Should you only play Rhythmically or Venture also to More Melodic Playing?

[overclockerd]

Good afternoon lads!

The last few months i have been thinking of how a Musician should approach Bass playing in a band setting. As you might suspect this lead me to a "crossroad", should we Bass players focus only in providing a thick bottom end and create a strong Rhythm section or should we also attempt to fill a spot on the Melodic section of the band, thus challenging the art of Bass playing and innovating? The dilemma arises due to the fact that by following the second road, i feel like we are somewhat neglecting creating a strong foundation for the Band. In my case specifically, i am currently rocking a 4 String P Bass and a 5 String Fretless Bass and whenever i want to play i mostly gravitate into playing Fretless. After reading the popular thread "Confessions of a Flatwound Convert" it got me thinking...should i put down the Fretless in a band setting, put flats in my P Bass and focus solely in providing a tight Rhythm section? Is it selfish to try something more melodic in the context of a Band setting? What is your take on this?

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post!

 

[Reedt2000]

I try to be cognizant of the situation I'm playing in. As the bassist, playing tight rhythmically and working with the drummer to create a solid platform is priority one but where the song allows me to stretch out and add flavor I will. I like to be creative but not at the cost of the song.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

The song dictates what is needed. We have a skilled drummer so I can count on him to lay down the foundation. 90% of the time I'm following his kick and working toward a groove we can fall into.

About 10% of the time I can leave the beat to him and venture into something more melodic. More melodic is more fun, but, someone has to maintain the beat.

 

[JRA]

nobody doesn't do both...unless they can't.

 

[Wulfensteiner]

Hello!
I chose a combination of both since there was no option pertaining to carrots

You can be melodic AND hold up your end of the bargain at the same time, and have a bunch of fun doing it. BUT the song should dictate the choices you make, not your 'What would Flea do?' wristband

 

[JTE]

HAS to be both. Our job us two-fold, and I ain't a drummer. We MUST both define the harmony AND connect the purely rhythmic part of the music to the melodic/harmonic part. To eschew one in favor of the other denigrated the music.

 

[Reedt2000]

HAS to be both.

We MUST both define the harmony AND connect the purely rhythmic part of the music to the melodic/harmonic part. To eschew one in favor of the other denigrated the music.

Well said

 

[lz4005]

A good player knows how and WHEN to do both.

It is a decision that must be made for each section of each song, and depends greatly on which other instruments you're playing with.

I used to play with a singer-songwriter, doing his original songs. Over the course of a year, we did the same two sets as a duo with him playing nylon string guitar, as a trio adding a percussionist, as a 4 piece with a drummer and an electric guitar player, and as a 5 piece with a drummer, keyboard player and violinist/backup singer. Each time I had to re-calculate the rhythm/melody equation for every song, sometimes on the fly because we didn't have the chance to rehearse with all the players before going on stage.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I'm listening to a "mesmerizingly-infectious" track,
"Will 'O The Wisp" with Dave Holland, Mino Cinelu, Kevin Eubanks.

Could anyone help me to decide if the bass line (Dave Holland) is rhythmic OR melodic?
Or it's just Dave Holland?

The bass starts around 1:16.

 

[JimK]

I'm listening to a "mesmerizingly-infectious" track,
"Will 'O The Wisp" with Dave Holland, Mino Cinelu, Kevin Eubanks.

Could anyone help me to decide if the bass line (Dave Holland) is rhythmic OR melodic?
Or it's just Dave Holland?

The bass starts around 1:16.

Whew...that was a workout!
...it's just Dave Holland being a bad ass (along with Eubanks & Cinelu. Nice to hear Eubanks stretching out his chops).

World Music, Worldbeat...(whatever tag or label is used for this genre) is very rhythmic/ethnic.
The melodic component is something for us in the West; makes it more relatable?

 

[SteveCS]

I'm listening to a "mesmerizingly-infectious" track,
"Will 'O The Wisp" with Dave Holland, Mino Cinelu, Kevin Eubanks.

Could anyone help me to decide if the bass line (Dave Holland) is rhythmic OR melodic?
Or it's just Dave Holland?

The bass starts around 1:16.

Yeah - very nice, but I'll pass on the question. If you like that type of thing you should check out Danny Thompson's Whatever...

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Yeah - very nice, but I'll pass on the question...

It’s a rhetorical question.
You and I know the answer.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Whew...that was a workout!
...it's just Dave Holland being a bad ass (along with Eubanks & Cinelu. Nice to hear Eubanks stretching out his chops).

World Music, Worldbeat...(whatever tag or label is used for this genre) is very rhythmic/ethnic.
The melodic component is something for us in the West; makes it more relatable?

I have never ever had any questions about any comping(!) bass line.
It was always a synthesis of rhythmo-harmonic-melodic notes dynamically-articulated to match the appropriate music genre/style, the specific composer’s /arranger’s requirement/s for this/that song, and “seasoned” with a bass player’s idiosyncratic vision/ embellishment/s.
With emphasis on Rhythmo

 

[JimK]

...I do not disagree.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

...I do not disagree.

But why?
Usually, my dear TB members tend to disagree with my lame comments.

 

[JimK]

You're one of the main reasons I'm still here...

 

[DWBass]

I'm for a combination of both but am mostly keyed in on having a tight rhythm section. I'm not a fan of overplaying. Or being overly creative because of boredom and such.

 

[DWBass]

A good example of both is Motown. Basslines written specifically melodic but in the pocket. More melodic would be What's Going On. Totally outside the groove. Leon Sylvers also wrote songs with melodic but grooving basslines.

 

[bass12]

Depends on the context (song, style of music, who you're playing with, who you are playing for). Different band leaders have different tastes. I've played with guys who want me to fill up space and like it when I stretch out more. I've also played with guys who don't want to hear anything other than what pretty much amounts to the bare minimum. On reggae gigs it's generally expected that the bassist keep things tight and not meander much (if at all). With certain other styles it's typically accepted that the bass will be less static. It really depends on the circumstances.

 

[Andrew Hargrove]

Best melodies are rhythmic intrinsically. Focus on rhythm improves my melody.