Melody or Root?

[BellBottomBlues]

Is it wrong to play the melody and root while you play bass?

I've been playing along with the melody for quite some time now (while still keeping the groove) but a guitarist recently told me to just play rhythm.

Opinions?

[BassMan250]

It all depends on what the song calls for. My approach to bass playing is to both support and to add texture to a song. In some cases where the guitarists/keyboardists are dominant I'll stick to a simpler groove centered on the root, but in other spots where it seems appropriate I'll follow the melody or invent my own. I suggest just looking carefully at what each song you play calls for and deciding what sounds best- not just to yourself, but in respect to the sound of the entire band also.

[BellBottomBlues]

It was a house band at my restaurant where I work. They play every saturday. Their bass player saw my bass case and invited me on stage (nice guy)

The crowd seemed to like me (so did the drummer) but the guitarist didn't. Meanwhile he's almost 60 and I can't even legally buy a pack a smokes.

*shrugs*

[BassMan250]

The guitarist might have just been used to a particular sound in the band and was thrown off a little bit by the change in style, or he could have been suffering from arrogant guitarist syndrome where they can't stand a bassist who has more authority in the mix.

[MuzikMan]

There's no wrong answer to this question. Do it the way you like it. It is a good idea to play to the song but every person is going to have a different interpretation (including the gu!+@r guy). Don't worry about people that disagree with you creatively.

[BellBottomBlues]

maybe I should just beat up the guitarist. He's like 60 or so. He might just accidently break a hip

[greiswig]

BBB,

Two comments:
1. They invited you to play. If you want that invite again, you should probably try to play the way they prefer.

2. I play both guitar and bass, and I think there's a reason they are separate instruments. I don't care for guitar players playing bass on their instruments (e.g. 7-string guitars with a low B into a full stack with bass turned up all the way muddying the mix), and I don't particularly like bass players playing lead guitar unless they have a solo.

The "bass part" typically sits around tonic, 4 and 5, with variations being just that. So unless your melody line in the song coincindes with tonic, I'd say you aren't playing the archetypal "bass part" if you are playing the melody all the time.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by BellBottomBlues

Is it wrong to play the melody and root while you play bass?

I've been playing along with the melody for quite some time now (while still keeping the groove) but a guitarist recently told me to just play rhythm.

Opinions?

Was this while he was soloing? Many guitar players, even big names like Clapton, like simple repetitive bass lines while they are soloing. Don't try to play a melody line during a solo unless you know in advance the guitar player doesn't mind.

[RiddimKing]

One thing to think about is the element of drama that the bass can introduce. If you're playing the melody throughout the song (vs say working out an interesting countermelody that becomes its own background groove), doubling the guitar, you're not usually adding much to the song, and you may be screwing up the groove. BUT...if you were to pick a specific point in the song, perhaps just a couple of bars long, where you double the guitar, it can sometimes sound very interesting and dramatic: done tastefully, this can add a lot to an arrangement. This, of course, is probabaly something you'd have to work out in rehearsal with a band, rather than during a guest appearance. And, yeah, as the poster said, in this case, you were invited, so being a good guest is more important than stepping out.

[BellBottomBlues]

I wasn't trying to step out, its just how I normally play bass. :-\

I play a lot like Jack Bruce in his Cream days during the live recordings, cept with a bit more energy.


EDIT: And I'm not doubling the guitar line, I'm playing a counterpoint melody. Gimme some credit here.

[RiddimKing]

<<I wasn't trying to step out, its just how I normally play bass. :-\

I play a lot like Jack Bruce in his Cream days during the live recordings, cept with a bit more energy.


EDIT: And I'm not doubling the guitar line, I'm playing a counterpoint melody. Gimme some credit here.>>

okay, okay...I wasn't there...I didn't know...
Since I'm both old school, and untalented, my bias is towards foundational playing. I wouldn't sweat it. If you encounter the same situation again, though, and get the same reaction from some other guitarist...you might reconsider your approach.
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[Swift713]

I tend to play melodically as well. As far as i can tell, many lead guitarists don't like it much but it works well with your singer song-writer types. It all depends on the band. Some guys really need us to hold it all together for them, some don't. It's good not to over crowd the space. I'm pretty used to playing in trios where this isn't an issue.

[BellBottomBlues]

My actual band is a blues jam power trio.

Its alot of fun.