Is it a must too....

bergy9650 · #1 03-23-2010, 07:07 PM

So, when you're playing in a band setting is it a must to play only notes that correspond with the chords played by guitar? Also what are the ups and downs of doing or not doing this? Keep in mind im a rather dominate bass player

TortillaChip520 · #2 03-23-2010, 07:12 PM

nothing is a "must". That's why it's music "theory" and not music "fact".

bergy9650 · #3 03-23-2010, 07:12 PM

well put.

**jmattbassplaya** · #4 03-23-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TortillaChip520

nothing is a "must". That's why it's music "theory" and not music "fact".

+1

Although I will say it usually helps to play in key

MalcolmAmos · #5 03-23-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bergy9650

So, when you're playing in a band setting is it a must to play only notes that correspond with the chords played by guitar? Also what are the ups and downs of doing or not doing this? Keep in mind im a rather dominate bass player

Dominate OK. Arrogant, i.e. playing what you think best and the Devil take it. Well that's something else.

Our job is to provide a beat and groove that the rest of the band can use, plus lead the band into the next chord.

Must you play only notes that correspond with the chords played by guitar? Nothing in music is a must, but, staying in key and following the chord progression is a pretty good idea. Do you have to stay in key always, its OK to go out, but, know how to get back in, and don't stay out for any length of time. Also how much of the chord tone you play is left up to you, i.e. Root only, R-3-5-b7, 8-b7-6-5 perhaps R-R-3-3-5-5-6-5 up to you. But if you are playing chord tones it is a good idea to follow the chord progression the rest of the band is using.

Each band member is supposed to augment the efforts of the other members, i.e. make everybody sound good. When you have the lead, what do the other members do? They augment your solo. You should do the same for them.

Good luck

JTE · #6 03-23-2010, 07:31 PM

"Dominate" is a verb. You want to be a "dominant" bassist.

If you really want to dominate the band, you need to BE in a band, So, you want your bass line sound good with what else is going on in the band. Sometimes you want them to be part of the chord, sometimes not. If it's always in the chord it might sound boring and predictable. If it's always outside, it'll probably sound like crap.

John

Pat C. · #7 03-23-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bergy9650

So, when you're playing in a band setting is it a must to play only notes that correspond with the chords played by guitar? Also what are the ups and downs of doing or not doing this? Keep in mind im a rather dominate bass player

What do you mean by dominate bass player?

The notes you play influence the overall harmony. You can play whatever you want, whether it sounds good or is appropriate to the music is a whole other question.

Certainly a "riff" can be played along with a chord that utilizes notes other than the chord tones. It's all about context.

Playing the chord tones reinforces the overall harmony. That harmony is influenced by which chord tone you choose (root, 3rd fifth). Notes played outside the chord can create dissonance (Db under a Cmaj7), imply a different harmony (A under a Cmaj implies a Amin7), or outline an extended chord. Pitch and note duration is huge factor here...a whole note low E under an F7 chord will sound very different than a 8th note passing-tone E on-the-way-down to Eb, the root of the Eb7 chord in the next measure.

Can you provide a context (musical genre, other instruments in the ensemble, etc.), and what you are trying to accomplish?

bergy9650 · #8 03-23-2010, 07:35 PM

by dominate i dont mean like im in the spot light and every one else follows me ... im just a natural leader and i guess you could say it shows in my playing.... i would also like to say thanks for the help... i have no teacher and basically no guidence so you guys help a lot

queevil · #9 03-23-2010, 07:37 PM

It's only a must if the situation calls for it and sometimes it does. I don't know how much experience you have playing with other musicians but what I gradually found out is that it's entirely possible to fill the fundamental role of the bassist and still be able to put your own artistic stamp on it.

When I first started playing bass I was formerly a guitard and it showed in my bass playing. I overplayed. I played fills that weren't very tight with the drums. I rarely ever doubled the guitar. I paid no attention to key players left hand. Then we went into the studio and once the music was on ADAT tape I realized that while my playing wasn't bad some of my lines simply didn't sound as good as I thought they did and the band agreed. Sometimes it's hard to hear what doesn't work in cramped rehearsal space with a barrage Marshall stacks and crash cymbals. It was kind of humbling but it was an important lesson. I learned to settle down.

