Bass Line Hunting: Save a Lame Song w/ the RIGHT Part

Great bass lines are often simple; finding them is the tricky part. This video is a creative bass line writing workshop on how to find the right part. I show you my process for writing bass lines to a basic song and share some helpful tips.
Free Download of the Practice Track (w/o bass) HERE:
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[@ericmullenaux5265]

Great video, more of these please. One of my favorites you've done.

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks so much!

[@justincox3004]

I’d like to add that Mustache Phil Conrad is just on another level of chill when it comes to great musical insight. Thank you for the video and for all the work you do here.

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks so much! Glad to have you here

[@calebfinamore]

This was one of the most affirming videos I’ve watched. As a bassist, I’ve spent a lot of time honing my ability to listen to the rest of the band and find the right spot to sit in a song and hold it together, but I constantly feel imposter syndrome because while that skill is invaluable, it’s hard to quantify - especially as I watch my peers pick up their basses and play Dean Town above tempo as a warmup. Hearing somebody with far more experience and knowledge play a part that feels like something I would write makes me feel a lot better about where I’m at, so thank you. Now I’ll get back to working on Dean Town

[@VerveCliqaux]

15mins of joy and enlightenment. So much in there! Thanks so much. Loads of love from Germany (just enrolled in Fundamentals, see you there)

[@philipconradmusic]

Awesome! Hope you enjoy. Love Germany and hope to go back soon!

[@FooVines]

a really great video! more and more i start to send your videos to my bass students as an inspiration at home. You are killin' it man! I would love for you to get together with your drummer for a video to talk about the dynamics between you both and how you react to each other. SBL did a very good one on this with Ian and Steeve Goold, but we need more and we need a perspective from you! 🙂

[@alextinsley9117]

Thank you for that. Super useful!

[@boriscorralesroman7303]

absolutely enjoyed it, made me think more on creativity than equipment, thank you

[@albertozaffonato1325]

I appreciate a lot this kind of video, as a beginner myself. Hope you will make more. Thanks!

[@iv4nbass]

From this I've learnt a lot. Primarily that I need a hollow body.

[@ricardodubatti657]

I really enjoy this kind of videos where you examine different ways to approach creation and creativity. Great stuff!

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@benbrouckaert8382]

Great vid man - unique, insightful and applicable. More like this pls

[@joannalewis5279]

Very instructive

[@poikusa0207]

Just dropping a little CCR on us with that bass line

[@johncook9983]

Thank you so much for sharing your process 👍 I struggle with the creative side

[@frankkiethebassplayer]

I love your videos. Also, you have such a soothing voice. You should do some audible work for side hussle.

[@DaveDamnit]

Using bass glue to get OUT of sticky situations, huh? ;)

[@WhatJeanWants]

This was really cool! Dig the vibe you came up with. And at the very end, I think you had the best right hand technique/approach when you played down strokes with your thumb. Thanks for sharing your wisdom on crafting the bass glue!!

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks so much!

[@millomel2]

cool vid

[@aomoon81]

Love it❤

[@jrpipik]

I try to let the bass live in its own sonic range. The lowest G on the guitar is the same note as the G at the 10th fret of the 5th string of the bass (all standard tuning). So I favor the lower G on the bass, an octave below the guitar. Fills up the low end sonic scale and usually plays well with the kick drum. Use the higher notes for fills.

[@philipconradmusic]

A good method!

[@stevecox4534]

Good'n'

[@aprilkurtz1589]

Yay for pocket playing!

[@philipconradmusic]

Hurray!

[@jenserjenson4407]

Hey man, really appreciate your lessons! You're the full package dude. Love your approach to the Instrument. Humble, knowing your role (without underselling). I can imagine you doing videos about Sean Hurley's perspective on bass and playing, I think you share a similar angle. Looking forward to it! Also thanks for the backingtrack for this video. I cannot quite find it on your website though. Could you help me with that? Kind regards Jens

[@philipconradmusic]

Hi there! Thanks so much. I had a lesson with Sean years ago and it was a huge benefit for me. Should be under youtube free on the courses page of the website. A bunch of free stuff in there.

[@enparticular]

the audio of the semi-hollow is exquisite. what's the signal chain besides compression? UAD Ampeg B15?

[@javanwendt2988]

Another cool video, thanks Buddy. I was wondering, where can you buy those leather guitar picks online? I went to their website and it just sends me to dealers (which I could do, but it would be easier to just buy direct, or maybe that's not how they do business). I looked on your links in the description and didn't see anything. Do you have a link to buy directly from them or for anyone else for that matter? Would like to see you earn a small commission if possible, so I would rather use your link, or code?

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks so much! I don’t think Sweetwater carries them unfortunately. I had to buy mine from another online dealer, I don’t remember which.

[@andreipetrov4850]

Hi Philip (thank you), KZbin gave me your 2y old video with an example in minor and I liked it, subscribed in respect…. Wondered to the latest videos and for the channel info (not much there :-(). Now, you got this course covering the topics I have read many times over but I kinda like your style and would not mind to go with you one more time. However, in your nice description you did not give any idea about the songs you are using as an example (section 3). I m bit hesitant if not say leery as I m kinda mean grumpy picky old man and get only interested and motivated if I actually like a song (a piece). Would you suggest a list of examples you base your course on? I am specifically looking for bass lines in minor, more like in French Chanson or Eastern European (like “Gypsy”) tradition, harmonic minor progressions, etc. (If that s not what appeals to you (or in that particular course), would you perhaps refer me to a more “suitable” course (channel?) with the attitude similar to yours? And the last question: in your course, is there any feedback possible or is it kinda just a video-book with some “hand-outs”?

[@philipconradmusic]

Hi there! Great questions. Course is prerecorded, so it’s about 2.5 hours of video lessons. We don’t spend a lot of time on the minor approach you are talking about specifically. I am available private lessons/coaching via zoom but that’s not included in the course. The musical material in the professional example is a song I was hired to play bass on and the artist graciously allowed me to use it for educational purposes, so it is from an actual professional session.

[@andreipetrov4850]

@@philipconradmusic hank you Philip; I tried to search for what you play but did not succeed; I guess, as a pro session bassist, you re kinda “behind” the scene; and you re probably perfect for that role, judging by your patience and respect, etc. I took a few lessons here and there in different times, including a zoom with Eric Haugen (North Carolina). Helped me a lot on my journey through jungles of music theory... I ll think of it. (Still, could you please give me a link to that particular song you mentioned?)

[@musicfromakido]

Carry me home to see my kin!

[@philipconradmusic]

Haha yeah it does have a similar progression!