Ska Bass Line

[Bass Freak]

Hey

I need help building a ska bass line. Just a generic one that would be a good start for building a more complex one would be nice. any books out there i could get? or do i have to do it by ear? or is there a nice soul out there that could help me?

Thanks

Freak

 

[Neil Ogilvie]

Less than Jake did a song called "Jonny Quest thinks were sellouts". I think its in MP3 on their website.
The bass line at the start of it is taken straight from "one step beyond" by Madness, who in turn copied it from an old specials song from the late '60's.
Otherwise, for inspiration, checkout Operation Ivy (Lookout records), MU330 (Asian Man records) or maybe Reel Big Fish (Jive).
Hope its helped.

 

[Scooter B]

Bass Feak,

Yoo also may want to check out the Skatalites.. I have two of there CD's that are excellent and the bass line is the foundation for ska!

I would recomend their CD Skavoovee very highly.

Raggea and Ska share a common history with the two styles diverging into what we have today.

 

[Aaron Cheney]

I love the bassline to the new No Doubt tune, Underneath it All. You might consider that more reggae, but it's still very cool.

Aaron
http://www.voodoovibe.com

 

[musicsdarkangel]

ska baselines are very often built around triads to fit around the chords.

So if you were playing a c major chord, the bass could go C E G E.

Not the way I write basslines but if you're having troubles, then try that out.


Example of this.

Beer by Reel Big Fish

 

[musicsdarkangel]

and whoever said Johnny Quest- same situation

 

[LocusLarsen]

Try playing on the down beats and let the guitarist take the up beats.