The Only 4 TYPES Of Bass Lines You'll Ever Need To Create

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becomeabassist...
►► FREE: Get the tabs and notation for all the bass lines in this video → becomeabassist...
There are a million different ways to write your own bass lines. Every bass player does it slightly differently, but what if I told you that the overwhelming majority of bass lines could fit into 4 broad categories?
Just 4!
And each of the 4 categories does something slightly different to the music.
Do you want your song to feel big and powerful? There's a 'Type' for that.
Want to hypnotize your audience with your bass line? There's a 'Type' for that too!
Feel like just locking it down and making the music feel as good as possible? There's another 'Type' for that as well.
What about injecting your own personality into the music you're playing? Of course there's a 'Type' for that!
Now there is a bit of crossover between all the types. Very few bass lines are exclusively one type. They do exist, but most are a combination of 2 or more types.
Approaching writing your own bass lines in this way is great because you simply ask what the music wants, pick the corresponding type and go from there.
Now you have a framework - a structure - that you KNOW is going to work.
If you want all the tabs and notation for all the songs we went through in this lesson, you can get them for free here:
becomeabassist...
Just sign up underneath that page and I'll send you a PDF with all the bass lines, links to the actual recordings, plus my analysis of the bass lines and why they work so well.
Good luck with the lesson, and happy bass line writing!
Cheers,
Luke

[@hyperzucar]

Hey Luke. I have just discovered your channel and I wanted to say that your work is amazing and has been like that for the past 3 years. Always going straight to the point, but taking the time to explain things that are not that obvious to everybody. Your videos tend to be long, yet they are not "stretched" like some other KZbin channels do. Thank you for this amazing content. You deserve more people to know you than the ones that do now.

[@BecomeABassist]

Thanks so much for the kind words Francisco - I really appreciate it. It can be tricky for me to figure out what to cut and what to leave in a lesson and I'm sure I don't always get it right. Haha! I'm really happy you like the balance of the videos though. That's really encouraging. Thanks again!

[@mikeleago1]

Less talking. More bass

[@Improvisation-musicale]

@@BecomeABassist Hi Luke, for a french guy like me, always KZbin enthusiast for the real TVmusic lessons about the way to find the "handbook" where you would find every little steps of the process, I think 15 minutes is a good size... And you are amazing for that. Congrats !!!

[@381delirius]

Yeah I actually watch the whole video and I don’t have to skip to the chase.

[@villusive]

@@mikeleago1 then it wouldn't be a lesson

[@Swukelz]

Stage 1: the bassist is friends with the rhythm guitarist Stage 2: the bassist is friends with the drummer Stage 3: the bassist is friends with the lead guitarist or the keyboardist Stage 4: the bassist has no friends

[@MME_Q7]

😂😂😂

[@deadpool1901]

Actually bass and drums is stage 1

[@justindarden5998]

True

[@ChrisWilliams-cb9kt]

Stage 4 the bassist wants to be the lead guitarist

[@pedrobagoduva1091]

You have now almost more likes than the video 😂😉

[@notyetskeletal4809]

I like that aging banana look.

[@kipponi]

I like bananas so that is my dream bass. What is it ? Looks Warwick. So bass and drums hold it together when guitarist plays whatever.

[@chal00u]

And it sounds really good ! Looks more like a spector

[@BecomeABassist]

That's right Chuck - it's a Spector!

[@Doones51]

It's some kind of spalted wood, which is basically some rot in the wood. I had a spalted maple guitar.

[@georgeroelke306]

Become A Bassist , yup. I own 6 Spector's, but after seeing yours, now I want 7 :-). I'm guessing that its a USA Model. Beautiful!

[@theholographicempire2550]

Type 5: Whatever the hell Les Claypool is doing

[@jamiecollomb8401]

totally

[@AAAAAA-tv9wg]

Type 5: You forgot to plug your amp during the gig

[@Dave-Rough-Diamond-Dunn]

Is that what they tell you? 😆

[@AAAAAA-tv9wg]

@@Dave-Rough-Diamond-Dunn Yes...

[@ButWhyMe...]

@@AAAAAA-tv9wg Awwww...

[@den_deg]

and no one's even noticed

[@johnmoses8964]

As a life long bass player you reminded me how important it is to keep it simple. We need to remember the bass and drums are the engine that keeps the song moving forward. Many thanks from Tucson!!

[@BecomeABassist]

Thanks so much John - I really appreciate it.

