtaining that?

If I could play as well as she plays I would be ecstatic. Doesn't mean I would play like that all the time. If anything I think be able to play a good, sold walking bass line is more than 'good enough' for me personally one day.

So in answer, it's really not about how many notes (Miles Davis proved as much) as the quality and placement of such...

 

[Lobster11]

Thanks for the link. I've seen her before and she's fun to watch, and even fun to play a song like that, but I don't like the song. The question is do you think bass players like simple bass line songs starting out and then "like" (not just playing ) more intricate bass line songs as they get better? Does one's taste in music change because they get better at an instrument? The reason I ask of course is I don't see my taste in music changing because I get really good. I could be totally wrong though. A Pro can play anything put in front of them, but does their taste in music change obtaining that?

Actually, I think exactly the opposite is much more often the case: People start out wanting to play the most complex, busy lines they can. Twenty years later, when they are finally capable of playing such lines, they come to realize that simpler is often/usually better after all.

 

[Rocknrollover]

Well I'm a new guy been playing going on 5 months I started with a pic now I'm switching to fingers I play rock tunes and it's very difficult but I don't think I'll stray away as I get better I just like rock music.

 

[davegt666]

Some basslines can be simple but I prefer basslines that are "simple" but rhythmically interesting.

My style contains a lot of John Taylor influences with a staccato feel and ghost notes.

I also have roots in a lot of funk and disco.

So my lines tend to be simple but also very driving.

I won't be that way for every song though or even the whole song for the matter.

It depends on the song.

 

[bassbully]

Actually, I think exactly the opposite is much more often the case: People start out wanting to play the most complex, busy lines they can. Twenty years later, when they are finally capable of playing such lines, they come to realize that simpler is often/usually better after all.

I agree. If I show a younger player the roots of bass, developing an ear and to play in the pocket their next question is "can you slap?
The bass is often looked at as boring to play and leaves you supporting the music not being free to improvise or lead. I say that's great! I fell in love with bass for the way it filled out the song and most times led the song along.
Busy bass has its part but overall a solid in the pocket bass player will never have a problem getting a job with a band.
I went to a Victor Wooten clinic a few years back when he said bass players today are trying to hard to get the bass into the spotlight and out front. While he agreed its great and does the same he said to the group to focus on being the simple, solid pocket player. The music world needs more of us.

 

[Barking Spiders]

On the one hand I hate to be required to play root 8ths etc as heard on so many AC/DC, Cult, U2, Judas Priest and Status Quo songs but on the other I respect but don't enjoy the Vic Wooten /Michael Manring etc school of playing. Somewhere in between you have those whose playing supports the song but at the same time their lines are melodic and memorable while requiring a fair bit of skill e.g. Rocco Prestia, John Taylor, Bernard Edwards, Stuart Zender, Nate Watts, Norman Watt-Roy etc. I find listening to songs with dull root based basslines quite irritating thinking that more could've been done without 'sacrificing' the song.

 

[DWBass]

I'm with you on this. I've never liked super busy basslines but sometimes it's inherent with Motown and other old school soul music where the bass was a major part of the song. I'm also not a fan of long bass solos. 4 bars and I'm cool. I'm also cool with 8th note roots if it serves the song. I know some guys are creative and get bored easily but hey, it's a part of the songwriting process. Sometimes that's all the song needs. But that's just me. Do what you want.

 

[HeadWind]

There is of course no right answer to this question. Some songs really have to be simple and some benefit from a lot of notes.

But here is my contribution to this:

• Don't think about playing bass lines. Instead become one with the song and all the other folks you are playing with. If you do this, it will quickly become apparent when you are thinking of playing too many notes, because they just won't belong.
• When it is appropriate to play more notes, don't make them all the same volume/emphasis. Scott Devine has a good video on this (the one about the five most common mistakes or something). Say it fits to throw in a nice appeggio or walk down or something. You don't have to play all the notes with the same force. Make the roots and/or the 1 & 3 beats stand out, maybe give the fifth a little more prominence, whatever fits. Just don't make it boom-boom-boom-boom-boom.

 

[ZenG]

There is of course no right answer to this question. Some songs really have to be simple and some benefit from a lot of notes.

But here is my contribution to this:

• Don't think about playing bass lines. Instead become one with the song and all the other folks you are playing with. If you do this, it will quickly become apparent when you are thinking of playing too many notes, because they just won't belong.
• When it is appropriate to play more notes, don't make them all the same volume/emphasis. Scott Devine has a good video on this (the one about the five most common mistakes or something). Say it fits to throw in a nice appeggio or walk down or something. You don't have to play all the notes with the same force. Make the roots and/or the 1 & 3 beats stand out, maybe give the fifth a little more prominence, whatever fits. Just don't make it boom-boom-boom-boom-boom.

"don't think about playing bass lines".......I subscribe largely to this......I don't learn "basslines" for the hell of it but I'll learn one of it's in a song I want to do.
A lot of songs don't use one bassline all the way through. Usually there are some changes and variations in every song.

The bass is simply contributory to the song.

 

[Eminor3rd]

In general, I disagree with the merit of stupid simple basslines. They can fit and add to a song, and in some music it is beneficial to play stupidly simple lines, but some bands just wouldn't be the same without busy bassists or syncopated lines. Would Tower of Power be the same without Rocco Prestia?

I agree, man. Certainly there are great examples of simple, repeated stuff, but the whole idea of building a piece of music beginning with a short ostinato part is, in my opinion, one of the most frustratingly limiting paradigms in all of popular music. It's something I constantly -- and with great difficulty -- strive to remove from my writing.

 

[Crazy_Jake]

A guess the two areas to "worry about" would be ensuring you don't lose the groove - so if that means you play 2 notes or 200 hundred the bottom line is the bass part still respects the music and never loses the groove. There are A LOT of monster technical players who have lots of razzle dazzle playing techniques but when I hear them play their music lacks groove. The second item is melody - if the bass part has melody - be that with the afore mentioned 2 notes or 200 notes - you will be fine. Most of the time the two items Groove and Melody go hand in hand.. my two cents

 

[David Jayne]

I like the songs that I like. If it's simple, great. Complex also great. Whatever works best.