Repetitive lines that repeat repetitiously

[Auspuff]

 

[Mark McClelland]

Sometimes I make very subtle changes to the line every 8 or 16 bars, but in general I’m ok with repetition, especially if people are dancing.

Yep. Sometimes playing bass is about repetition and keeping people dancing. I can really get into a repetitive line, as long as the song above it is good, or better, great. And it also means you can relax and just really get into the performance.

 

[Mark McClelland]

Oh. The Bucket, Kings Of Leon. Basically just pedalling D the whole time. I used to just play this open the whole way through, left hand by my side.

 

[Stubb]

I try to concentrate on making music, which is different than playing the line. It involves listening to the other players, playing as tight as you're able, and focusing on articulation, dynamics, etc.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Sometimes, you're signed up to play something with a distinctive bass line, which doesn't lend well to improvisation, that repeats, repeats, repeats, repetitiously.

How to deal with it and not go bonkers?

A good example might be Doors, Riders on the Storm.

It was I'm pretty sure, a Rhodes key-bass line. Not hard to play at all. But the main riff just repeats and repeats. Then there are the extended keyboard solos and the inevitable 28-minute long guitar wankfest. Even if the band is pretty disciplined and sticks with the "as-recorded" song, there's still a lot of da-da-di-da-da-duh-da.... over and over stuff, without a lot of "re-centering" cues if one wanders off the charted bass line.

Thing is it sounds tight, played right.

But my mind starts to wandering about stimulating topics, such as "what thread size is a garden hose anyway? Why is it called a thread? If I don't have a garden, is it still a garden hose if used only to wash a car?" and of course eventually, "uh, what beat are we on?"

You would love playing Mars, from Gustave Holtz “The Planets”. The only thing exciting about this part is it is in 5/4

 

[KJMO]

I just learned "c'est la vie" for the 80"s band, and wow, I have never played anything more repetitious. We play to a click, so I really want to try looping it. Then I can do something else.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Sometimes, you're signed up to play something with a distinctive bass line, which doesn't lend well to improvisation, that repeats, repeats, repeats, repetitiously.

How to deal with it and not go bonkers?

A good example might be Doors, Riders on the Storm.

It was I'm pretty sure, a Rhodes key-bass line. Not hard to play at all. But the main riff just repeats and repeats. Then there are the extended keyboard solos and the inevitable 28-minute long guitar wankfest. Even if the band is pretty disciplined and sticks with the "as-recorded" song, there's still a lot of da-da-di-da-da-duh-da.... over and over stuff, without a lot of "re-centering" cues if one wanders off the charted bass line.

Thing is it sounds tight, played right.

But my mind starts to wandering about stimulating topics, such as "what thread size is a garden hose anyway? Why is it called a thread? If I don't have a garden, is it still a garden hose if used only to wash a car?" and of course eventually, "uh, what beat are we on?"

Jerry Schef, Elvis TCB band alumnus, is playing bass. And to answer your question, it is not easy to do, for all the reasons you cite. I can say, from personal experience, that it is work to keep your mind on what you're doing. When I'm doing some strict ostinato part, and my mind starts to wander, I think of James Brown talking about his experiment with Sly and Robbie about keeping the groove. "They never moved," said the Godfather, admiringly. I ain't nevah gonna be Jaco, but I can do this, and bandleaders appreciate it. As my tag says, "It is not easy to do simple things correctly."

 

[OogieWaWa]

Did I miss it, or am I the first person to mention “Stranglehold” by Ted Nugent?

Darn, four pages of reading comments with that one up my sleeve and somebody beat me to it!

Hey, the groove makes the song. If that's what the artist wanted, it works and people like it, there must be a reason why. If that's the groove needed, well, then that's the groove. So dive into it and hold on for all it's worth, challenge yourself. ("It was only three notes, but dang, he sure played the hell out of those three notes!!!") Besides, if you can't, you can always blame the drummer.

