The bassist as a songwriter

[Spacelordmother]

Justin,

I wanted to inquire about your development process from a riff into a song. I see you as a multi-instrumentalist who is foremost a bassist (please forgive me if I have you wrong) and I often times find it tough to write on a bass. I seem to always end up with a pile of cool basslines, a stack of cool guitar riffs, and a mess of piano/synth parts with no clue how to tie them together; even when they kinda sorta seem to fit. I have written and recorded songs in the past, but they have come together like a bolt of lucky lightening, and I know that for the most part songs require a lot of crafting and fine-tuning (and hair-pulling and teeth grinding) to create.

I guess I am looking for a little nudge in the right direction if you would be so kind. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.



On a side note: I really missed having the opportunity to see you guys at the Fonda on the original date, but I am happy that Trent is healthy again and will live to rock another day. Cheers to you all - I have been hearing nothing but amazing things about the shows you have been putting on.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

I have a tough time writing on the bass when I'm alone. In an ensemble, where most of my writing takes place, it's incredibly easy if the other creators are, well, creative. Alone, I tend to write best on keyboards or guitar, and find myself inspired quickly by interesting beats or sonic textures.

I am not sure that great songs require a lot of crafting or fine-tuning. In fact, some of the cooler stuff I've been involved in was incredibly easy and quick. Conversely, I've seen great songs also rise from many hours of toil. So it varies, and there are no rules. Because of that, I try to have no intense expectations when I begin a writing process.

Anyone else?

Best,
Justin

 

[MN_Bass]

I tend to always write on guitar, I find if I write the guitar parts or idea, I can come up with better basslines, strange but true...

 

[iceberg]

Sometimes I'll jump on bass to get a part I like, then bounce back to guitar or program drums to get a whole song vibe going, then something starts to take shape and you get just keep listening to where it's headed.

A lot of times too I'll start with a guitar part and use the bass to build a progression under it, then see where it's going. It all depends but for me it has to start with some sort of great and/or catchy guitar or bass part. Or, ideally, both. Generally, and this may sound weird, but i try to avoid chords unless i really need them. Guitar lines and octaves free up a lot more creative space for other parts and are more interesting...to me, at least.

That said, i generally don't writing the melody and lyrics, and when i do it's usually aftert i have a track pretty well established. OCCASIONALLY, though, I'll sit down with a guitar and play some chords that i can sing or hum a melody too. Sometimes you gotta get the whole thing out at the same time.

Hope that helps...

 

[JimmyM]

I usually write on whatever I see the lead instrument in the song as being. Lately it's been bass since I've been doing some weird comedy bass/drums rock. But it really helps if you can play a little guitar or keyboards. Not only to be able to communicate ideas to everyone else better, but to be able to apply that knowledge so you can figure out your bass parts easier.

I also don't necessarily agree that songs always require crafting and fine tuning. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they just need you to write them and then get out of their way. I don't think I could stand to listen to a finely crafted White Stripes song, for example. They leave in mistakes and out of key singing, but it seems to work for them. But Boston would take years to do an album and they had plenty of hits as well. No real right or wrong, just whatever you think works best for your band.

 

[Earwaxsculptor]

I have a tough time writing on the bass when I'm alone. In an ensemble, where most of my writing takes place, it's incredibly easy if the other creators are, well, creative. Alone, I tend to write best on keyboards or guitar, and find myself inspired quickly by interesting beats or sonic textures.

I am not sure that great songs require a lot of crafting or fine-tuning. In fact, some of the cooler stuff I've been involved in was incredibly easy and quick. Conversely, I've seen great songs also rise from many hours of toil. So it varies, and there are no rules. Because of that, I try to have no intense expectations when I begin a writing process.

Anyone else?

Best,
Justin

I agree 100%

I personally am pretty much a riff writer on bass guitar and can really only form any type of song structure when, like you said, either their are other people involved in the creative process with me to keep it moving along, or I have some other instrument or well....."noise" there to help move me along. But I must admit, I am a terrible guitar player.....man I been telling myself for years to work on that thing.......I just can't seem to get over the hump.....

 

[the humanity]

I have a tough time writing on the bass when I'm alone. In an ensemble, where most of my writing takes place, it's incredibly easy if the other creators are, well, creative. Alone, I tend to write best on keyboards or guitar, and find myself inspired quickly by interesting beats or sonic textures.

I am not sure that great songs require a lot of crafting or fine-tuning. In fact, some of the cooler stuff I've been involved in was incredibly easy and quick. Conversely, I've seen great songs also rise from many hours of toil. So it varies, and there are no rules. Because of that, I try to have no intense expectations when I begin a writing process.

Anyone else?

Best,
Justin

agreed.



an idea for you, TS, might be taking after the way a band will jam off a certain riff- invent a part, then think of what would make that part sound cool, or what would sound cool with that part.