Bass Guitar Technique

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Member Since: Sep 30, 2009

So, as someone pointed out before, i should probably check on my bass playing abilities. I figure its mostly a case of practice makes perfect, but any random tips for playing with fingers that are just basic things people often overlook?

And, the reason i thought to post this thread, while playing with a pick (fairly fast. Lets just say metal to simplify) Should a bassist pick back and forth, or with a constant down-stroking pattern if i'm playing a fast, heavy strait-eighths rhythm, lets say standard 4 chord progression (again, to just simplify). I've been sort of picking up and down, like i do a power chord on a guitar. But thinking back to any live videos or concerts i've been to, the bass player is often just hitting strait down on the strings, and i'm starting to think there may be a reason to do so.

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Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Feb 09, 2010 07:42 pm

I alternate when using a pick for faster or redundant stuff. Most songs I finger pick though, as I like to feel the strings when playing.

I'd say metal and hard rock is more heavy pick type stuff.

I don't really think it'd make much difference.

I know alt picking is used much more in guitar, as is sweep, etc. but I can't see bass having that issue.

Course, there's many ways to play, and I'm only one opinion.

Odd, but I don't alternate when playing power chords. Almost always downstroke. Course I'm usually only playing on 3 or 4 strings, usually not the top. Other chord work may be alt, usually finger/thumb.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Feb 09, 2010 07:58 pm

Learn to use your fingers so you can play a part either way. Diversify that skill set for premium songwriting experience!

Member
Since: Sep 30, 2009


Feb 09, 2010 08:08 pm

Ya, i have been playing with my fingers any time i mess around on the bass just for practice. Plus, with a bassline there is something nice about having that extra little bit of "intimacy" with the strings (for your children). But my latest project i feel like it should have a little more growl to it.

But alright, looks like its certainly not taboo to pick up and down on a bass :) i'll just go with what i'm feeling

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Feb 09, 2010 08:55 pm

straight down all the time will give you more attack (for eg playing to the kick drum only) where as up and down will give you more flow.

my tips for bass is, try not to play the same pick strokes as the guitar, its not a guitar.
alot of times, bass needs to be played in and out with the guitar, kick and or snare.

bass is there to fill things up, create a alternate rythym behind what's up front. give the song more depth and feel and cohesion.

Member
Since: Sep 30, 2009


Feb 09, 2010 09:26 pm

There we go, thats what i was hoping to hear. I can feel bass is a whole different animal, even more than i expected. But i had no idea if i was feeding this animal quite what i wanted. Perfect explanation i was looking for deon. Actually, wow. You realllly nailed that on the head, to a nearly philosophical level :P

Its kind of funny, in recording you really start to grasp music concepts on a level high school music theory classes can't take you, and you can feel and improve your technique far superior to that of my garage band days, but still its a slow process knowing if the way you're doing things is the best way you can be doing them. And that's where the HRC comes in for me haha.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Feb 09, 2010 11:17 pm

Yep, there are a lot of 'pretend' bass players that drop guitar for a song, and pick up the bass and assume it's the same basic thing as playing guitar, but just hit the root note. Or, the guitarists that end up playing 'Lead Bass' (that's pronounced LEED, not Led)

Not at all. Bass is it's own voice, and rhythm. Often times it's a conversation with the drums, but other times it's a conversation with the vocals, or the guitars. Or with itself, i guess =).

Listening to a choir helps, as the voices and arrangement are a good example of the complex conversations between the different ranges. I've watched the Gauthier family singers on GAC a few times, and WOW are they good. I'm not a big churchy follower, but the talents of those singers is really grand. And the arrangement is great too.

Also, what is nice research is listening to motown. They have some real nice flow with bass-lines. Funk and R&B is nice too, though they sometimes get pretty 'active'. Bass normally isn't about 'active', but like Deon mentioned, it's about filling things up, keeping the whole unit together, and helping the drums, in my experience. Drummers love to have a bass player that can really keep the pocket, as it were.

