Arcana Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 From one of Darkesword's essays: The Bassist:The bassist obviously provides the bassline. He works closely with the drummer to establish the pulse of the song, and he also is responsible for laying down the chord structure. In your piece, use the bassist to establish the low end of your song. Your bassist will lay out the chordal structure of your piece. Low strings or brass is usually heard in orchestral, and basslines in techno often consist of a pumping synthline that gives the song a pulse. I think I recall the concept of the bass note from theory course. However, I'm still struggling with (among other things) making a bassline that's catchy and interesting. Also, I'm wondering if anyone has help to disassociate me from the idea that "bass guitar" or "double bass" is the only kind of bass out there. I also might be confusing a lot of bass with drums, too. I don't really even know what I'm asking, unfortunately. I am struggling intensely still with composition and would like some advice, so I figure I'd start here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-RK- Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 When I write a bassline, I dont actually build the chord structure with the bass(as was stated in darkeswords essay). I usually leave that to a string or piano instrument. Then I compliment the harmonies and melodies with the bass. I actually (99% of the time) start the bassline on the root note of the chord progression, then, if the progression changes ever measure lets say, I'll take the bassline in the second measure either a 3rd up or down from the root in the progression of that particular measure (if that makes any sense ). Then, the whole time, I'm throwing in "walking" rythms and small steps up or down in the key to give the bassline some depth. As far as bass guitar and double bass being the only basses you can think of, try an incredibly broad definition of a bass instrument. Something like "the bass covers the lower end in the song". There. That could be anything. Low pads, growling synths playing in low octaves, a kazoo transposed down several octaves with an EQ boost. Anything really, you just have to be creative with it. I'm always going through some kind of struggle with composition, but if I just keep writing and really just being stupid while doing so, I'll come across something really cool, and that will breed, and the next thing will expand, and before you know it, you have a good basic structure to add some meat to. I know writing through a block can suck, sometimes it might take a month or two before you get anything, but just know SOMETHING will come eventually. And, feel free to IM or PM me blah blah blah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahlia Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 I usually write the bass as countermelody, or counterpoint if it's that kind of song. Every so often I have it delve into rhythm. But that's just my thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analoq Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 HOW DO I WALK BASS ! ok, you don't know what to ask, i don't know what to answer. so, i will just tell you what works for me... - i find basslines i like* - i study them: learn them backwards and forwards - i dissect them: break them into managable pieces or simplify them into their bare function - i try embellishing/reworking/improvising on them - i take what i've learned and apply it to my own music cheers. *for me it's usually some funky 70s minimoog bassline. (: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nineko Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 WHY PEOPLE WAS RUDE WITH ME WHEN I POSTED A THREAD THAT WAS ALMOST THE SAME AS THIS AND NOW EVERYONE IS HELPING ARCANA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zylance Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 WHY PEOPLE WAS RUDE WITH ME WHEN I POSTED A THREAD THAT WAS ALMOST THE SAME AS THIS AND NOW EVERYONE IS HELPING ARCANA? I helped.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nineko Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 I helped....sure, thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theowne Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 WHY PEOPLE WAS RUDE WITH ME WHEN I POSTED A THREAD THAT WAS ALMOST THE SAME AS THIS AND NOW EVERYONE IS HELPING ARCANA? It's a conspiracy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahlia Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 WHY PEOPLE WAS RUDE WITH ME WHEN I POSTED A THREAD THAT WAS ALMOST THE SAME AS THIS AND NOW EVERYONE IS HELPING ARCANA? Some people are here are in a perpetual bad mood. They'll never help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analoq Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 i might have told you the same thing i told Arcana in your thread, Nineko but admittedly my participation in this forum is temperamental cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion303 Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 WHY PEOPLE WAS RUDE WITH ME WHEN I POSTED A THREAD THAT WAS ALMOST THE SAME AS THIS AND NOW EVERYONE IS HELPING ARCANA? I followed that link, and damned if I could find anything other than three people who tried to help you... But anyway, between that thread and this one, everyone should get some decent ideas for basslines. -steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcos Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Yeah I agree with what has already been said. I rarely start with the bassline, usually the bassline for me comes with the chords or the drums. If it goes with the chords I'll start with the root or the second note of the chord and work my way up and down, just going with the vibe really. As for the sounds themselves, yeah sometimes I just feel like using a double or guitar bass, cause it just fits most of the time. Try working on a different genre, get the feel for other bass sounds as well. As much as double or guitar bass always seem to fit, most of the time you'll find another bass sound that is an even better fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcana Posted January 17, 2006 Author Share Posted January 17, 2006 HOW DO I WALK BASS !ok, you don't know what to ask, i don't know what to answer. so, i will just tell you what works for me... - i find basslines i like* - i study them: learn them backwards and forwards - i dissect them: break them into managable pieces or simplify them into their bare function - i try embellishing/reworking/improvising on them - i take what i've learned and apply it to my own music cheers. *for me it's usually some funky 70s minimoog bassline. (: Well, what works for you is actually something I'd consider trying. I am in the stage where I struggle with finding good ideas. Don't take my lack of a reply as a lack of interest. I read this thread, hit the sequencer, and see what I come up with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavous Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 I sometimes forget to write a bassline until I'm halfway done with the song. Usually, I take the chord progression, write it out in the bassline, then just assign random rhythm values to the notes of the chords. Usually, unless I am writing for techno or jazz or something different where there is a nice set way that has worked for me before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZComposer Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 The bassline is the second most important part in a piece of music. I don't like static basslines and I try not to use them (though I admit that Mercenarios de Lobo had it's share of them). I like basslines that have a semi-melodic charactaristic to them rather than just reinforcement of rhythms already being played by another instrument or as just a low long-note fill. Though there are times where doing so is desireable, sometimes for an entire song. It all depends on what is musically happening. I also like to use low voices in more than just basslines. Giving the low voice the melody for a phrase or two can add some depth. I generally start with my melody line and then go to the bassline. In most cases, the Bass should carry the root of the chord structure. Sometimes I'll put a countermelody in bafore a bassline, but that's only occasional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkeSword Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 From one of Darkesword's essays:The Bassist:The bassist obviously provides the bassline. He works closely with the drummer to establish the pulse of the song, and he also is responsible for laying down the chord structure. In your piece, use the bassist to establish the low end of your song. Your bassist will lay out the chordal structure of your piece. Low strings or brass is usually heard in orchestral, and basslines in techno often consist of a pumping synthline that gives the song a pulse. I didn't know people still read that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavous Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 If you want to hear a really melodic (although repetative) bass, check out some Ace Of Base. They have some of the best basslines ever created. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnappleMan Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 I usually write the bass first. A solid rhythm section is key to a good song. I usually go pretty far on bass, adding sweep arpeggios, chords, melodic lead runs and harmonies. It's easy to overdo these things in a song, and completely ruin the flow, but if you use the techniques in a subtle manner and know how to break between a rhythmic run and a melodic run, you should have some outstanding music. Just look at Iron Maiden. Every single song is centered around the bass guitar (since Steve Harris, the bassist, writes almost all of the songs). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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