Some of the most interesting music in general, and bass lines in particular, can result from combining elements of various styles into one groove.

Obviously, certain musical contexts demand adherence to the idioms of the style (disco licks never seem to work when thrown into country tunes), but there are other times when creative application from the spectrum of genres can be very hip. Anyone who has experienced an evening of music with Bela Fleck & The Flecktones can wholeheartedly attest to this: the seamless blend of bluegrass, jazz, funk, rock, rap, and countless other styles...is stunning and HIGHLY musical.

Here’s a groove that combines funk and rock.

Audio Example 1

Audio Example 1 (Drums)

 

Sonically and dynamically, the bass part is very much rock-oriented, as is the riff-based approach. Harmonically, it clearly employs a number of funk idioms. There’s even a slight dash of reggae in the drum fill.

This acid-jazz-esque groove example combines idioms from jazz, hip-hop and Latin.

Audio Example 2

 

Audio Example 2 (Drums)

 
 

The bass line has a decidedly Latin flavor. Rhythmically, you might notice that the tumbao figure is incorporated but has been straightened out by playing on some of the downbeats as well.

Harmonically, the primary motif (employing the root and 5th) is definitely Latin-influenced, while some of the variations also incorporate jazz-influenced chromatic approach. The drum groove straddles the line between Latin and a hip-hop shuffle.

Here’s an groove that combines various elements from rock, pop, Latin, and even a little hint of modern country (try to imagine a pedal steel playing along!). It sounds slightly quirky out of context, but could work well if the vocal line and rest of the instrumentation leaned that way.

Audio Example 3

 

Audio Example 3 (Drums)

 

Let these examples serve as a springboard for combining musical styles in your own way! Just make sure to always be musically discerning so the results will be appropriate for the particular musical environment.