Is bass boring? or is it just GHII?

[monstrado]

Everytime I played bass on GHII, I found myself falling asleep, while my lead guitarist was ripping it up on solos. I wonder if anything will be done to spike the boring "green" > "yellow" > "blue" bass notes.

[Eman311]

Bass players are important too man. Its true there are few songs suitable for RB and GH that are fun on bass while keeping everyone else entertained as well.

I think bass players will be the hardest to come by for a band

[Knockout_King]

There is no bass career due to the instrument's... uneventfulness.

[IbanezBassist_v2]

Ok...I'm being a little biased by posting. But there were some GHII tracks that were difficult as well. Besides, there are so many untapped bass driven songs. Hopefully we'll see a little more difficulty added to the bass section.

[alucard89]

Bass is sometimes used to set the beat along with the drums as well as to provide a counter-melody sometimes too. Typically Bass parts will have a simple pattern of repeating notes and chords to help back up the lead guitar, but if you want an example at where the bass REALLY shines out, try listening to Rush and Muse. On GHII YYZ by Rush has a fairly complex Bass part I believe, and Hysteria by Muse has what I consider to be one of the BEST Bass parts in Rock history period!!! :D

[army_of_me]

For the most part, in GH II, yeah bass is boring. The few exceptions are War Pigs, Rush, Red Hot Chili Peppers (if you have the 360 DLC), and maybe the Iggy Pop song. Although not in GH 2, normally Primus has excellent bass (he plays the lead part!).

In real life there are a lot of so-so bass players who phone it in, but then there are some talented dudes who come up with cool, interesting parts. Besides the bands already mentioned, Korn, Mudvayne, Alien Ant Farm, and Interpol are some recent bands who have good bassists (though I'm not endorsing their music). Or listen to any old funk and R & B stuff; they had awesome bass lines.

The problem is unless you're a musician, most people don't listen for the bass in songs but when it's gone it's really easy to notice.

[Phiromos]

Yeah I'm convinced that the Bass in Rock Band will be alot more..complex or the game will have more bass-centered songs...since bass is a big part of rock band...and was really...nothing..in GH2....the bass has to be better....the bass wasn't really even required for songs in GH2...people always picked lead guitar anyway

[NiGhTmAr3]

yeah the bass in rock band looks like it has more notes than the bass songs in GH 2...and if you don't have enough notes..boost the difficulty up or something lol

[bassmasta93]

IM SO PISSED!!!!! that theres no bass career because i am a real bassist and i think that it is unfair to the bass guitar to not have a career because bass and the drums are the backbone of all bands

[Wraithz0r]

Go with the Flow has a fun bassline... as fun as the Guitars :)

<3 QotSA

[bassmasta93]

Bass is sometimes used to set the beat along with the drums as well as to provide a counter-melody sometimes too. Typically Bass parts will have a simple pattern of repeating notes and chords to help back up the lead guitar, but if you want an example at where the bass REALLY shines out, try listening to Rush and Muse. On GHII YYZ by Rush has a fairly complex Bass part I believe, and Hysteria by Muse has what I consider to be one of the BEST Bass parts in Rock history period!!! :D




i agree with this dude, except for that rush has one of the most insane bass lines ever, some more bands with good bass lines are sublime, rage against the machine, and tool

[CENACHAINGANG54]

Bass is sometimes used to set the beat along with the drums as well as to provide a counter-melody sometimes too. Typically Bass parts will have a simple pattern of repeating notes and chords to help back up the lead guitar, but if you want an example at where the bass REALLY shines out, try listening to Rush and Muse. On GHII YYZ by Rush has a fairly complex Bass part I believe, and Hysteria by Muse has what I consider to be one of the BEST Bass parts in Rock history period!!! :D

I 100% agree!! Also Bark at the moon has a decent part, and all though it is not bass but rhythm, in Free bird I think the Rhythm part is the best because it is always moving. Give it a shot:D

[benjamin]

You want to see what the Bass can do? Listen to Funk music. Rock as a genre does not take advantage of the Bass.

