Band writing your lines?

YL_Bass · #1 02-14-2010, 03:50 AM

How do you guys feel about this. I don't mind personally. Usually the lead singer in my band will write a whole song as he has a comp degree and feels comfortable doing it and I will just change his parts to make them more "bassplayeresque" but I know this bugs the crap out of some people.

Your thoughts?

DeeDeeEntwistle · #2 02-14-2010, 04:30 AM

It really bugs me if someone expects me to play a certain bass line. A "lead singer" cannot write a bass line like a specialized bass player can.

One Bad Monkey · #3 02-14-2010, 04:39 AM

I don't care that much. In the end, no matter who wrote the line, I'm still playing it, and can add nuances and other things that make it my own. There have been specific times too, when rehearsing a new song, I'll ask the writer (usually the guitarist or singer) if they had anything in mind, just to get a feel for it.

MIJ-VI · #4 02-14-2010, 09:06 AM

The song comes first--including any which are written by a band's bassist...

invader3k · #5 02-14-2010, 09:17 AM

It depends. I'm always open to suggestions...I don't consider myself a professional writer or bass playing virtuoso. I won't tolerate someone who tries to dictate what I play note for note, though.

It doesn't sound like your singer is really limiting what you can play in this instance, so I wouldn't get worked up about it.

fdeck · #6 02-14-2010, 09:55 AM

It would be no problem for me. I play a lot of big-band music, which often has written-out bass lines. On every piece, it's a judgment call as to the appropriateness of ad-libbing as opposed to playing the ink.

Also, if the composer has written charts, I would hope it cuts down drastically on rehearsal time.

barbarbass · #7 02-14-2010, 09:58 AM

As long as the composer will write it out in bass clef, I will play it.

Jakeob · #8 02-14-2010, 10:01 AM

I don't mind it that much, it really only bothers me when a part gets stuck just on playing an open B or something in their song. Because they got a little lazy, then that is where I tweak it.

Ric5 · #9 02-14-2010, 10:08 AM

Band writing your lines?

That just plain sucks! The only thing worse is if they tell you what bass to play and what tuning to use and start adjusting your tone.

How would they feel if the bass play wrote the guitar part for them?

duff beer · #10 02-14-2010, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeDeeEntwistle

It really bugs me if someone expects me to play a certain bass line. A "lead singer" cannot write a bass line like a specialized bass player can.

Don't let your ego get in the way. There is more to a song than a bass line and a "specialized bass player" doesn't always come up with the best bass line. Maybe they can play it better, but they don't always write it better.

The guitar player/singer in our band is very talented and writes all the songs. Sometimes he will pick out a bass line on his guitar and say "Play this" and then he will play a guitar part to that. I have absolutely no problem with that...after all, he wrote the song and only he knows how the song should sound. He has written some great songs entirely in his head and I am not going to question what he says until I hear it first.

Other times he only has a guitar part and vocals and will just start playing and the rest of us join in. If he likes the bass line I come up with it stays, other times he may make a suggestion like "play more of a walking line", or "make it a little funkier". Either way, I have no problem taking his suggestions from him or any talented musician, regardless of the instrument they play.

camiloochoa · #11 02-14-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

The song comes first--including any which are written by a band's bassist...

+1

pasta4lnch · #12 02-14-2010, 10:50 AM

don't think I've ever encountered it - maybe some suggestions here and there like can you play "more" or "less" or something.

I don't think I'd mind it, unless it was note for note. that would be kinda boring, but for the right $$, or status of the gig, I'd shut my mouth for sure.

I mostly play w/ artists, not strictly cover bands, so you can't shut out their vision of the tune. But I do have the luxury of producing most of the artists I've played w/ so if anything, I'm usually the one asking someone to play something specific

but even on that side of the glass I value what most people input - they know their instrument better than I do, and unless it clashes w/ the overall vibe, it's all good

not_jason · #13 02-14-2010, 11:00 AM

It entirely depends. If the suggestion is good and heeds positive results, then I will do it. If I think the suggestion is bad, and that I have a better idea, I will contest it. If a song has a really intricate structure that relies on two or more instruments harmonizing in a certain way, then it is completely fair to ask another band member to be on board. I have been the lead songwriter in a band, playing bass, and I've had absolutely no problem bossing my guitarist around. It's only fair when it comes back the other way.

In my first band though, there were a lot of basslines handed down to me that I hated. In that case, it was simply that the lines didn't fit organically with the rest of my bass playing. At the time, I wasn't good enough to come up with a compromise that would please everyone. I still resent those songs, even several years later.

tobo · #14 02-14-2010, 11:08 AM

^^ good post, I agree

Im fairly amateur tbh, sometimes my guitarist will say something like "can you play something more like this?" and show me, which doesnt bother me- we dont have a drummer atm, so it can be hard to figure out what kind of rhythm he wants...

he had an instrumental piece, which I love, so had no qualms about playing excactly what he wanted me to on the bass- its quite personal for him so i didnt want to mess with it. Im free to add whatever the hell i want on any other song..

