Playing metal

[Lefty Geek]

I am thinking of joining a new band starting up, with some metal influence. The singer basically found a few like-minded individuals (love for NYHC) and the guitarists are into more metal-hardcore bands like Agnostic Front and Cro Mags. My interests right now are more into groove-oriented heaviness like the Jesus Lizard.

I have been playing bass for a couple of years, switching from guitars. As a guitarist, I found playing metal very difficult because it required very precise playing. Bands like the Replacements had a more loose style of playing, which fits me better (get to jump around on stage). Now I going to be playing these precise parts, just on a bass. I guess the hard part is just the timing and playing very fast. When I jam at home, I pretty much just write songs and riffs, not practice things like stamina. What should I do to not fall on my face?

[Qvist]

Practice stamina... dude, it's a bitch, but if you wanna play fingerstyle in metal you gotta practice your stamina man.

[GearHeadBassMan]

here's what I did to build up my speed, with finger style and with picking

metronome at 120 bpm, play 8th notes over it for about 5-10 minutes every day, run scales and 4 beats per string (4 on e, 4 on a, etc)
treat it like your working out, increase the bpm as you feel it getting easier.

if you get bored, try playing the verse riff from "laid to rest" by lamb of god, at increasing speeds. hard riff right there (the bass follows the guitar, so either tab will work)

for some reason, fingerstyle speed turned into picking speed when i started using picks more and more, but that may just be because i began with guitar, like yourself.

also, try the exercise while moving around, walking through your apartment, etc so you can move around while on stage without throwing your tech off.

Good luck!

[Lefty Geek]

Originally Posted by GearHeadBassMan

also, try the exercise while moving around, walking through your apartment, etc so you can move around while on stage without throwing your tech off.

Double ha!

Walk though my apartment? I pretty much have to stand still in my practice space. Maybe I can walk 8-9" in either direction.

My tech? I have never played at a venue and had a tech! At one bar, the bartender simply goes "the mixer is right there, have fun".

I'm a definitely a pick player since I prefer the attack.

[stflbn]

tech = technique in this case.

[GearHeadBassMan]

thank you, stflbn

Originally Posted by Lefty Geek

Double ha!

Walk though my apartment? I pretty much have to stand still in my practice space. Maybe I can walk 8-9" in either direction.

then do it. when you move around your bass moves around in your hands, and if you do all kinds of drilling while standing still/sitting down your speed will be for nothing when you get to a stage situation.

Good stage players and showmen like the ones you named practice while doing the things they do on stage. you have to develop not only the speed with your hands but also a physical relationship with your bass and how it moves on your body. otherwise you'll try to do something cool, and you'll miss your strings and look like an idiot.

if you can't do it in your practice space, take your bass somewhere where you can.

also, if you ask for advice please be open to taking it.

[Lefty Geek]

Originally Posted by GearHeadBassMan

also, if you ask for advice please be open to taking it.

Where did I write that I wasn't open? I merely stated that I have no room to play in my place. I already jump around tons on stage. Played a few shows were I ended up playing in the audience! But I never played "precise" music before.

I think what I am mainly looking for is more theoretical insight such as whether or not to double-up on riffs or not. Most of the time when I can't think of a part to play, I just stick wait the root or some arpeggio-styling, which I guess won't work music in metal. I already know I have to work on stamina, which is something that is useful for everyone. Honestly, I hope this new group will be less emphasis on metal.

[huckingfuskie]

i never understood the point of walking around and flailing about like i have a frog down my pants on stage. Even if you dont make a mistake, you look like an idiot. What matters is the sound resonating from your noise making instrument. be it a bass a set of drums a guitar or a microphone. You can even stand with your back to the audience and stay absolutly still. People will be impressed by the sound you're making rather than how quickly you can give yourself a headache while bopping your head up and down. If your art is music, share your music, if your art is showmanship go be a figure skater.

[NKUSigEp]

Originally Posted by Lefty Geek

...What should I do to not fall on my face?