[@davehope5609]

Songs aren’t made by great bass player, but by great bass lines. Think Tina Weymouth

[@jibicusmaximus4827]

i find it's true for guitar too and music in general, breathing space is underrated...

[@jibicusmaximus4827]

it's the holes in it that make a line pop.

[@MilesTippett]

I would break it down differently.... I would combine your Types 1 and 2 Type 1 - Root Notes (Nirvana, ACDC, Smashing Pumpkins) Type 2 - I-V-I-V (country bass) Type 3 - Riffs (TOOL, Rage Against the Machine, Metallica) Type 4 - Walking/Melodic lines (Paul McCartney, Motown)

[@gordonbennett7931]

Have you listened to the bass lines from 'Hairspray Queen' and 'lounge Act' by Nirvana? Far from being just root notes, those bass lines are melodies in themselves (Type 4) which are completely different to the guitar parts. Whilst I appreciate what you are saying as a general comment, trying to over simplify doesn't always tell the full story.

[@kman-mi7su]

Type 4 Chris Squire

[@stephensoltis4652]

Don’t disrespect Krist Novoselic like that. He is such an underrated bassist. He has some really good bass lines.

[@gruesomewolfgaming4735]

Nirvana is type 3 and occasionally type 4

[@gruesomewolfgaming4735]

Gordon Bennett or Dumb.

[@Quonchon]

Type 5 : Primus bass lines

[@No-to4id]

Ill say Type 6: Peter Hook basslines so!

[@mjohn8217]

Type 10: Ryan Martinie.

[@maricallo6143]

Type 0: Stuart Morrow

[@Dobbersify]

Primus sucks

[@simonnyberg5578]

@@Dobbersify primus are great bruh

[@lutarius_official]

It is plain to see that you know your shit, my dude. You dissected the key points and presented them perfectly. It was enlightening to hear your thoughts along with the demonstrations!! THIS VID HELPED SO MUCH! Great teaching! Cheers

[@BecomeABassist]

Thanks so much @Lutarius - really appreciate it. Glad you got something out of the lesson!

[@thomasrice4930]

Sometimes less is more, Don't need to overplay if it steps on the vocals or guitar parts- Unless of course you are playing The Who. Then the Drums and Bass dominate the song and the guitar anchors the melody and Rhythm...

[@dannymoore5181]

V

[@boseifrit5480]

One word. Primus

[@KingCrimson-420]

The grateful dead all the instruments are equal

[@donaldmack2307]

That “Give it away” lick seems inspired by the Beatles “Come together”... Imo. No idea if it actually was but it just seems like maybe it was? Awesome lesson. My uncle just got a bass a week ago. He is 59 years old and wants to play with me and has never played an instrument. Im gonna send him this vid. Cheers!

[@ericdelrio4614]

Its totally possible that flea was inspired by the Beatles he's a total hippie lol interesting take Also thats awesome your uncle is getting into music even his later years totally inspiring

[@robdekok9582]

The Beatles stole that riff from Chuck Berry - he successfully sued, and won. O, how the mighty fall! But - to Luke - love yer work, as we say. I've had me LH Hondo bass for 30 years and have just started on playing it. Having a great time due to your videos, my son-in-law's great work restringing it and fitting new pick-ups and electronics, and covid-19. Many thanks!

[@sammott9169]

Give it away had originally had a very complicated bass line but the producer worked with flea until they came up with the simplified version we have now.

[@donaldmack2307]

@@sammott9169 Interesting. My uncle never did commit to bass. Such is life.

[@HellaBassTabs]

@@sammott9169that’s right! you can see it in that making of blood sugar s*x magic documentary with Rick Rubin coaching up Flea

[@eshelly4205]

Many Waylon Jennings songs are straight R 5th. Uncomplicated and straightforward

[@HCkev]

Running with the devil by Van Halen is probably a great example of the 1st type. So simple, but gives the song so much power.

[@Paul1287]

I was totally expecting him to use it as an example!

[@sheridansullivan5783]

Brilliant teaching! Getting me really pumped to play more! 👇🏻🎸

[@theranova99]

Great rubric! I can always remember these 4 types: mono, drum lock, doubling, independent.

[@BecomeABassist]

Awesome to hear! Glad it makes sense to you.

[@thomasfarmer1730]

Cliff Williams from AC/DC was once called 'the eighth note wonder of the world' by GUITAR WORLD Magazine in exclusive interview,he was the least musician on earth I'd expect to see in that magazine

[@kriminiminalis]

7:16 nice save bro

[@SAZIZMUSIC]

Type 1: Hypnotize Type 2: Dance Type 3: Make it Fat Type 4: Bass Injection

[@JazzyJonas]

I'm a drummer, but this is fascinating. I sent this video to my bassist and he loved it. It also gave me some insight into my own playing.