It's great to be a dominant player and have good technical ability but sometimes you have to put that talent and energy towards being a supportive member of your band. Theory is great but experience tells us what will sound good and when it will sound good. Rock on!!!

Pat C. · #10 03-23-2010, 07:51 PM

I think dominant is the word your looking for here. Or maybe that you're saying that you are a dominating bass player...as in you control the harmonic direction of the music in the ensemble?

If so, how does it show in your playing? Can you provide a musical example: "The guitarist played this chord and I play this note or notes."

I get the feeling that this is an issue that maybe came up within your band? I'm may be way off here, but just trying to get a better handle on what advice to provide.

The answer is different if you're playing jazz, or rock, or reggae, or classical (well, if it's classical...play it as written). There are rules to be followed, bent or broken in most genres, but ultimately the bassists note choices should serve the music, and yes...that's intentionally vague.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bergy9650

by dominate i dont mean like im in the spot light and every one else follows me ... im just a natural leader and i guess you could say it shows in my playing.... i would also like to say thanks for the help... i have no teacher and basically no guidence so you guys help a lot

Billnc · #11 03-23-2010, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by queevil

It's only a must if the situation calls for it and sometimes it does. I don't know how much experience you have playing with other musicians but what I gradually found out is that it's entirely possible to fill the fundamental role of the bassist and still be able to put your own artistic stamp on it.

When I first started playing bass I was formerly a guitard and it showed in my bass playing. I overplayed. I played fills that weren't very tight with the drums. I rarely ever doubled the guitar. I paid no attention to key players left hand. Then we went into the studio and once the music was on ADAT tape I realized that while my playing wasn't bad some of my lines simply didn't sound as good as I thought they did and the band agreed. Sometimes it's hard to hear what doesn't work in cramped rehearsal space with a barrage Marshall stacks and crash cymbals. It was kind of humbling but it was an important lesson. I learned to settle down.

It's great to be a dominant player and have good technical ability but sometimes you have to put that talent and energy towards being a supportive member of your band. Theory is great but experience tells us what will sound good and when it will sound good. Rock on!!!

Well put. I've played in 'busy bands' and enjoy it, but it seems my parts always grow simpler with time, and lots of chaffe is weeded out in the studio. Contrast is also underrated. My present band is doing New Orleans based funk, blues, some jazz and 'Americana'. The funky stuff lends itself to sections where the whole band leaves a lot of space, it also makes the 16th note jams that much more dramatic.

We are a three piece so at times each of us get to drive the bus so to speak.

TortillaChip520 · #12 03-23-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

+1

Although I will say it usually helps to play in key

Haha, yeah, as long as it sounds good, that's my policy

queevil · #13 03-23-2010, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TortillaChip520

Haha, yeah, as long as it sounds good, that's my policy

Sorry to derail but I noticed your location and could help but tell you that I lived in Avondale in the 80's. I heard it's blown up. When I left it was tiny.

TortillaChip520 · #14 03-24-2010, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by queevil

Sorry to derail but I noticed your location and could help but tell you that I lived in Avondale in the 80's. I heard it's blown up. When I left it was tiny.

It actually has indeed. I've only lived in Goodyear about 6 years, so I have no idea how it was back then, but things develop really fast around here. It seems something new is getting built every week.

JimmyM · #15 03-24-2010, 08:57 AM

if you're a dominant bass player you wouldn't be asking that question. you'd be laying it down, confident that whatever you're doing is right. methinks you might want to lay off the delusions of grandeur until you've actually earned them

and get a good teacher...best thing you could ever do for your playing.

T-MOST · #16 03-24-2010, 09:20 AM

You can play notes outside the chord/scale but you end up creating strange or "off" sounding chords. That works in some cases especially if thats what you are going for. However, if you are "covering" songs strange or "off" sounding chords will make your band (and YOU in particular) seem very amature. There are more than enough note choices within the given scale/chord to to creative IMHO.