My rhythm guitar player......

[Cacklingjackyl]

is also our lead singer. He is new at the guitar, so I have to show him chords from time to time and help him along. I have being writing more than I ever have lately. Some of these riffs I have been writing on the guitar, for him to follow. However, sometimes I write certain riffs on the bass. There is this one song in particular that I wrote on the bass and started jamming with our drummer. The rhythm guitar player got interested in making the riff into a song and now during practice he has learn to mimic by bass riff perfectly. The problem is that I do not think the song sounds that great with us doubling each other. I have thought about changing the line I play to accent the original riff and changes I wrote. I am working now to find something that I think fits. But this leads me to a question that is both philosophical and practical...

Should it by my responsibility here to come up with the new line, or should I just tell the fledging guitarist that he should try to come up with a part that fits my riff? IMO, the riff I wrote sounds better on the bass. It flows and it is a slap line that the drummer and I are locked in on. However, I am used to being the bassist and being the one that feeds of the music to find that space where I need to be. Any thoughts here?

[Palomorado]

i always find it more interetsting to have different parts instead of doubling. have him work on something and you work on writing a counterline.

good training for the both of you!

[the ombudsman]

Originally Posted by Cacklingjackyl

Should it by my responsibility here to come up with the new line, or should I just tell the fledging guitarist that he should try to come up with a part that fits my riff?

Try both and stick with the option that sounds better. Maybe you can come up with a guitar part for him to play?

There are no rules when writing music, and there should be no ego trip.

Good luck.

[Cacklingjackyl]

Thanks for those 2 reponses. I'm sure you are both right. The ego thing is so true, especially for us bass players. A bass player with a big ego can definately be problematic. I'm sure I'll find something that works soon. We just bought an 8 track so we will be able to do alot more homework outside of practice. This should help me nail down something.

[RicPlaya]

There's no right or wrong. Both of you come up with stuff. Maybe have him write some vocals where you could write the guitar riff off his vocal melody.