Spicing up bass lines

Learn the lines to some other people's songs and figure out what spices them up to give a taste you like. Don't just play "the riff from such and such" over your band songs but do think about how you might use a bit of the same flavour.

Wulf

 

Instead of just playing root notes, you could perhaps follow the guitar riff, or you could try using chord notes(the 3rd, 5th, octave), or some passing tones(diatonic/chromatic) too. You can also try and throw in some dead notes to funk it up. Try changing the rhythm of your bassline a bit if you're just playing straight 8ths, and make it groove.

 

Good Suggestions, but remember play what FITS first. Don't go off doing something just to satisfy your ego. I'm always up for a spicer bassline (hell, im a bassist) and I can't agree more, that root notes are boring just make sure it fits well. Root notes can sound better then a complex bassline in some situations

 

Listen to some artists that share the same genre you're playing, and check out some of there techniques. Don't however copy it to the extent where it is no longer unique, but just look for that spice that you're seeking .

Do what fits and try and grasp what direction you're band is going with the song. Play along with them, don't just be an echo, but don't force them to go in a direction that is undesired that throws off the entire composition. Sometimes you have to conform to the rest of the band and lay down something you feel is dull, but that doesn't limit you as long as you don't get carried away. Alot of it relys on your band mates as well, so share what you talked about here with them and see what unfolds.

Also, Try to throw in alot of technique mentioned previously to accent and highlight parts of the song.