Songwriting – Why bass players need to write songs
Having been a working musician for twelve years now, I have had the good fortune to have been involved in many good projects.
I’ve had publishing deal’s and record deal’s etc. Looking back at my contribution to those projects I feel that my role and creative input to those project’s were often underestimated and over-looked. Now I’m sure a lot of musicians feel this and I am aware that it’s not just us Bass players that can feel hangers-on so to speak.
A lot of my sessions are done at a recording studio called http://www.applebeam.co.uk and I have analysed my role as a bass player more than ever recently. I have come to realise that WE ultimately determine the main feel, melody and direction of a song. We are between the rhythm and melody, we are where the rhythm and melody stem from and it’s this that gives us an advantage when it comes to song writing.
I have found that almost unconsciously we are observing the other guys whilst playing and guiding the whole creative process. It’s become obvious to me how the song/piece should flow and how each instrument/voice should be placed within that.
Just knowing a basic knowledge of theory I found I was able to take the producer/arranger stance as songs were formed and put together. As I progressed as the ‘observer’ I found my playing and writing just flowed out as I wasn’t caught up in expending my focus and energy on my instrument – I still practised though!
I think that often Bass Players don’t realise what a great asset they can be to a creative situation and often don’t exercise there skills as songwriters.
Obviously Paul McCartney did along with a few others, but I’m talking generally here.
For me, writing songs comes pretty easily now as I have worked on my skills as a guitarist and pianist as well which always comes down to the fundamental root notes.
I find I can get into creative flow whenever by creating a feel (often a bass line) and building the rest around it to create songs good enough to put out there.
Obviously like anything it takes a little time to get in the flow but as long as you remain objective about what your creating and aren’t to precious about your songs, there’s great opportunities out there.
I’m going to join a web based company called Song Pitch PRO, http://www.songpitchpro.com/songwriting.php which has huge database of A&R people to listen to my tracks. Other opportunities are in the pipeline also at the moment.
Everybody needs a good bassist but if you have extra skills, it will make all the difference.
Watch the video related to write songs
Barry Manilow I Write The Songs Scenes from The Little Mermaid, The Aristocats,Lady And The Tramp and 101 Dalmations
Help answer the question about write songs
How important is it to learn music theory in order to write songs?I am interested to find out if hit songwriters study music theory in order to write the songs that they do. I am not talking about lyrics, just the music.
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Darren -
About the Author:
This is written by a client of Apple Beam recording studios in London http://www.applebeam.co.uk We thank everyone who submitted useful musician articles to us and gave us permission to post. Songwriting success http://www.songpitchpro.com/songwriting.php
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