What is your formula for creating riffs?

[Keys410]

I've been playing the bass for years but never really was the type to do alot of riffs. Now that I am back on bass I started doing more riffs, but it's just stuff I do by ear. Is their a formula that can be used to create riffs?

[jeremyr]

I've been playing the bass for years but never really was the type to do alot of riffs. Now that I am back on bass I started doing more riffs, but it's just stuff I do by ear. Is their a formula that can be used to create riffs?

i usually find the progression and hum the basic line in my head.  Then I'll just do a fill in my head and play it on the bass.

[Keys410]

i usually find the progression and hum the basic line in my head.  Then I'll just do a fill in my head and play it on the bass.

I will give that a shot when I get home...I just hear the riff in my head and go for it.

[floaded27]

i try to do that, but it doesnt seem to work for me. i can hum the bassline to a whole, but as soon as i pick up the bass its gone. i dont know what notes im humming, and as soon as i break it down to try and match on the bass each note that im humming, i lose the whole thing.

I think the thing is the mastery over our vocals far exceeds that of any instrument we could play; 1. because we've been using them for so long, since babies and 2. we use them constantly (talking included). thats why u can sing along with a song and be in key (well most people anyway) and not even have to think whether you're in Ab or E or whatever key. u never think "when this part comes im gonna sing a D then an A over this Dm7 chord" u just do it. i think the whole point is being able to have that same connection to ur bass. i sometimes see a lot of the professionals when they do soloing, they sing out the notes as they're playing them. thats how they're making that transfer of what they hear in their head to what they play on the bass. im gonna try working that way and hopefully be able to apply that to everything. solos, riffs, and just standard basslines

right now i just riff off of the pentatonic scales (major & minor) and i practice them so much that i just come up with combinations that i like and then use them in the songs i play during my practicing to see which ones work and which ones dont

[Keys410]

i try to do that, but it doesnt seem to work for me. i can hum the bassline to a whole, but as soon as i pick up the bass its gone. i dont know what notes im humming, and as soon as i break it down to try and match on the bass each note that im humming, i lose the whole thing.

I think the thing is the mastery over our vocals far exceeds that of any instrument we could play; 1. because we've been using them for so long, since babies and 2. we use them constantly (talking included). thats why u can sing along with a song and be in key (well most people anyway) and not even have to think whether you're in Ab or E or whatever key. u never think "when this part comes im gonna sing a D then an A over this Dm7 chord" u just do it. i think the whole point is being able to have that same connection to ur bass. i sometimes see a lot of the professionals when they do soloing, they sing out the notes as they're playing them. thats how they're making that transfer of what they hear in their head to what they play on the bass. im gonna try working that way and hopefully be able to apply that to everything. solos, riffs, and just standard basslines

right now i just riff off of the pentatonic scales (major & minor) and i practice them so much that i just come up with combinations that i like and then use them in the songs i play during my practicing to see which ones work and which ones dont

This method seems like you do have to have a trained ear to be able to do this. I know after playing for a while I used to be able to tune off of my ear. I am trying to get back to that point.

[MrEdabass]

My biggest problem is forgetting them. These days I have to record everything 

[Torch7]

right now i just riff off of the pentatonic scales (major & minor) and i practice them so much that i just come up with combinations that i like and then use them in the songs i play during my practicing to see which ones work and which ones dont

+1

Practice groovin' over the Pentatonic Scales.

Then move your practice to two octaves.

[Bassics]

Experiment with Pentatonic scales, Arpeggios (major 7th, minor 7th, minor 7th b5, and dominant 7th) and their inversions.  I'm currently learning my inversions in all 12 keys.

[mjl422]

+1

Practice groovin' over the Pentatonic Scales.

Then move your practice to two octaves.

Just be careful not to become too dependent on the pentatonics (i.e. be flexible).

Lesson Learned:

I spent alot of time developing my pentatonic grooves (all over the neck). I was at rehearsal, playing a song and grooving in the pentatonic scale.  Then realized that the 6th of the scale clashed with the chords that the keyboardist was playing.  As much as I tried, I couldn't force myself not to hit that 6th note. 

Guess what I spent the next day practicing?

[B3Wannabe]

My biggest problem is forgetting them. These days I have to record everything 

Same here.

I need to get back into practicing my finger exercises. My left hand is slower than my right.

[DWBass]

First I listen to the chord progressions. Then the tempo and style of groove being presented. I then work several types of riffs and present them and they pick which one they like the best. With my recording/studio experience, I'm inclined to play simply, tastefully and most important, for the song. I'm also more inclined to blend in but still have a presence. I'm in agreeance with recording everything including scratch tracks to refer to later.

[Torch7]

Just be careful not to become too dependent on the pentatonics (i.e. be flexible).

Lesson Learned:

I spent alot of time developing my pentatonic grooves (all over the neck). I was at rehearsal, playing a song and grooving in the pentatonic scale.  Then realized that the 6th of the scale clashed with the chords that the keyboardist was playing.  As much as I tried, I couldn't force myself not to hit that 6th note. 

Guess what I spent the next day practicing?

You practiced getting the keyboardist to conform to your scales? just kidding;

Great point, thanks, for the insight.

[mjl422]

You practiced getting the keyboardist to conform to your scales? just kidding;

Great point, thanks, for the insight.

Man, if it was only that easy.

[Torch7]

Man, if it was only that easy.

Don't I know it, and our keyboardist is my brother.. "LOL!" but he's right 99.8 percent of the time... I just like arguing.. j/k.

[mjl422]

Don't I know it, and our keyboardist is my brother.. "LOL!" but he's right 99.8 percent of the time... I just like arguing.. j/k.

Yeah, our keyboardist is my cousin and he has a crazy ear.  He's one of those guys who can listen to something in the car and know it by the time he sits down to play it.  Sometimes he frustrates me but, I learn so much from him.

[uriahsmusic]

PRETTY MUCH HOW I GO ABOUT IT!

BASS SOLO VIDEO!
 :lol:

SLOW CONNECTIONS BEWARE!

[Torch7]

Yeah, our keyboardist is my cousin and he has a crazy ear.  He's one of those guys who can listen to something in the car and know it by the time he sits down to play it.  Sometimes he frustrates me but, I learn so much from him.

That's my brother exactly... except I don't learn anything... He doesn't have a great teaching ability and I usually end up being confused when I ask questions... So I just watch and imitate.

[bass_mann1]

I listen to a large variety of music, I may buy a CD just because of a run  I heard in one song, another way is while you're playing, don't think of what you are playing, think of what would make the bass line more exciting or personal to you,and just let it flow from your thought to your fingers, but remember you are still the foundation of the song, get lost in the music as a whole, not just in yourself