got till sunday at 3 to write a line..... AHHHHHHHH

Soverntear · #1 07-29-2009, 10:14 PM

so follow up to my craigslist post looking for a band to jam with, a band contacted me, sent me their myspace link and wants me to compose a line, the guitarist is not 100% on the key but he think its in c minor (damn guitards :P)

so this is my first time doing this, i have a good idea of the line in my head gonna try and work it out on my bass in the morning. any advise on this subject? kinda nervous :P

JohnnyNacho · #2 07-29-2009, 10:18 PM

I hope you at least have the chord progression? If you have to do it on the fly, you can never really go wrong with triads, they sound a lot more original than they really are if you link them up with the progression nicely. Good luck with that.

Soverntear · #3 07-29-2009, 10:24 PM

no i got nothign right now, just a home recording with the vocals overpowering the music i do have an idea of what i want to use for it, the line basicly is writing itself. but my ear is not the greatest so learning something in the wrong key could suck

tpmiller08 · #4 07-29-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soverntear

so follow up to my craigslist post looking for a band to jam with, a band contacted me, sent me their myspace link and wants me to compose a line, the guitarist is not 100% on the key but he think its in c minor (damn guitards :P)

so this is my first time doing this, i have a good idea of the line in my head gonna try and work it out on my bass in the morning. any advise on this subject? kinda nervous :P

As long as you have songs to listen to as a reference, your good to go!

This is what I did when learning my bands songs without much idea of how they went.

Listen to the guitar, find the root notes (or as close as possible). Play the root notes as the guitarist plays them. Now, listen to the drums. Apply those root notes to the drummers rhythm. I'm sure both the guitard and drummer don't play every note together, so lock in with the drummers rhythm as best you can just to keep it simple for now. Use your best judgement!

Now, you have it! It'll sound good in the least, and if your a little off its fine! If they can't understand that you might be off on the notes, then you don't want to work with them anyways.

I'd say pick one song with alot of breathing room to add in syncopated basslines with some scale work, try to get away from those Root notes here and there! But worry about more complex stuff later, when you work with them more and get tighter.

Have fun with it. It's a cool ear exercise, and it's always a proud moment when you realise you were dead on with the notes, or at least pretty close. And at least you'll have the rhythm down, so changing the key will be easy work once you see how the guitarist plays it.

Also, listening to the songs on your ipod, or whenever you get a chance really helps too. Burns the chord changes and rhythm into your brain, and it feels more natural.

Remember, being nervous is natural. But breath deep, stay relaxed, and be confident.

Hope this helped, and good luck!

-Troy

Soverntear · #5 07-29-2009, 10:41 PM

thanks for the tips, its a bit daunting but im excited

tpmiller08 · #6 07-29-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soverntear

thanks for the tips, its a bit daunting but im excited

Just don't get overwhelmed and give up, I know alot of people who do that.

Mark my words man, you'll be proud of yourself at the end of this

-Troy

mkrtu9 · #7 07-29-2009, 10:48 PM

why wouldn't they give you the song on paper too... I don't understand that. Sounds like you will do alright though, just be yourself. It'll go ok.

Soverntear · #8 07-29-2009, 10:49 PM

the guitarist i was speaking with is asking the other guitarist for a chord sheet for me. reguardless changing keys wont be too much of a hassel

Soverntear · #9 07-29-2009, 10:59 PM

also just for reference http://www.myspace.com/agoodbyeincident

im finding it really hard to work around that singer

tpmiller08 · #10 07-30-2009, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soverntear

also just for reference http://www.myspace.com/agoodbyeincident

im finding it really hard to work around that singer

Yah, thats pretty rough. Guitar is tinny though. If you hit it off with these guys, think you could PM me after you get to recording? Alot of guitarists do that whole "Im gunna turn my bass eq way too high" thing. Doesn't seem like you'll have that problem. Im pretty curious to what it'll sound like when the bass is behind it

I'm not sure your musical background. But if you find yourself nervous before your audition / jam with them, focus on your breathing. When people get nervous, we tend to breath in short breaths. Doing that makes a chain reaction that leads to you not being able to play the best you can. Your muscles can't work to their full potential and what not. Take 5 DEEP breaths right before you play. It'll slow down your heart rate, and oxygenate your muscles. Being relaxed is the key, yada yada yada.

Sorry for the WAY to long responses. Getting all sorts of stuff together for my band, so I'm all coffeed out. And I enjoy the break

It's really hard to hear the guitar sometimes with the singer being so high. Have the guitard go over the song with you once before you play it with the rest of the band. Just get the drummers rhythm down pact, and it'll be just fine.