[@BecomeABassist]

That's awesome Jonas! Thanks so much for watching - and for sharing it with your bassist buddy. I really appreciate it.

[@lindamoore1199]

I'm also a drummer who is tryna learn bass because it sounds so darn good

[@alexandermedeiros5059]

“Let’s go into type 4” And I just am yelling PRIMUS!!!/LES CLAYPOOL

[@rihariteare]

The man! I'm just getting back into my music and was wondering why everything was sounding complicated and hard to listen to. Gotta keep it simple but effective. Thanks for the tips man. Love from New Zealand.

[@dowsemeister]

could you demonstrate how these 4 types of lines apply to Cuban tumbao in the Timba style and how the bass works with the piano and percussion? That I would like to see.

[@necfarm80]

is that a touche'?

[@dragonitehunter6431]

please make "how to make melodic independent basslines" video haha btw. always found your videos soooo helpful thank you luke!

[@justmebeingbored1794]

Type 5: Tony Levin

[@purpleeyeseverywhere5889]

i literally knew all of this but hearing you put them in to types was somehow satisfying to the ears

[@Baba-ux5li]

I am a bassist and I don't know what you're talking about. I need more lessons.

[@spotzav5830]

@@avatacron60 wash your upper lip then

[@OneAfter-wb9gq]

@@avatacron60 Take your mumbo jumbo and ram it up your snout.

[@colinatkinson7462]

Hi Luke. I love the sound of your bass, so what's your secret please, eg, cab plus Head or combo maybe and or your settings ? Love to hear from you, cheers for now, Col Atkinson

[@BecomeABassist]

Hey Colin - there's not much of a secret I'm afraid. I don't actually use an amp when I'm recording the lessons. I just record straight into my interface and sync up the dry audio with the video lesson. No effects, no mixing - just the tone from the bass. When I play gigs, I use an amp, but I usually set it flat and then EQ to the room. If it's too boomy, I take out some low end and if it's too tinny, I take out some high end. The tone is pretty much the same though - it all comes from that bass!

[@jjjjcccc494]

The secret is he's using fingers instead of a pick, and he has firm control of the muting and tempo. If you keep the notes concise and on time, you'll always sound better.

[@brynyowannatkinson2915]

One word...awesome. A lot of beginning bassist out there will benefit enormously from your lessons. Even grizzled old bass players like myself can benefit. Keep Groovin’

[@aarondavis4341]

I've been a bass player for 20 years,I still learn something new every time I watch this channel,I've actually learned more on this channel than I have PAYING for Fender Play,keep it up Luke!

[@sk_lxr2920]

My favorite example of type 1 is Kiss me good-bye by Buck-Tick Yutaka uses two rhythms (then it would be bi-rhythmic haha) and changes them between verses and the chorus, he only adds some fifths on the verse from time to time, and it sounds absolutely amazing

[@RayZ7834]

Good you know and use the term "Formulaic"

[@griffinohara2794]

Just to let you know for the future, the song is pronounced “why-why-zed” not “why-why-zee”. I know it doesn’t really matter but it’s better to know.

[@Sambom44]

It’s Y-Y-ZED! 😂 Great video!

[@pgpete]

This like telling people who want to become racing car drivers that there's only two types of cars in the world - manuals and automatics.

[@Empyrean55]

pgpete well what else is there?

[@TheGuyvatzian]

Seems to me like he forgot about walking basslines

[@BecomeABassist]

Might want to watch the whole video TheGuyvatzian. I talk about walking bass lines specifically around 11:25.

[@TheGuyvatzian]

OH wow I'm so sorry! My apologies!

[@redcurry5917]

How so? This lesson is clearly not intended for very advanced players. If someone wants to become a racing car driver and then goes to 3 driving school classes and complains they haven't taught him how to race, it's his fault for going to the wrong place, not the school's for serving their intended purpose.

[@alecv8249]

Dude your lessons are truly amazing. However, I find it al little bit difficult to remember all that you say. Could you please write the keywords of what you explain on the screen on the right? It would be amazing. Cheers and keep on rocking!!

[@Bob_at_OZDiggzguitars]

The opening of the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" that Carol Kaye came up with..a PERFECT type 4!

