Bassline to compliment chords

  • Thread starter Thread starter RideTheCrash
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RideTheCrash

RideTheCrash

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I'm not really sure how bassists figure this out, I'm a drummer, so it's not really my area of knowledge.

Basically I have a few chords for a ska riff, just a very simple pattern that goes something like this:

e - x 8 x 8 x 8 x 8 x 5 x 5 x 7 x 7
b - x 8 x 8 x 8 x 8 x 6 x 6 x 8 x 8
g - x 9 x 9 x 9 x 9 x 5 x 5 x 7 x 7

How can you write a good bassline to go with that? I'm not that great with theory so bear with me. Thanks...
 
No, I know, I guess I should of typed it better, um, like in ska they use more of scale type of bassline. Ya know, like, "walking" basslines or whatever.
 
I was assuming he knew what chords they were....

C c C E X c E F X c F F# X F# G X

Nah, that's to comical... ;)
 
walk the bass in a C minor type scale, all the notes in C minor= C, D, D#, F, G, G#, Bb, C, so as youy notice C F and G are all in there..correct me if my notes are wrong, i did it quickyl out of memory, not looking at my neck.
and if you want to get into it more, go up with some modes..but you said you aren't big into theory, so I won't get into it :D
 
Two things (just for your knowledge)

It's an Eb and Ab. (You want to see each note represented, be it flat, sharp, natural, etc...)

What you really want to do is emphasize the IV (F) and V (G) on their respective beats.

Also, technically it's a major 1 4 5 progression, so a C major scale is what is supposed to be played... but that's where artistic freedom comes in. If it sounds good and you like it, then you're good to go! :)
 
With ska you have to be careful since it's a more sparse style for bass than reggae. You gotta stay out of the way of the horns and to some extent the guitar on the 2 & 4, so start with the tonic of each chord (C,F,G) on the 1, and play some sort of melody, starting on the 3 or the & before the 3 to get back to the tonic of the next chord on the 1. If it's really fast ska, just stick to the 1 or the 1 & 3 for punk ska. But basically the 1, 1, 1 because nobody else other than the vocals is on it.

I keep thinking about "Satisfy My Soul" which has almost no bassline, just like an organ swell, but I can imagine a bassline that's G-C-C, Bb-F-F, G-C-C, etc. (to use your key) on the 4-1-2 and off the three which of course is where everybody else is.
 
C E G E F A G B

or

C G E G F A G B

or

C E G E F A G D

or

C G E G F A G D

or.........
 
I put together this progression 4 ya.. before I go to bed here.


Let me know If you want me to tab it out tomorrow.

I used a non-tradition drum track to play along with :)

& I threw in a chorus as a bonus for you.


called BBS Help


http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/?aid=1564/singles


I never played ska before but, let me know if this helps
 
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