How to Write Bass Lines (And make boring songs cool!)

[@philipconradmusic]

What are some of your tips for writing bass lines?

[@14djfunk]

I'm speaking as a guitarist, but I like the way you described it as often acting as a complementary instrument; too much, or too little relative to everything else around it and it's noticeable. That's not to say it can't stand out, but I really think it shines in the role of accenting or merging different melodic and/or dynamic components of the song. Thanks for the insight! Really enjoying the content!

[@philipconradmusic]

@@14djfunk thanks for the kind words and taking the time to listen!

[@miguelrecalde5557]

Hola Philip, saludos desde Uruguay 🇺🇾 Es hermoso que hagas este contenido, bajistas agradecidos ❤️ Casualmente toco con un Mustang como el tuyo, me gusta mucho como se sitúa en la mezcla. Cuando compongo líneas de bajo me gusta pensar que haría Paul mccartney en mi lugar 🙂 Espero el traductor de Google te ayude ✊

[@ricardodubatti657]

Typically, I like to focus on getting a tight groove with the right low tone. Nonetheless, in my main band (called Rhinoceronte) we are a trio and we have a lot of space, so I like to sit in between the melodic ideas from the guitar and the grooves by the drums (no voices). My approach there is to try to outline and reinforce the main ideas and make them flow naturally, adding some colours in the process. To get that, I tend to focus on breathing (dynamics, space, tempo), textures (timber, technique, pedals; sometimes I like to think a synth, a second guitar or even a stick part and play them on my bass) and sometimes both (polyrhythms). And having fun, of course.

[@philipconradmusic]

@@miguelrecalde5557 Hi Miguel! Thank you for the kind words. So happy to have you here. And I think your philosophy is great, as Paul is a brilliant bass player! Greetings from Atlanta!

[@davidmoneymaker5649]

Sometimes when the drummer is playing unique patterns on the crash, I lock in with those hits using the root and octave of the chord. I've also found that changing technique is a good way to emphasize certain parts of a bass line. For example, playing finger style in the verse and chorus, then slapping during a bridge. Even if the notes and phrasing stay the same, a change in tone can make a bass line sound "fresh"

[@philipconradmusic]

Great insight David! Thanks for sharing.

[@misterlizard9832]

Sounds cool, gonna try to be more focus on that next time.

[@Knight_Boxx]

Slap bass is gay.

[@gyffesme]

@@Knight_Boxx Saying things are gay is gay.

[@randybecker7339]

I'm not a Bass player so hearing your explanations about what a Bass player does and why is very interesting and informative. It's funny, much like a football lineman, Bass players are a very steady and obviously much needed presence that may only be noticed individually when what they're doing doesn't work well with the group. Watching you work through this process has been very educational. I have much more respect for "The Low End" than I did before. Thank you for posting this.

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks so much for the kind word! So happy you found it interesting and helpful.

[@mcdoughboi1305]

Kahoot music goes crazy

[@heartofoak4503]

You sure have opened my eyes as to what a bass player can do to add 'content' to a song, other than the obvious. Keep doing what you are doing, it is extremely helpful to a novice bass player like me

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks so much! Glad you are finding it helpful 🤘

[@cannonstompers9546]

As a banjo player, I find your videos as a look into how to create a more professional sound on all instruments. Much love!

[@philipconradmusic]

Dude! Banjo is so cool. I used to go see the Flecktones all the time. And I played a little bit of Scruggs style for a while. Such a fun instrument. Glad to have you here!

[@laurie-young]

Really appreciated your video. I’m someone learning music as an adult and hearing you talk through how you think about bass, the job you think it has to do, and seeing your process to finding a bass like that does that job is really educational and informative. More of the same please!

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks so much for the kind words! So happy to have you here. More on the way!

[@yoloyo7019]

This is one of the most realistic videos ive seen about music. "Wait hold on... does this suck? And why?" is such a crucial moment that most ppl woulda just cut out of the video. When u read off the chords i paused, thinking what id do, blah blah accent the third here etc. But your final result takes into account a whole layer of "what does the song need" that i would not have recognized myself. The way you *arrived* at the simple bassline was very insightful, nice video.

[@philipconradmusic]

Thank you for the kind assessment. So glad to have you here!

[@kevincothron5089]

It is always interesting to see thought processes for choosing bass lines. I play bass in a church. We do lots of styles from gospel to more contemporary style christian music. I have to think quick and find myself stuck in a rut just to get through. I like it when I find an alternate way of playing a part aside from the expected normal. Thanks for the insight.

