6 Hacks for Better Bass Lines
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 มิ.ย. 2024
- Wanna instantly improve your bass lines? Simply add these 6 music theory hacks!
►Free Book: HackMusicTheory.com/Books
►Songwriting & Producing PDF: HackMusicTheory.com/Bestsellers
►Online Courses: HackMusicTheory.com/Apprentic...
0:00 Intro
2:51 Hack 1: Fix Perfect 4ths & 5ths
4:30 Hack 2: Make Motifs
5:42 Hack 3: Add Syncopation
6:46 Hack 4: Uproot Some Roots
8:07 Hack 5: Add Octaves
9:23 Hack 6: Add Rests
10:36 Final Bass Line
#1
Perfect 4th intervals (which are five semitones) and perfect 5th intervals (which are seven semitones) are the most boring intervals by far, scientifically speaking, as the notes vibrate too similarly to each other. So, adding a note in between all perfect 4th and perfect 5th melodic intervals to break them up, will instantly make your bass line stronger. From A down to F is four semitones, so that’s strong, and then obviously from F back up to A is also strong as it’s four semitones again. From A up to C is three semitones, which is strong, but from C down to G is five semitones, a perfect 4th, so that’s weak and boring and we need to fix it. We do this by adding a note in between, to break up that perfect interval. Let’s add an E, which is that happy 3rd note in the Cmaj chord. The new intervals we’ve created by doing this, are C up to E, which is four semitones and strong, and E down to G, which is nine semitones and strong. Also, always remember to check the last note back around to the first note, so here that’s G up to A, which is two semitones and strong. No more weak perfect 4ths and 5ths.
#2
A motif is a short musical idea, and using them will make your melodies memorable. Breaking up perfect 4ths and 5ths will often give you a great first motif. Where we broke up that perfect 4th between the C and G, we got an interesting motif: the bass goes up on the off-beat, then falls to a lower note on the beat. We can use that motif again over the Gmaj. The bass can go up to E again on the off-beat, which is a 6 over Gmaj, then it can fall to C on the beat as the chord changes to Gsus4. The C that we’re landing on here, is the 4 in that Gsus4 chord. We can then use this motif one more time at the very end, by going up to an A on the off-beat, which is a 2 over the Gsus4 chord, and that high A will then fall to the low A that kicks off our bass line.
#3
Syncopation is accenting the off-beat, and these accented off-beats are what give bass lines their groove. Without syncopation, bass lines sound stiff and boring, but with syncopation they sound exciting and alive. By breaking up that perfect 4th, we ended up with a motif that was syncopated, so we’ve actually already got some syncopation, but we want more! So, let’s add some syncopation to the A, and then use that exact same syncopation on the C. This not only adds life to our melody, it also creates another motif. Remember, accenting off-beat eighth notes is pretty safe, whereas accenting off-beat sixteenth notes is thrilling.
#4
For the most part, our bass line still mainly consists of the root note from each chord, which is boring. While root notes are the most solid foundation for every chord, bass lines that spend too much time on root notes are predictable, and therefore boring. By uprooting some roots and moving them to other notes in the scale, we temporarily destabilize the foundation, which is dangerous but exhilarating. A great place to add a non-root note would be over the Fmaj, as there’s not much else going on there, so let’s add that happy major 3rd note again, A, then go back down to the root, F. Remember to be careful when moving notes that you don’t end up with a perfect 4th or perfect 5th. Now, if we do the same thing over the following A, we have another motif. So over the A, let’s add that 3rd as well, C, but this time it’s a sad minor 3rd.
#5
By moving some notes up an octave, we create a sense of movement, without actually moving. This octave hack is exclusively awesome for bass and synth lines though, not for vocals and most other melodies. The reason octaves aren’t good for vocals and most other melodies, is because an octave is actually also a perfect interval, so it sounds boring when used in melodies that are in the spotlight, like vocals. Not to mention that an octave is really difficult to sing as it’s a huge interval, but that’s not a problem for bass. Okay, the obvious places to add octaves in our bass line, are the syncopated root notes over the Am and Cmaj chords, so let’s move them both up an octave. Then, one last sneaky little octave at the end of the Fmaj will make that section flow more, and we’re ready to move on.
