Is it better to keep a baseline simple or make it more complex? Playing it simple might make the song sound cleaner and more able to understand whats going on in the song but I find it very boring. As a bass player is it better to just keep back and keep a good groove or is it better to just solo and put licks all over the place, or is there a middle ground in where you can keep a groove and also make it have some soul?
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Simple or complex?
- Thread starter LeMonsieurr
- Start date
Each song is different. Play for the song. That goes for every instrument.
- Apr 2, 2014
- 485
- 390
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Conklin Basses, Ashdown Amplifiers, Morley Pedals
Obviously play for the song. However, I wouldn't last long in a band where the songs all called for root notes the entire time.
I think that 'complex' and 'all over the place' don't always go hand in hand. You can certainly make a complex bassline that has more to do with timing/dynamics than playing notes all over the fretboard.
I think that 'complex' and 'all over the place' don't always go hand in hand. You can certainly make a complex bassline that has more to do with timing/dynamics than playing notes all over the fretboard.
Simple, simple, simple. Less is more.
In my world, Bass is a rhythm instrument 75+% of the time. I freaking live on the I-V and throw the mean walking lines. That doesn't mean that I won't get creative, but music is both the sounds and the spaces. I try to use silence, sustain, attack, release, bell tones and harmonics as notes in my scale (metaphorically speaking). Flurries of funky slap semidemiquavery goodness just ain't appropriate when I rehearse. Not that I could do it even during practice, but still....
I play Jazz, Blues, Folk, and Country though, so take this with a shaker-full of salt if you're a metalhead or rawk god or funkmeister (or whatever)
In my world, Bass is a rhythm instrument 75+% of the time. I freaking live on the I-V and throw the mean walking lines. That doesn't mean that I won't get creative, but music is both the sounds and the spaces. I try to use silence, sustain, attack, release, bell tones and harmonics as notes in my scale (metaphorically speaking). Flurries of funky slap semidemiquavery goodness just ain't appropriate when I rehearse. Not that I could do it even during practice, but still....
I play Jazz, Blues, Folk, and Country though, so take this with a shaker-full of salt if you're a metalhead or rawk god or funkmeister (or whatever)
I don't think in terms of keeping it simple vs playing licks.
Try not to make it an either/or proposition; integrating the two ideas is where it's at IMO. The groove can never stop or take dents and dings while you're getting your rocks off with something show-offy. Better to compose musically interesting parts from the get-go to avoid root boredom and stupid wankery where the bottom falls out and the groove takes a hit. Fills and licks (hate that term!) should only ever be an extension of the groove.
Try not to make it an either/or proposition; integrating the two ideas is where it's at IMO. The groove can never stop or take dents and dings while you're getting your rocks off with something show-offy. Better to compose musically interesting parts from the get-go to avoid root boredom and stupid wankery where the bottom falls out and the groove takes a hit. Fills and licks (hate that term!) should only ever be an extension of the groove.
Amen. Serve the song. Sometimes the song needs to be driven by fireworks, and it may well be bass fireworks. Sometimes the song needs a steady, simple groove. We play Robin Trower's "Too Rolling Stoned" and in the long solo outro I was playing a line that wasn't even complex, but it had a few different notes on it. The guitarist and drummer (power trio) asked me to try it as just a single-note shuffle, repeating endlessly. Boring as hell to play, but they're right - it all locks together better and takes on this hypnotic quality. But I couldn't imagine doing that on You Oughta Know or Aeroplane.
Not voting. Pretty easy to tell what answer the OP was looking for from the wording of the poll. Technical doesn't have anything to do with 'all over the place.' The best thing to do is play what is called for by the style of music. Playing a Dusty Hill bass line wouldn't work for a Yes song and Chris Squire wouldn't last long in ZZ Top. Which is better?? NEITHER.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Both, some places with complex line then a break with some simpler, it gives the both complex and simple part shine because of the contrast.
Like you follow the guitar or keys on a very complex barrage of notes then you only half or whole root note while the key continue the barrage of notes ... cool contast if you ask me.
Like you follow the guitar or keys on a very complex barrage of notes then you only half or whole root note while the key continue the barrage of notes ... cool contast if you ask me.
Depends on the song but in general I think bass players should be doing more.
Learn what every other instrument is doing and incorporate pieces from time to time.
The Bass is your tool for music, use it to the best of your abilities.
Learn what every other instrument is doing and incorporate pieces from time to time.
The Bass is your tool for music, use it to the best of your abilities.
Personally I like to play simpler solid lines, play with the drummer to the overall groove that keeps peoples' feet tapping, and maybe throw in something once or twice in a song to make it more interesting to me and hopefully to those who listen. A run or syncopation is to me more effective if it's a sort of surprice to spice up the bassline.
If I had to choose between the two poll choices - I won't though - I would say playing simple lines is often better than "all over the place"; less is more, however this is if course not black or white. It depends on what music and what song you're playing, and what the other band members are doing.
If I had to choose between the two poll choices - I won't though - I would say playing simple lines is often better than "all over the place"; less is more, however this is if course not black or white. It depends on what music and what song you're playing, and what the other band members are doing.
