Apple Beam Recording Studios, London, UK

by Darren
(London)

Apple Beam studios offers a range of professional services available to all musicians. The 'Online Production' service is a favourite for it's ease of use, fast turnaround and high spec sound. You upload you basic song idea and let our professional team produce to your specifications for a low flat fee.

Advice for Bass Players from Apple Beams resident player, Colin.

Why bass players need to write/pitch songs


Having been a working musician for twelve years now, I have had the good fortune to have been involved in many great 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 alot of musicians feel this and I am aware that it's not just us Bass players that can feel hangers-on so to speak.

But, as 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 rythmn and melody, we are where the ryhthmn and melody stem from and it's this that gives us an advantage when it comes to songwriting.


I have found that almost unconcously 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 having 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 Mcartney 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 oppurtunities
out there.

I'm going to join a web based company called 'song pitch pro' which has huge database of pre approved 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.