This article was co-authored by Scott Cushman. Scott Cushman is a musician specializing in the bass guitar based in Portland, Oregon. Scott strongly believes in a DIY approach to music and the importance of fostering a good music community on and off the stage. His band, Rad Max, has released two full-length albums, played shows all around the Pacific Northwest, and started their own music-and-movie series called So Bad, It's Rad!. They have been featured on Drunk Dials Records, PDX Pop Now!, & Tender Loving Empire compilations, have featured in a short horror film, and played with such touring acts as SPELLS, Daikaiju, and MDC. Scott received a BA in English Literature from the University of Oregon.
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Basslines are very important to a song—even if it doesn't seem so at first. They provide that moving feeling and display the song's structure. Depending on the music, there are different methods used to write a bassline, but here are some of the more common ways.
Steps
Composing a simple bassline
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Repeat. From this point, a punk bassline is almost automatically made by playing repetitively on these notes. To ensure a more interesting line though, it is first useful to smooth out the bassline. -
To smooth out the bassline, use scales or small jumps to connect the chords together. Don't be afraid to invert the chords, or change what note in the chord is on the bottom, to make the line smooth. -
Check the melody. See if it sounds independent of the bassline. Try to use contrary motion, such as when the melody goes up, then the bass goes down and vice versa.Advertisement
Advancing the bassline
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At this point, this is a simple bassline. This may do for some, but the more creative will want to embellish. -
Experiment with rhythms to get a groove going. -
Take the other notes in the chord or tones close to the original note and play those once in a while. Be sure to focus on the main note though.[3] -
Let the bassline complement the other parts. If this has a riff, the bass would love to have its turn with it. Just don't make it a carbon copy of another part. Variety makes the song better and sometimes less is more. Listen to the drums and lock into the groove with your bassline. Remember, you're the other part of the rhythm section![4]Advertisement
Winging it
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Find out what chords your guitarist is playing. -
Repeat those notes in time with the guitar. Keep experimenting until you are comfortable.[5] -
Using the notes you were already playing as a base, add different notes to create a melody. Keep experimenting until you find something that sounds good. -
Take on board constructive criticism from your bandmates. It's very important that you work together and put in equal amounts of effort.Advertisement
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I compose a good baseline for R&B or Country?
Scott CushmanScott Cushman is a musician specializing in the bass guitar based in Portland, Oregon. Scott strongly believes in a DIY approach to music and the importance of fostering a good music community on and off the stage. His band, Rad Max, has released two full-length albums, played shows all around the Pacific Northwest, and started their own music-and-movie series called So Bad, It's Rad!. They have been featured on Drunk Dials Records, PDX Pop Now!, & Tender Loving Empire compilations, have featured in a short horror film, and played with such touring acts as SPELLS, Daikaiju, and MDC. Scott received a BA in English Literature from the University of Oregon.
MusicianWhen composing a bassline for R&B or country music, it’s important to recognize how the genre influences the role of the bass. In R&B, especially more upbeat or groove-driven tracks, the bassline tends to be more active, moving around the fretboard and driving the song’s energy. It often jumps between notes, creating a dynamic feel that makes the song "hop." In contrast, for ballads or country music, the bassline is typically simpler, sitting more in the background and supporting the melody by focusing on the root notes. It’s less about movement and more about providing a steady foundation. But regardless of the genre, the one thing that remains consistent is that the bassline needs to anchor the song by hitting those root notes and locking in with the rhythm of the drums. This creates a solid foundation, and from there, you can get creative—whether it’s keeping the bassline simple and letting other instruments take the spotlight or adding complexity to emphasize key moments in the music. A good bassline is just like telling a great story where it should enhance the song, be rhythmically tight, and adapt to the needs of the track. -
QuestionWhat other instruments apart from Bass guitar play bass lines well?
Community AnswerThe upright bass (otherwise known as the double bass or string bass) can play basslines well, especially in certain genres of jazz. The lower register of the piano can also play basslines. If you really wanted to stretch it, you could play a bassline with a low wind instrument, such as a trombone or a bari sax. These two instruments sometimes play basslines, but they often "double" the bass part with an actual bass or the piano's left hand (at least in jazz).
Tips
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Take into mind the difficulty to actually play the line.Thanks
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You don't always have to have a bassline. Go with how you feel.Thanks
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Listen to other songs that are of the same style as the future masterpiece. Apparently those songs got somewhere and their basslines worked.Thanks
Warnings
- Do not give up. This is harder for someone without any formal music background, but it's possible to figure out.Thanks
- Do not write it one awkward way and be satisfied. It has to complement the parts, not ruin them.Thanks
Things You'll Need
- Manuscript paper (if knowledgeable of formal music)
- Basic melody and chords (does not need to be final)
- Some free time!
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References
- ↑ Scott Cushman. Musician. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/bass-basics-working-around-root-notes
- ↑ https://www.dummies.com/art-center/music/bass-guitar/how-to-create-a-walking-bass-line/
- ↑ Scott Cushman. Musician. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2012/09/05/creating-bass-lines-getting-your-mind-right/
About this article
The key to composing a good baseline is working around the chords. Once you’ve figured out the chords, write down the root note of each one. The root is always the same as the chord, so in A Major, the root is A. Then, try repeating the notes between chord changes. For example, if your chords change every quarter note, try playing the root notes in sixteenth notes. For something more advanced, add other notes from a chord between chord changes. For instance, if you’re changing between C, F, and G, add an E between the first 2 chords to bridge the gap. You can also experiment with the rhythm of your notes to add some flavor to the bass. For more tips, including how to make your bass line complement the melody, read on!
