Playing and writing with other musicians.

[xofnahtan]

I've been playing bass for about a year now, and I get told I'm doing pretty good for haveing only play that long. Theres not a whole lot of musicians around here though, so I haven't had much experience playing/writing with other musicians.

I have played in a band before, but I had trouble writing lines to the music and I'm getting ready to move and would like to play with people, but I need to try and improve my lines I write to music. Wich is hard because like I said theres not many musicians around here so I can't just go and jam with people a whole lot to work on it.

If anybody has any suggestions or even any comments it'd be greatly apreciated.

Thanks,
Nathan

[Correlli]

I had a experience with a singer/song-writer where I created some basslines for his songs, and got absolutely no credit for my efforts, even though the basslines were basicly 50% of the song. The other 50% was his vocal melodies. So when he applied for royalities, he got 100% of the payment. But that's inexperience for ya.

In short, make sure you get credit for creating good basslines. Some people believe well written basslines are worth nothing compared to well written vocal melodies.

[joebingo]

listen to tunes and write your own lines on top of them, that's how i got used to writing before joining a band!

[xofnahtan]

Thats a good idea joe, thanks for the help guys.

[WillBuckingham]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Kid

I had a experience with a singer/song-writer where I created some basslines for his songs, and got absolutely no credit for my efforts, even though the basslines were basicly 50% of the song. The other 50% was his vocal melodies. So when he applied for royalities, he got 100% of the payment. But that's inexperience for ya.

In short, make sure you get credit for creating good basslines. Some people believe well written basslines are worth nothing compared to well written vocal melodies.

This is typical for professional recording sessions. You should expect to get paid for your time in the studio, credit on the album liner, and not much else. Jam sessions, collaborations, and live recordings are another story.

[Correlli]

Originally Posted by WillBuckingham

This is typical for professional recording sessions. You should expect to get paid for your time in the studio, credit on the album liner, and not much else. Jam sessions, collaborations, and live recordings are another story.

It started out as just a friendly jam.

[ryco]

Originally Posted by xofnahtan

I need to try and improve my lines I write to music. Which is hard...

You hit the nail on the head! It is hard to come up with good bass lines! But the more you do it the easier it becomes.

If you can find just a couple of people to write with, do it! Collaborating is one of the funnest things about playing music. Be sure right up front to have an agreement as to how credit will be given/shared if money is gonna come into the picture. I like writing bass parts over a drum machine and recording with me on one track and the machine on the other. It's fun giving 'em to friends (mostly guitar players) just to see who'll come up with what. One way to jam long distance with buds.

Just listen to the song and feel what you think it needs. Play the song through a couple of times before picking up your bass and hear if certain beats could be emphasized, or what octave would sound good. Listen to the pulse. Have fun!

Sorry - didn't mean for this to be so long!