[@kevinconnor6035]

I think she co-authored that bass line with Brian Wilson. I remember reading it was one of the very rare times that Kaye did not have free rein to play whatever she wanted. Brian Wilson give her pretty particular directions about what to do on that track (and on most of the Pet Sounds album too). But that's probably why the bass line on that song is so great. You put two musical geniuses together, you're gonna get something special.

[@ollieheads374]

Amazing, im current making basslines to heavy metal songs, this helps a lot, type 3 is my style

[@BrennaLynn]

Thanks so much! I was writing bass lines electronically while producing and knew nothing about the dynamics of bass lines! This was a great way to get me started and understand how bass lines fit in the mix

[@BecomeABassist]

Thanks Brenna. Glad I could help.

[@jack555jump]

Yeah, bass can be really neglected in a song.

[@michaelbobson9198]

I’ve been wrestling with getting a Bass and you’ve made it much more difficult to stay away. I’m a relatively new Guitar Player, but always hear the Bass first. Thanks for a great vid. BTW, I just subbed!

[@jarodmikesell8549]

Like that invisible pick at 1:43

[@williamgeorgefraser]

John Wetton's bass on King Crimson's "Starless" is the ultimate example of the type 4 . Fripp's guitar is simply strumming chords while Wetton plays the lead line on the bass. It is one of the most haunting tracks in the history of progressive rock and considered by most Crimson fans as the highlight of their career..

[@thomasfarmer1730]

Cliff never overplays and he just supports the song which is important ,unless you're in a band called Primus ha ha

[@dhiguera13]

Thomas Farmer cliff is overrated

[@dhiguera13]

Nevermind I thought u meant cliff Burton sorry

[@thomasfarmer1730]

+Diego Higuera Cliff Burton.....I always though that too....but his use of wah wah in 'Pulling Teeth' was cool

[@DaveR_36]

Don't forget Cliff died when he was young only 24 and still growing as a bass player he was a great musician for hes age

[@TheFreeBass]

How can one tell if Burton was overrated? He was usually so buried in the mix ya couldn't even make out what he was playing.

[@agatone.9768]

Type 1 should have been mentioned: Bohemian Rapsody, Rosanna Type 2: Africa, Type 3: Come Together, Baba O’Riley (could be 1 but plays same thing as everything else) Type 4 should have been mentioned: Sweet Child o’Mine, Black or White, The Last DJ Where does The Passenger (Iggy) fit tho? Rootnotes simple (1) and own melody (4). Edit: okey so as a huge Tom Petty fan I just have to mention him as his basslines. They are pretty much all typ 1, possibly 3, but like listen to the songs! They are still great!!!

[@argonwheatbelly637]

And LZ's "Ramble On" ?

[@niallsbasstones9713]

Hey from Dublin. This is an excellent bass video. Thanks so much for sharing

[@BecomeABassist]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@jakegtband]

Walking? Slap bass? Bass chords (ie. root and compound 3rds)?

[@BecomeABassist]

Check out the 11:25 mark for my thoughts on walking bass lines. I guess you didn't get that far before leaving your comment. As far as slap bass lines, they are usually Type 4 heavy, but Type 2/4 hybrids are pretty common. Bass lines that involve bass chords are typically Type 4 lines, but sometimes Type 3 depending on what's going on in the rest of the song/band.

[@DonaldRickert]

The bassline for "Give it Away" sounds suspiciously like "The Stealer" by Free.

[@JamesShore1990]

I feel like I have to weigh in on Flea here. His basslines might sound like type 4, a lot, and I mean A LOT are actually type 2, but with a lot of details around them. Even in your example of Give It Away he clearly follows the kick drum with his accents. Just watch the Flea & Chad Show and you'll see.

[@c.hundley9714]

Love the beauty of simplicity in bass. Too many people want to be guitarists and over play. They could screw up Stand By Me.

[@MirlitronOne]

1. Plunk 2. Plunk plunk 3. Plunk plunk plunk 4. Diddley diddley diddley diddley boingy boingy (rest) plunk.

[@craigbirchfield417]

Very nice video. I have been playing bass and composing most of my life but you really nailed down a coherent explanation and formula of what most good bass players do intuitively. Kudos. Also, thanks for so many examples that older players can relate to.

[@BecomeABassist]

You're welcome Craig. Happy to help out!

[@Dimitris_Kommatas]

Fantastic session. Please tell u about your bass guitar and the amp that use

[@BecomeABassist]

The bass in this video is a Spector Euro LX, and no amp. I’m just plugged directly into my audio desk

[@discoveringhorseracing3078]

Does everything have to begin and end with "Yeah?" "Nice bass line....Yeah" Sounds amazing.....Yeah.

