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02-07-2009, 05:03 AM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist-Compton Compensated Custom Bridges (for Gretsch 6ers) | | Join Date: May 2005 Location: Montana | | | A band that doesn't freak if I don't play roots! Finally!
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I had my first rehearsal with a new group. I am very happy that they understand the bass part doesn't have to be the root of whatever chord they are playing and that sometimes, ys bass players actually know what needs to be played.
I've spent years off and on playing "dumbed-down" parts because other folks in the groups didn't know their parts well enough to not second guess themselves when they heard me doing something different. (not every group, just the bad ones always stick out in my mind)
I actually got complimented on playing the correct parts tonight.
So, new rule for me: don't play with those other types! |
02-07-2009, 08:33 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: College Station, Texas | | | Dude, score! |
02-07-2009, 09:14 AM
|  | - that dog won't hunt, Monsignor. Moderator | | | | | Good rule.
__________________
aka Blisshead.
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02-08-2009, 12:10 AM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist-Compton Compensated Custom Bridges (for Gretsch 6ers) | | Join Date: May 2005 Location: Montana | | | Yeah, I think it's a good rule to follow now! |
02-08-2009, 12:49 AM
|  | Holy Ghost filled Bass Player Moderator | | Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Heber Springs, Arkansas | | | Man, I can't comprehend how it would be to play in such a restrictive situation. If singers and other musicians get lost because the bass player is playing something other than the root, they need to work on their skills. They are not ready to play or sing with other people.
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Experience is what you get, when you don't get what you want.
45 year old freshman
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02-08-2009, 04:12 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Austin, TX | | | Yeah, glad you found a band that's not full of chumps. Root noting works great for...oh...um...nah, there's almost always some sort of accent note or variation that can improve any bassline. If you're being forced to not play the parts that should be played, tell 'em to eat a bag of dicks. You're the bassist, and should decide what the bass line should be. If they don't trust you, tell them to find someone else. |
02-09-2009, 12:33 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist-Compton Compensated Custom Bridges (for Gretsch 6ers) | | Join Date: May 2005 Location: Montana | | | Yeah, It hasn't ALWAYS been that bad. I took about 5 years off from regular gigging but still played as a side-man during that time. Those pick up gigs are where I mostly ran into the folks that weren't open to musical playing. At least with those gigs, it wasn't my group or my name on the banner. |
02-09-2009, 03:18 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Dupont, PA | | I just ended my relationship with a band that was that way... It was two brothers. One played lead guitar and one was a vocalist who played rhythm. They've been playing together for over twenty years and would stop everything as soon as I left the root...
Them: Something's wrong. Something's wrong. Bass! What are you doing? It's in G.
Me: That was in G.
Them: But it didn't sound right.
[plays back recording]
Me: It fits.
Them: But it's not how we play it.
Me: You play it like they do on the original recording. That's the way the bass is on the recording so that's how I tried to play it.
Them: Well it doesn't sound right. Just play G.
Me: Just G?
Them: Well no, play C when it changes to C.
Me: Just G and C? The entire song?
Them: Yeah. And turn down too. You're way too loud.  
After the "turn down" comment I actually turned all the way down and mimed playing. They said the mix was much better... Bye bye fellas! Have a nice musical experience. 
__________________
Insert cliched, hip, witty, or rhyming comment about the funk, groove, or pocket here:___________ |
02-09-2009, 03:29 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: sin city baby... | | | cool man, it's great to find open minded musicians to play with...
I think as long as I "feel" the groove, know where the "one" is,
and what I play fits musically, there are no rules...
anyway, congrats!
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the space between are still notes...
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02-09-2009, 04:19 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist-Compton Compensated Custom Bridges (for Gretsch 6ers) | | Join Date: May 2005 Location: Montana | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Joe  I just ended my relationship with a band that was that way... It was two brothers. One played lead guitar and one was a vocalist who played rhythm. They've been playing together for over twenty years and would stop everything as soon as I left the root...
Them: Something's wrong. Something's wrong. Bass! What are you doing? It's in G.
Me: That was in G.
Them: But it didn't sound right.
[plays back recording]
Me: It fits.
Them: But it's not how we play it.
Me: You play it like they do on the original recording. That's the way the bass is on the recording so that's how I tried to play it.
Them: Well it doesn't sound right. Just play G.
Me: Just G?
Them: Well no, play C when it changes to C.
Me: Just G and C? The entire song?
Them: Yeah. And turn down too. You're way too loud.
After the "turn down" comment I actually turned all the way down and mimed playing. They said the mix was much better... Bye bye fellas! Have a nice musical experience. | That sounds SOO familiar! |
02-09-2009, 06:52 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Dupont, PA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by unbridled That sounds SOO familiar! | Sad. Ain't it? 
__________________
Insert cliched, hip, witty, or rhyming comment about the funk, groove, or pocket here:___________ |
02-09-2009, 07:04 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brisbane, QLD, Australia | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Joe I just ended my relationship with a band that was that way... It was two brothers. One played lead guitar and one was a vocalist who played rhythm. They've been playing together for over twenty years and would stop everything as soon as I left the root...
Them: Something's wrong. Something's wrong. Bass! What are you doing? It's in G.
Me: That was in G.
Them: But it didn't sound right.
[plays back recording]
Me: It fits.
Them: But it's not how we play it.
Me: You play it like they do on the original recording. That's the way the bass is on the recording so that's how I tried to play it.
Them: Well it doesn't sound right. Just play G.
Me: Just G?
Them: Well no, play C when it changes to C.
Me: Just G and C? The entire song?
Them: Yeah. And turn down too. You're way too loud.
After the "turn down" comment I actually turned all the way down and mimed playing. They said the mix was much better... Bye bye fellas! Have a nice musical experience. | I've read so many stories like this on here but I've never encountered any band situation like it in my life. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones.
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"Think for yourself, question authority" - Timothy Leary
Markbass Club Member #23
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02-10-2009, 07:00 AM
| | Banned | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York City | | | About 20 years ago I got into a "hybrid chord" kick where I would intentionally reharmonize every single chord in every single tune with non-chord tones. Not talking about passing tones, I mean "I'm gonna play Eb against that Bbmaj7 whether you like it or not!"
As long as we were playing original material (not cover tunes) the bands I did this in all found it either A) an interesting & welcome improvement; or B) completely unnoticeable!
Last edited by Hoover : 02-10-2009 at 07:03 AM.
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02-10-2009, 09:22 AM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist-Compton Compensated Custom Bridges (for Gretsch 6ers) | | Join Date: May 2005 Location: Montana | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoover About 20 years ago I got into a "hybrid chord" kick where I would intentionally reharmonize every single chord in every single tune with non-chord tones. Not talking about passing tones, I mean "I'm gonna play Eb against that Bbmaj7 whether you like it or not!"
As long as we were playing original material (not cover tunes) the bands I did this in all found it either A) an interesting & welcome improvement; or B) completely unnoticeable! | That sounds like it was fun. What genre were you playin? | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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