BASS - Note for Note or do your own thing.

Lowender · Post by **Lowender** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 12:38 am

I've been told a few different things so far regarding particular songs. Personally I like (have more fun) going off a chord sheet and doing my own thing (other that a signature riff etc) rather than note for note. On one hand I was told that some people just want to get the bass player play basic roots and some have said go to town . Whats your preference for your bass player ? Just roots, Crazy mixolydian fills, note for note exactly etc.... Just wondering , trying to feel out a variety of opinions etc.

PS: I've got a ton of little questions like this I've been dying to ask, so I'll apologize now

Jasaoke · Post by **Jasaoke** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 1:01 am

While some passages and arrangements require a fair amount of precision or ensemble playing, I prefer to hear music as it's created, rather than note for note reproduction. I think it adds to the dynamics of a performance, as well. I prefer the 'feel' of a group working from a chord sheet, and when they come together (for that signature riff), it highlights that point of the performance.

I almost NEVER like overplaying; the crazy, myxolydian look-@-what-I-can-do nonsense.

RamRod 1 · Post by **RamRod 1** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 1:26 am

Note for note but of course I do covers.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 2:14 am

It's really a case-by-case basis. When it comes to more "structured" music, I try and nail the bass line as closely as possible (oh how I've wanted to smack some of these modern rock producers in the mouths who bury the bass under kick drum and 17 layers of guitar...makes trying to pick out runs and intervals real fun

). I'm primarily a fingerstyle player, but if a song has a prominent pick sound, I'll use a pick. On the other hand, blues, jazz, and similar styles definitely call for improvisation.

With that said, I play in a single guitar band, so sometimes I have to busy up the bass line under solos to beef up the rythmn section.

And what's everyone got against mixolydian? You gotta play something against those dominant 7th chords.

moxham123 · Post by **moxham123** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 2:24 am

My methodology is when learning cover songs, learn the original bass lines first (especially signature riffs) and being in a 3 piece bass, guitar, drum band, tastefully add and fill up the songs when appropriate without over playing or taking away from the original song. And, most importantly, always play tightly with the drummer.

Pizon · Post by **Pizon** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 8:33 pm

Personally, i think it depends on the song. Some of them have to be the way they were written and recorded, but others allow you to put your own
feel to it.