#6
Rests are little moments of silence, which obviously stop the continuity of sound. As a result, they need to be used sparingly, but one well-placed rest can elevate a bass line to new heights. Rests create phrases, which you can think of as the sections that a vocalist would sing with one breath.
(c)2017 Revolution Harmony
►FREE Book: HackMusicTheory.com/Books
Wooohooo! Thanks many much for the PDF!
Our pleasure, Daan, we hope it helps give your music theory a boost!
Boring version: 2:35
Hacked version: 10:15
I found it useful for comparison :).
Thanks T. Neulaender that's very helpful. Take care, Kate :)
Wauwww yes.
in the name of Gsus
Laaaaawl
Perfection. I’m gonna steal this and use it someday!
Congrats man. This is amazing.
Lol
Lol
That was probably the best video on basslines period. Ray's class on Warp Academy is awesome too.
Wow, thank you sooooo much for your super kind comment, we are deeply grateful. And thanks also for your kind words about my Warp course, that was a super fun experience and I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed it! By the way, what kinda music do you make? And where are you based? Thanks again for taking the time to watch our videos and connect! Ray :)
BECAUSE OF YOU, MY SONG SOUNDS AWESOME AND SWINGING! THESE USEFUL TIPS ARE AMAZING!
in the past 5 years i have clicked myself through hundreds of bass tutorials and left frustrated most of the times. this is the first video i watched that is on point and helpfull! you guys made me really happy today! :D
Spinal tumors took me off my feet, and inspired me to record audiobooks to have for the days when I couldn't even hold up an iPad to read. Audiobooks led me to REAPER and voice acting. REAPER inspired me to want to start doing full audio mixing. Mixing led me to revisit my lifelong dream of learning the cello. The desire to learn cello led me to re-learning music theory, which led me here. Soon as I saw that REAPER logo, I knew I was about to get some good info. I'm loving it! Thanks!
11:17 Sample that burp and turn it into a funky bass line!
Ha that's a fun idea! Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment, we really appreciate it! What kind of music do you make?
careful what you wish for haha! :D
Revolution Harmony He makes BurpStep, apparently. 😜
I did that, only thing I received was a clear EW stare...
djdrwatson Then use the sample to replay "September". I NEED THIS.
That is a great method of dissecting/building/tweaking bass lines - without even using a bass guitar. Rather than just listening and watching someone play, one can see the progress through a spreadsheet of timing and notes chosen. Thanks - Subscribed!
Mottifs..YAYYY
I'm with you on that. It's all about the motifs!! Thanks for watching Alejo, hope you're having a great week. Kate :)
Agreed 👍
This is the most amazing, simple yet thorough music video I've ever seen. Thank you!
Good stuff. I wish I’d had something like this in 1982 when I was first stretching my mind songwriting and performing. Personally I’d probably use 2 or 3 of those ‘hacks’ at most (but perhaps bass lines were simpler in my day and the style was somewhat different!) but they are all useful ideas. Good work.
This is the first video I saw and I loved it! Super clearly conveyed
Thank you!
Yay! Thanks so much for watching and connecting, Gordelicious TV. It always makes us happy to know that our hacks are helping musicians! Hope you're having a great week. Until next time, take care. Kate :)
THX.....
Definitively helped me a lot. The best thing is.... in every song doable without sounding the same everytime.
I am a bass player and none of my teachers explained it SO clear and simple as You did. congrats. great job. You hale my subscribe from 3rd minute. greatings from Poland
This was made really simple and is such a great help. Thanks!
Aw thanks for watching and connecting, Sammy, it always makes us happy to know that our hacks are helping musicians! We hope to hear from you again, until next time, take care. Kate :)
This is just exactly what I needed. I have spent all day trying to come up with a cool bass part.