[@BecomeABassist]

I see what you mean...yeah.

[@alecv8249]

James Hetfield likes this comment

[@jongillahan2058]

Trying to write bass lines has always confused me. This is a great resource to start from. Cheers!

[@zubrycky]

Thanks for the video! It's very useful. Congrats!

[@BecomeABassist]

Awesome ! Great to hear you found it useful!

[@bensam0075]

Very informative. I came here for help with creating music on Dreams PS4. I always seemed to use type 1 & 2 bass lines in my tunes. Now I shall experiment with types 3 & 4. The dream (apologies for pun) is to create an awesome type 4 midway through the tune. I’m thinking along the lines of Break The Chain by Fleetwood Mac - mostly commonly associated with the F1 theme

[@JayDubayu316]

You can make music in Dreams? I guess I finally have a good excuse to buy it. Hahaha

[@kneecaprat]

dear prudence

[@Tonceitoys]

So interesting! A good overview of the ways to make basslines. Good job!

[@BecomeABassist]

Thanks a bunch. I'm happy you enjoyed it!

[@AnthonyOrsino]

Root to Fifth style bass line? That's way too common for you not to include! Major oversight my friend!

[@BecomeABassist]

Are you talking about a country-2 type bass line? Alternating from 1 to the 5th? If that's the case, then that fits nicely into Type 2 because the bass drum would be playing the same rhythm. If the bass drum isn't playing the same rhythm, then that would make it a Type 4. The types don't have anything to do with specific notes - it's more about how bass lines fit within the context of a song.

[@phoarey]

Exactly check out Folsom Prison Blues 1 5 15 the fifth is under the root.

[@pogchamp7983]

I've always heard the Root Fifth relationship as very similar to the kick snare relationship... something to think about.

[@bxp_bass]

This subdivision is incorrect just like if I subdivide all people on 4 types: those, who eat, those who having sex, those who have two hands and engineers

[@billynomates6957]

Become A Bassist

[@Al69BfR]

3:23 Came back to add that the most hypnoticing but still driving one note monorhythmic bassline I know is from Word Of Mouth by Mike And The Mechanics.

[@pinacoco2]

You forgot about another common Style/Technik which is: Playing off the bassdrum. I think this should be considered as a standalone between 2 and 3

[@BecomeABassist]

Interesting - what do you mean by playing 'off' the bass drum? Do you have any examples in mind? I'm curious.

[@pgpete]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5ivfJSvhdyFkKM

[@BecomeABassist]

pgpete - The video you posted is a classic type 4 bass line. It's not monorhythmic (type 1), it's not playing the same rhythm as the bass drum (type 2), and there's nobody else playing that bass line (type 3). It's an independent melody, so I'd say it's a type 4.

[@pinacoco2]

Become A Bassist But does a Type 4 Bassline not rather have a sort of hookline character? The one I remember is from a Patitucci lesson vid with Dave Weckl... cant find it at the moment, sry.

[@BecomeABassist]

Hey Uli - I think pgpete linked to the video of the Patitucci lesson in his comment above this one. Was it this video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5ivfJSvhdyFkKM I replied to that comment above saying that I thought the bass line was still a type 4 because it's still an independent melody. I can see what you're saying though with the relationship between the bass and drums.

[@janklosowski]

An interesting perspective but it puts all interesting bass lines into the type 4.

[@Dettol68]

Great lesson, what a wonderful teacher

[@BecomeABassist]

Thanks so much Stephen - I really appreciate it.

[@zubayarhossan753]

wow best bass video on the youtube... totally clear just in one video. make a video about style of bass playing.

[@BecomeABassist]

Thanks Zubayar Arifin. I really appreciate it. What would want in a 'style' video?

[@luukj938]

You forgot Cliff Burton (Metallica RIP Cliff), Duff McKagan(Guns 'n Roses), Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead RIP Lemmy ya bastard) and Steve Harris(Iron Maiden). They are known for doing their own thing, but also play with different instruments. I know these were really specific bassists, but you get the idea

[@boiledsheep]

I believe the Master of Puppets bassline is just intervals without a link to the other instruments or being a melody. I guess that's a 5th type of bassline ?

[@mikehawkisb1g]

bs as well as Orion. That's a type 6, when the bass creates and commands the entire song

[@andrewbergstrom591]

GEEZER BUTLER, John Paul Jones,

[@PixliePlay]

And what about john paul jones?

