6 Proven Rhythmic Formulas For KILLER Basslines: Basslines From Scratch 3/9

►► FREE: Want to know if your basslines are actually good? Download the Basslines From Scratch Checklist to make sure! → becomeabassist.com/bass-lines...
When it comes to writing your own basslines, sometimes the notes are pretty much taken care of, right?
It’s common for bass players to be given a chord chart or a lyric sheet that basically tells them what notes are going to work the best.
Now this is great if you’re not sure which are the ‘right’ notes to play. You can just play the roots from the chart. But what about the other critical part of the bassline?
The rhythm?!
A lot of bass players get stumped when it comes to creating a strong rhythmic idea. You can know all the chords, scales and arpeggios in the world, but if you can’t come up with a compelling rhythmic ‘core’ for your bassline, it will end up being a bit ‘limp’.
That’s why in this 3rd instalment of Basslines From Scratch, you’ll be learning 5 rhythmic formulas that you can directly apply to your next bassline.
If you’ve ever struggled with knowing what rhythms will work in your basslines, then I’m sure you’re going to LOVE this lesson and these rhythmic ideas.
You can treat all of these rhythmic formulas as starting points or ‘jumping off’ points. You can play around with them, modify them, combine them. You may even start off using one of the formulas and it might prompt you to go in a completely different direction with your line.
And that’s great!
You’ll even notice that all the examples from this video didn’t always rigidly stick to their rhythmic formulas the whole time. There’s quite a bit of variation in some of them, but the core rhythm remains steady.
You can do the exact same thing with your own basslines. Have a ‘core’ rhythm that you use, but then play around with it however you like.
Now if you want to make every bassline that you create the best it can possibly be, make sure you download the Basslines From Scratch Checklist. Just go to this page:
becomeabassist.com/bass-lines...
Fill out the form and I’ll send it to you 100% free - along with all the tabs, notation and practice tracks for all of the lessons in this series.
If you have any questions about anything from the lesson, just let me know! Drop me a comment and I’d be happy to help however I can.
Good luck with the lesson and happy bassline making!
Cheers,
Luke
P.P.S. Just in case you want to check out all the songs I mention in this video, all the links are on the lesson page right here: becomeabassist.com/6-rhythmic...
P.P.S. Here’s the link to download the Basslines From Scratch Checklist:
becomeabassist.com/bass-lines...

[@BecomeABassist]

QUICK CORRECTION: At the 7:41 mark, the final quaver in the graphic should actually be a quarter note. That was my mistake.

[@maverickmohammad4375]

I guess Im randomly asking but does someone know of a way to log back into an Instagram account?? I stupidly lost the password. I would love any tips you can give me

[@allengustavo9288]

@Maverick Mohammad instablaster =)

[@maverickmohammad4375]

@Allen Gustavo I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im in the hacking process atm. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@maverickmohammad4375]

@Allen Gustavo it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thanks so much, you really help me out !

[@allengustavo9288]

@Maverick Mohammad No problem xD

[@NeoBalkanacMan]

Wow, Didn't know Ryan Gosling played bass!

[@THE_ANTI-RAPPER]

Im binging this catalogue. Not everyone learns the same and i feel most comfortable with the way you explain and show the tabs. I think learning the theory is critical to my style of learning and you feed me these digestible chunks of knowledge.. thank you

[@liammackenzie3695]

This is exactly what I was looking for to spice up my playing. Thanks!!!!!!

[@marijnverkuijlen3710]

Great lessons, Luke. You have a very effective way of teaching, very much to the core-essentials of bass-playing. Could you turn the volume of your bass slightly up in your video, so that is in balance with the volume of the metronome?

[@codingstrong]

Very helpful video for any bassist, thank you

[@lucidinterval8012]

Dude, all of your videos are so helpful. Love your channel!

[@Lysdexia]

Thank you very much, Luke - these really help me move my playing on. Such powerfully instructive ways of learning - much appreciated!

[@BecomeABassist]

That's fantastic to hear! I'm glad you're liking the lessons and that they're helping you're playing too.

[@javiersuarez6782]

loving your channel, getting good at improv is one of my main aspirations with the bass

[@robertthurman3743]

Another great lesson. So much good stuff in this one.

[@BecomeABassist]

Cheers Robert - Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jaipe5]

Muy muy muy bueno. Gracias, genio.

[@helenamadeiraharpa]

I want to thank you for your hard work and amazing content! I'm actually a harp player and your videos have helped me to improve my "bass lines" of my left hand compositions! Thank you so much!

[@dougarnold7955]

If it sounds good it is good. Thanks. I've heard this many times before but it's good to be reminded.

[@BecomeABassist]

For sure Doug - they're words to live by.

[@johnfretz1938]

The best. Thanks mate.