Amazing!!! Thank you sincerely for watching and sharing, SHT musik, it means a huge amount to us! Please feel free to share the music you make using our hacks too, as it's always thrilling hearing them come to life in other musicians' music! Take care and happy songwriting! Kate :)
Wow, what an excellent video. I knew all the concepts you laid out but never applied so scientifically to bass. Thanks for making this video!
I tend to go for a rhythmic approach (rhythmic as in sheet music rhythm, not BPM) and apply dynamics to make my more complex lines stay in the background where they belong in an ensemble context, then simplify as much as I can so my playing doesn't take over the song. But this vid was a great bit of expansion to my knowledge :D
thankyou for sharing these lesson, i am a bass player, this really help me to find breakthrough of my playing style.. this is not only useful for EDM or whatever music production, but this lesson gave me (as a bassist) the selection of note, dynamic, rhythm, and timing.. so happy i found this lesson.. keep up the good work!!
cheers!! 👍
I got two of your ebooks on your website and it's full of good stuff, really clearly written and a total steal. I managed to plow through quite some conventional music theory before but this makes me wonder why they had to explain it in such a difficult way all the time haha. Thanking youu!
Hallo Paul, great to hear from you again! We're super pleased that you've gotten so much out of our ebooks. Good for you for taking the next step in your music education! How is your songwriting coming along? How's the winter weather been in Amsterdam? Take care and talk soon. Kate :)
Hey, winters are really soft here nowadays. Been getting near freezing the last two weeks and a bit gloomy, but not too bad. Songwriting wise i have about 10 good basic song ideas but still haven't really begun. I'm really anxious to start, but have been working on making a decent template for reaper, learning how to use my gear properly and analyzing some songs really deeply. Just trying to make this songwriting round more free flowing and less tedious you know. And being ready when band life comes around after. But it will be epic, i can feel it! Thanks for your message! All my best, Paul
Hey Paul, thanks for sharing, sounds like you've got an epic plan! I wish you the best with your songwriting and please do let me know it goes! Have a wonderful holiday season and until next time, happy songwriting! Kate :)
In France we have a famous artist called André Manouchian and he presented some short music related show around a specific topic and in one of them he complains on how we teach music. I must say I agree. But the unfortunate thing is it does not stops to music. Almost every topic is treated in a boring conventional way. Also a lot of people swear only by the over complication of concepts. I often wonder if the guy tries to explain a thing or focus on his ego. i wish the world teaches things a good interesting way. Bit by bit, layer by layer. Once again this channel is awesome because it goes straight to the point mixing the practical aspect with the theory and explaining why you do what you do is very important actually.
I've never written a note of music in my life, but this is fascinating!
I like that you guys are doing a "music theory of pop music" kind of thing. All this talk about breaking expectations in a way that isn't overwhelming to the listener is what pop music is about. Not to mention all the talk of the importance of rhythm in todays music. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much corrda1993 for watching, connecting and cheering us on! Yes, we believe that pop music deserves to be as well composed as classical or jazz, and also be fun and enjoyable to listen to :) Music after all is an art form and by using theory we can properly express our creativity! On that note, what kinda music do you make? Kate :)
Right on. And good pop music _is_ well composed...it's just so effortless that we barely notice. It took me a long time to really appreciate good pop music. I had to have a reason to listen before I really understood how much thought goes into the best stuff!
Exactly, good music is good music regardless of genre!
Never been much of a fan of pop. The lyrics have always struck me as vapid and pointless.
But when I started listening to kpop I developed a better appreciation for the music since I wasn't able to understand the lyrics. Also, when you don't speak the language the voices become just another instrument... some good, some not so good.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I've been struggling with trying to make deep house basslines with a funky, 80s synth feel. My first try after this tutorial came out Fire! Can't thank you enough
As always, You guys rock! Keep on keeping on!
Its rare when an 11 minutes video has real information what can't be summed up in 30 seconds. This was really informative, thank you, subbed.
i have a theoretical question: when you hair falls to only one side, does it pull your head to the side a bit as well ?