[@NamikazeKyuuga]

No, not really. Cliff mostly followed the guitars while playing sometimes straight up mono rhythmic lines (type 1 + type 3). Obviously he had some amazing fills and clever lines but that's part of type 4. Duff did exactly the same thing. Lemmy mostly played chords on bass because he acted more as a rhythm guitar...but he still played type 1 lines (mono rhythmic, fast lines). So no, they weren't "doing their own thing". I know you're probably still new to music and those are your idols and there's NOTHING wrong with that. But there's a lot of better bass players out there... You want guys who did something totally freaky who are very hard to study? James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorius, John Entwistle, Les Claypool...and I'm only mentioning some names the list could go on and on. All of those wrote huge, different basslines who fit the song perfectly. Jamerson was the OG melodic bass player, check out his line in "I was made to love her" by Stevie Wonder. To do that in the 60's you had to be super talented - remember there was no examples of bass playing like that before or any tutorials with tabs.

[@danieltaylor3231]

If you told me there's only 4 main types of bass lines ? I'd say Thank God. I want to spend time making good music, not trying to out-play the world.

[@NYESOX]

#1 Play anything you want.

[@wmkennard]

Really essential to know no matter if you have played for years. It's helping me alot. Luke ❤

[@isaacriggs4656]

Explain Primus now.

[@CanadaWaxSolvent]

Mostly Type 4 and Type 2 since Claypool typically plays a lead instrument while the guitarist backs the bass by playing mainly type 1 and type 4.

[@spamsingles5948]

Isaac Riggs Type 5 - Les Claypool

[@jarodthejimnast5918]

He didn't say those are the only bass lines that exist

[@effiemars_]

Type 4

[@Mucksauce]

My Best Attempt Les Claypool’s Bass Lines Type I - Rhythmically Follow Chords Type II - Follow Kick Drum/Drummer Type III - Follow Instrument Type IV - Melodic Too Many Puppies - III/IV Tommy the Cat - II/IV Jerry was a Race Car Driver - IV (Bridge II/III) My Name is Mud - II/IV (Bridge II/III/IV) Kalamazoo - II/IV John The Fisherman - IV (Chorus III/IV) DMV - II/IV (Bridge I) Welcome to This World - II/III/IV (Bridge I/II) Mr. Krinkle - II/IV (Pre-Chorus I) Eleven (II/III/IV)

[@MrJohndl]

No McCartney? Epic fail dude.

[@BecomeABassist]

If I included examples from every great bass player/every great bass line, this video would be *years* long. Paul uses all 4 types of bass lines btw.

[@fattigmanskultur]

So what type is reggae bass?

[@BecomeABassist]

It depends on the song, but a lot of reggae bass lines are type 4 or type 3. There's no hard and fast rules for styles and the types though. You can probably find all 4 in reggae - same as rock, funk, country, jazz etc.

[@hotrodupholstery-com3348]

pappa fattig g

[@phenixreturns]

sometimes it's cool to let people learn by themselves :) don't break the magic

[@SergeVolkovMusic]

*And then Tool/Meshuggah appears.*

[@gustavttt4148]

Serge Volkov primus.

[@Iyashikei-t4u]

Tool is often type 4 or 2 or some hybrid. Don't know about Meshuggah but when I listen to them their music seems to be too busy for a type 4 so they're probably one of the other three or some hybrid. Nothing that the video didn't explain.

[@bxp_bass]

That's because of lame subdivision. There's no such type "4" without 1, 2 and 3. The thing is though you may have half a song with "type1" but ending which has insane fill through 10 bars and vice versa. 80-90% of ANY bassline EVER is locking with drums and defining chord changes, and this is cool, nothing shameful or something - the feeling when you PROPERLY play root note locked with drums is incredible and similar with sex. Overplayed = bad played

[@MartaRzehorz]

And then wild Lightning Bolt appears

[@lngsrp4612]

Great video. Robert Dileo from STP does a lot of the type four thing. Interstate Love Song is a great example.

[@ComaAlpha]

Awesome. This actually makes sense.

[@BecomeABassist]

Fantastic! I'm happy you think so too!

[@nathanwahl9224]

Seems more like it would be 1, 2, 3 and everything/anything else, so by definition it has to cover anything that comes along. It's just that the 4 is a lot more complicated than that. This lumps in walking bass, C&W 1-5s, funk lines, countermelodies, syncopation, grace notes on top of 1, 2 and 3; heck, even just holding whole notes, and a whole lot of other stuff.

