by Do you know how to write a bassline?
As a bass player, making basslines is one of the most important things you’ll do. Sure, sometimes bass players will be crafting fills, playing melodies or even improvising, but for probably 95% of the time, we’re playing basslines.
The very best bass players don’t just know how to play existing basslines though. They know how to make a bassline from scratch; from absolutely nothing.
Think about it! When you can create your own basslines from the ground up, what does that mean for you? You’d be able to:
- Play with virtually anyone around the world
- Start to create your own songs and music
- Get beyond just playing other people’s songs
- Play songs you’ve never even heard before
A whole world opens up to you when you know how to make basslines for yourself. That’s why today, I’m launching a brand new series all about making basslines.
It’s called Basslines From Scratch.
In this very first lesson of the series, you’ll learn the 2 most important elements of any bassline. The first one will help you make ‘good’ basslines, but the 2nd will make them great.
Check out the first lesson of the Basslines From Scratch series here:
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FREE: Get The Bass Lines From Scratch Checklist
Use this quick quiz to 'test' your own bass lines to make sure they're world-class. If not, the checklist will show you exactly what you need to do to improve it so your bass lines are as good as they could possibly be.
You'll also get all the tabs, notation and practice tracks from the entire Bass Lines From Scratch Series.
The first element is obviously essential for any bassline. You can’t have a good bassline without it. Once you know how to add that 2nd layer to your own basslines though, you’ll be unstoppable.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be diving in to this big world of bassline creation. We’ll be covering what makes a good bassline, how to write one yourself, as well as how the very best bass players in the world make their own basslines, so keep an eye out for them.
In the meantime, go ahead and download the Basslines From Scratch Checklist. It’ll make sure that any bass line you create is the best it can possibly be.
As always, if you have any questions about how to write a bassline for yourself, just let me know in the comments. I’d be more than happy to help out however I can.
Good luck with the lesson and happy bassline making!
Cheers,
Luke,
you are a master teacher!!!!!
thanks.
Cheers Steve! Glad you liked this one!
Hi Luke,
You once asked me where I was in my bass playing. I’m right here. Couldn’t find the words to describe it but this is it. Now I just have to find the “beauty” part of it. Looking forward to future vids.
Hi Luke,
Real;ly looking forward to the rest. As a retired guitarist & now playing bass. As a musician & songwriter I’ve created many guitar lines. I love all your lessons by the way, having seen to many bass players (former guitarists) playing like lead guitarists.
Personally I think 2 of the best bass lines ever done which encapsulate lesson 1 are:- Blurred Lines & Walk on the Wild Side.
Keep going mate, you are a LEGEND of a tutor,
Regards,
Clive
Great examples Clive! Both incredibly functional, but both beautiful in their own way. Thanks for checking out the lesson!
Perfect Brian! It’ll come with time and practice. I’m glad I could meet you where you are!
Thank you like, excellent
Thanks Luke really clear and well explained as usual.
Looking forward to the rest of the videos in the series.
thanks luke, i enjoy your vids.
Nice vid Luke. After many years playing I am finally writing my own bass lines so this is perfect timing for me.
This will really help me adls a beginner to really take off in my endeavor to become a a bassist
I love what I see here but to tell you the truth your over my head. I can hold a low end base line on the worship team but that’s about all. Had a guy turn to me one day and said go to E and watch for the switches. That was the last time I played with that group. I’m still lost. Had know ideal where he went. Learned to play bass because nobody else would. Now, I love it, just wish I played better. I have the time, just don’t know what to do. Help
Hey Bob – it sounds like your worship leader wanted to change the key of the song to E. This happens a lot to accommodate different singers’ ranges and things like that. The trick in this situation is to understand the structure of the song, not just the individual notes. I talk about this in this lesson:
https://becomeabassist.com/learn-songs-on-bass-fast/