Haha, exactly :)
Say what now??!! (-: ^_^
What I love about this video is that it gives me a new approach to try to create baselines. Starting from root notes and breaking them up by thinking about and employing the mentioned concepts lets you experience / learn those concepts practically without presupposing you have the embodied (theoretical and technical) proficency to "just" write your baseline in an "interesting" way. Thank you.
It's not what you try to do but I would also enjoy long form content on the different concepts you talked about.
Great video! Definetly by far the best tutorial on TH-cam on music theory I have Seen!
I'm Jewish. Will these hacks work for me?
Absolutely yes! Rest assured, we always trial our hacks on a multicultural test group before releasing them to the public, so I'm happy to confirm that they do indeed work for Jews too :)
Nice n purely music...! Awesome
We're really happy you enjoyed our video, victor benjamin! Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment, we're deeply grateful to you. Until next time, happy songwriting! Kate :)
Again, your videos actually deliver what they promise - really useful advice delivered in clear and thoughtful ways. Brilliant work.
Hi again Matt! So glad that you are finding our videos helpful. Hope you've been finding lots of gems which you can implement in your own songwriting. Until next time, take care! Kate :)
This is great. You're totally filling on the holes from those lessons that I forgot, skipped or didn't understand how to apply.
I just learned about 4th & 5th intervals "yay"
"are you not lovin your low end? 😉" looool
One of the best music theory channels for producers
You're too kind, thanks Ben, and a warm welcome to the Hack Music Theory community! What kind of music do you make? Take care, and we hope to see you again soon for more theory hacks :)
Thank you ! Just the kind of advice you want to find when you're trying to change your bass play a little
+ 1 For the love of Reaper!
Reaper love, yay! On that note, what kind of music you making in your Reaper? :)
I am an old drummer moving away from my metal roots these days. Currently working on some new stuff with an old friend. Reaper is awesome and as powerful as you want it to be. BTW, loved the video!
Yay for making new kinds of music with old friends, very cool! What kind of metal are you into? If you have some moments, may I suggest you check out some of Ray's music? He's done some really cool metal and non-metal stuff you might dig. Here's the link: RevolutionHarmony.com/Ray. And yes, I totally agree about Reaper...it seems we're always learning about some new feature and diving deeper into its functionality. Until next time, happy songwriting! Kate :)
Very excited to see someone like Ray is part of this, his collaborations with people like Serj Tankien & Tom Morello is perfect for my interests. While the internet is full of music theory for pop, R&B and EDM until now I haven't been able to find anything by anyone with influences like this. I know that music theory is always applicable, but it helps when the musical examples suit the mood, rhythm and tone you are aiming for.
Oops. My rant started was supposed to be a simple +1 for Reaper... which I forgot to write.
Subscribed right after that opening line. 😂 opening hooks are important
Also quality content
Thank you for making this video!! So awesome to use what's been learnt!
Thank-you for taking the time to make these. It's wonderful to see someone teach theory that looks at like I do, if you are not able to explain it simply, you do not really understand it. That's been my experience time and time again, especially with theory. The way it's often presented is vague and overly complicated for simple principals i.e. to teach me what a scale was my friend tore up a post-it note and stuck them on all the scale degrees, then let me play around with those 7 notes. Bam. Made sense. Thanks again. Loving this channell :-)
Intresting practical adaptaion of music theory... I like it, great work! :)
Thanks for watching and connecting Have Guitar! We're pumped to welcome you into our Hack Music Theory revolution! Until next time, take care. Kate :)
Revolution Harmony I'm always all ears when theres a learning opportunity! Your channel has good content, love it! 😎👍❤
Awe thanks so much!! An attitude like that will take you a long way 😄 What kind of music do you make? Hope you're having a great week! Kate :)
Mainly various guitar based music, but I guess I have my roots in the blues and classic rock! Actually started playing "seriously" again last summer after a way too long break. But there's always something new to discover/learn when it comes to music and that is one of the things that makes it fun, right? And the same to you, have a good one... :)
Thanks so much for sharing and congratulations on re-dedicating yourself to playing! You're absolutely right about there always being something new to learn or explore with music. There's a saying that it takes seven lifetimes to master music! I guess we'll never get bored ;) Hope you've had a great weekend. Kate :)
As a bass player i could not agree more, this is an invaluable lesson, and... yay!