I know those aren't what you're expecting to pick up inspiration from, but don't pass up the opportunity. There's good bass ideas all over the place. Actually, often in Rock I'm not impressed with bass lines. Not always the case, as there are some nice artists, but often the bass is pretty academic.


http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Feb 10, 2010 03:14 am

well you can look at it this way, you start with a kick and snare, it sounds thin and basic, till you add hats and oh's then it is glued togther more..sounds good.

you add one guitar, sounds better, but once you add another of the same rythym it starts gluing together, add those 2 to the mix...cool its starting to glue together more, in between the stuff you got there goes the bass, it sits in between what the guitars and drums cant cover, and thus creates more cohesion.
its just like mixxing the more you add, the more room you must make.
if you were to add another instrument, it would be in your best interests to play in between what you already have there and maybe higher notes so i can come thru.

this is why there's no point filling up your mixes with FX and stuff before youve even finished recording all the instruments.
Fx take up alot of room. i should practice what i preach more.

Member
Since: Sep 30, 2009


Feb 10, 2010 10:48 am

Ya... i've ran into a few "lead bass players" haha. Quite aggravating, especially when its all improv and the song you're practicing never sounds the same twice. Its even worse when that improvist goes out of key.

and thanks for the tip on choir! I don't think i've ever explored choir really. I've done a little bit of digging into classical music, and a little bit into some ethnic cultures. I think its a good idea for any musician to branch out occasionally, if not for inspiration than at least for just the sake of realizing how many directions music can go. Its humbling really.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Feb 10, 2010 11:19 am

Yeah, i like to listen to other genres, gives me new scope. And yes, it is humbling. I get caught up in small ranges, then am totally impressed with a classical piece, or a country arrangement, some big-band stuff is nice too =).


Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Feb 10, 2010 12:30 pm

You want some growl? Record two tracks with your Line6 (two tracks same performance, not two takes), record the direct signal and then a standard bass amp but add a light distortion to it. Compress and EQ the DI track and then mix em together volume wise. The light distrtion will add some growl but the DI will still keep it sounding smooth and like a bass.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Feb 11, 2010 05:13 pm

+1 to what Cpt said...two tracks, one as the DI sorta basic meat to the bass tone. The other one can be as flavorful as you can stomach. Mix to taste. I like that method.

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2006


Feb 12, 2010 05:12 pm

Out of curiosity about what Cpt said, would you take both tracks in clean and add effects after as a rule?

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Feb 12, 2010 05:38 pm

I do not actually, the DI is a great fallback as I can copy/paste and gearbox it as many times as needed if something sux. I dial em in before tracking so I get a better performance for the bass tone 'm using. Would work fantastic either way though I'm sure.

Member
Since: Sep 30, 2009


Feb 12, 2010 05:42 pm

Would the "DI Blend" on most of the podfarm amps have the same effect as if i were having two separate tracks? Also, would you typically get better results from using the actual DI of the bass, or running the signal threw the same bass amp, without any distortion?

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Feb 12, 2010 05:42 pm

I'm soooooo guilty of being a "lead bass" player. The bass lines tend to be the last thing I write for a song and by then I've got so much going on in my head in the key and mode of the song that I can't help it. Plus I like interesting bass lines and not the Michael Anthony "ride the 8th note root" method. There is a point where even I draw the line though, mainly due to the fact that my bass is freaking impossible to play. The day I get a good-quality bass, I'll give new meaning to "lead bass"! Freaking Yngwie on the fat strings man. J/K...kinda...

@ BluesDues:
I'm not so sure that there's a rule for it. Just as in any case that you choose to add effects later, you gain the ability to change settings without having to redo the take. But the tradeoff is that you might not have the same texture to the effect when its added post-tracking versus when its stuck between your bass and the preamp, or in the effects loop of your bass amp, or wherever. Most time-based effects are best added after tracking anyways, after all of the amplification and distortion has happened.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Feb 12, 2010 07:14 pm

I'm into lead bass playing if the lead bass player can play the right notes...which is not always the case.

@ Tad: My room mate has a jag bass for sale that has some sort of spotty problem with the active electronics. He wants $500 but I bet I could talk him down a little if you're interested. C'mon Yngwie let's see it!

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Feb 12, 2010 07:38 pm

Hahaha Quincy. Weedley-weedley-weeee-eee-eee...only lower!

I hadn't even considered the Jaguar from Fender, only the J-Bass. Is it a 5-string? I'm really after a 5-string.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Feb 12, 2010 07:57 pm

Nah, 4 strings. My house has been a bass resale shop recently...no 5 strings though, if we have one come in I'll let you know.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Feb 12, 2010 08:10 pm

Oh...there's a P-bass too

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