[@kevincothron5089]

@J L Totally agree with the play style. I find myself primarily on the root doing dotted quarter eighth note thing or quarter notes or eighth note patterns. Sometimes playing the 3rd or 5th of the chord for flavor as the chart dictates. C/E etc.G/D. It works.

[@philipconradmusic]

Nice! I’ve spent a lot of time playing in church both CCM and gospel. Well said all around. Keep up the good work!

[@dchauser4]

As I'm looking more into writing music, stuff like this is wonderfully helpful. Thank you. That reminds me... I need to find time to work on one for a guitar player friend....

[@philipconradmusic]

Hi Clint! So glad this is helpful for you! Excited to hear you are writing. Good luck!

[@fuzexi]

It was really cool hanging out and listening to you work out a bass line. I used to play the bass and I never knew how to make a bass line. It’s really nice to listen to musicians talk about music in this way too. I came up with a slightly different bass line in my own head as you were talking, and I was thinking about contrary motion, but I really liked what you were talking about rhythm, and also not competing with the other instruments.

[@PhinnOz]

Loved The way you phrased coming up with ideas, complicating them, then simplifying and incorporating coolest parts- so accurate and made me think of a ton of stuff

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks! Yeah I think that concept can relate to a lot of different processes. Thanks for watching and for your comment!

[@adriatic.vineyards]

I love how specific you are in this video. Like, after hearing you say you tend to highlight the third in minor chords but not major made so much sense to me, and i share that preference but may never have realized it! Very illuminating

[@jondellar]

Fascinating, hearing your thought process and, as another comment said, learning a bit about how it all works for bass players.

[@christopherrubino3614]

So I play bass and am trying to expand my lability to play and jam with friends not just cover songs and stumbled on this video...... the best part in addition to what I am learning is that guitar line ladled Brooklyn Nights. Its so good and I felt like Ive heard it before but couldnt place it..... After much thought and ADHD having me hyper focus on it I finally placed it. Leon the Lobster! This made my day!!!!!!

[@jeffburnham4582]

Killer idea for a video topic!

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks Jeff!

[@captainavem9441]

loved when you pointed out that you can use the notes of a chord, though it may seem super obvious I had yet to realize that, despite the time I spend watching bass content on youtube.. great video!

[@jadeclerc]

Thank you very much for your take on this topic. My wife has been asking me to play bass on her original music and I've been struggling to make a bass part to accompany her (I'm mainly a rhythm guitar player, and your helping to build my bass knowledge).

[@philipconradmusic]

That’s awesome Jacob! You’ve got this. Good luck! And thanks for the kind words.

[@d.t.3958]

Super helpful l, thanks! Lots of videos talk about chord tones, fills, pulse etc. and that's super important, but following your thoughts on "weaving together" the different rhythms was something fresh to me. Not the concept necessarily but i haven't heard anyone explain it that comprehensively and on point

[@18JR78]

Lucky I’ve learned to do this subconsciously over the years. Once you learn to play with your ears it becomes natural. Kudos, this was well explained.

[@philipconradmusic]

Thank you! ⚡️

[@andrewbentriley]

Another great video! Your perspective on writing and collaboration is appreciated. Thanks!

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks Andrew! Really appreciate the kind words. Hopefully it is helpful for you!

[@faronmclurkin1103]

Would love this video with bass first, as in before the rest of the music. This is important for bass players that produce.

[@adriatic.vineyards]

Id love to see more videos like this one, outlining your thought process, with ither styles of music!

[@bandninkasimusic6484]

Really informative video Philip. I've got a stack of original songs that need a bass awakening - will be taking onboard this advice.

[@johncox2552]

I will be applying these concepts to my work. Awesome.

[@philipconradmusic]

So glad this is helpful for you! More on the way. Thanks John!

[@kuhtipp]

Really interesting topic! Dispite every bassist has been there, this topic is completly under-represented on youtube. I would love if you make this a video series.

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks! Hoping to do more of this type of video. Stay tuned!

[@josephalaguna]

This is very helpful. Thank you. This ‘movement’ concept is great.

[@lemadfab]

I have been playing bass in bands for years and your approach is really good. I have a terrible music knowledge and root and 5th have been my go to approach since forever. The way you laid down the thought process was really great and super helpful.

[@philipconradmusic]

Thank you!!

