"Krist Novoselic's collaboration with Kurt Cobain proved prosperous due to Cobain's exceptional ability to create catchy hooks, making playing bass alongside him effortless - a partnership that led to the creation of a iconic Nirvana piece."
In the pre-Grunge era of the early '90s, rock enthusiasts were caught in a bit of a stalemate - the aging hard rock dynasty (including the likes of Guns N' Roses) and the more aggressive funk-rock contingent ( bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fishbone, and Faith No More) were struggling to maintain their grip. Little did we expect that a genre-defying melody-driven trio, with influences as diverse as the Beatles and Black Flag, was on the brink of redefining rock music with tracks every bit as powerful as Led Zeppelin's iconic tunes.
I, like many others, scoffed at the advent of Grunge, driven by blind ignorance. Had I been attentive enough, I would have observed a seismic shift in rock, spearheaded by Nirvana, a hidden gem in the sea of music.
While Kurt Cobain held the position of the band's primary songwriter, Dave Grohl added a powerful dynamic to the group's sound and rhythm with his multifaceted drumming. However, it was Krist Novoselic who played a more significant role in Nirvania's triumphs than one might initially assume.
A lanky Washingtonian, Novoselic took advantage of the open space provided in the power trio formation, not only for his bass parts to shine but also to lend an additional layer of melody to the chords and riffs. Novoselic's nimble-fingered, plucked bass style lent his basslines a staccato presence that demanded to be prominently featured in any given Nirvana track. Take, for example, the iconic "Lithium" where his bassline complements the vocals with remarkable character and energy.
Delving deeper into "Lithium," we discover a tactfully crafted, song-oriented, and melodic bassline that uses unexpected reharmonization as a key tool. Given that many Nirvana compositions employed the same basic chord progressions for both gentle verses and powerful choruses, it fell upon Novoselic to create basslines that elevated Cobain's often thin verse sound to new heights.
Tone was a critical factor, and by employing a pick to play a Gibson Ripper bass guitar through an Ampeg SVT-400T head, Novoselic succeeded in producing a meaty, edgy sound that harmonized perfectly with the guitars, both in clean and gritty sections. Once armed with the right tone, Novoselic crafted three unique lines for "Lithium," and indelible marks on rock history were etched as a result.
The drop-D-tuned bass caroms in during the chorus, echoing Grohl's kick-and-snare pattern with the initial three power chords. Novoselic manages to introduce catchy little hooks at beats three and four. This Introduction is followed by the defining bass moment at 00:45 where he masterfully substitutes the 5th for the root in two consecutive changes, hammering eighth-note F's under a Bb5 and eighth-note G's under the C5 chord.
As the verses unfold, a consistent harmonic tension is built up, which is one of the song's defining qualities. Starting from the first half of the second verse, Novoselic repeats the same bassline but descends under the G5 to create a build-up to the eagerly anticipated root notes under the Bb and C power chords.
In the bridge, Cobain introduces G and Bb power chords every two beats for 16 bars, and it is Novoselic who provides the necessary harmonic movement to prevent the music from becoming monotonous. He achieves this by ascending a G minor pentatonic scale for the first two bars, followed by a descent through a G blues scale for the next two bars.
Similar to any popular song, the essential sections of the tune are hammered home (or, more accurately, bludgeoned), with Novoselic virtually taking over the instrumental duties in the final minutes and ultimately leading the way into the heavy chorus.
In conclusion, Krist Novoselic's influence extends beyond his nimble fingers on the bass; he was the backbone of Nirvana's distinctive sound. His basslines and overall approach to music greatly impacted the group's style, with his contributions to tracks like "Lithium" remaining a testament to his prowess as a bassist and musician.
- Novoselic's bass guitar, a Gibson Ripper, produced a meaty, edgy sound when played through an Ampeg SVT-400T amp, harmonizing perfectly with the guitars in clean and gritty sections.
- In the song "Lithium," Novoselic's bassline introduces catchy little hooks at beats three and four during the chorus and masterfully substitutes the 5th for the root in two consecutive changes, hammering eighth-note F's under a Bb5 and eighth-note G's under the C5 chord.
- As the verses of "Lithium" unfold, a consistent harmonic tension is built up, with Novoselic repeating the same bassline but descending under the G5 to create a build-up to the root notes under the Bb and C power chords.
- Novoselic's contributions to tracks like "Lithium" serve as a testament to his prowess as a bassist and musician, demonstrating how his technique and unique approach to music greatly impacted Nirvana's style and solidified their place in the history of entertainment and music.
