Writing bass lines for a rapper?

[bass12]

Well THAT is descriptive in as it delineates THAT music from OTHER music.
If I were talking Country music THAT music would be viewed more typically with instruments such as Acoustic guitars, steel guitars etc.

Crap if the word THAT in reference to your particular favorite genre offends you, I would suggest you report THAT.
Of course you most likely HAVE already clicked on THAT link.

Honestly.
Does THAT surprise me?
Not in the least.

Give it a rest.

 

[Stick_Player]

If I saw a thread about writing bass guitar lines for OPERA, I would find THAT interesting as well.

Would THAT offend you?

You are assuming that there is an awareness of THAT music called Opera.

 

[xgator4u]

The problem was you put quotes around "music" when you made that comment. It was intended as an insult, plain and simple, and now you're trying to backtrack.

Honestly ?
For real rock "music" is that big of a deal.?
punk "music" offends you?
THAT is a pity.

Do I particularly care for RAP "music", not really
Do I particularly care for Country "music, not much
Do I particularly care for OPERA "music", Nope I think its horrid.
but as a musician I check out ALL "music".

I hope THAT is O.K. to do.

 

[xgator4u]

You are assuming that there is an awareness of THAT music called Opera.

Stick Player I must get cross with you sir.
YOU forgot the quotation marks on THAT "music" called Opera.

 

[cv115505]

This is kind of what sucks about online forums... this started out as a guy earnestly seeking help... Now we're in a debate about what constitutes music... if you're not going to try to help the guy answer his question there is no point in you posting. As far as the original question of this thread, I have done a little bit of hip hop work and a lot of space with an airy groove seems to be what most of the rappers I have worked for requested. Also, they seem to like a darker tone. I usually pump the bass up a bit on my DI and play close to the neck.

 

[Matthew_84]

Look I can ONLY speak for myself. I saw something interesting. I LEARNED that my preconceived notion of rap music being all sampled and synthed based upon the fact that EVERY rapper I have seen may have dancers and people on stage, but what I do NOT see is musical instruments, as in a live band.WAS WRONG
Therefore I commented that LIVE and LEARN.
You for some reason have a PROBLEM with that.

If I saw a thread about writing bass guitar lines for OPERA, I would find THAT interesting as well.
Would THAT offend you?

No, it wouldn't, and maybe if you took a second to see which of your posts I quoted, you would have understood what annoyed me.

Live and learn.
I was under the impression all of THAT "music" was sampled and synth.

None of this post annoyed me.

Well that would be subjective.
I find that in fact I have listened to MORE than enough.

This post, on the other hand did, and the very reason for my response.

 

[Matthew_84]

This is kind of what sucks about online forums... this started out as a guy earnestly seeking help... Now we're in a debate about what constitutes music... if you're not going to try to help the guy answer his question there is no point in you posting. As far as the original question of this thread, I have done a little bit of hip hop work and a lot of space with an airy groove seems to be what most of the rappers I have worked for requested. Also, they seem to like a darker tone. I usually pump the bass up a bit on my DI and play close to the neck.

+ 1. I re-strung my 4-string bass to BEAD tuning specifically for a hip hop project I'm working on, and it works well - though thankfully, the bass has 24 frets so I can play almost anything on the D string that I'd get out of a G string on a 20 fret bass.

 

[chuck norriss]

A rapper friend has asked me and a couple of buddies to write some backing music for him to rap over.
My first bass line was an arpeggio with a bit of rhythmic style.
Any tips other that simple and repetitive?

Listen to soul & classical & jazz I think you'll find some inspiration but keep in mind leave a lot of room for the mc let the music breathe

 

[Matthew_84]

A rapper friend has asked me and a couple of buddies to write some backing music for him to rap over.
My first bass line was an arpeggio with a bit of rhythmic style.
Any tips other that simple and repetitive?

Also, if you're recording a beat and then sending it to him to write over, you don't have to be as repetitive. Moments when the drums/bass completely drop out for a beat or two is pretty common in hip hop, and MC's love that. In my experience, the odd fill (be it bass or drums or whatever) can have this effect as well.

When playing with a live MC though who is freestyling, or simply not expecting any changes can be dangerous though, so keep it repetitive as much as you can. But if you play with him for a bit, and add a fill once in a while, he'll get comfortable with it, and after several sessions, you'll have more room to change it up without screwing up his flow.

 

[ben23c]

I as well am writing lines for a rapper, who is very talented with lyricism, but not as much musically. Since I'm the only one currently responsible for writing the songs, I tend to treat the bass as more of a guitar (please, have mercy) in that I play 3 note chords with different phrasing instead of single notes. I imagine you're working with other guys, but if you ever want to try a hand at actually writing the chords, they can sound quite pretty when played on the bass.

 

[chuck norriss]

gnarly bass line

 

[chuck norriss]

2PAC is good listen to 2PAC

 

[Matthew_84]

I forgot about Jurassic 5 too... One of my faves.

 

[lfmn16]

The problem was you put quotes around "music" when you made that comment. It was intended as an insult, plain and simple, and now you're trying to backtrack.

If they at least stood by their remark, no matter how stupid, you could have a tiny bit of respect for them. But to make a snarky comment and then try to say it didn't mean what everyone knows it meant ... just weak.

 

[Carl Hillman]

Negotiate for partial publishing rights just in case he sells a bazillion copies of it.

 

[Stick_Player]

Stick Player I must get cross with you sir.
YOU forgot the quotation marks on THAT "music" called Opera.

Oops! I'll be more attentive! Sorry!

 

[codycon96]

dude, just play what feels best with the drum groove.


Fender Rumble Club Member #213

 

[Stick_Player]

dude, just play what feels best with the drum groove.

Reminds me of:

Invalid Link Removed

 

[xgator4u]

The problem was you put quotes around "music" when you made that comment. It was intended as an insult, plain and simple, and now you're trying to backtrack.

Holmes, that is preposterous and you fully well know it.
IF I wanted to "insult" anything you know damn well
IT WOULD
be PLAIN but not so simple.
I would make it quite clear and concise with ZERO doubt as to the FACT that it is an insult.
NOT some B.S pansy @$$ veiled attempt like
THAT or "" "".

Get a grip.

 

[squidtastic]

A rapper friend has asked me and a couple of buddies to write some backing music for him to rap over.
My first bass line was an arpeggio with a bit of rhythmic style.
Any tips other that simple and repetitive?

No.

I did this quite a bit years ago. Simple/repetitive is a good starting point as long as you understand that it's not a rule. Sometimes busy, long-form lines are called for. There was one rapper who wrote a rap to the Barney Miller line... the whole line. That was the only situation I've ever been in where I actually performed the Barney Miller theme in front of people . Point is, it's just gotta groove and make the rapper feel like rapping. One additional note: Some of the rappers I've played for wanted to sing a chorus or some such but had no real sense of pitch. When they're just plain off key, tell them. Have fun!