When you cover a song, how much can you add to it?

[NickInMesa]

Seriously, I can't play certain songs just "as is".

I end up galloping a section, double a note or adding a slide.

I have to make it my own or it's not worth playing at all. Each time I see some kid cover a song, you can tell there is no emotion, that he is counting and playing straight from a tab (which is not always right, by the way).

If I want to play and feel it, I have to add something.

Only exception is Carry On Wayward Song, because it is sacred.

[KPAX]

I usually play it accurately and close to the recording. The songs my band (www.unhingedrocks.com) covers are awesome songs with great bass lines that I'm not sick of so I gladly play them close to the recordings. I don't use tab much to learn songs though. I used to play in a band that did old stuff that I was sick of and I'd improvise more on those but even there I stayed within the spirit of the tune.

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

Seriously, I can't play certain songs just "as is".

I end up galloping a section, double a note or adding a slide.

I have to make it my own or it's not worth playing at all. Each time I see some kid cover a song, you can tell there is no emotion, that he is counting and playing straight from a tab (which is not always right, by the way).

If I want to play and feel it, I have to add something.

Only exception is Carry On Wayward Song, because it is sacred.

[NickInMesa]

For instance I am talking about Call Me by Blondie.

If I played the bass line as is, I'd fall asleep.

Also I never saw the score nor the tab, found the notes (basically the 5 of them) by ear, and then just followed the song, but I never spent hours analyzing the original recording, it's just flowing naturally, adding a bridge here and then, and even replacing two blacks with a white in a couple cases, just to make it my own.

No slapping, bending or whatever.

[JSK5String]

Depends on the song & my mood. Crazy Little Thing Called Love & Into The Mystic need the written bass lines because they're the signature lines of the song. Where as Tumbling Dice allows for a bit more improv.

[jtrow]

I think it also depends on your band as a whole. If everyone else is trying to play the song as close as possible to the recording, you might want to also. But if, as a band, the song gets changed up a little to fit your band, then add as you like.

[kingbee]

Yeah, a lot also depends on the awesomeness of the original bassline. For instance, if I really like the bassline and if it's really crucial to the groove, then yeah, I'll play it mostly as written. Songs like If You Want Me to Stay, I Wish, September, Come Together really rely on the bass hook, so you kind of have to stick with it. But if we're playing something where the bass really doesn't have that role, I'll definitely improvise.

[lunker]

If its tasteful, do it. If its not tasteful, don't. - simple

[Jack017]

"how much can you add to it?"

as much as you like.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

For instance I am talking about Call Me by Blondie.

If I played the bass line as is, I'd fall asleep.

Also I never saw the score nor the tab, found the notes (basically the 5 of them) by ear, and then just followed the song, but I never spent hours analyzing the original recording, it's just flowing naturally, adding a bridge here and then, and even replacing two blacks with a white in a couple cases, just to make it my own.

No slapping, bending or whatever.

That's all a matter of taste. There are some songs I embellish and song songs I play closer to the recording, but I don't usually cop note for note unless it messes up the song to do otherwise. Just realize the difference between embellishing and whacking yourself off and it should be fine.

[Luke19Boarder]

if the song we're covering fits into our set as-it, we don't change it much, if at all.

there are other songs we play at different tempos, different structure, different rhythms, etc.

[NickInMesa]

I see.

We play Lodi 3 steps down because that's how the guitarist learned it. Drummer doesn't care (of course) and it's actually easier for me this way.

Some other songs, for instance what is already a cover, like GNR's version of Heaven's Door, I believe you can do pretty much what you want. McKagan went a bit all over the place, and sometimes his impro does not fit, that's what I believe. I am not going to copy him note for note.

And no, I don't wank, I am a pocket bassist who likes a challenge, once in a while, thanks.

[totallyfrozen]

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

Seriously, I can't play certain songs just "as is"...I have to make it my own or it's not worth playing at all...

I enjoy reading your posts and more often than not I agree with what you have to say, but this time I have to disagree.
I guess it depends on the song and the setting. Maybe I have a little bit of an attitude with the "make it your own" thing, but I was in a band where the whole band wanted to take EVERY song and "make it our own"...that was just an excuse for laziness because they didn't want to have to work hard to learn the song the RIGHT WAY.
Generally, I say if you're going to cover a song learn it EXACTLY like the CD. Then if you HAVE TO "improve" on the song ('cause of course our lines are always better than the ones those no-talent hack studio pros came up with), then mess with it.
IMHO, if a person really focuses on the notes and the song and tries to feel what the original artist was feeling at the time, you can usually learn to appreciate the line that was written.

