covers

[wicked_child]

do you play note perfect covers or you just wanna make it "feel good"?

[ryco]

Depends on the song and it depends on the band.

I try and learn the song as close to the original as possible, and then add what I want.
I usually replace the licks and fills with my own unless they are signature to the tune.

I find as a bassist playing a tune note perfect will only work if I have a drummer who is playing his part note perfect. Sometimes I have to "modify" my parts to work with theirs.

To answer your question: you definitely want to make it "feel good" and sound good. Usually the two go hand in hand.

[wicked_child]

thanks for the input. Now that you mentioned it, I just realized that, thats what i do, i tend to get in the zone with the drummer even if it means not playing the same exact notes.

[Deacon_Blues]

I try to copy as much of the originals as I find necessary, but pretty often I feel like playing something "own" instead. The most important thing is the groove - The audience generally don't care if I don't follow the original, and also, I don't play a fancy bassline unless I know I can play it well enough to sound good (read: tight). Better to keep it simple and sound good.

The fact I'm also singing lead 99% of the time makes me have to do some compromising as well regarding the basslines. I find the lead vocals being the most important thing in music in general, so rather than simplifying the vocals, I simplify the bassline.

[KsToaDangr]

For me, it depends on the song. Songs that are very bass-driven, I tend to play note for note, but songs that are mostly guitar or vocally driven, I'll play more for the feel and sound.