Preparing for the Studio

Mixmasta J · #1 08-06-2011, 06:39 AM

Feel free to move this...I just didn't think this was technically considered "Recording Equipment"...

I was recently hired to play on a record for a blues singer/songwriter in Upstate NY. He is a nice guy and I have gigged with him in a number of places around the country, so I know what he is all about, most of repertoire, and the sound he is going for.

He sent me a CD with 14 songs that I need to learn AND write new bass lines to (the bassist he used was not up to his standards I guess). This is no problem for me; I'll probably pop it on my ipod and listen like hell to memorize the forms, the practice some lines, etc.

My question: What would you do in this scenario? I am trying to be the most efficient with what little time I can actually dedicate to this effort. Some thoughts:

- Would you chart it out? Just the form? Actually notate the bass lines in standard notation (such as finale or sibelius type stuff)? Or maybe just chord symbols?

- Completely memorize what you are going to play and nail it perfectly? If so, how do you practice/prepare mentally?

These are just a few thoughts. I know what I could do to be successful, and I will be, but I just wanted some opinions so I can save as much of my practice time as possible.

Thanks,

Joe

tekdiver500ft · #2 08-06-2011, 06:56 AM

I'm in a similar situation, and I had him send me lyric sheets and (when he had them) chord charts (I wrote my own when he didn't have it). I'm playing from that, only memorizing when I want to do a particular turn or riff for whatever reason, and I'll jot that on the lyric sheet so I don't forget to do it.

I play the crap out of it on my iPod while I'm at work or whatever, until I really have a good feel for the song. Then I start singing bass lines to see how they fit. Then (and only then) I sit down with the bass and work out the fingering/technique for the bass line I hear in my head.

Liam Wald · #3 08-06-2011, 07:02 AM

Whenever I am in this situation I just make sure that I understand the basic structure of the songs. I don't even try to create bass parts until I hear what the other players are doing and get a feel for their styles. For me bass is all about supporting the other players.