Joining band, Use same basslines?

test dude · #1 10-06-2010, 01:31 PM

Hey guys, Well I've tried out for this band and they want me to come back again this weekend. Its the first time ever trying out (usually just had friends and played together). Well they have never had a bassist throughout the couple years theyve been together. They are recording an EP now and are using a bassist from another band to lay down some lines. Say i were to make it in and we started playing shows, is it bad to use the bassist's lines? I do add a little of my own touch here and there but im just following whats written. I just feel a little weird If i were to be playing live and people think I wrote this stuff. I just dont feel like i should get the credit. what do you think

Phalex · #2 10-06-2010, 01:35 PM

I don't think there's anything wrong with it. When I joined an original band years ago, I played a lot of the same stuff that the guy who recorded the first CD did. After I left the band before we had finished another CD, the guy that replaced me played most of my stuff too.

nightcityburn · #3 10-06-2010, 01:37 PM

You are over thinking. If you didn't write the songs, play what is written for you. If people say they like what you are playing, just say thanks. The next go round, you will have your own say and more input.

Kipaste · #4 10-06-2010, 01:38 PM

Don't worry about it. Most working musicians spend a lot of their time playing lines that they haven't written. You wouldn't be ashmed to play a cover song, would you? Same thing.

But hey, if you come up with better lines then of course talk about that in rehearsals. If the band agrees, there shouldn't be a problem.

jpTron · #5 10-06-2010, 01:41 PM

What you said is fine. Play the songs and add your own thing here and there.

Thunderthumbs73 · #6 10-06-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by test dude

Hey guys, Well I've tried out for this band and they want me to come back again this weekend. Its the first time ever trying out (usually just had friends and played together). Well they have never had a bassist throughout the couple years theyve been together. They are recording an EP now and are using a bassist from another band to lay down some lines. Say i were to make it in and we started playing shows, is it bad to use the bassist's lines? I do add a little of my own touch here and there but im just following whats written. I just feel a little weird If i were to be playing live and people think I wrote this stuff. I just dont feel like i should get the credit. what do you think

Ask. Talk with the band.

wagstaff · #7 10-06-2010, 01:44 PM

Certainly nothing wrong with it. The question is, does the current bass line work with the song? Do you like the bass lines? If yes to both of those, I see no reason to change it.

Mark

Rico_2212 · #8 10-06-2010, 01:50 PM

At first, just use a cover band approach and just learn the music that's there. Just get tight with the band first, then later you can start putting your personal stamp on the music. A fill here, a tasteful pop there, what to leave in, add, or take out. It's just seasoning the soup so to speak. Right now though your main priority should be to learn the music. If you try rewriting everything right off the bat, you're just going to drive everyone up a wall because it will take that much longer to learn the songs and get tight as a band. Have fun.

woodsideh · #9 10-06-2010, 01:52 PM

I think your approach to playing the written lines is appropriate. Work in your added touches as you go and if you get the gig. In my opinion they have a certain comfort level with the written lines to start with and if you haven't gotten the gig yet and you want the gig...keep them happy.

Southpaw5 · #10 10-06-2010, 02:04 PM

I did just this a little under a year ago when i joined my current band. What I did was, take a few songs to play almost verbatim, take a few and tweak a bit more, and on any unfinished songs or ones I just hated the bassline(some were just plain wrong!) I reworked almost from scratch.

This incorporates the bands established work with their new/current sound. It has worked out pretty good for me. Just my 2 cents

MalcolmAmos · #11 10-06-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kipaste

You wouldn't be ashmed to play a cover song, would you? Same thing.

You are covering the band's original -- you are now part of the band.

Yes, you are thinking too much. It's the band's song and you are a part of the band.

Spraeg · #12 10-06-2010, 04:13 PM

How did you play them during your audition? If you played the songs exactly the way that they were written, and didn't do anything of your own, then thats what they saw in your playing that they liked. If you had some opportunity to just jam with them and really play in your style, and they like that, then play the lines that are written in your own way. It kind of depends on the people in the band and how they write songs. if one person writes everything, generally they have a specific idea in mind for what it's going to sound like, and they won't want alot of extra stuff thrown in. If everybody writes their own lines, then that means that they want you for your particular playing style, and you should feel free to interject that. Above all, talk to the band though, ask if they mind if you change the bass lines, just make sure they still fit the feel of the song.