[@volodyaperes2412]

Thanks for good vibe rhythm classics!

[@BackBruck]

Always helpful 👍

[@BruceNunnally]

More good suggestions for bass lines; I am enjoying this series.

[@leonamnagel9999]

Thank you so much for this lesson!!! It helps me a lot!!!! Please, make more lessons teaching good rhythm stuff!!!!! PLEEEASEE!

[@schm4704]

The moment you said "straight sixteenths are..." I thought: What is Hip? And bam!, the Tower of Power reference :-). Nice!

[@BecomeABassist]

Can't go wrong with TOP!

[@esztisz666]

your bass sounds so freakin cool 😣

[@mrdan5943]

If it sounds good, it's good! Thanks for that!

[@redt-rex3808]

Youre amazing thanks

[@Pualn08]

Awesome lesson!!!! Thanks for posting mate!

[@BecomeABassist]

No worries Paul. Hope it helped.

[@DanielLizzama]

Very good tutorial Luke.

[@Nivenization]

Thank you.

[@gonzachambi3937]

The bassline of Are you wanna be my girl makes me remember Part time lover from Steve Wonder.

[@Diaaze]

love your videos.

[@rhythmPhil]

Great teaching style, thanks for your work.

[@BecomeABassist]

No worries @rhythmPhil! Glad you liked it.

[@SilverwareCo]

Hi I need help with slap bass all other vids don’t help could u include important tips and ps is the string meant to hit the frets I have spent over 3 whole days researching on how to slap bass and have wasted 3 days of my life as no improvement has happened my slapping does not sound right compared to videos I have watched pls reply Luke or someone else that can slap bass I will be viewing this page everyday to see if anyone has replyed if anyone is reading this and knows all these answers pls respond I will be very happy

[@zottelmann199]

Thank you :)

[@mrquiquebueno]

Congrats Luke! You're awsome!! What model of Spector's do you play?

[@Diaaze]

please make more of these videos with rhytmic formulas

[@kenetaylor59]

The second formula is just about every Phil Spector girl group song from the sixties... "Be My Baby," "And Then He Kissed Me," etc. And man, I gotta say on the next to last formula, you missed one of the most glorious examples, Iggy Pop's "Lust For Life!" Cool little tutorial. I've been playing bass for 40 years, so there wasn't much for me to learn here, but I still enjoyed watching. Well done, Luke! And hey, NICE BASS!!

[@Joseph-bk3hb]

Yay you played Billy Jean correctly 😀

[@j.liddle7580]

Unfortunately, you can either play it or spell it correctly, but not both 😁

[@zadokmotorfreight2423]

@@j.liddle7580 Lol!

[@Silverchord1974]

So, Bass lives simultaneously in rhythm and melody.

[@Silverchord1974]

It keeps in time with the drums, yet it flies all over the scales.

[@CarlCampbellMusic]

Nice video 😊

[@sapiensband2045]

Thanks teacherr

[@BecomeABassist]

No worries friend!

[@marvioob5537]

So cool

[@BecomeABassist]

Thanks friend! Glad you like it!

[@jdb123ize]

I’m horrible at reading rhythms , but my drummer is a maestro. I wish there was a huge list of them, I’ve only but memorized a few, not a good way of doing it

[@iBackshift]

The bassline in the guitar solo in, Triumph - Follow Your Heart is makes me want to air bass.

[@robertdabob8939]

9:15 reminds of American Dream by CSN&Y.

[@michaela2776]

Do some videos on constant baseline, MJ has it a lot, eg Dangerous.

[@DMNEVERLOSE]

Nice thank you for the lesson. Really helping me out

[@BecomeABassist]

I'm always happy to hear that - thanks so much for watching the videos.

[@paulheagen6318]

Great video, even if -- for me -- I couild "hear" the lines way more than "see" them in notation. I wouild add to your funk list James Brown's signature bass lines s in "Cold Sweat" played by Bootsy Collins.

[@josealejandroreyesamaya257]

could you explain how to combine this bass rhythms with guitar rhythms? becouse you can't use a bass rhythm if it makes an ugly contrast with the guitar

[@neroasuquo7681]

Interesting

[@Ronin42069]

What model bass is that?

[@lyndaorm3965]

What is the count for these…esp. #5 and #6…and. #3?

[@cosimobaldi03]

THE GALLOP x xxx xxx xxx xxx

[@hiphophorse]

lessons starts at 1:33

[@jamespeterson9620]

Smash that like button. Thanks for this!

[@anandkamate2308]

Hi Luke ! This lesson would have been much precise with metronome and rhythm patterns written more methodically

[@houston3483]

im a bum but I need slightly less talk and MORE playing

[@mattgollings2388]

you talk too much