Discuss music production with Ableton Live.
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kb420
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by kb420 » Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:36 pm
If you're going to use Parliament as an example for a bassline, how could you not use Flashlight???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3flYZ6LOsw
Bernie Worrell is the man on the Mini-Moog!!!!!

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger..........."
-Friedrich Nietzsche-
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antarktika
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by antarktika » Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:19 pm
RajahP wrote:emotionz22 wrote:This may sound dum to experienced producers but I can't do a bassline for my life lol...and I'm not asking how to do a bassline cuz I know I have to figure it out myself...I was just wondering if y'all could help me out in understanding how a bassline works...I'm into mostly R&B for now but I plan to be versatile the more I progress...anyways it would be greatly appreciated if y'all can post links or just give advice because this is truly holding me back from finishing tracks smh 
Give the demo a try..
http://www.sugar-bytes.de/content/produ ... hp?lang=en
that is a step-sequencer that was posted for god knows what reason, just ignore it, it has little to do with your question.
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e440hz
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by e440hz » Sat Mar 19, 2011 12:52 am
emotionz22 wrote:scutheotaku wrote:First learn the minor penatonic scale.
Why is that
well... a pentatonic scale CLEARLY defines the tonality of a piece. those five notes tell the listener your tonic, which your bassline is supposed to do.
the rest is all rhythm man
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Khazul
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by Khazul » Sat Mar 19, 2011 1:10 am
@emz - one really really simple rule of bassline for your kind of music - get a nice bass patch up, move a bit and play what you feel.
If the end result doesnt make you move - not even worth saving it, so you will know when its good and when it aint. You can play keys ok, so just play and exploit the spaces in the beat and under pin the melodies.
Nothing to see here - move along!
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RajahP
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by RajahP » Sat Mar 19, 2011 9:49 am
antarktika wrote:RajahP wrote:emotionz22 wrote:This may sound dum to experienced producers but I can't do a bassline for my life lol...and I'm not asking how to do a bassline cuz I know I have to figure it out myself...I was just wondering if y'all could help me out in understanding how a bassline works...I'm into mostly R&B for now but I plan to be versatile the more I progress...anyways it would be greatly appreciated if y'all can post links or just give advice because this is truly holding me back from finishing tracks smh 
Give the demo a try..
http://www.sugar-bytes.de/content/produ ... hp?lang=en
that is a step-sequencer that was posted for god knows what reason, just ignore it, it has little to do with your question.
Ok...
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Tone Deft
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by Tone Deft » Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:21 pm
PERFECT!
when I first got a bass guitar I started googling funk basslines, they were all so damn simple. then I learned the lesson above. the best basslines I've laid down are just simple 2-3 note riffs, but I got the groove right. last one I did was just one note but I recorded it right and it rings out nicely on the one.
guitar players that think they can just pick up a bass and play get it wrong (myself included) like Bootsy said, it's the space in between. keep it simple, keep it funky.
In my life
Why do I smile
At people who I'd much rather kick in the eye?
-Moz
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kb420
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by kb420 » Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:21 pm
"That which does not kill us makes us stronger..........."
-Friedrich Nietzsche-
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UncleAge
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by UncleAge » Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:37 pm
1. I think a woman playing the bass is hot. But a good looking woman in a red dress with slits up the front playing the bass is real hot!
2. I have much admiration for bass players that sing. I can play guitar or keys and sing but I find it almost impossible to do when I play bass. And to do something that's not on the downbeat like Roxanne (Police) is probably never going to happen for me. My brain can't nail it.
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bartend7
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Contact:
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by bartend7 » Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:19 pm
James Jamerson!!!! check out and learn the old motown basslines. I think there's a book for it, but listening is better than reading

. Willie Dixon!!! excelent blues riff master. To me, the two of them are the root of bass lines in 20th century popular music. Check em out, study their notes but more importantly their feel.
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emotionz22
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by emotionz22 » Sat Mar 19, 2011 10:23 pm
Thank you for this video ...this definitely helped me understand basslines more...its greatly appreciated.
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Saxer
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by Saxer » Sun Mar 20, 2011 10:18 am
annother tip:
sing the bass lines before playing or programming it.
once you get used to, you can put out bass lines where ever you are.
that concerns other melodies too.
best ideas come somewhere driving car or watching tv...
get your cellphone to record it for later use.
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kb420
- Posts: 2772
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by kb420 » Sun Mar 20, 2011 12:58 pm
bartend7 wrote:James Jamerson!!!! check out and learn the old motown basslines. I think there's a book for it, but listening is better than reading

. Willie Dixon!!! excelent blues riff master. To me, the two of them are the root of bass lines in 20th century popular music. Check em out, study their notes but more importantly their feel.
Excellent choice!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqtELR5GyfI
"That which does not kill us makes us stronger..........."
-Friedrich Nietzsche-
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DM1000
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by DM1000 » Mon Oct 01, 2012 12:36 am
Hey I'm a keys player and do a lot of session work helping my friends with baselines and other melodies. I play very well by ear. If you're looking to get your ideas out faster, I could probably help.
I live Downtown Toronto but can also do session work via Skype if you're far.
Just offering my services
[email protected]