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What to do in repetitive songs?

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DerrickShaney

Jun 18, 2011
46
0
St.Cloud MN
#1
Hey guys. I am playing in a new Dirty Blues band ala The Dead Weather / Black Keys. I was looking for a little advice on writing basslines for these songs. Most of them are based on a single riff hook that is quite repetitive throughout the whole song.

I am not terribly creative when it comes to writing basslines and I am wondering what the standard for playing songs such as these would be. I do not mind repeating the same riff throughout and keeping the beat however I feel like there is a trick to make it sound nicer.

So I guess my question is. How would YOU play a song that was very repetitive? Just looking for a little help/advice to make the song sound as best as it can.

Below is a link to our sound cloud page with some rough recordings for practice purposes. Take a look and any advice in which direction I should take would be greatly appreciated. :help:

Thanks!!
 
#3
My last band played Use Somebody by Kings of Leon. It's a pretty simple song, so I got bored with it. To liven it up I went back to see what the guitar chords were. Then I listened to the Who in Live at Leeds for some inspiration. Rather than riding the root note, I asked what would John Entwistle do and used the chords as my guide. It worked. I'm jus a hibbyist, not a professional musician, so I was a little intimidated at first. Still, trying something and messing up was better than being bored. Just try and see what you come up with.
 
#5
Work with the drummer, and get tight. As was stated, start simple, modify a bit, and return to simple at the end. I also find it helpful to move up the neck and then back down during some solos - it helps to bring tension into the song. Last - give your notes some space. A little air in the song goes a long way, when done tastefully. Too many bass players overplay, IMHO.
 
#7
In practice if they don't mind, or over a loop at home if they do, try a few things like:
*playing the same part in different registers and different positions on the neck each time around
*switching to being behind the beat or ahead of the beat in the chorus or the verse
*adding ghost notes or passing notes in certain sections on an alternating basis (do it this time, not next time, etc)
*playing a totally different part if it fits (this might not work), like switching to a pumping 16ths feel with no walking notes at all and really drive the bass a bit
*add a touch of harmonics here and there
*walking notes of various kinds

stuff like that....if/where appropriate.
 
#9
On the old Sting records when he had Darryl Jones playing with him you could always tell the songs where Sting was playing the bass and where Jones was playing.

Even when Jones played something simple, like root three or root five or some repeated rythnmic pattern, his playing was noticeably better. His tone was better, each notes was given full and equal value, and his sense of rythmn was flawless. What impressed me the most was that all that added up to playing that was really propulsive, it really made the songs snap and at the same time gave them depth. By contrast, Sting's bass playing, while certainly very good was sometimes more complex but it was ponderous and heavy and dragged the song down.

You can't emphasize the fundamentals too much. Even if you play a very simple repeated pattern throughout the song you should strive for a consistent tone, consistent volume, consistent rythmn. Most of all, keep in mind you are playing music, and what you play should sound pleasing and interesting to the ear, no matter how simple.
 
#10
DerrickShaney said:
https://soundcloud.com/grayscale-in-blue
Click to expand...

I did check this out actually... I notice at the end of every measure the drummer does a little fill while you seem to be waiting for the progression to come back to the 1 chord.

I also where an overstated bassline would be too much with the songs you have posted. However what about keeping the simplicity of the bassline for most the song but adding some more little fill licks at end of the measure along with the drummer?
 
#12
I struggle with this myself. I've only been playing bass (or any other instrument) for two years.

I often feel like I'm not "good enough" or that I'm not being "creative enough" when I come up with basslines that are mostly root, root-third, or root-fifth. Even though it is what I hear in my head and think it sounds good, I still feel like it's not enough. Of course it depends on the song and style of music, but simple with fills and pick-up notes often sounds tastefully good in punk/rock/garage/blues that I play.

Then when I get compliments from far better and more experienced musicians that I've been fortunate enough to play with regular how much they like what I came up with, it puts a smile on my face and makes me think that I am my own worst critic and think it is natural to be harsh on oneself, especially during beginner/intermediate part of our journey.

I like the sound yall got going, think it sounds great. Besides asking here..which is awesome, be humble enough to tell your bandmates that you are not sure if you are "feeling" what you got going and get feedback or suggestions if they think you should be doing more or less.
 
#19
Simple, repetitive songs can be a bass players wet dream and some of my favorite playing has been done on simple, singer songwriter stuff…

Focus on the groove

Leave space for your notes…oftentimes leaving several rests in the music and than coming in with your bass on the upbeat can be very cool.
 

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