Personally I like writing full songs starting with a bass because I can come up with chord progressions without the extra two strings guitar has. Writing melodies on bass simplifies it for me.
The riff for One Way or Another was written by Nigel the bass player and he was so shy about it he didn't want to play it for anyone, then Debbie found out about it and it became one of the most memorable riffs in Rock. Song writing is just about breaking the ice. Try writing something funny that you never intend to show anyone and it will allow you to relax to the point where your free to create. Once you write a one or a few, you'll feel more comfortable tackling a project that means more to you. Try doing what Weird Al does. Take a song that strikes you funny and make up joke lyrics about it. Take a Country song and turn it into humorous Heavy Metal. My first song was when I was 15, I was listening to Ted Nugent constantly and I wrote a song called Jammin' it Down...highly unlikely to be a hit but it broke the ice for me. I worked out the chords and verses, structure and when I showed it to my older brother he thought it was written by Ted! I didn't even understand music theory at that point but I put together something that sounded, at least to one other person, a Nugent style song. Try to write a jingle for some product you buy; "My doggie loves crunchy bits! Bits! Bits! CRUNCHY! Bits! Bits! CRUNCHY!" (Then crunchy Metal chords)... whatever. Just let yourself be free to make mistakes and have fun. After some tries you'll find this great idea for a song come to you and you'll be on your way.
I was in a facebook bass group and brought up the idea openly about composing on bass and alot of the rock players simply freaked out. Some could not fathom using bass chords while others said they wrote on piano or guitar. I play some piano and use it as a writing tool but you can write some wonderful things on bass guitar too. I think there is a heavy rock sensibility where many uninformed players will write a rock song on guitar only. In some ways that makes sense because electric guitar is more nuanced towards rock music. But for composing in general the bass is fine. Ive found myself learning jazz chord changes and playing those chords on bass and Ive gotten wonderful ideas.
I like the idea of playing with other people that play other instruments! We should come up with something to call a group of people that all play different instruments! A good idea needs a good term!
Sooooooo helpful! Had the first couple lines of a Christmas song (of all things) pop into my head while I was waiting for a ride from the repair shop; recorded them (and a lot of street noise) on my phone. Wrote the rest of the melody and lyrics -- have been stumped trying to figure out how to get a bass line for it. This video is exactly what I've been looking for...thank you Luke!!!
Haha the first few notes of the melody at the beginning are the same notes from MCRs teenagers, I thought that was funny, and you super personalized it in the end :)
I’ve been trying a 6th way, beginning with a simple bass riff and building around that. Do you have any thoughts about that method (support or advise against)? Thanks
This guy and bass buzz have taught me like 70% of everything i know on bass
That’s awesome @Matthew Lambert! Keep on playing and practicing!
same they both upload very helpfull content
Me to
I dont take lessons so thats how i learn how to play bass
Personally I like writing full songs starting with a bass because I can come up with chord progressions without the extra two strings guitar has. Writing melodies on bass simplifies it for me.
The best teacher on youtube. Great job mate
The riff for One Way or Another was written by Nigel the bass player and he was so shy about it he didn't want to play it for anyone, then Debbie found out about it and it became one of the most memorable riffs in Rock.
Song writing is just about breaking the ice. Try writing something funny that you never intend to show anyone and it will allow you to relax to the point where your free to create. Once you write a one or a few, you'll feel more comfortable tackling a project that means more to you. Try doing what Weird Al does. Take a song that strikes you funny and make up joke lyrics about it. Take a Country song and turn it into humorous Heavy Metal.
My first song was when I was 15, I was listening to Ted Nugent constantly and I wrote a song called Jammin' it Down...highly unlikely to be a hit but it broke the ice for me. I worked out the chords and verses, structure and when I showed it to my older brother he thought it was written by Ted! I didn't even understand music theory at that point but I put together something that sounded, at least to one other person, a Nugent style song. Try to write a jingle for some product you buy; "My doggie loves crunchy bits! Bits! Bits! CRUNCHY! Bits! Bits! CRUNCHY!" (Then crunchy Metal chords)... whatever. Just let yourself be free to make mistakes and have fun. After some tries you'll find this great idea for a song come to you and you'll be on your way.
This was really inspiring. Thanks :)
So glad John Deacon got a mention he’s such an underrated bassist even for such a big band like Queen
I highly recommend a looper pedal if you can't vocalize and play at the same time. Or even if you can. It's great for songwriting in real time.
I was in a facebook bass group and brought up the idea openly about composing on bass and alot of the rock players simply freaked out. Some could not fathom using bass chords while others said they wrote on piano or guitar. I play some piano and use it as a writing tool but you can write some wonderful things on bass guitar too. I think there is a heavy rock sensibility where many uninformed players will write a rock song on guitar only. In some ways that makes sense because electric guitar is more nuanced towards rock music. But for composing in general the bass is fine. Ive found myself learning jazz chord changes and playing those chords on bass and Ive gotten wonderful ideas.
Steve Harris of Iron Maiden writes most of the bands music, and he said in an interview that he writes everything on bass.
I like the idea of playing with other people that play other instruments! We should come up with something to call a group of people that all play different instruments! A good idea needs a good term!
Sooooooo helpful! Had the first couple lines of a Christmas song (of all things) pop into my head while I was waiting for a ride from the repair shop; recorded them (and a lot of street noise) on my phone. Wrote the rest of the melody and lyrics -- have been stumped trying to figure out how to get a bass line for it. This video is exactly what I've been looking for...thank you Luke!!!
Who put bass strings on that squash?
Haha the first few notes of the melody at the beginning are the same notes from MCRs teenagers, I thought that was funny, and you super personalized it in the end :)
Can you do a video about the fret system, do you consider memorizing frets as a good learning practice ,or by ear what do u recommend??
I believe you should do both. Why just settle for one?
I use a 6 string to write songs ,then if i perform i play the bass part on 4 string
Hey, can you please make a video on how to add some good fills / licks on your basslines?
Awesome episode!
You explain it great!
Love the video, but cant help but think the bass looks like a squash
This video is awesome! Thank you so much!
THANK YOU. you actually helped me.
I just kept on watching enjoying himself Making melodys and making sounds with his mouth
What about writing the baseline first and then deriving a chord sequence from that?
You just changed my life lmao
Thank you.
I’ve been trying a 6th way, beginning with a simple bass riff and building around that. Do you have any thoughts about that method (support or advise against)? Thanks
Go for it! These 5 methods aren't the only ones you can use - if you have another method that's working, then that's great!
Great … I composed all my songs on my 6 string bass
Do you have any music on spotify?
Me personally? Not on Spotify, but I have some of my music available through Bandcamp: lukemcintosh.bandcamp.com/
Easy fallow the blues 1,4,5 rule for starts
you done the same melody to a pink song
bruh i can't even play the drums, so most of songs are only bass, guitar, a bit of piano, and vocals cuz that's all i can do
Bang Obin Go find a drummer man!
Cool
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Upload bass tabs song RHCP hey oh ..I confused how to play bass..
Id like to think the bass as a piano it's make it easier for me to write a song with only my bass :>