Chord progressions with GB bass loops

[TeleHawg]

I know this is an elementary question, but here goes: Is it possible to alter the GarageBand bass loops to create, say, a I-IIIm-IIm-V progression?

If so, how would I go about it?

So far, I've simply altered the pitch of the bass lines for IV and V chords, which doesn't sound that convincing, but I don't know how else to do it.

Any suggestions?

[woodman]

funny you should ask — i had the same dilemma recently. i wanted to throw together a quickie sketch in GB using loops and realized the chances of finding a flatted VI were nil ... so i'll add a +1 to your question!

[TeleHawg]

I think so. As far as I can tell, GB offers no means of altering bass loops to fit chord changes -- a little baffling, I have to say, since it's hard to imagine all those users composing songs with only one chord.

In any case, it looks as if it takes Logic before you can mess with the loops.

Please let me know if you find out anything to the contrary.

[getbent]

well, the answer is... sort of.

you can adjust the pitch of any loop (the help menu is your friend fellas)

so, adjust the pitch of the loop to the chord you want (or bass line)

If you are gonna want to do a minor, you'll need a minor bass loop or select a loop that will work.

[TeleHawg]

Originally Posted by getbent

well, the answer is... sort of.

you can adjust the pitch of any loop (the help menu is your friend fellas)

so, adjust the pitch of the loop to the chord you want (or bass line)

If you are gonna want to do a minor, you'll need a minor bass loop or select a loop that will work.

Yes, I've done that, but the results of raising and/or lowering the pitch of bass-loop fragments to fit the chords are far from convincing-sounding. I suspect the best solution -- having swapped my Precision for a AV '62 RI -- would be to pick up a cheapo bass. But money's tight right now, which is why I was looking for a way to adapt the existing loops.

[woodman]

yeah, the pitch alteration in GB twists the sound in flooky ways ... i swapped a beat-up old Hagstrom for a little Bronco bass, but the point of loops (for me) is a quickie job while the idea's fresh. by the time i get the bass tuned and tweaked up, a lot of times i've lost my train of thought (hey, i'm old!).