Annoying Twit Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Does anyone have an examples of music where the bass really does play the fabled 'root eighth notes only'? The Travelling Wilburys might be an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8s9dmuAKvU Others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 'Dakota' by Stereophonics... Boring as they come and the only song in the covers set that I actually hate and would love to never hear again. Tiny variations but essentially just root note playing. http://youtu.be/SzBJQnD7TRM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Not many are disciplined enough to just play roots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 [quote name='skej21' timestamp='1409854281' post='2544036'] 'Dakota' by Stereophonics... Boring as they come and the only song in the covers set that I actually hate and would love to never hear again. [b]Tiny variations[/b] but essentially just root note playing. [/quote] There are variations? No one told me Where are they? Actually don't worry, I don't play this song...phew! (I actually said no to a rehearsal recently when I saw Dakota was on their set list...and Sex on Fire) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Lots and lots of stuff by Gilbert and Sullivan, at least according to my dad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visog Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Boo - never play roots and syncopate... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1409855654' post='2544052'] Not many are disciplined enough to just play roots [/quote] I am. But it's also aided by my complete lack of ability to play anything but roots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 [quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1409855792' post='2544057'] Lots and lots of stuff by Gilbert and Sullivan, at least according to my dad. [/quote] This. I ended up reading a G&S show many moons ago. 'twas not exactly the most fun time I've ever had... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Is this sort of thing recognised in the world of drumming I wonder, or does it just get passed off as the drummer's style. I'm thinking of the difference between, say, Charlie Watts and Keith Moon. One is pretty steady and just laying down a solid rhythm with the odd fill, the other is one long fill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 [quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1409855716' post='2544054'] There are variations? No one told me Where are they? Actually don't worry, I don't play this song...phew! (I actually said no to a rehearsal recently when I saw Dakota was on their set list...and Sex on Fire) [/quote] When I say 'variations' I simply meant that there's an occasional third thrown in. Bloody awful song but for some reason, the punters bloody love it and at the end of the gig, they pay my wage so I'll keep playing it. I hate the song though lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Love Story by Taylor Swift, I like to play it occasionally, it's a great exercise in restraint. http://youtu.be/8xg3vE8Ie_E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) [quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1409856234' post='2544067'] Is this sort of thing recognised in the world of drumming I wonder, or does it just get passed off as the drummer's style. I'm thinking of the difference between, say, Charlie Watts and Keith Moon. One is pretty steady and just laying down a solid rhythm with the odd fill, the other is one long fill. [/quote] Very much so; perhaps more still than in Bassland. There are those that must 'innovate', hardly able to play two consecutive bars the same way, others quite hypnotic in their persistence and invariability. All points east, of course, but most drummers will have a leaning one way or t'other. When 'depping' (on drums...), it's a good idea to find out how the band (or solist; I've often depped for two-some wedding stuff...) is expecting you to play. Some like improvisation, others won't allow any syncopation ever..! It can sometimes be seen in the size of the kit. The 14-tom 20-cymbalist is unlikely to hold down a simple '4 on the floor' for long..! Edited September 4, 2014 by Dad3353 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpy Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 With or without you - U2 Not just root note quavers, but the second most uninspired chord change (after a 12 bar of course) all the way through. I actually don't mind it either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 ZZ Top's song. She Sells Thanctuary, mathter. There is one song which isn't root notes all the way through, but is one note all the way through - Waterfront by Simple Minds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 [quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1409856234' post='2544067'] Is this sort of thing recognised in the world of drumming I wonder, or does it just get passed off as the drummer's style. I'm thinking of the difference between, say, Charlie Watts and Keith Moon. One is pretty steady and just laying down a solid rhythm with the odd fill, the other is one long fill. [/quote] Go on to a drum forum, they're like the wild west of the internet. Make us lot look like we attend nursery school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Tired at the moment, but off top of my head, I would say early Saxon /Judas Priest ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Hell aint a bad place to be by acdc. Lots of acdc songs are root note stuff but can test your stamina and are bloody good fun to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) don't want to hear just roots notes. unless the the rest of the music doesn't need some sort of bass note discovery, but in some way or the other.surely, even the most basic of bassists might want to try something else.? leading notes.? Edited September 4, 2014 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 [quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1409856234' post='2544067'] Is this sort of thing recognised in the world of drumming I wonder, or does it just get passed off as the drummer's style. I'm thinking of the difference between, say, Charlie Watts and Keith Moon. One is pretty steady and just laying down a solid rhythm with the odd fill, the other is one long fill. [/quote] I read somewhere that when drummer Phil Seamen first heard Keith Moon he said something like: 'Man, you get paid playing like that?' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Virtually the whole of Never Mind The Bollocks, by The Sex Pistols. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) There's only one note on the bass all the way though this, and only one bar repeated all the way through. :-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0E0ynyIUsg Edited September 5, 2014 by thisnameistaken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1409864214' post='2544193'] Virtually the whole of Never Mind The Bollocks, by The Sex Pistols. [/quote] That's Steve Jones' fault. Glen Matlock played much more interesting lines, which can be heard on the official release of the 'S p u n k' bootleg. But then you probably know that Lozz! Edited September 4, 2014 by JapanAxe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 [quote name='skej21' timestamp='1409854281' post='2544036']'Dakota' by Stereophonics... Boring as they come and the only song in the covers set that I actually hate and would love to never hear again. Tiny variations but essentially just root note playing.[/quote] This song came up in a set list discussion for us recently and got heavily veto'd. Bartender and the Thief put in instead... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted September 4, 2014 Author Share Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) Some interesting examples there. U2 With or Without You and the Taylor Swift song have almost the same classic I V VI IV chord progression, both in D major, except that the Taylor Swift song has a single crotchet's worth of IV before the pattern repeats. And the Taylor Swift song does have a keychange. Out of interest I tried playing a different line including fifths along to With or Without You. Definitely didn't suit the song, there's already enough going on there. I think there's some space in the intro and breakdowns of the Taylor Swift song for a few sneaky subtle harmonics though. They rhythm isn't straight eighths all the way through though. It is, as described, restrained. But there's variation in there. I enjoyed the White Zombie track more than I expected to. While it's all one note, hen I played along with it, I could put in a fair amount of interest in the rhythm using some sixteens and the occasional bit of syncopation. I haven't listened carefully enough to what the original bassist was playing, and the mix isn't clear - not that I think it's meant to be. But I found that it was possible for me to create (recreate?) a bassline for that with one note that I found quite enjoyable to play. I'm reminded a lot of Nitzer Ebb. I find it interesting that I found none of the songs on here really boring, all had their interest. And I could enjoy playing any of them. Any particular Gilbert and Sullivan tracks that are really boring? (Do you mean Gilbert O'Sullivan?) Nice cheesy but fun major key bassline on 'What's In a Kiss' if the latter. EDIT: "Doesn't it make you sick" sounds to be more or less all root note crotchets more or less. Edited September 4, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 My favourite root note bass line [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKo80b-QfK0[/media] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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