Yay, so pumped that you enjoyed our video Mauro!! Really glad to hear that it resonated with your bass playing. All the best with your playing and songwriting and we hope to hear from you again! Until then, take care. Kate :)
Awesome! I think your videos stand exactly in the right spot between theory and practice to be useful for beginners or amateurs. Thank you very much!
i haven't picked up my bass in years, but now i might have to dust it off.
great presentation and explanations
Great content! I produce music and the way you explain in such a simple way makes learning so much easier. Thank you so much!
Aw thanks for watching and connecting, Techno Dad, it always makes us happy to know that our hacks are helping producers! On that note, what kinda music do you make? Until next time, take care and happy songwriting! Kate :)
This channel is genius!!! I have one question about the harmony in this video: If is in A minor, why do you call the VI, III and VII flat? F, C and G majors are the regular A minor VI, III and VII grades so, why the flats?
Hi Jorge, great question! Ray covers this topic in his free music theory book, '12 Music Theory Hacks to Learn Scales and Chords' which you can download from our website: revolutionharmony.com/books. Let me know if that answers your question. Thanks so much for watching and connecting. Until next time, happy songwriting! Kate :)
Probably the most helpful 11 and a half minutes of TH-cam i've ever watched. Cheers.
WOW! Thank you for this wonderful insight. Keep on sharing! You earned a new subscriber!
"yaay"
First time watching your videos not even one minute in the video and subscribed
SUPER helpful! You make it look so easy and achievable :)
Great video! I like that you don't spend too much time on basics, but get practical. Subscribed!
While I do feel like you're majorly misusing the word "hack", I have to thank you for this video because it is one of the most helpful if watched (of dozens) in the last few days!
"Yayyyy!!" :D
Graphically love the piano roll thumbnails. Works for you on so many levels. Good job designer!
Wow, this was very helpful. thank you for posting.
Kind of a long sentence.....
But you're absolutely right.
"Boring. Scientifically speaking." Hah. That's both funny and right!
gr8 tips I just found your site .. subscribed & will be trying to learn more I am an over 60 muso struggling down the road of learning theory .. never too late to start right ? big thanks
This is the first video of yours I'm watching and I love it so much that I subscribed immediately. Nice job you're doing here
We're super happy you enjoyed our video, emmanuel! Thanks for subscribing, and welcome to the Hack Music Theory community! What kind of music are you into?
YAAYYY! This hacks are really helpful. Thank you! 🤘🏻🎼🎹🎧
Boooring...
Six steps later...
Awwwwesome...
:D Great stuff, subscribed
First video of with you guys i was skeptical win I clicked
Then SUBBed before the 3minute mark
Awesome Content
Aw thank you so much for giving us a chance and then subscribing, that means the world to us! Really happy you're liking our videos, and please stay in touch :)
Same here!
Hey Melvin! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing, we're so glad to have you be a part of our music theory revolution!
Same. Glad I clicked. Great video. Look forward to more.
i was kind of skeptical too at the start but i found myself hadbanging so hard to that bass line at the end. my God...
I was skeptical after hearing the first two hacks, but then it got amazing! Now I'm subbed!
Really helpful, I've always thought my basslines were boring, Can't wait to try these hacks
You're the sorcerer of the music that makes the rain come on our desert staves
What the hell... This is the most f# amazing musical theory channel I've ever seen!
Haha! Thanks Alessandro! So excited that you're diggin' our channel and we're pumped to welcome you to our Hack Music Theory revolution! Until next time, take care and happy songwriting. Kate :)
I just read this as the most F sharp amazing
i know right
Haha, that's awesome TonyCook! Thanks so much for watching, we appreciate it big time! Kate :)
Are you sure it isn't G♭?
I love you guys for this. This is really going to enhance my music skill after watching this whole video and practicing with it.
