Basslines From Scratch Checklist

❏ Is your bassline functional? This is a crucial element and it comes in two parts: ​ ​ ❏ Do the rhythms you’ve chosen for your bassline work well with everything else ​ that’s going on in the song? If not, then modify what you’ve created until the line functions well with the song. ❏ Do the notes you’ve chosen help to outline the chords of the song? If not, then consider changing some notes so the harmony of the song is clear. ❏ Is your bassline adding to the song? (As opposed to taking away from the song) If it’s ​ ​ too busy for the song or distracting, try paring it down until it feels right. By the same token, if it’s not busy enough, then add more until it sounds good with the song. ❏ Is your bassline beautiful? This is very subjective and beauty will mean different things ​ ​ for different people, but asking the question can be very helpful. ❏ Would adding any of the following ingredients improve the bassline? If so, add them in! If not, don’t worry. These ingredients aren’t 100% essential, but when executed in the ​ ​ right way, they can help take your bassline to the next level. ​ ​ ❏ Dynamics - Would changing the dynamics of certain notes or even entire sections help give the line more impact? ❏ Density/Space - Does the density of the bassline feel right to you? Would adding more notes or taking notes away make it better? Is not playing a good option? ❏ Variety - Would adding variation to the line improve it? You can vary anything - the strength/length of notes, rhythms, articulations etc. ❏ Tone - Does the tone of your bass match what the song needs? For example, a slap line would need to have a fairly bright sound whereas reggae basslines usually work with a more mellow sound. ​ ❏ Time Feel - Are you playing right in the center of the beat? (For a normal ‘grounded’ feel) Or a little behind? (For a more ‘relaxed’ feel) Or a little ahead? (For a tense, more ‘exciting’ feel) ❏ Does your bassline sound good to you? If you’re a very self-critical person, another way ​ ​ of thinking about this question is: ‘If a friend brought you this bassline and asked you to ​ critique it, would you say it sounded good?’ Asking the question from this perspective ​ helps you to remain more objective and look at your line from another point of view.

Remember, at the end of the day, the only real ‘rule’ of creating your own basslines is that if it sounds good, then it IS good! I wish you the absolute best in creating your own basslines from scratch, and if you create something you’re really proud of, let me know! I’d love to hear from you.

Good luck and happy bassline creating!

Cheers,