-Troy

Soverntear · #11 07-30-2009, 03:33 AM

pretty rough is one way to put it. i really enjoy the music the band is making but that singer is terribad. too the point im almost not willing to audition anymore. obviously ive been listening to the track allot. and every time she sings its like nails on a chalkboard.

its leaving me conflicted, ive got a solid line made up in my brain (again dont wanna wake the negibhours/ the gf with me playing bass) the music sound like a blast to play, they wnat sosmone who is willing to get crazy on stage. pretty much exactly what im looking for.

basically im asking a couple things 1 would it be intrusive if the singer cant preform during the audition to mention it? if a singer is obviously not up to snuff with the group would that make you guys think twice about trying out? is there any nice wy to say the singer might be a deal breaker?

ive got a cover band that wants me in it too. with a group of guys twice my age who are willing to take me under there wing so to speak. both would be an awesome opportunity for me musically, and i could fit both in my schedule. what do you guys think i should do?

silen7ce · #12 07-30-2009, 03:56 AM

If you can do both definitely go for it.

tpmiller08 · #13 07-30-2009, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soverntear

pretty rough is one way to put it. i really enjoy the music the band is making but that singer is terribad. too the point im almost not willing to audition anymore. obviously ive been listening to the track allot. and every time she sings its like nails on a chalkboard.

its leaving me conflicted, ive got a solid line made up in my brain (again dont wanna wake the negibhours/ the gf with me playing bass) the music sound like a blast to play, they wnat sosmone who is willing to get crazy on stage. pretty much exactly what im looking for.

basically im asking a couple things 1 would it be intrusive if the singer cant preform during the audition to mention it? if a singer is obviously not up to snuff with the group would that make you guys think twice about trying out? is there any nice wy to say the singer might be a deal breaker?

ive got a cover band that wants me in it too. with a group of guys twice my age who are willing to take me under there wing so to speak. both would be an awesome opportunity for me musically, and i could fit both in my schedule. what do you guys think i should do?

Just do it, I think at least. You'll always find something wrong with any band. Keep in mind too, they're not high quality recordings. She might sound different in person. Just check it out, when you audition for a band, they're auditioning for you too. Even if they accept you, you can still turn them down if your really not feeling it.

Edit - Just saw the last part of your post, about the cover band. Sorry, lack of sleep is getting to me heh. If people are willing to take you under their wing, it would definatly be beneficial. Only thing you need to figure out is if you want to start creating music, or work with experienced musicians who can teach you the tricks of the trade. Your call, both would be best. Me personally, I'd join the first band. I don't like playing others peoples music, and when I decided I was ready to play in a band, I just dove face first into it, and gave it everything I have =)

Soverntear · #14 07-30-2009, 04:36 AM

tp, you make allot of great points. and if worse comes to worse its another audition to put under my belt.... lol but man tha singer between 3:07-3:10 lmao

actually it makes me a bit more confident about the whole thing

tpmiller08 · #15 07-30-2009, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soverntear

tp, you make allot of great points. and if worse comes to worse its another audition to put under my belt.... lol but man tha singer between 3:07-3:10 lmao

actually it makes me a bit more confident about the whole thing

Thanks man. Kinda felt like I was just chewin ur ear...errrr eyes off lol.

I went through alot of the same stuff. Once your in the band, and you put your work and time into it, your opinion counts ya know? So if you bring it up that your not happy with the singer, the other band mates might agree. Just give it time, play a few shows with her, see how the crowd likes her. My singer bombed our first few shows. Everyone wanted to kick em out and stuff, but I said we should try and work with em. Now hes doing much better, but someone just had to tell him what he was doing wrong.

So another way of doing it would be, join up with the band, and just straight tell her what you don't like about her voice and what not.

It'll work out one way or another. Whats the countdown till audition time?

Soverntear · #16 07-30-2009, 05:29 AM

nah not cewing my eyes in this case off. id rather have lots of loner posts covering my concerns instead of few covering less. ill give her a try and see how it works. but if its that bad i will voice my oppions on it. she has a decent foundation just needs some lessons i think/ drop hjer down an octave might help too. countdown till audition....3 dqays 8 hours roughly. since ive been up all nigth it might be some sloppy wiriting later tonight. gonna try and get some sleep now.

tpmiller08 · #17 07-30-2009, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soverntear

nah not cewing my eyes in this case off. id rather have lots of loner posts covering my concerns instead of few covering less. ill give her a try and see how it works. but if its that bad i will voice my oppions on it. she has a decent foundation just needs some lessons i think/ drop hjer down an octave might help too. countdown till audition....3 dqays 8 hours roughly. since ive been up all nigth it might be some sloppy wiriting later tonight. gonna try and get some sleep now.

Allright, this is my last tid bit, then im done! lol

I was just reading up on les claypool. He started off playing in a coverband. Thats where he learned to slap and pop and play so many different styles of music. Not saying that it'll make you the next les claypool, but playing with better musicians makes you fly up to their level of playing at a pretty fast pace.

I know I'm not helping your decision making, but look at all your options. You can A) Create music now, and still progress as a bassist and musician, or B) Wait to create music (well wait to show it to the world that is), and work on your bass skills more. Thats a tough one, think I'd still go with A, but a side of B couldnt hurt =)

Soverntear · #18 07-30-2009, 11:37 AM

hmmm i was not aware that claypool started in a cover band. its encouraging (yes like many others im on the claypool band wagon :P) im taking the cover band on 100%. the opportunity to play with others so far advanced is reason enough. plus hey i might learn some non bass stuff from those older then me.

as for the audition ill give it a try but i may see if i can reschedule cause im moving this weekend which is going to make wiritng a line a bit haphazarded

tpmiller08 · #19 07-30-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soverntear

hmmm i was not aware that claypool started in a cover band. its encouraging (yes like many others im on the claypool band wagon :P) im taking the cover band on 100%. the opportunity to play with others so far advanced is reason enough. plus hey i might learn some non bass stuff from those older then me.

as for the audition ill give it a try but i may see if i can reschedule cause im moving this weekend which is going to make wiritng a line a bit haphazarded

Cool man. I'm glad you figured everything out man. Good luck, and keep up the dream dood!

-Troy