[Klopek]

For the most part, in GH II, yeah bass is boring. The few exceptions are War Pigs, Rush, Red Hot Chili Peppers (if you have the 360 DLC), and maybe the Iggy Pop song. Although not in GH 2, normally Primus has excellent bass (he plays the lead part!).

Don't forget The Light That Blinds. I found the Bass very satisfying in that track.

[JimNasium]

I thought the bass was easy and boring until I saw this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfDE-ZvfOwU :eek:

[thorn_9]

What about Primus, werent they all into the bass?

[Kaboobi]

Bass lines can be interesting, like this one:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=x1sKRVHvsYM

Most rock songs, especially metal, use it to keep the beat rather than use it as a whole separate instrument.

[Xzyliac]

I think Rock Band will put more emphasis on bass.

In reality I love bass even though you'd most likely see me behind a guitar. Plug in a nice pedal into an electric bass and you can really steal the show. Bassist deserve some love too.

Color me a 60s addict but one band that treats bass as its own instrument (and probably moreso than guitar) is Jefferson Airplane. White Rabbit is probably their most recognized bass line.

[IbanezBassist_v2]

i agree with this dude, except for that rush has one of the most insane bass lines ever, some more bands with good bass lines are sublime, rage against the machine, and tool

You forgot Mudvayne. Ryan Martinie is one sick mofo with some phat chops!

[byob_soad2]

some Rancid songs have cool bass parts.
especially "maxwell murder" the bass solo is awesome!

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but i think they should make a special bass career with more difficult bass songs

[fragpirate]

being a bass player in real life, i gotta say sumtin.

most rock songs are pretty shallow on the bass, like a guy before me said, if you want some real bass then listen to funk.

and i think were all forgetting a really gr8 bass player, FLEA!!!!
RHCPs bassist, flea, is crazy on the bass. one of my main inspirations.

also the guy from iron maiden (whos name escapes me) is really good too.

in most rock tho, bass is used as a sort of extension of the drum. its usually left just to keep the beat and fill out the guitar.
but its still very important. you feel bass more than you hear it, and its wat gives the music body and control. listen to a song without the bass and i garuntee it will sound flat.

[Phrank-E]

^ Steve Harris... Also the main songwriter. Most of Maiden tunes were truly built around the Bass line.. Loved to gallop ;) and an avid literary fan...

[MetalChickenDragon]

bass is boring?

Obviously hasn't heard Tool or Primus...both very bass heavy bands.

[Eman311]

For many rock songs bass plays a support role. Im sure rock band will have some of those songs by bands with really unqiue bass lines. but overall bass players are gonna get the frills of 100% nearly every song

[Xzyliac]

I like how Harmonix gave bass a more meaningful role by giving them the highest multiplier.

But I wouldn't sell bass short. Especially with so few songs and features announced. I love bass and would hate to see bassist get cut short.

[fragpirate]

^ Steve Harris... Also the main songwriter. Most of Maiden tunes were truly built around the Bass line.. Loved to gallop ;) and an avid literary fan...

YEAH! thats him.
lol yeah, i love maiden cuz of their bass.
i remember the first time i listened to maiden i was surprised cuz i could actually hear the bass, that was a loooongg time ago. lol

[Ardius]

Bass boring? Man.........
Heres a reason for metal to be in the game! Generally some excellent bass thrown around there (Im generally talking about the "true" metal here, i.e. Death, Black, Melodic Death, etc)

As has been said, Rush, Iron Maiden, Primus......there are many good bass lines out there.
Has everyone forgot The Who? Fantastic bass there. Thin Lizzy, Guns 'n' Roses, theres loads more I can think of who have decent bass lines that go beyond the simpleton bass work that plagues Jordan - another reason I find that song annoying.
Even Cherry Pie had fun bass! I also enjoyed bass work on Message in the Bottle unlike some it seems.

If there truely is no bass career, i am most displeased. Surely they could at least cobble together some tracks that have decent bass specifically for the bass career? Maybe in DLC?

IMO, bands which have lame bass work are usually sub-quality. Bass is essential for the best music because it plays a large part of the rythmn section.

