Players playing to the song....Am I alone????

[ytsebri]

I just want to know if I'm alone in this rant....
I recently read the "most overrated bassist" thread and was completely struck by something I've heard most of my life. I've been playing for 20+ years, been listening to music since I was 5 and love metal, rock, jazz, classical, etc. The ultimate quote from everyone about bass players (or anyone else for that matter) is "He/she doesn't/does play for the song." Translation... "I know what I think I expect and they do/don't do it." I always hear that criticism about my favorite bassists (Geddy, Billy S., Myung, Jaco, McCartney, etc.). Here's what I think. Everyone who says that is full of it. Music is taste, an art, etc. There is no rule book for playing bass. You don't get demerits or merits if you use a locrian run in a soft passage. It's to taste...right? The arguement always flung about is "What if (Bassist A) was in (weak band A)?" Like "What if Geddy Lee was in AC/DC?" It's as if musicians don't understand that there is interplay, band power struggles, common group goals. Or if they do, they think that the person will ignore it. Sure, most players will bring a little of who they are to the band, but the group will have a common vision or the player won't be in that band long. Seriously? I just don't get it. When I play music, it comes from within me and through my fingers. I'll play lines different every time depending on what mood I'm in. If I'm playful, it can be jumpy and exciting. If I'm depressed, it's big, rich, full and straightforward. I think that what I play, no matter what the situation, contributes to the song because...guess what? IT IS PART OF THE SONG. Geddy's lines contribute to the song just as much as Cliff Williams or Scott LaFaro or Stanley Clarke. Music is dynamic and flowing, not rigid and sharp. "John Myung is horrible because he doesn't play what the song calls for..." Really? I've never heard a song stop, get up, and walk out of the room because it didn't like the bass line.....

[Poor Tom]

I completely agree with you. Here is my view on the subject:

When creating music with other people, it is like having a conversation. The way I see it, as long as you are speaking the same language as them(Theory), then anything you have to say in context to that subject(dynamics, choosing what to play where and when) is fair game and can be used effectively. I think you are mostly talking about the second part, which I would agree wholeheartedly with you on.

I do however feel that speaking the same language(theory) is necessary so that what you have to say comes across as understandable and relevant. For example, if the band is playing in a certain key such as Gmaj, you really can't just choose any random key to play in and expect to get your point across.

Hope that stuff made sense, and hope I understood your post as well! =D

[fryBASS]

Originally Posted by ytsebri

"John Myung is horrible because he doesn't play what the song calls for..." Really? I've never heard a song stop, get up, and walk out of the room because it didn't like the bass line.....

Well there was this one time...


Good points, I agree. But I'll still probably end up complaining about someone sometime.

[The Lurker]

I EMPHATICALLY agree.

playing for/not playing for the song can be really subjective... Some people just can't imagine that Paul McCartney could very well have come up with a different bass part for Come Together.

Songs are what you make them.

Songs don't have Platonic forms, and 'good' songs aren't ones that get closest to some sort of cosmic uber-song.