[@PivasRox]

Pretty cool! I'm a guitar player and i'm writing the bass lines for somes song of my band. It was really helpful

[@EricSauerets]

Thanks again Philip! This was super helpful for me in a song I'm working on.

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks Eric! Good luck with your song 🤘

[@churchiglesiabethel-piano4813]

Awesome video , i been playing bass on the keys for a while but ive been recently rrying to get more into the mindset of a bass player and this is already opening up a higher understanding of the things ive been doing

[@WIDESHOT]

Thanks! I'll definitely try out your tips man!

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@brothawils]

Extremely helpful! Enjoyed seeing your process. Thanks👍

[@geburu]

Really enjoyed hearing your thought process. Paying more attention to the rhythmic aspect of the bass line and focusing on fitting somewhere within the music was key 🙏🏼

[@philipconradmusic]

I’m glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching ⚡️

[@joannalewis5279]

Nice run through of your process

[@pcanarsky]

very helpful! i am learning to play bass on my tracks, and this speaks to what i struggle with...

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks for the watching; so glad you found it helpful!

[@morganjames7906]

Knew this would be a good video after seeing the laptop + Garageband combo, a man of the people

[@berithroth6932]

When I make a bass line, I sometimes want to do something opposite from the melody or the chords rythm! I think that gives some interesting sounds! Like it kind of weaves into each other too! Berith from the north of Sweden!

[@jacintaharris1816]

Thanks Phillip , really helpful video.

[@filipeantunesbarros760]

Sometimes, for me, is more dificult to create basslines when i dont have others instruments playing, i like having these "limits". Very nice video, most of videos about this are way too abstract.

[@philipconradmusic]

I agree! Sometimes having an idea to build off of gives you a creative boost. I like to respond to other people creatively. Thank you for the kind words! I hope to make more videos like this soon…

[@alexperez3651]

Loved that spicy lick, but 100% understood why you stripped it down some. Super fun to learn more bout bass as a guitar player. Cheers

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks Alex!

[@williammyers9209]

More stuff like this please - this is very helpful

[@philipconradmusic]

Copy that! Thank you. I will make some more!

[@GHOSTLOVINGTOAST]

Bro making music is so damn hard it’s making me M A D

[@migrantfamily]

Being primarily a singer and aspiring songsmith this was excellent instruction on how to arrange in general. Great stuff!

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@migrantfamily]

@@philipconradmusic my pleasure!

[@benjamin6909]

This is great. I'm just starting my bass journey as a guitarist of many years. Since my music is mostly punk/metal influenced, I'm worried about getting stuck following the root too much when writing bass parts for my songs.

[@philipconradmusic]

Glad you found it helpful! So glad to have you here

[@jaygallamore562]

I’m a guitar player striving to learn bass. Your insights are valuable to the process. Listening to music and focusing on bass and drums provides a whole new perspective and listening experience. I will try applying your ideas from this video as I play along with some music and see if I can pull it together. If seeking ideas for videos, here are two: A series aimed at guitar players learning bass beyond what you have already done with Rhett Shull and perhaps some practice routines. Thanks, keep up the good work…

[@philipconradmusic]

Hi Jay! I’m glad this video was helpful for you. If you would like a more in depth approach, I have a bass course you may find helpful where we go much deeper. Thanks for the kind words, so glad you are here! Philipconradmusic.teachable.com

[@bencobass56]

I like the Mayer vibe here... Your musical creativity is impressive!!! Good work...

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks Benjamin!! 🤘

[@ricklenahan1481]

great video/tips; was looking to learn what the job is of a bass player and how they should fit into and support the band, thank you

[@philipconradmusic]

Amazing! So glad to have you here

[@ncooper1176]

Dude,. I'm your #1 fan, lol. Thanks 4 the lesson.

[@LansHobart]

Excellent video! The melody sounds like "Theme from SWAT" from the 70s TV show.

[@philipconradmusic]

Thank you!

[@orangepets]

I thought "Cruel Summer" by Bananarama. 💖✨💖

[@leoniddavydov2050]

Nice video thanks for showing the thinking behind the process. Also I like your typeface, gives nice vibes to the videos. Please don’t change it.

[@OrangutanJ4488]

I’d like this to be a weekly or monthly series.

[@philipconradmusic]

More videos like this for sure! I go a lot deeper in my bass course that just went live… philipconradmusic.teachable.com

[@s1mon8ratt96]

Nice video, learned a lot! You express yourself really clearly I think

[@blackive_alkmy]

really good video. thanks!

