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Tips for playing Hip-Hop bass lines
- Thread starter DanielleMuscato
- Start date
- Jun 19, 2004
- 4,782
- 83
- 42
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist, Schroeder Cabinets
I dont' know if I overplay or not, but since I write the stuff, I guess it's technically not. :lol: I posted a song that I played on once...I definitely didn't overplay on that one.
One thing I noticed after listening to a lot of A Tribe Called Quest. The bass is usually lined up so that when it's on the 4, everything else is on the 1 like vocals and drums. This adds a unique hip-hop shuffle feel.
TONE!!!!!
The same lines played with the "wrong" tone can ruin the sound!
Control!
Your steering the ship, very easy to lose control via over playing!
Be creative!!!!!
No rules, only opinions. There are some good outlines here... but practice "out of the box"...
Don't give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When writing, you'll play all the wrong stuff before you know what's right!
Listen to Soul!
Donnie Hathaway "Live".... do it! play it! Weeks is the man!
Know your theory!
Dave mentioned those Gospel runs.... can't do it right without DOIN IT RIGHT!
Don't be close minded!
Even if your not a fan, can play Teen Town at 1000bpm, or this "rap is not music".....GOOD, NOW GO PLAY IT!
good luck!
The same lines played with the "wrong" tone can ruin the sound!
Control!
Your steering the ship, very easy to lose control via over playing!
Be creative!!!!!
No rules, only opinions. There are some good outlines here... but practice "out of the box"...
Don't give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When writing, you'll play all the wrong stuff before you know what's right!
Listen to Soul!
Donnie Hathaway "Live".... do it! play it! Weeks is the man!
Know your theory!
Dave mentioned those Gospel runs.... can't do it right without DOIN IT RIGHT!
Don't be close minded!
Even if your not a fan, can play Teen Town at 1000bpm, or this "rap is not music".....GOOD, NOW GO PLAY IT!
good luck!
You have more experience in recording HH than I, however I gotta say that I disagree that you can simplify a hip hop bassline to the above guidelines.
My biggest problem with modern hip hop (the radio play crap) isn't only the lyrical content, it's the dullness of the rhythms from both the backing music and the lyricist. You don't have to go crazy on the bassline, but you don't necessarily need to play very sparse repetitive basslines either. lol, I wouldn't call the chorus section of White Lines sparse.
I remember the "what's a Hip Hop bassline" thread from many moons ago, and I gotta say, I agree with the point of that thread. Can't really narrow it down to a single genre or style, hell the first big Hip Hop record sampled a disco tune. Tom Tom Club is 80's synth pop, and they were heavily sampled. Skull Snaps were heavily sampled and they were funk, as was James Brown, the Meters and the Incredible Bongo Band. Joe Sample was copped a few times, Jazz. Tom Scott, Jazz, etc, etc, etc. Then there are modern groups like Galactic and Orgone who are funk/soul bands who back lyricists.
Anyway, my random .02 cents, this is an interesting thread from an "enforcing the rhythm" standpoint.
Ugh, I got into an argument with someone because they said "Rap is not music and the lyricists have no talent because they don't sing." They didn't understand that lyricists to the opposite of vocalists, they enforce the rhythm first, not the melody.
even more reason bass players are in demand in this genre!!!
I've had dozens of artists approach me/us for live music!! AND they all pay, cus thats what THEY expect from venues, lables etc.
that...and..... get off that radio man!
Ugh, I got into an argument with someone because they said "Rap is not music and the lyricists have no talent because they don't sing." They didn't understand that lyricists to the opposite of vocalists, they enforce the rhythm first, not the melody.
that arguement is as old as hiphop itself!
however, THAT right there is THE counter!!!! Good job bro!!!!
That's what I always said...if you're saying rappers aren't artistic or creative, then you might as well be saying drummers aren't. (let's not start with the drummer jokes. 
)
)
lol, I stopped listening to the radio years ago. If I forget my MP3 player and don't have my backup CD in my car, I listen to the local Jazz station.
Still, unfortunately it's impossible to completely get away from the idiocy infesting the air waves.
Lots of great suggestions here.
One of the aspects of Hub's (The Roots) playing that I always loved is how he created a contour to his lines. They were usually simple and restrained (even though the dude can really rip), but you could always tell that he put a lot of thought into what he played because of the contour. He experimented a lot with contrary motion to the melody and harmonizing in the bass. These types of effects come off kinda subtle but can make you turn your head upon second listen.
Hub is definitely one of those guys that brought out the art of hip hop bass line construction.
One of the aspects of Hub's (The Roots) playing that I always loved is how he created a contour to his lines. They were usually simple and restrained (even though the dude can really rip), but you could always tell that he put a lot of thought into what he played because of the contour. He experimented a lot with contrary motion to the melody and harmonizing in the bass. These types of effects come off kinda subtle but can make you turn your head upon second listen.
Hub is definitely one of those guys that brought out the art of hip hop bass line construction.
How bizarre that this thread popped up now.
I rehearsed with a new band last night, doing RnB/soul/trip hop and by the end of the night I ended up:
- emulating the synth bass sampled lines that the song was written with
- simplifying the bass and kick so it had lots of space, but syncopation
- setting my POD on the Sub Dub preset (I kid you not!!!)
We were playing a half dozen originals as well as Jill Scott's 'The Way', Erykah Badu's 'Tyrone' and Alicia's 'If I Ain't Got You' and there was a ton of space, with some fancy stuff at the climax.