 

[Rich Fiscus]

While the bass line for Riders On The Storm was written by Ray Manzarek (the only one on LA Woman that was), it was played by Jerry Scheff. If the long lead is being played with anything near the level of dynamics as the original, I don’t find it boring at all. There is a surprising amount of dynamics in the song, and it really only works I’d that’s reflected in the bass and drums. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s definitely more to it than simply playing the same thing over and over.

On a side note, John Densmore has said that he appreciated having Scheff there to keep Manzarek from rushing. To my ear, it’s actually Densmore who keeps trying to push the tempo, while Scheff holds him back.

 

[AndyPanda]

I've been a keyboardist/horn player in bands for 50 years and the whole reason I'm learning bass now is that there are so few bass players out there that can and will play a repetitive bass line and make it groove hard. I got so frustrated with it I bought a bass and have been practicing. Locking in and making it groove is not as easy as it looks - and recording yourself is very humbling.

 

[audreycashin]

"guitar wankfest" ... this is a phrase worth remembering.

First teacher I had used to teach me lines he could wank to endlessly..... when I figured it out I moved on

 

[dougjwray]

I wonder if the repetititous lines are appreciated more by those of us who are into the physical side of music, and hated by those of us who are into the "mental puzzle" side.
Like, I love playing a super repetitive reggae part when people are dancing and I feel the trance effect taking over. The whole room seems to be breathing in unison. I don't want it to stop. But some people (dare I suggest prog fans) prefer the mental challenge of complexity over the *feel* of the first kind.
Just a thought.

 

[diegom]

How to not go bonkers? Well, keep in mind that someday, the song ends. And I always try to keep the big picture in mind; even if I'm playing that POS song, hey, I'm not at my day job dealing with staggeringly inept computer users, so I'm still winning at life.

+1,000,000
And that's that!

 

[FunkHead]

I have played along with "Green Grass & High Tides" 100's of times. I still enjoy it immensely. When done with a good band, It's magical. it's like 23 minutes long with 13 minutes at the end of basically the same riff over and over again. I love every second of it. Sometimes I use a Pick and others it's all fingers.

 

[dougjwray]

Want to get attention and feel powerful? Play one of those repetitive lines faithfully, but replace one note with a rest -- one time -- and watch people's heads spin in your direction!

 

[5StringBlues]

Let me tell you about my about my box shuffle!

 

[edencab]

if not mentioned already...

 

[Whale guy]

I focus on whatever technique I am working on at the time. Efficient fretting motion, playing perfectly "in the pocket". It can make a good 5 minute practice.

On a side note, thanks to the pandemic, gigs are null. I would happily play a whole set of "Get Ready" by the Temptations. (Normally would drive me nuts.)

 

[juancaminos]

My repetitive nightmares are Knocking on Heavens Door and Simple Man. Just shoot me! OTOH I love playing Can't You See which is repetitive itself, just not as long and has a great guitar part I suppose.

Our singer used to love Heavens Door and we used to argue about it. He played the "give people what they want" card. Which I say was Bullsh*$. So I would spice it up a bit just to get thru. Fast forward to a chance I got to play with some touring pros that my friend in California used to book for shows when they were off the road. Man what a great time, all really good players with great attitudes. Anyway Someone called out Heavens Door and friend started off the intro...darn it. I came in but soon, out of boredom, I began to spice things up just a little. The drummer called me over and said "stay true to the song, save the other stuff for when it's needed". So I did and he smiled at me thru the entire song. At the end of the night this drummer told my friend that he really enjoyed the bass player and would play with him (me) any time. COOL!!

 

[equalizin]

It might be repetitive but I love songs like Riders of the storm. Yeah the notes itself are easy. If done right its got a bouncy groove/swing that is easy to get lost in. You can always tell the guys that just play the notes and nothing more. Kind of kills the whole band for me. It's like when someone famous hits one note and you immediately know who it is. You can always play around with octaves or hell throw in a solo yourself if everyone else is wanking off.