[@jnsy617]

I really enjoyed this video (as well as others). Your tips are great and made me really think about my own process on this. I'll add that I try to listen to the snare and bass drum when coming up with bass lines and specifically when the snare hits to mute my notes, which I have found really helps the groove.

[@philipconradmusic]

Lee that’s a GREAT tip. I should have mentioned that! Thanks for sharing and so glad to have you here ⚡️

[@BrickDavis]

dude this is a fascinating and cool video. I dig ya style....plus I love playing bass riffs like I'll Take you There from the Staples Singers.

[@bassMAGics]

Great video Philip! Thanks for sharing. It’s so great finding great content to share with my bass students. Something to get them to start thinking about certain topics. Being able to build your own bass lines is crucial and sometimes students get caught up in “only” learning what other bass players are doing but not really understand why they chose that bass part or wanting to try to make their own! Thanks again!

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks Magnus! So happy to be a resource to you as a music educator. Glad to have you here and thank you for the kind words ⚡️

[@jimmpanik3402]

Personally, I think the best line would have been a hybrid of both lines. Great job with the videos.

[@philipconradmusic]

That’s a cool thought. After I finished the video, I wished ai had done the root 5 octave at the end of the figure like I did on the first. Oh well! Thank you for listening and for the kind words!

[@Ak-zw1mq]

Very well explained.

[@UndeadP]

I'm new to music so I randomly opened up four tabs on youtube to learn about it lol. I don't play bass but this really helped, thanks :D

[@philipconradmusic]

Glad you found it helpful. And welcome to music! I hope my channel can be a good resource for you. Glad to have you here!

[@BrendanMurrayJubana]

Thanks man, appreciate your time 👍

[@Itsjustwilson]

Another banger vid✌🏻 Writing bass lines has always been hard, I usually just improv and see it it crashes or burns😅

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks Wilson! That’s a great way to write music. Sometimes I go that route too.

[@shaynedurbin2235]

Awesome to see how you approach creating a baseline. As someone who makes R&b and groove type music I’m good as being a little too busy. But I enjoy melodic bass lines probably because I’m looking at it too much like a guitar player. Anyways, can’t wait until the 13th so I can break down some of your playing on the new Noah Guthrie and Good Trouble record. I really enjoyed The Valley so I’m pretty hyped!

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks Shayne! Nothing wrong with busy or melodic (but it has to groove)! Appreciate your kind words, and excited for you to hear Noah’s music soon!

[@fernandoroza6061]

With ALL respect , this is one way to do It. I'm a Bass player and my aproach is exactely the opposite. I play along and use my ears to create something that comes to my mind ( or is IN my mind) and THEN I analyse the Harmony. ( Sometimes this leads you to new ways to enrich the Harmony) and as I play along, the rhythm is already there. The ears always leads you to good counterpoints with the Melody. But Nice vídeo👍😌

[@philipconradmusic]

Agree 💯! This is not the only way. I often don’t use this method either. This video is about trying to help people have the tools to get in touch with their creative voice as a bass line writer if they are trying to take the next step. Thanks so much for your comment and taking the time to watch this video! ⚡️

[@fernandoroza6061]

@@philipconradmusic 😌👍👍👍

[@claragary]

This was really helpful! Thanks!

[@cryptkeeper5]

Great job, I have been struggling with this and this was helpful

[@snuffdogg22]

This is a great especially after it's a cruel summer.

[@philipconradmusic]

Hi Frank! You’re not the first to say that, but in all honesty I don’t know that song. Maybe it was in my subconscious from hearing it or I accidentally came up a similar line. Either way, thanks for watching and glad to have you here ⚡️

[@snuffdogg22]

@@philipconradmusic just proves great tunes abide.

[@ipelegeng]

Great analysis and considerations, love it!

[@philipconradmusic]

Thank you! ⚡️

[@ZRobertson91]

I'm loving all your videos!

[@philipconradmusic]

Thank you!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@tReShertReSh]

It is great, that you learned every instrument notes and ritms, before writing the bass line. I'm sure, that you could make bright and interesting bass part and I appreciate, that you've chosen more simple, but perfectly fitting bass line. How to educate bandmates to stop focusing on their instruments only, and start thinking about whole song instead?

[@philipconradmusic]

Thank you for the kind words; so glad you enjoyed it! I think try and surround yourself with musicians that listen.

[@philipconradmusic]

Also you can ask questions. Hey do you like this part or this part better? Invite them into your thought process. This may start to encourage more listening to each other and respectful collaboration.

