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Reggae bass lines are more complex than one might think

PBrown

PBrown

Apr 28, 2009
163
16
43
Billings, MT
www.basstony.wordpress.com
#1
I think a lot of us have been in jams and played a stock bass line to fake the Reggae style, so upon learning a handful of Aston "The Family Man" Barrett's bass lines, I was blown away by the way these bass lines carried the song with the low end and also how melodic they were. This gave me a whole new perspective on this style. I thought I would do a video (it's pretty old now) so fellow bassists could see what is happening with the music. Hope y'all enjoy. Thanks, Parker
http://basstony.wordpress.com/2011/...e-to-aston-family-man-barrett-and-bob-marley/
 
#2
If anyone thinks it's easy to lay down big fat sparse bass notes in songs with those relaxed reggae tempos like Marley had, they have not tried it. It's like AC/DC to me...I know lots of bassists who are technically better than Cliff Williams, but many really suck at playing AC/DC songs. Pulling tempos, late hits, early hits, tentativeness...same with Family Man, Robbie Shakespeare, and all the reggae greats...it's as tough to do right as playing a Billy Sheehan solo.
 
#5
JimmyM said:
If anyone thinks it's easy to lay down big fat sparse bass notes in songs with those relaxed reggae tempos like Marley had, they have not tried it. It's like AC/DC to me...I know lots of bassists who are technically better than Cliff Williams, but many really suck at playing AC/DC songs. Pulling tempos, late hits, early hits, tentativeness...same with Family Man, Robbie Shakespeare, and all the reggae greats...it's as tough to do right as playing a Billy Sheehan solo.
Click to expand...

I couldn't of said it better myself Jimmy. I've played Ska (not exactly Reggae, but I have played a lot of that as well) for most of my time as a bass player. There's a lot more going on in many of those simple lines than is apparent at face value. With so much space you really have to know how long you're going to sustain and attack a note as well as making sure to lock with the drummer 100%. It's a combonation of all the "little things" that make them great.
 
#6
Wait till you discover steel pulse lol

Aston is the man though one of my major influences.
Get da real ting album by sizzla that studio bass player is a genius he uses very subtle chord changes during the song to change the feel of the songs, very talented musician. In reggaethe bass replaces the electric guitar as the melodic instrument, the guitar is a percussive instrument primarily.

Its not a difficult style to play once you get used to it and not think about it too much.

I grew up in Jamaica and reggae is basically all I can play I suck badly at the blues lol
 
#7
JimmyM said:
If anyone thinks it's easy to lay down big fat sparse bass notes in songs with those relaxed reggae tempos like Marley had, they have not tried it. It's like AC/DC to me...I know lots of bassists who are technically better than Cliff Williams, but many really suck at playing AC/DC songs. Pulling tempos, late hits, early hits, tentativeness...same with Family Man, Robbie Shakespeare, and all the reggae greats...it's as tough to do right as playing a Billy Sheehan solo.
Click to expand...

I have often thought of that. The subtleness is overlooked because of the obvious. Those little things that the "greats" do are the very reason they are great. It's easier to impress people learning a flashy solo (which is great) but playing perfectly in the pocket and doing a tune/style justice is thoughtful and professional. Very well put JimmyM, thanks!
 
#13
Reggae Bass is about the feel, what you dont play or the extra split moment you hold out that note. Many (Bassist and Drummers) try to fake it but the listener can feel that its not authentic, a proper reggae Bass line fills up the pocket so deep that it makes you smile, if it doesnt your not playing it right.

One thing to keep in mind is in Reggae the emphasis is almost ALWAYS on the "3" and not the 1/3 or 2/4 is it is in most other music. A drummer will imply the "1" with his high hats or snare but that Bass Drums is always going to kick on the "3", the Reggae bassist job is to dance around the beat and connect with the drummer on the "3".

"One good thing about music... When it hits you feel OK, Hit me with Music, Brutalize me with Music."
 
#15
I was once in an original band where the songwriter wrote nothing but very slow tunes with a beat. The only difference between classic reggae and these songs were that the time signatures were different (not many 4/4) and the melodies were more alt pop focused. And I have to say, it was one of the most difficult challenges on bass I ever had! After a couple of years of touring, I think I came out the other end a much better bass player! And yes, the trick was to keep it sparse and melodic and try not to play so much with what the drummer is doing. It was all about melody, harmony, space, and keeping the timing tight (not easy).
 
#16
reggae is, like funk, felt on the one. by dropping it out and hitting the backbeat on the three you create that trippy one drop feel. nobody plays the one but everbody is feeling it you know.
reggae is very different than it seems at first which is why so many musicians of different styles have some trouble with it.

one main influence of aston and carlton barrett back then was james brown and other contemporary funk soul and r&b. taking the funk feel and not playing on the one creates that tension that makes one drop reggae feel so light.
 

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