Setting up a trio band

Zakmusic · #1 08-02-2010, 03:28 AM

Since my last band boke up, I'm tempted to form a hard rock trio band (or trio instrumentation with guitar,bass,drums n a vocal). I had this idea because I always feel this setting gives me more space to do more interesting stuff on the bass (eg: melodic basslines). I'd always wanted to play a bit more on the bass like Geddy does. Plus other advantages come to my mind (eg: more money per person, fewer dispute, easier to manage, easier to get seats in restaurants etc).

I would like to ask if anyone play in a trio setting (or trio+vocal). How does this setting benefit your band? What are the drawbacks? How does the setting impact your bass playing? Thx in advance for your sharing

MalcolmAmos · #2 08-02-2010, 05:03 AM

One of the bands I play with is a three instruments plus a vocalist band. Depending on the gig we will increase this with drums and a lead electric guitar.

I agree the small band is easier all around, but, we do sound better when the other guys join us.

As far as getting along we've been together for 10 years. All the ego stuff was put to bed long ago.

In the small band melody is handled by the vocalist and we all join in on the chorus, i.e. no guitar lead break, however, the bass (I play rhythm guitar in this one) does an excellent job with echo melody to what the vocalist is doing. With the small band - you are right - there is room for melody bass and Tom does a good job with his melody runs augmenting the vocalist. I guess I should clarify this. Tom does not take a lead break, but does provide echo melody with the vocalist. That, by the way, is hard to pull off. Most that try just get into competition with the vocalist.

Billnc · #3 08-02-2010, 07:50 AM

I've pretty much only played trios. I enjoy the sonic space, which doesn't always need to be filled anyway. I've worked in the format for jazz, blues and the like. It's particularly beneficial with a guitarist with a huge repertoire, he'll call a song, and you don't have 5 people faking it and causing a trainwreck. I have played with a couple of bands with horns and keys lately, done well it's all fun.

Zakmusic · #4 08-06-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

One of the bands I play with is a three instruments plus a vocalist band. Depending on the gig we will increase this with drums and a lead electric guitar.

I agree the small band is easier all around, but, we do sound better when the other guys join us.

As far as getting along we've been together for 10 years. All the ego stuff was put to bed long ago.

In the small band melody is handled by the vocalist and we all join in on the chorus, i.e. no guitar lead break, however, the bass (I play rhythm guitar in this one) does an excellent job with echo melody to what the vocalist is doing. With the small band - you are right - there is room for melody bass and Tom does a good job with his melody runs augmenting the vocalist. I guess I should clarify this. Tom does not take a lead break, but does provide echo melody with the vocalist. That, by the way, is hard to pull off. Most that try just get into competition with the vocalist.

Does Tom change his bass melodies when there are more instruments around? Or his basslines just stay the same whether or not u add an extra instument to the band?

I know it is difficult to put into words. But could anyone describe how could the bass compliment instead of compete with the vocals when playing bass melodies?

MalcolmAmos · #5 08-07-2010, 06:36 AM

Does Tom change his echo melody when the drums sit in. Yes. Nothing worst than having two instruments taking off on runs and not being in sync. Also take Folsom Prison Blues - the lead guitar solo on this song is what people want to hear, but, the bass weaving in and out is also very effective - if they do not get in each others way.

Tom is 78 years old and been playing something since he was 12. All this just comes naturally to him. Describe echo melody ---- In the song, O'h when the sants go march in. one group sings "O'h when the sants" --- and another group sing "Goes marching in" that's kinda like echo melody.

Now Tom and I switch instruments - he on rhythm guitar and me on bass (old time Country) and we play a nursing home each Thursday. I would love to be able to echo his vocals, BUT, we have decided that right now R-5 with a few chromatic runs with the chord changes keeps us out of each other's way. Basic less is more, so that is what I'm doing.

St Drogo · #6 08-07-2010, 07:29 AM

Oh awesome. You should start a five man band, and then have a sit down with the keyboardplayer and second guitarist, telling them you're kicking them out because you'll "get seated easier at a restaurant" with three guys. See what happens.

I would pay good money to see that.

dalconthenovice · #7 08-07-2010, 07:14 PM

i'm in a trio band right now and the thing is each instrument must be very good at fulfilling specific roles in the band, drums must be very capable of hitting a groove and keepin the pocket intact and the guitarist must sort of play the role of both rhythm and lead duties

the bassist, since there is no rhythm guy must be very good at not just fillin in the low end but fulfilling that harmony needs and is sort of the guy in charge of the dynamics and phrasings fo the project

the benefits to using a trio format is the money gets divided up more beneficially not to mention i've worked in projects that have had like 6 people in it and its hard to keep the level of organization strong so i truly do like the trio format, song writing and arguments are realy easy to be taken care of

codeinedreams · #8 08-08-2010, 04:25 PM

I've played in trios and love the space I have to do more on bass. I believe that each member has to be solid and pull their own weight plus more. in a rock trio, for example, I often fill in the missing lead guitar parts by doing a gesture of those kind of melodies on bass (not like a solo but just during the course of the song) and incorporate that in with the roots. in parts where vocals are sparse or there's an extended jam, I definitely take off, often playing melodies or other rhythms syncopated to the drums much higher up on the fretboard to make it more interesting. there has to be a balance to not crowd out the others and maintain some dynamics in the song, so I only pick certain times for that. it helps to have a drummer that doesn't just play the same beat all the way through but mixes it up and knows when to accent what the others are playing. to not compete with the vocal, at times I either play off the melody of the vocal and harmonize with it (like if he's singing G, I go down a 3rd and play an E for example), or I fill in supporting riffs between vocal phrases. just a few ideas, cheers.