Lately, I have been having a lot of fun playing songs with super simple chugging basslines. Feels more impressive than it really is as the songs usually feature very little difficulty apart from the speed/timing. Some of my recent conquests full of chugging 8th note goodness I have been enjoying all come from Def Leppard’s library.
Hysteria
Women
Gods of War
Animal
Armageddon It
Those are my current standouts, although it is looking like a good majority of their basslines follow same suit. I know it is pretty comon in a lot of rock and roll so I havent stumbled on anything unique, or maybe even innovative. But the relative simplicity and ease of memorizing and playing these basslines sure does bring out the inner badass
Me too… which just means I really suck at playing chugging lines. Which, of course, is sort of the equivalent of trying to become a cabbie without knowing how to drive a car (almost).
So, @DocJas , chug away - it’s an incredible useful skill to master as a bassist! (And… I would say jugging lines are only “simple” if you don’t think timing, consistency and articulation (and endurance) are important )
Endurance has been toughest part. Plucking fingers get a little wonky by then end of a song, and timing suffers for it. But like all exercise, gets easier more you do it.
I love melodic bass lines as well, and have spent plenty of time with them. I find something very satisfying about just chugging along. Probably the repetition.
I have seen people describe it as “lazy” music writing. I wholeheartedly disagree with that statement.
Great post, @DocJas! Love the bass lines you posted.
I guess “melodic” or “rhythmic” lines don’t show up mistakes as much to my beginner ears. In other words, if I try to play something “simple” like chugging and record myself, oh boy…
Chuggin is all good, laying down the backbone of a song can be really fun…I find chuggin songs good for warm ups or logging time on the bass in a fun way (e.g. Hysteria is over 5mins but doesn’t feel it when you are playing to the song, where as chugging for 5mins alone would be boring)
Apart from Hysteria I also play chuggers such as ACDCs Thunderstruck or Are you ready for a good time…I also enjoy chugging+ songs, like MCRs Im not ok which is 16th note chugging (i.e. strumming for a pick player like me) or triplet feel chugging e.g. I want you to want me, or even triplet strumming (galloping) e.g. Holy Diver
I want to learn some IM songs especially after I watched Joshs bass buzz vid on Harris recently, but I actually picked up triplet strumming from NOFX songs…fat mike does it quite a lot
e.g. ones I play: Linoleum, You drink you drive you spill, Its my job to keep punk rock elite
I like a good melody, walking bassline etc but I also like the chugging.
Something of a challenge to play the same thing over a long song and keep it in time and interesting (I am thinking Riders on the Storm for example)
We are doing some Cult Songs atm and there is a lot of chugging on the root in them
I much prefer melodic bass lines and counter melody.
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