How Bass Players Interact with Drummers: Being Conversational with the Kick Drum /// Bass Lesson

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Added 4 years ago by intercd

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Lesson Summary:

As bass players we’re expected to be hyper tuned in and focused on creating bass lines that either lock in with the kick drum or are conversational with it. To do this you must always be listening and reacting to whatever drum pattern the drummer is creating at any given time.

1. Learn how drum patterns are constructed:

It’s vital that you know how drum beats are created. The most simplest of drum patterns will have the hi-hats on either the quarter notes or eighth notes throughout each measure, the snare playing the back beats on 2 and 4, and the kick drum playing on 1 and 3 with variations upon that theme. As I said, this is just the simplest of beats. You must know, understand and intuitively recognise all variations of this without thought. How to you do this? Listen drummers and study their drum patterns as much as you study other bass players and bass lines.

2. Understand that you don’t have to be unconditionally locked in with the kick drum:

Some songs are going to need you to lock in with the kick drum. Others will have more room for movement, and in those cases you can be more conversational with the kick drum. Ultimately, it depends on what vibe you’re trying to create with your bass line. When being conversational, you can either play a rhythmical pattern that differs from the kick drum - almost like you’re playing in the gaps, or one of my favourites is to create bass line that’s more like a melodic motif.

3. With great power comes great responsibility:

As bass players we can greatly alter the vibe of any song by using these techniques. Always be mindful of how your chosen bass line is effecting the overall feel of the song. I love the expression “play for the song”… in other words, play what’s right for the song, not what’s right for you.

Your Home Work:

In the comments below i’d love you to let me know what your biggest challenge is when playing with drummers.

1. Do you find it easy to lock in with the kick drum?
2. Is this something you haven’t really thought of before?
3. If these techniques are something you’ve been well aware of for a while, what are your favourite examples of bass players playing with the kick drum or being conversational with it?

As always, see you in the shed…

Scott :)

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