Playing with Guitarists that use Power chords alot...

[crimsonghost_138]

I play bass in a band where the guitarists do alot of power chords. Theory isnt really much applied in the music, so I dont really have a key to go off of. I cant tell when to us a major or a minor third, when to extend to the 7th, and the like. I just mainly try to come up with something not completely root/5th based. I was wondering what intervals/line ideas would work played over power chords and the like.

[Left Shoe]

use your ear, without having heard the music we arent going to be able to tell you

[Duncster]

Power chord riffs are just like any other chord riffs. If you know theory you should know which chord emans major or minor or diminished. Find the key chordf and bass every note on it to determine its value. you know the MmmMMmD

[Kayetan]

I say you should disregard theory but be subtle and not idiotic about it. Also, quit using "that" as a relative pronoun. Seriously, it's not cool.

[FunkMetalBass]

Wow, grammar pwn through the title?

Anyways, threadstarter:

Theory applies at all times. If the music sounds good in any way, shape, or form, it's in a key. Figure out which roots he's using and find a key. Then, with the help of M,m,m,M,M,m,m/D, you can figure out which notes to play.

[docbop]

If me and they were doing power chords I would avoid 3rd's in general. Listen to the riff's/melody and bass drum and support it. If guitars are just droning away with chords then your bass line may becomes the hook of the song. The pressure is on <grin>

[FunkMetalBass]

Yeah, we couldn't help you much without hearing the music.

[tinnitus]

If me and they were doing power chords I would avoid 3rd's in general. Listen to the riff's/melody and bass drum and support it. If guitars are just droning away with chords then your bass line may becomes the hook of the song. The pressure is on <grin>

123, make up riffs while they play power chords

[janyeno]

like some people said... just do what sounds good..

[kilian]

use your ear, without having heard the music we arent going to be able to tell you
Great minds think alike.. ;)

To use your ear is your best bet. I play in a band with loads of powerchords and sometimes a note does fit, even if the guitarist plays a powerchord.

Simplicity is a good thing.

[peeted]

just because the songs arnt writen with keys in mind doesnt mean it isnt in a key. even if it changes key every messure or something you can still use the key to write a line for it.

[darrell]

Give us some of the chords to one of your songs and maybe we can help you out by showing you the key you are playing in, as well as qualities of the chords you are playing. It could give you a good start in writing a cool bassline.

[BassPlayingPineapple]

Check out a lot of The Who's songs, Pete Townsend quite often just plays power chords while Entwistle doodles around.

[BassVirtuoso]

I'd take advantage of it and use the melody. If he's using powerchords, a major or minor pattern will always work on top of it.

[Radiobass81]

I'd take advantage of it and use the melody. If he's using powerchords, a major or minor pattern will always work on top of it.
I do the same.

[crimsonghost_138]

Thanks guys, all of these things you have said are helpful. (Tried my best to not use "that") I have been analyzing that roots and finding the keys from there, and applying the 3rd appropriately. So Im on the right track, per se.
A typical example:

"White Castle" by 1024


Intro: 4th time:
E----------------------- ------
B----------------------- ------
G--2-2~---------------- --7----
D--2-2~-----------2-2-- --7----
A--0-0h3p0h3p0---2-2-- --5----
E-----------------3-3-- ------
On this, I just Follow roots

Verse:

Dmaj A maj (both with hammers to other chord tones)

Here, I play a Dmaj pentatonic walk, and then and Amaj chord arpeggio.

Chorus:

F#5/A5 E5

I follow the F# and A, but during the E, I play this fill.
G------------------
D----------5-------
A-5h7-7-7---7-5---
E----------------7-

Sometimes, when they just rock out a power chord, Ill do a fill that is based on the major or minor scale for the chord theyre playing. Thing is, if the key changes during the song, its hard for me to tell which type of scale apply when playing the fill.
Theres a rough jam that we had one night (not the song I have transcribed) on www.myspace.com/listento1024. It has our lead guitarist playing drums, and our old singer being messed up. that might give you guys a better understanding of what Im trying to do.

[SillyPuddyonIce]

Power chords can often give you lots of freedom.

A 5 chord is pretty simple... But lots of different chords involve the tonic and the fifth.. so you can pretty much tone the chords to how you want. If hes like playing A5 G5 C5. How about toning it Amin Gmaj and Cmaj. And add to that even.

And the one guy is right. If it sounds good in any way, shape, or form its in some sort of key.

[bbbbass]

Power chords can often give you lots of freedom.

A 5 chord is pretty simple... But lots of different chords involve the tonic and the fifth.. so you can pretty much tone the chords to how you want. If hes like playing A5 G5 C5. How about toning it Amin Gmaj and Cmaj. And add to that even.

And the one guy is right. If it sounds good in any way, shape, or form its in some sort of key.
Exactly. Powerchords give you room to do alot. If you do it right, you can make the bass very melodic and define the mood of the song.

[SüP]

Admitantly, I know NOTHING about theory but I do have a good ear. Just listen and the bass shoud come to you. My guitarist used power chords alot but there is always room for the bass to move.

[Shuffle It All]

well thats pretty easy to me, as i have no realy theory knowledge. look at the root of the power chord, for example if there playing a G power chord on the low e string, then play maybe the root of this and improvise around it.

also, i play power chords frequently on bass, and they can sounds very nice, maybe try playing the same notes but higher on the other strings, so octaves higher, and play power chords, may give your bass more depth

[Fong249]

Ironically, Powerchords fit in theory quite a bit. While they wont necisarilly allow you to determine the exact scale or chord your in, the basic construct of a powerchord is root fifth root up an octave. because that eliminates chord tones from chordal construction, you're allowed to play what you want within reason. Of course, playing a double flat superlocrian mode in a song where you're trying to stay upbeat is not a great plan, stick with minor and major chords, and try to allow the bass to color in the chords. Your guitarists have given you a outline, the bass lends itself very well to filling it in (and if you've got magic fingers sometimes you can color outside the lines)

[White_Summer]

the great thing about power chords, is that you can play almost anything with them, and the bass(or whatever is backing) will colour the major or minor because a power chord really isnt anything until you add a fourth note into the picture, its mainly a diad, which can lend to many different scales, modes etc

[Aukai]

I think your overanalyzing this alot (Threadstarter). Most of the time the key will be the first chord, and most of the time a rock song will be in minor. Im pretty sure that song you posted was A minor. dick around in A minor til you find something you like.

[katana_manatee]

If you are at all worried about what kind of third to use in an arpeggio over a certain chord, find out what the key is and use this formula:

For major: I=Maj II=Min III=Min IV=maj V=Maj VI=Min VII=Min

For Minor: I=Min II=Min III=Maj IV=Min V=Min VI=Maj VII=Maj

But these apply only if it is a diatonic progression*. Most of all find out what sounds the best. Just remember, a lot of rock music is written without looking at theory, it is mainly by ear, so you should use a similar process, but a bit of theory can be helpful in some situations in a rock context.

*(Ignoring the fact in pure theory terms the fifth in the VIIth chord of a Major key and the IInd of a Minor key is flat)