[@markmilner842]

This was a really great video. Glad I stumbled across your channel. Subscribed.

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks Mark! Glad to have you here ⚡️

[@hacerclic1020]

Too much going on? (3:38) I actually like it. I don't know if it's technically a polyrhythm, but the interweaving beats keep my brain occupied in a way that a straight 4/4 doesn't.

[@philipconradmusic]

That’s cool! This sort of thing is all very subjective, and different players will have different ideas/opinions. The important thing is that we are thinking carefully and making decisions to serve the music. Thanks for sharing!

[@michaelanthony9068]

Great analysis. Thnx

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@misterlizard9832]

Thanks for sharing your tips man, really helpfull stuff 👌

[@ambroserudd140]

keep it up brother

[@taranazare2633]

Thank you

[@patrickgodding]

Super helpful, great video… love your stuff!!

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks Patrick! Glad it was helpful for you!

[@youssefkasim7556]

I like your videos.

[@philipconradmusic]

My videos like you.

[@ClaudioBrogliato]

One thing I was taught is to add a fill when a part is finished so to help the other members to count.

[@philipconradmusic]

Well said!

[@BeesWaxMinder]

I’d love to know how to do the OPPOSITE too!

[@robertbarton3556]

Great Video Philip, I'm a guitar player trying to put down some bass on my Daughters songs she's written and i'm finding it hard to come up with stuff, I'm sort of relieved it's not that simple, and I go through the same things as you, is it too complicated and does it take away from the melody etc, like you say there are so many variables you could do. I'm gonna try what you did and listen for the bass drum and melody cues and keep it simple at first. I've subscribed. Many Thanks

[@philipconradmusic]

Awesome! Hope you find it helpful. Good luck with your creative endeavors! ⚡️

[@makistsamplakos3582]

Ottimo ! Bravo !

[@philipconradmusic]

Thank you!

[@ryanmcdonald2027]

is it possible to do semitone walk up and down the notes by walking up and down to and from the root of each chord in the chord progression of the piano keyboard (or bass guitar) and every now and then intersect and hit the chord tone and arpegio of the chord from the chord progression and play around with intervals of the scale (like the major 3rd and the perfect fifth) but often starting and ending on the root of each chord and often intersect the root of the chord while ensuring you follow the chord progression and do the bass line based on the chord progresion using notes from the scale that the key that song is in aswell as including octaves for root notes based on the chords of the chord progression for creating bass lines ? would this musical idea work for creating good bass lines ? (sorry if i am typing alot just had a whole lot of weed from my mate it kinda speeds up my brain alot and i tend to talk and think at million miles an hour when this happens lol)

[@owencraston]

you make me wanna play bass

[@philipconradmusic]

You can do it! I’ll post some more videos that may help you on your way.

[@jr14st]

Wow - what strings and pickup? This sounds like an upright!

[@bradm-h1842]

What kind of compression are you using on bass?

[@joeltan1943]

What were the notes of the melody

[@tempviduse]

The hardest part about writing a bass line is explaining to your guitarist why it's hard to write one

[@aidenwoodbury5606]

Where can I find some tracks to make basslines to?

[@philipconradmusic]

My newest video has a demo and a link to a free download 🤘

[@satoshislim863]

Ever had a Cruel Summer? LOL! I can't be the only one who hears it.

[@AFGalopp]

@1:38 Shostakovich 5 triggered😁

[@TenFalconsMusic]

Finding a happy medium between drums & guitar is fun...once you go through hell developing the skill to do so. A simple change of drummer/guitarist might set you back to zero. So find the best, find your groove & stick together (like Rush, Kings X, ZZ Top, Gojira, Talking Heads).

[@philipconradmusic]

Well said! ⚡️

[@Guitarsdetectors]

Where are you filming this on spy cam

[@philipconradmusic]

Sneaky 😉

[@jdawg6939]

its buddy holly!

[@josephmartino9958]

Finding a note to cross the bar line could be a nice move

[@philipconradmusic]

That’s a great move! Thanks for sharing 🤘

[@HouseholdDog]

Isn't this a default youtube song to begin with? It sounds like ive heard it before.

[@claude6254]

Cruel Summer?

[@joseloco5437]

Is this the song that the dude with the pet lobster uses ?

[@philipconradmusic]

Not intentionally 😅

[@Richard-zs1bm]

Sounds like cruel summer 😂

[@vinzanity68]

No matter what we bassists do, we never get laid😅