[Drummerskillz]

I'm surprised no one mentioned John Myung. He is an amazing bassist and his parts can be very complex with some fun licks. I would be in paradise if I could play his parts in a game like Rock Band :P

[Phiromos]

yes if they put some RHCP in the game the bass will have a blast with that..Flea is amazing and they always give him interesting bass lines as well

[benjamin]

Since no one has mentioned him, I would like to introduce you to a man named Victor. Victor Wooten. He owns a bass guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR6t47pV8Qc

[HardRockerBrazil]

You should hear some more alternative rock and heavy rock.

Red Hot Chili Peppers may be as mainstream as they can get, but it's undeniable how much Flea shreds the four strings. Higher Ground, Soul to Squeeze, Around the World... Are nice examples. Flea can make riffs and solos better than John Frusciante, IMHO.

Another example is Primus. The way Les Claypool plays always gets me hooked. Especially that dirty beat in My Name Is Mud.

Oh, and there's Motörhead too. Needless to talk about Lemmy, don't ya think?

[Rev0lver]

i'm also a real life bassist. and i would like to see some good, complex basslines incorporated into this game. geddy lee, flea, tim ward, mike nordeen, arif mirabdolbaghi, steve harris, etc. have alot of fun basslines.

[take_me2_your_leader]

Victor Wooten , Old Funk like Ohio Players, Incubus pre-Make Yourself album, Mudvayne, Primus, and Tool are all good bands with interesting or fun to play bass lines...but why does the second guitar have to be Bass? why not rhythm guitar? that opens up for other bands that have really cool rhythm and lead guitar parts like Free Bird in Guitar Hero II...not that is a great example but..you get the point

[Rev0lver]

no, rhythm guitar is so much more boring than bass. with bass, you can have something complex. with rhythm, all you are doing is playing the same chords over and over again.

[take_me2_your_leader]

not necessarily ...what about Lamb of God? that is more like Duel Leads but eh ...whatever.

[Xzyliac]

no, rhythm guitar is so much more boring than bass. with bass, you can have something complex. with rhythm, all you are doing is playing the same chords over and over again.

Wow what lame rhythm have you been playing?

Good rhythm, like good bass, both support and add to the lead. Being a bassist, lead, and rhythm before in my life I enjoy all three.

[Severance]

for a lot of songs, yes bass is just boring. for me anyways. personally, i think they should have both rhythm and bass availible so you can choose between the two. i mean bass on iron maiden over the rhythm guitar? cmon...

[Rev0lver]

well, something worth mentioning:

half the songs announced don't even HAVE rhythm guitar

and yes i still think rhythm is boring.

[Rev0lver]

for a lot of songs, yes bass is just boring. for me anyways. personally, i think they should have both rhythm and bass availible so you can choose between the two. i mean bass on iron maiden over the rhythm guitar? cmon...

are you kidding me? iron maiden's bassist is damn good. i realize rhythm is for them as well, but i wouldn't mind playing bass as well.

[Xzyliac]

I could swear some of The Who songs have rhythm. And Don't Fear the Reaper too. I may be wrong although I listened to both today.

[TheTogfather]

Another reason to included Tool in Rock Band, for some fun-to-play bass.

And bass wasn't all bad in GHII, my favorite thing to do w/ that game is play bass for Sweet Child O' Mine...can almost 100% it on expert too! True, it may not be very challenging, but it's still fun.

[Marc10edora]

You want to see what the Bass can do? Listen to Funk music. Rock as a genre does not take advantage of the Bass.

Yes, i totally agree. If more Funk was on the Rock Band tracks, more people would be playing the bass. Bass riffs can get totally crazy in funk/soul music. In fact, there is no funk without a bass.

[DesiredFX]

In RB, I can't think of any songs where I'd rather play bass over guitar, but there are a ton in which I'm just as happy playing either.

Some are kind of surprising, like Here It Goes Again, which actually has a very fun, very mobile bass line, and some are obvious, like Won't Get Fooled Again, which keeps the bass player very busy for the whole song.

I do think it helps if you listen for the bass line while you play it. That sounds kind of stupid, but given the way the sound is mixed in the game, it's easy to lose the sound of the bass. If you can pick it out in the mix and listen to what's going on, it makes playing bass both easier and more fun.