Aw thanks for watching and connecting, FrostFM, it always makes us happy to know that our hacks are helping musicians! Have a wonderful weekend and happy music making! Kate :)
Hack Music Theory
Yes! Thank you for the reply. The advice here really makes a world of difference as I used the methods here in one of my recent songs and it got a huge amount of positive response. So I thank you all for that! 😊
th-cam.com/video/XW_92t9RzX0/w-d-xo.html
It's our pleasure to be of service to you and your music! Glad to hear that you're getting positive responses from your listeners, that's what we like to hear :D Until next time, happy songwriting!
Thank you soooo much, dope!! Keep up the good werk
Instant sub material,, I could never get past root notes and octaves..
Awe thanks arkadeep for watching and subscribing, that means a lot! We're so glad that you've diggin' our content and so glad to hear that you'll be experimenting with notes other than the root, please do let us know how it goes! Kate :)
As a bass player I can say cool video. Your changes sounded interesting, but would be even more interesting if played by a real person than a synth.
Thank you! Love watching your tutorials.
Wow this is great, I will dive into all your vids....great explanation!!!
Subbintgon!!!!! Sorry. I'm put "ington" at the end of everything to make my own new words 😂🤣😂🤣
Thanksington!!! We're super grateful to you for joining our music theory revolution, welcome :)
wow.... this video was awesome :D thanks guys. You are the best!!!
I’ve been binging all your videos…. Thank you so so much for the amazing content you produce ❤️❤️❤️
Awesome Fred Irie Beats, thanks for your kind words and a warm welcome to the Hack Music Theory community! What kind of music do you make? Take care, and we wish you a fantastic week!
One of the best teachings I’ve heard. Great job & Thanks
Thank you for this video, it has helped make my bass lines more interesting.
amazing video. So well explained and concise.
This channel is amazing thanks for the great content!
where did these videos come from!?? Wow seriously good job someone who speaks clear finally and explains things all the way through in a way anyone can understand.
That was a really good video! I like how you used simple concepts and demonstrated every step to show the difference after each change. Thank you!
We're really happy you enjoyed our video, Demonstormlord! Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment, we're deeply grateful to you. Until next time, happy songwriting! Kate :)
Hi Guys,
Just wanted to say a big thanks for the vids... loving your work :)
Excellent... I hope now, i too knew the secrets for better bass lines... Thank you so much...
What an interesting way to dissect a bassline... glad to have stumbled onto your channel, thanks for the videos.
this channel is seriously a gold mine of information. I wish there were more channels like this one. Cheers!
You're too kind, Elex! Happy to see you again :) We hope you have a lovely weekend full of music making!
Thanks! I've learned new ways with it.
Very useful and very fun to watch,amazing job! :)
I just came across this video and I absolutely loved it. I’m planning on studying composition (is it called that way?) and I really like how you explain everything!
I just tried this on a simple track and it worked first try. Took less than 5 minutes.
Instant Subscribe! Thanks!
Hey Jimi! Thanks so much for watching, connecting and subscribing. We're super pumped that you took our hacks for a spin and found them helpful! Have a great weekend and until next time, happy songwriting! Kate :)
I love this channel. Would love to see this get the subs it deserves. You're incredible at keeping things so damn simple. I love you. Please teach me about altered scales haha
Awesome teaching, now I'm pumped to spice up my bass lines =)
Awesome video, thanks so much for sharing!
i really like your style of making videos. very straight forward and professional. instantly subbed :)
Thanks so much for watching and connecting nur chilln! We're pumped to welcome you into our Hack Music Theory revolution! Until next time, take care and happy songwriting, Kate :)
Unbelievable ! SO glad i found this channel :) Well done Kate and Co. !!!
Very helpful, thank you!
Thanks so much! Perfect!
Wow,amazingly useble short content.
Great vid, helped out for sure! Writing on pc seems like a great way to write bass lines.
This was very useful! Thank you so much for sharing! :-)
Very important things in a very simple and well understanable form - great!