[@markusrose3940]

I think this is oversimplified! It won't help you learn bass lines. It's helpful for creating them I guess, but once you know your theory this is a given.

[@stevenwarner9156]

It is a little, but I think this lesson is very much aimed at beginner/intermediate musicians and bassists. I can see this being useful for explaining some basic concepts in thinking of contextually good bassline creation. If you have been playing and thinking about music for years and know basic rhythmic and harmonic theory, then this is indeed obvious stuff and too simple. But to someone with little to no experience in any kind of theory, with maybe a year or two worth of playing under their belt, this could help their approach in thinking about basslines and creating them.

[@BecomeABassist]

You're absolutely right Steve. It's aimed at the player who doesn't know a ton of theory or the 'obvious' things that players with more experience take for granted.

[@thomasre2125]

Anything that organizes your thoughts will help

[@markusrose3940]

Yes I agree. After all, everyone learns in a different way and with different understanding. And yes, I understand that the video is aimed at the beginning player. Creating categories and organizing your thoughts is of course always good! I guess my adversity towards categories stems from the fear of loosing individuality in ones play, or missing the interaction with the band, which defines the song. My apologies, for the (admittedly) destructive sounding comment. So, to add a more constructive tenor, I'd just like to add as a tip for all beginning bass players: the interaction between you and the drummer gives the song its character. This is mainly the reason why these 4 categories work. Listen to your drummer (kick and high hat) and your other band mates. If there is a lot going on, maybe its better for you to pedal on one note. If there is lots of space, experiment and go off on tangents (type 4 stuff). You are the (often overheard) center piece of the band. You tie everything together and depending on your choice of how to play with (or against) the group, you will form the nature of the song.

[@CanadaWaxSolvent]

Anyone serious about learning is going find themselves with friends jamming long before it's possible for them to absorb all the theory. I think this is a great way to get beginners to think about their role as a bass player and how they can contribute to a song.

[@shivabreathes]

I'm trying to tell if the accent is Aussie or Kiwi. I'm going to say Aussie. But I feel like there's some Kiwi in there somewhere.

[@lucyfuir6386]

Spector?

[@BecomeABassist]

Absolutely!

[@lucyfuir6386]

Become A Bassist I've got 3 I love em

[@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371]

How come eight's could be a BASSLINE😳😳😳RHCP is Basslines I agree

[@tonycolon67]

i don't agree with the comment of money ...to me its a type 4

[@acetheta]

+1 No other instrument in "Money" is playing unison with the bass. The vocal melody follows it in some places... SOME.

[@WieTHE0]

I break it all down to two tecnics and i explain it in a Minute. And then you can start to mix them.

[@Kyrieru]

yeh?

[@BecomeABassist]

Yeah.

[@Kyrieru]

Glad we got that misunderstanding cleared up.

[@BecomeABassist]

Haha! Me too.

[@TKOthunder]

When i started, I took the Geddy Lee or Chris Squire route: Play the root and then play extensions or key passing notes. Or! Arpeggio rhythms and passing bass melodies to using the chords dominate and use passing notes to keep the time moving. Easier said than done as a composer.

[@edsmeds7233]

I'll investigate more of your channel, but 1-3 sadden me about the role of a bassist in creative musicianship. Thanks for the depressing summary.

[@esgibtnureinen]

eD's MeDs meditations Well following the guitar doesn't mean necessarily that the guitarist invented the chord progression. You can come up with a cool progression on your own and the guitarist builds the chords upon that. Same for type two. You could find a rhythm that the drummer adjusts to with the kick drum.

[@edsmeds7233]

Yes. This. Good point. Something about relegating a creator to an instrument and designing the parts to only support rubs me raw. In the context of routine, base can be boring. In the light of your inversions, base is a sound maker in a gang. Bass is too pretty to be sent to stale.

[@ronyeahright9536]

to sum up; "bass, for the wanna be musician who can't play guitar"

[@BecomeABassist]

Ron Yeahright - incorrect.

[@BecomeABassist]

How long have you been playing bass Ron?

[@georgiasomenzari4704]

Great video! Talking about type 4 (if I got it right), Duran Duran's Save a Prayer can be a good example. For me, the bassline there leads the whole song.

[@iliasliakos6692]

great vid mate

[@BecomeABassist]

Cheers Ilias!