What does bother me however, is when i write lyrics and he completely changes them

kcamsdog1387 · #15 02-14-2010, 11:21 AM

The singer/guitarist in my band writes all the songs, and he was a bass player for years before picking up guitar and most of his songs were written from a bass perspective. He usually has all the bass stuff down and he'll play it for me and I try to put my own spin on it. It doesn't really aggravate me, as I still do my own thing. I don't know how you guys feel about astrology but we are both Tauruses and are both really stubborn and creative, and usually it makes the band, and songs, better. I guess you have to take it on a case by case basis. Now that we lost our lead guitarist its given me more of as chance to explore sonically. Ultimately, you are the bass player and if you feel like something works, even if its not your own thing, do it.

BassXgirl · #16 02-14-2010, 11:30 AM

It depends on the situation. If I'm subbing or playing the roll of hired gun, I'll play whatever they want me to. I have joined original bands where they already had. basslines recorded. Some bands have asked me to play their recorded bass parts and others have said mix it up and do my own thing. I have no problem with either situation.
If its a band that I'm in because I want a creative outlet, and we're creating songs together, having someone tell me what to play won't work for me. That's not to say I wouldn't be open to suggestions or even specific parts here or there, but I wouldn't want other band members telling me what to play on every tune. At that point, pay me for my time and we can call it a bassist for hire gig.

MIJ-VI · #17 02-14-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duff beer

Don't let your ego get in the way. There is more to a song than a bass line and a "specialized bass player" doesn't always come up with the best bass line. Maybe they can play it better, but they don't always write it better.

The guitar player/singer in our band is very talented and writes all the songs. Sometimes he will pick out a bass line on his guitar and say "Play this" and then he will play a guitar part to that. I have absolutely no problem with that...after all, he wrote the song and only he knows how the song should sound. He has written some great songs entirely in his head and I am not going to question what he says until I hear it first.

Other times he only has a guitar part and vocals and will just start playing and the rest of us join in. If he likes the bass line I come up with it stays, other times he may make a suggestion like "play more of a walking line", or "make it a little funkier". Either way, I have no problem taking his suggestions from him or any talented musician, regardless of the instrument they play.

+1

Collaboration, not confrontation.

DeeDeeEntwistle · #18 02-14-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duff beer

Don't let your ego get in the way. There is more to a song than a bass line and a "specialized bass player" doesn't always come up with the best bass line. Maybe they can play it better, but they don't always write it better.

The guitar player/singer in our band is very talented and writes all the songs. Sometimes he will pick out a bass line on his guitar and say "Play this" and then he will play a guitar part to that. I have absolutely no problem with that...after all, he wrote the song and only he knows how the song should sound. He has written some great songs entirely in his head and I am not going to question what he says until I hear it first.

Other times he only has a guitar part and vocals and will just start playing and the rest of us join in. If he likes the bass line I come up with it stays, other times he may make a suggestion like "play more of a walking line", or "make it a little funkier". Either way, I have no problem taking his suggestions from him or any talented musician, regardless of the instrument they play.

I don't think my egos in the way. I didn't say I was the best bassist. I know im not, and I know the bass line isn't the entire song but as a bassist it is my part of the song. If im being told what to play and dont have any control over it then give me a paycheck and i'll stand around playing note for note all day

Btw, I mean no disrespect I'm a 21 year old with 14 years experience i'm sure you're time playing along with many others on this forum far out weighs mine. Just my 2 cents on the subject.

XansNiceSweater · #19 02-14-2010, 12:44 PM

I walked out on an audition for one of my favorite bands because the lead singer allowed for NO freedom. I had to play THIS line, THIS way, for THIS many measures. And he did it to the rest of the guys in the band, too.

MIJ-VI · #20 02-14-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobo

^^ good post, I agree

Im fairly amateur tbh, sometimes my guitarist will say something like "can you play something more like this?" and show me, which doesnt bother me- we dont have a drummer atm, so it can be hard to figure out what kind of rhythm he wants...

he had an instrumental piece, which I love, so had no qualms about playing excactly what he wanted me to on the bass- its quite personal for him so i didnt want to mess with it. Im free to add whatever the hell i want on any other song..

What does bother me however, is when i write lyrics and he completely changes them

There are times in an evolving songwriting partnership when one party's role ends up being that of inspiring the other partner.

As long as it's understood that both partners share equally in the results (like Lennon & McCartney did) then some give here and there (from both partners) can be a good thing. Getting this in writing beforehand would be prudent.

There's always the option of solo writing & demo recording more personal songs.