My guitarist says my lines are too complex - Page 3

Four201980 · #41 05-04-2009, 09:33 AM

Next time this happens look and ask the drummers input, if in fact your bassline does not suite the song he too might give a say so. What style of music does your band play originals, covers, punk, prog metal, alternative?
moreover you'll find that some bands play cover and sometimes are lenient about if or not you play true to the song. also if its a punk/alternative style band it'd suite you to look for a band in your area that caters to YOUR style be it prog/experimental and vise versa.

Jimbob Jones · #42 05-04-2009, 09:43 AM

It is a careful balance; I used to play very busily wherever I could, arpegio's, passing notes, fills, all the time. Then I had a few conversations about my playing with more experienced musicians and I realised that it really wasn't the way forward. Now, I still play a lot of fills, arpegios, passing notes, grace notes, ghost notes, and all sorts of other things-that-aren't-just-root-notes, but sometimes (well, a lot of the time), just banging out 8th notes on the root of the chord is the best thing to do.

I would talk with your guitarist and come to a compromise; if he is actually just a dunce, you can ignore what he has to say, as a lot of it will be junk so he can sound clever, and cover up the fact he's jealous that you can play faster and more fluently than he can. (I've worked with too many guitarists like this). But if he has a clue wut he's doin' on dem strings, then maybe he's right and the line you're playing at that point is a bit too busy?

Deacon_Blues · #43 05-05-2009, 07:04 AM

Without knowing anything else about your playing than what you've told us here, you can't tell who's right and who's wrong. Anyway...

- If it's a funky original written around your bassline, the guitarists need to let the bass be in focus and support it by simplifying what they play. Very often as a bassist you need to do the opposite and support the vocals or guitars when they're in focus. There's a reason why people aren't supposed to play solos simultaneously, and this is closely related to that. You're either a supporter or a leader.

- If they already do that, chances are that you're too close to the the limit of your abilities, and hence do not play it effortlessly enough, resulting in bad timing and no groove. Playing something easier and less complex might help. I say this because I tend to wander into the same region, and have to take a few steps back when I notice I can't play something well enough. Play complex lines if you can play them easily with a metronome, while breathing normally and having a smile on your face.

- If someone else have the lead in the song (lead vocals for instance), Ken is probably right, you're overplaying. Simplify the line. Alternatively try rearranging the song so you play your riff between verses or in the end of each phrase, but not all the time. Make room for each other's ideas.

There's a few ideas to think of.

COOL AND DEADLY · #44 05-05-2009, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertPaulson

Without hearing it, I can't really say he's wrong. I've seen a lot of bass players that overplay most of the time. The real question should be is if what you're playing fits the song.

I agree. It depends on the song. I play mostly reggae, but have been working on my jazz and fusion licks. I have to curb my desire to throw in fills and variations, because we have two guitars, and I'll get in the way. Sometimes less is more. That being said we have a few numbers I can get loose on without stomping out the groove.

wazzel · #45 05-05-2009, 07:33 AM

I agree that with out a sound clip it would be hard to comment. Sometimes the bass lines need to be simple to fit the song. I have played with lots of people on different instrument that over play.

Ray C Parrish · #46 05-05-2009, 07:52 AM

Everyone has covered it, without a sound clip how can any musician say he is right or wrong. We can all play great licks and lots of notes but should not lose sight of our role to play in the pocket and maintain a groove. Especially if it is just rock music you are talking about.

#47 05-06-2009, 05:09 PM

If they're saying the lines are too busy, and they're good players, then you need to work on this, it's an important part of bass playing. Either that or they're dicks. There's no way of knowing from my perspective. But it's worth working on economy in your style because it's one of the ways people will think you're a good player. It's definitely an asset. So this could be an honest appraisal that you might need to work on that.

Jazz Ad · #48 05-06-2009, 05:15 PM

Play less notes. Everyone happy.

infamusblkdeath · #49 05-06-2009, 05:21 PM

psh..i say screw him.just keep playing the way you want to.
i was in a band with one of my best friends a few years back,and we did the talent show at our high school.we did a song he wrote,which was really bland and easy,so i added a few extra notes in.he tell's me "stay with the guitar man,just follow the guitar playing" so i'm like "OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. NO"
i didn't follow it at all,i just played it how i intended to.
if your a bassist and you get pushed around buy your stupid guitar player,then you'll never be heard

MNAirHead · #50 05-06-2009, 05:30 PM

98% of the time are you hitting the root on the 1

it may be theat you're a musical mismatch

chad-th · #51 05-07-2009, 11:12 AM

Ken's just mad because he thought he had the monopoly on wheedly-deedly parts.

jonster · #52 05-07-2009, 01:02 PM

Do YOU think you play too many notes? Is it you? Is it them? Is it a little of each?

bigcatJC · #53 05-09-2009, 01:31 AM

it really is hard to say without hearing the songs.

90% of the time I heard a guitar player say "You're playing too much" he really meant "No one's paying attention to me, you play only root notes and stand in the corner; don't distract anyone from me ever again." In those cases I agree with the baseball bat method: WHACK!

But that other 10% of the time, there really is overplaying. For instance, if I were in a band playing "St. James Infirmary," I wouldn't go off like Jack Bruce playing "Crossroads." (And I love Jack Bruce, btw) Sometimes in songs where you are playing busy and free, you can/should work out spots for each player to take a fill. After all, we don't need to hog it all.

You and your guitar player have to develop a sense of what is and isn't overplaying. If you don't agree, find a guitar player more in line with your ideas. And sometimes you have to compromise. But don't let some guitar player dictate to you just because he's a guitar player - you have the same say in your band as he does.

Unless he's the band leader and you're getting paid and you want to keep the gig...