[@ilijazz]

Hey bro, we're name mates

[@timworley3235]

if you want type 3 basslines but on crack, go check out psycroptic! australian tech-metal. the bass is almost always following guitars (or vice versa) and holy shit does it sound huge! especially live! its only 1 guitar and 1 bass which is really odd for a metal band (drums and vocals too) but the bass pretty much doubles as a bass and a rhythm guitar in that band, which i reckon is pretty cool when its pulled off right

[@elliepodmore4348]

Thank you so much for this video Luke. I'm a songwriter that has learnt music theory and I felt a bit lost on where to start when arranging bass for my songs. Your video is very clear with well known examples. This has given me what I need to move forward.😊

[@mezatron]

As much as the title seems like an oversimplification. You’ve managed to encapsulate a wide swathe of genres and create a framework for thinking about building your own basslines. Kudos.

[@hankunck2089]

I happened to come across this video unintentionally, today, and what a refreshing one it is. As a bass and guitar player for several decades, this isn’t new to me and, for that reason, I usually don’t watch more than a minute or so of these “basic techniques and knowledge” videos, because they usually present something with which I’m already very familiar. However, this one is so well presented that I had to watch it to the end, even though what was presented is not new to me. The thing that impressesed me most is that you keep stating the words “it serves the song well.” That is the #1 purpose of a bass, and all instruments - everything is in support of the vocal, or lead instrument in the case of an instrumental. In the case of the bass, it is to create foundation, reinforcement, and forward movement through dynamics - intensity and space. I see and hear way too many amateur bassists trying to fill all available spaces, and while many of them do have amazing facility on the instrument, which is commendable, they have no sense of space, which is not commendable, because it makes an otherwise great song less so, and doesn’t lift a mediocre song onto a higher plane. You mentioned James Jamerson; he is a wonderful example of knowing how to use space - he rarely used a flurry of notes on recordings, although he was more than capable of it. Just as with graphic arts, where negative (empty) visual space makes the piece more effective, and more pleasing to peoples’ eyes, so it is with the bass to listeners’ ears. A measured amount goes a long ways. When I learn or create a baseline to a new song, I have a tendency to overplay. Thus, I record it along with the song, then listen back to it critically. During playback I hear where the song needs more breathing room, and I simplify my bass line to accommodate that. Sometimes one sustaining note, instead of the three I used originally, creates a more effective and dynamic aural experience. Like life itself, keep a song breathing instead of choking the life out of it with overplaying the bass. The bass is there to enhance a song, not dominate it, unless it was specifically written for that purpose, such as being the lead instrument and, of course, during bass solos, but even with solos, pacing and “empty space” help to create an exciting listening experience by injection unexpected surprises to the listener, rather than just a flurry of notes for several minutes, which gets boring the longer it goes on.

[@BecomeABassist]

You're spot on Hank. I love the comparison of negative space in the art world and how it relates to music too. Thanks so much for the comment.

[@joachimheinemann6936]

Thank you so much, Luke!!! All your videos are soooo well-done. You manage to explain themes which seem very complicated in such a very clear and simple way. Once again: thank sooo much and best regards from Germany!!!

[@smileysatanson3404]

the way you talk about the bassist just drives out how important a bassist really is, not only are you teaching about bass lines and such but the actuall role of a bassist only down thing is i barely hear your bass play also i wonder, what category would Cliff Burton from metallica fall under in for example, ''for whom the bell tolls''?

[@sauletto1]

You have really good content , very charismatic and engaging as well. I share your channel to a few people I brought into the "Bass" player world. Thanks for helping keep them motivated !

[@RyanWright]

monorythmic root note bass lines are the bread and butter... You can honestly throw that type of bassline on pretty much ANY song and it will work. Its not gonna grab anybody's attention, it's not gonna stand out from the crowd, but it will work with pretty much anything.

[@BecomeABassist]

Absolutely @Ryan Wright - if it's functional and works with the song, that's always going to be a good thing, even if it's not the flashiest thing in the world

[@tsap5492]

Great video

[@coalitiongaming3242]

What type would be the one that follows the chords but has multiple types of rhythmic pulses(like quarter notes and dotted quarter notes.Or eighth and half notes)

[@dracenmarx]

What about country style base lines?

[@MsCellobass]

Completely wrong about K C and the Sunshine band ‘ boogie man’ bass line. It isn’t THAT simplistic... at all!

[@xeviusUsagi]

everyone: being a bassist is easy! me:k (see's Mob Psycho 100 "99.9" song) me:ho no, this ain't easy

[@JesseGreenwood-h1o]

This was very helpful for me as a new songwriter. I knew bass-lines were key to memorable hits; but not being a bassist, I didn't know what the breakdown was, so thank you.

[@BecomeABassist]

So glad it was helpful Jesse!