Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Composer's Lounge I wish I wrote for the clarinet... or violin.

I've been a pianist for about 10 years, and in that time, I've had many great ideas for pieces. I keep a notebook of sketches, the main melody of pieces I wish to write.

The hardest part is writing the bass line for me.

How can I write a bass line that complements the melody? I know this is a very broad question, for each piece has its own different characteristics, but if you could guide me, I would appreciate it.

I am mainly a performer, not a composer, but I would like to learn both.

It's hard to give advice without knowing what you've written. Generally speaking one should just experiment and see what sounds good.

slerk: Your thread title has nothing to do with your question. Try to be more specific in your subjects, cause people might get confused...

Depending on the type of music, some times the bass line follows the harmonic progression. If you do that you should be 'fine' for now. But this is SO general, that I'm afraid the above poster is correct! It's very hard to offer any valid advice without knowing more about your music.

Look at pieces in different styles that composers have written and take note of what kinds of patterns they use for the base line or left hand or whatever. That should give you some ideas at least

edited - nm

I'm guessing the reason for the title is that at this stage you have a melody line but nothing else so if you were writing for a solo clarinet you would be finished already.

Here's the steps I would take in your situation. First figure out the key signature based on the notes in the melody and note any places where the piece strays from that key. Next figure out which the chord sounds best at each point in the piece with your first guesses being the I, V, V7. IV, vi, ii, iii chord from that key - it helps a lot if you can hear in your head whether the chord you want is major, minor or dominant. The final step is to figure out how to express that chord and that really depends on your preference. Look at a piece of piano music that you like that is not too difficult and analyze the notes played by the left hand and follow the same formula with your piece.

Thank you! That is exactly what I meant, that if I were writing for something with only a Melody line, I would be golden.

I think at this point, piano theory would come to good use. Luckily, I still remember!

Nikolas, the reason why I sometime title my threads abstractly is that it piques interest as opposed to "Suggestions for writing Accompaniment?"

No need to write a bass line. Just harmonize your melody with chords and the bass line will take care of itself. Countermelody too.

How about taking a few lessons in counterpoint and harmony? Not sure though what style you aim for