But that's not to say it's a "sin" to change a bass line. Just that I think it should only be done AFTER mastering the line that's already written...and I don't just mean learning the notes. I mean learning the "soul" inside the line.

P.S. I never claimed to be sane.

[sirero]

I personally just take what the Fake Book gives me, melody tempo usually, and maybe chords, and we make up strum patterns, bass lines, and drum parts to our tastes. Very rarely do we actually listen to the songs were covering, and It leaves room for where our guitarist thinks he remembers solos being and such.

Although, I vaguely remember reading somewhere about a court ruling that a recorded cover of a licensed song can only vary so much from the original or the cover would be breaking copyright laws, can anyone verify or refute this for me?

[frostymoose]

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

Seriously, I can't play certain songs just "as is".
I have to make it my own or it's not worth playing at all. Each time I see some kid cover a song, you can tell there is no emotion, that he is counting and playing straight from a tab (which is not always right, by the way).

Pretty harsh. You have to be comfortable with the instrument before you can improvise. Learning songs as they are written/played on an album is one way to build up your skills. Maybe they enjoy it/take pride in it/whatever. Live and let live

[Chickencha]

There's a very thin and fuzzy line between "making it your own" and overplaying or playing distastefully. I also often find that "I want to make it my own" really means "I'm too lazy to learn the real part so I'm just going to make something up."

The truth is, there are some parts that are sacred or some parts that are simple because it's appropriate.

That said, I'm not always opposed to changing things up. My general approach is to learn the part as recorded by ear. I might then double check my ear by referencing a transcription of some kind (be it tab or standard notation) with the realization that transcriptions aren't always right. Then, knowing how my part's supposed to go, I think I can make better decisions about how I change it.

[Brick Top]

Originally Posted by frostymoose

Pretty harsh. You have to be comfortable with the instrument before you can improvise. Learning songs as they are written/played on an album is one way to build up your skills. Maybe they enjoy it/take pride in it/whatever. Live and let live

Well said. I'm a beginner(7 months now)...and I tend to learn the songs as they were recorded, whether through tabs in Guitar pro or online or what another musician has showed me. Once I am comfortable with the song....I may add a little jazzing up if needed.

Cheers,
BT

[NickInMesa]

Originally Posted by Chickencha

There's a very thin and fuzzy line between "making it your own" and overplaying or playing distastefully. I also often find that "I want to make it my own" really means "I'm too lazy to learn the real part so I'm just going to make something up."

The truth is, there are some parts that are sacred or some parts that are simple because it's appropriate.

That said, I'm not always opposed to changing things up. My general approach is to learn the part as recorded by ear. I might then double check my ear by referencing a transcription of some kind (be it tab or standard notation) with the realization that transcriptions aren't always right. Then, knowing how my part's supposed to go, I think I can make better decisions about how I change it.

There is also the example where I don't have a tab or score, and all I have is my ear, and I swear I can't quite make up what the bassist is playing, because it's lost in the mix.

Example: I Was Wrong, by Social Distortion.

D# A# F G#, I got that, and got most of the groove, but seriously I know that what I am playing differs from what he is playing. My ears are also a bit trashed (lime most of us) .

Turns out everyone likes my interpretation of it.

[T-MOST]

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

Seriously, I can't play certain songs just "as is".

I end up galloping a section, double a note or adding a slide.

I have to make it my own or it's not worth playing at all. Each time I see some kid cover a song, you can tell there is no emotion, that he is counting and playing straight from a tab (which is not always right, by the way).

If I want to play and feel it, I have to add something.

Only exception is Carry On Wayward Song, because it is sacred.

If you are planning to cover a song you have to realize that "most" folks want to hear the song in a familiar format. You can tweek the arrangement or tempo but the further away from the original arrangement you get the more of a chance you are taking. My question is If you feel the need to make "every" song "your own" why not write "your own" songs?

[John Bassist]

Yeah, that's quite true...

But don't forget that, a happy cover bassist is made by a happy cover band.

If your band is not playing how the real stuff works, then, don't manage to play the real song.

[Froaderick]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Just realize the difference between embellishing and whacking yourself off and it should be fine.

+1 If the bass line stands out and is crucial to the hook then I try to go note for note and even try to match the tone of the orginial song. If the song's line is just holding the groove down and doesnt really add much more, sometimes adding a little 'flavor' in the style of the recording can be good. Again, as someone else said 'it all depends'