help with writing metal baslines

[incubass]

I just joined a metal band and when i write my lines i dont usually write metal. I was wondering how to write lines for metal that doesnt follow the guitar but stil sounds metal. pretty much what ryknow from mudvayne does or steve harris from iron maiden.

any tips/advice/anything is appreciated

thx :thumb:

[Keepitcoolidge]

Sheesh- I hate metal but here goes-

Listen to a lot of Megadeth- Dave Ellefson (spelling) is great
Iron Maiden (of course)
Mudvayne

since youre just starting (thats what it sounds like), learn some scales (penatonic etc. etc.)...

[Riouken]

Listen to the rest fo the band and lsiten mroe and more and write liens to that.

Don't write metal lines, write your lines.

You'll bring dimenson to the band and play ti with your feel. Which is ultimatley what the band wnats right? Many many many bass players can play a stereotypical metal line, but not everybody can play a line with your feel.

[incubass]

i never looked at it that way. Thanks though that just opened up a whole new door.

[Riouken]

No problem :thumb:

[naut]

Don't write metal lines, write your lines.

well, your lines within relevance to the music.;)

[Riouken]

well, your lines within relevance to the music.;)
If you write them with feel as you play to the music it will more than often fit in with it.

He seemed to be looking for some metal lines, stereotypical metal lines. not lines that woudl simply fit the music they played.

[chaosMK]

I would suggest playing with an aggressive attack, if you dont have a lot of experience playing metal.

What type of metal are you guys playing?

I would also suggest working closer with the drummer than the guitarist. Most metal has boring bass lines because it is so oriented to the guitar. Orient to the drummer and you can be a little more creative and stand out.

[naut]

He seemed to be looking for some metal lines, stereotypical metal lines.

i wouldn't really consider Ryan Martinie's or Steve Harris' basslines "stereotypical."

[Riouken]

i wouldn't really consider Ryan Martinie's or Steve Harris' basslines "stereotypical."
That';s cos they didn't follow the stereotypical metal lines that were happening at their time I guess.

That's how things evovle. He wanted metal lines. I jsut tried steering him the direciton where he doesn't just copy their style, but add his own flavour to it too.

[Dyslexic Magician]

Metal you say?


|-333333333--------------111111111111111
|-----------222222222222-------------------------
|------------------------------------------------
|----------------------------------------------

just kidding

[FU.CKY.OU]

Not to slander metal and make it seem simple, but i'll tell you..dont be afraid of open E. It's used so much.

[ShetaN bRaT]

I would suggest writing in half steps.

i.e.

G|----------------------------------66-7-66-7--|
D|-----------------------44-5-44-5-------------|
A|------------22-3-22-3------------------------|
E|--00-1-00-1----------------------------------|

Don't play it like that though, that might suck.

It makes it sound like its building tension. So something like that & break apart.

[naut]

That';s cos they didn't follow the stereotypical metal lines that were happening at their time I guess.

That's how things evovle. He wanted metal lines. I jsut tried steering him the direciton where he doesn't just copy their style, but add his own flavour to it too.

...

uh, ok guy.;)

[symphony21]

i play in a metal band too.. what i do is first get the basic root of the whole song, the song pattern.. then jus play around with the scale the song is in.. dont be afraid to go against what the guitarist plays as long as its in the same scale.. like said before, give the song your own feel.. and dont stick to root notes.. thats the worst mistake.. your sound gets boring, and you dont improve a bit..
steve harris is damn good but i'd recommend megadeth, as said before by "Keepitcoolidge"
adios.. :thumb:

[BassCozzy]

i think Cliff Burton is a dam good metal bassist to listen to and geezer butler