Pretty much everything the OP said, I ended up doing by the end of the night!! The only other thing I would add is that I have found note length and shape is really important - sometimes you need to double the kick and play really short, but other times you need to play long notes, and cut them off just before a drum feature like a snare hit or rimshot, so the hit jumps out. It's about giving drums and bass their own space in the overall groove.
Only thing different is I'm playing a Lakland 55-02 (with rounds) and I used that 5th string quite a bit. I have become good 'space friends with Jackie Clark, who played bass for Angie Stone for ages, and he set me right with my Lakland settings - that man is a bass monster, and the nicest guy you could ever correspond with!!
If you want to hear masterful RnB/hip hop, check out Jackie on Angie's 'Live In Amsterdam' DVD!!!
I rehearsed with a new band last night, doing RnB/soul/trip hop and by the end of the night I ended up:
- emulating the synth bass sampled lines that the song was written with
- simplifying the bass and kick so it had lots of space, but syncopation
- setting my POD on the Sub Dub preset (I kid you not!!!)
We were playing a half dozen originals as well as Jill Scott's 'The Way', Erykah Badu's 'Tyrone' and Alicia's 'If I Ain't Got You' and there was a ton of space, with some fancy stuff at the climax.
Pretty much everything the OP said, I ended up doing by the end of the night!! The only other thing I would add is that I have found note length and shape is really important - sometimes you need to double the kick and play really short, but other times you need to play long notes, and cut them off just before a drum feature like a snare hit or rimshot, so the hit jumps out. It's about giving drums and bass their own space in the overall groove.
Only thing different is I'm playing a Lakland 55-02 (with rounds) and I used that 5th string quite a bit. I have become good 'space friends with Jackie Clark, who played bass for Angie Stone for ages, and he set me right with my Lakland settings - that man is a bass monster, and the nicest guy you could ever correspond with!!
If you want to hear masterful RnB/hip hop, check out Jackie on Angie's 'Live In Amsterdam' DVD!!!
Keep it simple... make it PHAT... drop in a flat fifth every so often... Sorted!
Or is that dub?
Or is that dub?
- Oct 3, 2004
- 536
- 616
- Disclosures
- Jackie endorses Sire guitars,EBS amps and pedals,Dunlop Strings,Evidence Audio cables,and iGiG cases
Here's a tip for bassists trying to succeed in playing hip-hop bass parts.First of all,tone is very important! You don't wanna show up on a hip-hop gig with an ultra modern sounding bass with strings you've just changed 10 mins before the show!
I believe you should find out what the artist is looking for and then use your own creativity.When I play hip-hop gigs.I listen to the genre and try my best to connect as opposed to saying,"I've been playing 40 yrs and I don't need to listen to this crap...I got this!"
Approach to hip-hop bass shouldn't be any different than your approach to any other gig.
Use your EARS and listen to everyone around you,find their tendencies and adjust your playing to make it all FEEL GOOD! That's our job...to make it FEEL GOOD!
Oh...and playing with a good drummer always helps!! hahaha!
Peace,
Jackie Clark
I believe you should find out what the artist is looking for and then use your own creativity.When I play hip-hop gigs.I listen to the genre and try my best to connect as opposed to saying,"I've been playing 40 yrs and I don't need to listen to this crap...I got this!"
Approach to hip-hop bass shouldn't be any different than your approach to any other gig.
Use your EARS and listen to everyone around you,find their tendencies and adjust your playing to make it all FEEL GOOD! That's our job...to make it FEEL GOOD!
Oh...and playing with a good drummer always helps!! hahaha!
Peace,
Jackie Clark
- May 30, 2000
- 4,707
- 257
- Disclosures
- Creator of: iGigBook Sheet Music Manager
Here's a tip for bassists trying to succeed in playing hip-hop bass parts.First of all,tone is very important! You don't wanna show up on a hip-hop gig with an ultra modern sounding bass with strings you've just changed 10 mins before the show!
Unless of course the sound required is an ultra modern one.
Amen to that my friend - the words of low end love ha ha ha.
See you on mySpace Jackie!
D
The KISS rule applies: Keep It Simple, Stupid!
I've only played a little hip-hop/rap, but I agree with most that has been said here, especially:
- A steady ground for the vocals to lean on. Find the "core" of the bassline, i.e. remove everything except the absolute minimum amount of notes needed to still define the song. Start with that bassline. Then, as the dynamics go up, you can expand that bassline with various passing notes and fills.
- Use pauses, they define your playing as much as the notes you play.
- Sound/tone. A lot of low end and less highs seems to work the best for me. Some treble is nice to keep though if you want to do an occasional slap fill now and then.
I have a feeling that most hiphop songs have a triplet feel. Take advantage of that to groove harder.
I've only played a little hip-hop/rap, but I agree with most that has been said here, especially:
- A steady ground for the vocals to lean on. Find the "core" of the bassline, i.e. remove everything except the absolute minimum amount of notes needed to still define the song. Start with that bassline. Then, as the dynamics go up, you can expand that bassline with various passing notes and fills.
- Use pauses, they define your playing as much as the notes you play.
- Sound/tone. A lot of low end and less highs seems to work the best for me. Some treble is nice to keep though if you want to do an occasional slap fill now and then.
I have a feeling that most hiphop songs have a triplet feel. Take advantage of that to groove harder.
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