How to Write BASS LINES That Move People • Music Theory from Nine Inch Nails "Closer"

Hack Music Theory

How to Write a Bass Line
That Moves People.

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includes multitrack MIDI file

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Intro.

I remember the first time I heard “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails in a club back in the ‘90s. I’d never before seen people literally running to the dance floor. Running!

My fellow Gen Xers will remember this, but by the time the bass line starts after about 20 seconds of drums, the dance floor would be completely packed. And this phenomenon happened in every club! The power of a great bass line to move people (even over a simple four-on-the-floor beat, like in “Closer”) still amazes me.

Ever since then, I’ve felt that the ability to get people physically moving is probably the most fun aspect of making music. So, here’s a step-by-step method inspired by “Closer” for writing bass lines with the power to move bodies, minds, and hearts! But first… Tea!

Step 1. Body

Set your tempo to 90 BPM, then throw in a simple four-on-the-floor beat on your drum track. If you don’t know what that is, no problem, it’s just a kick on every 1/4 note and a snare on beats 2 and 4 (see MIDI below).

Right, now set up two bars on your bass track, with your grid on 1/16 notes. You’re gonna start by making a dancy rhythm on only one note, C, which is our root note. Keep in mind that your rhythm needs to be good enough to move bodies all on its own. Adding the melodic element later isn’t going to make your bass line any dancier, so this is the time to maximise its danceability.

Four-on-the-floor drum beat (one bar)

So, what makes a rhythm dancy? Well, arguably the most dancy element is syncopation, which is when you accent an off-beat. However, if you only play off-beats, then your rhythm is gonna sound like a cat walking on your keyboard. So, be sure to play at least one of the main beats. In our example, we played beat 3.

Also, you want a ton of space in your bass line, as that gives way more impact to the few notes that you do play. So, limit yourself to only six notes in this step, and make all of them 1/16 notes. And yes, keep all of them on C. Don’t worry though, we’ll add a couple more notes in step 3. On that note, leave beat 4 open, as that’s where those extra notes will go (see MIDI below).

Repetition also plays a huge part in making a rhythm dancy. You wanna give your listeners an almost hypnotic rhythm that moves their bodies and releases their minds from thought. So, you’re only gonna write a one-bar rhythm. Then, when you’re happy with it, copy and paste it into your second bar.

One-bar rhythm on root note (C) copied and pasted into bar 2 (highlighted)

Step 2. Mind

Now that you’ve got the body moving with your rhythm, it’s time to move the mind. Download the PDF to read the rest of this tutorial…

Download PDF Tutorial

Lastly, are you new to music theory? Or are you experienced, but you want a refresher? Then download our FREE BOOK (link opens in new tab). It only takes 30 minutes to read, then you’ll have a solid theory foundation that you can instantly apply to your songwriting and producing. Enjoy!

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Ray Harmony
Multi award-winning college lecturer