Learn how to walk

[wld3]

Originally Posted by GearHeadBassMan

...otherwise you'll try to do something cool... and look like an idiot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixA8cA_fVJc

[GearHeadBassMan]

Originally Posted by huckingfuskie

i never understood the point of walking around and flailing about like i have a frog down my pants on stage. Even if you dont make a mistake, you look like an idiot. What matters is the sound resonating from your noise making instrument. be it a bass a set of drums a guitar or a microphone. You can even stand with your back to the audience and stay absolutly still. People will be impressed by the sound you're making rather than how quickly you can give yourself a headache while bopping your head up and down. If your art is music, share your music, if your art is showmanship go be a figure skater.

I would guess that this is a blues/jazz player and not a high energy rock/metal player playing to people around teenage years.

to 80% of the audience, a band's show is visual because they don't care what sound is coming out of your instruments. rock/metal/punk type bands are supposed to be exciting to watch on stage, it's part(most) of the reason people(not musicians) see them live!

[Embrio_bass]

sorry i´m from sweden , what is stamina ?

[Nappa]

Originally Posted by Embrio_bass

sorry i´m from sweden , what is stamina ?

Endurance?

[Cernael]

Originally Posted by Embrio_bass

sorry i´m from sweden , what is stamina ?

Uthållighet. Att kunna spela längre än någon minut innan du blir trött i fingrarna.

[bassrique]

Jesus Lizard

That is not endurance bass from the three vids I saw.

What should I do to not fall on my face?

Sacrificing wasted time [drinking with friends and girls for starters] and start woodshedding for real. Practice is pain. Practice at least 4 hours a day. Cut back on sleep if you have to. Get it done 'till you can play what you desire. There is no substitute for practice.

Tonight is Friday night. I have things I need to work on. What do you think I'll be doing?

[Diddii]

I'm still exploring alot of music, im in a 3 bands right now.

- Classic rock
- Jazz group
- Thrash metal

I joined the Thrash metal band becouse i like the music and also wanted to try something new.

Go ahead explore alot of music style... how you play the bass in each style.

[morgan138]

Originally Posted by Lefty Geek

I think what I am mainly looking for is more theoretical insight such as whether or not to double-up on riffs or not. Most of the time when I can't think of a part to play, I just stick wait the root or some arpeggio-styling, which I guess won't work music in metal. I already know I have to work on stamina, which is something that is useful for everyone. Honestly, I hope this new group will be less emphasis on metal.

I would definitely strike a balance between doubling or harmonizing parts (in my two-guitar metal band we usually have the bass play a third part instead of doubling, so it doesn't drown out the guitar it isn't following) when there's room, and just doing something simple and low when there isn't. Obviously that'll depend on what kind of metal you're playing, but unless you're going full prog you may not want to be walking arpeggios up the neck during a solo or vocal part.

There definitely is plenty of metal with crazy basslines (Atheist, Cynic, Death, etc.) but it doesn't really sound like that's what you're talking about, so maybe just keep it simple at first...

[Psycho]

Something that can help is a real physical workout. Doing wrist curls with 20 lbs dumbells can get those muscles ready to act instantly.

[steve66]

Just practice the songs you are going to do. Find the pain points and work on them.

[Reckless]

Originally Posted by huckingfuskie

i never understood the point of walking around and flailing about like i have a frog down my pants on stage. Even if you dont make a mistake, you look like an idiot. What matters is the sound resonating from your noise making instrument. be it a bass a set of drums a guitar or a microphone. You can even stand with your back to the audience and stay absolutly still. People will be impressed by the sound you're making rather than how quickly you can give yourself a headache while bopping your head up and down. If your art is music, share your music, if your art is showmanship go be a figure skater.

I used to bounce around and bang my head a lot when I strictly played that stuff in high school. I tend to lay off the head banging now a days, but still have some stage presence.

Like others have said before, practice bringing your stamina up, and being able to move around the neck.