Do you "overplay" covers

PopaWoody · #1 05-08-2011, 12:05 PM

We have all seen this at some point in our lives. This happened to me recently with one of the local "A" circuit bands.

The band was covering a variety of rock radio cuts. They sounded tight, killer front man, great guitar chops, and a technical wunder kidd on bass. He was most obviously throwing fills and noodles everywhere a 8 count root measure "should be".

I know playing covers is not the most musically rewarding of gigs. I get adding your own flavor to a song. What I can't get my head around is why he did that ish to every freaking song. Occasionally he would rest and bang out a section of the tune that was true to the original. Mostly when the bass line needed to stand out....

I lost some respect for that band that night. Over the top playing is not always called for and even though that dude could probably out play me, I was completely bored after a couple of these songs. The crowd of course did not seem to mind much.

What's the consensus around here?

**bassybill** · #2 05-08-2011, 12:22 PM

I play in a band where taking liberties with covers is just what we do - doesn't stop us getting booked for well paid gigs year in year out.

I lol at musos who think that the only way to do covers in a band is playing exactly like the original.

Stingray89 · #3 05-08-2011, 01:12 PM

I like to add a little zing or original touch to covers that I play. Just makes it more fun but I still stick to the original bassline.

EatADeadGoat · #4 05-08-2011, 01:15 PM

Usually what me & my friends do is take a song by a band like muse or the offspring, and then play it normally, until the end. We then play our favorite riff from the song, chugging death metal style. And we do it about 6-10 times, and then just stop.

We generally get a good reaction with that approach.

Jools4001 · #5 05-08-2011, 01:20 PM

I stick to the chord structure, the main riffs and hooks (especially if they are part of an iconic bassline that the whole audience would recognise) but outside of that I feel free to embellish as I see fit.

Strangely, as I get older I find I'm applying more of a discerning approach - asking myself whather it will really benefit the song or is it just give me a chance to show off - as a consequence I'm still embellishing but doing it less than I once did, nowadys it;s only if I can come up with a killer line

pasta4lnch · #6 05-08-2011, 01:22 PM

I typically play in a trio so it's nice to "fill in" the spaces w/ licks a bit more than if I was in a larger band. Also it gives us a bit of freedom to mess w/ the tunes.

typically our 1st set is somewhat unaltered - but by the end of the night all bets are off. Nothing wrong w/ it (if it's appropriate for the venue) like bassy bill said - we keep getting called back . . .

I should also mention our singer has an uncanny ability to make up lyrics on the spot. the more different direction we go in a tune the more psyched he gets and it's like a whole new tune for a while (plus usually incorporating the name of a certain HOT fan always brings 'em to the dance floor!)

tycobb73 · #7 05-08-2011, 01:30 PM

I actually underplay. There are a lot of fills on a cd I don't do. The average bar dancer can't pick up a beat so I feel I have to help reinforce it by staying to quarter or eigths.

bassface33 · #8 05-08-2011, 01:38 PM

I ad-lib quite a bit, but then again, I play gospel. It's kind of required.

knumbskull · #9 05-08-2011, 01:40 PM

yeah, i overstretch my hand at times... i hate it, i really try not to!

EDIT i've just re-read and realised this is about covers. i've never really done that many covers but my comment stands, in general

Big John66 · #10 05-08-2011, 01:46 PM

I play with a drummer that thinks time is a magazine. So I can't overplay even if I want to, cause the drummer would fall apart without me holding the groove.

PopaWoody · #11 05-08-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big John66

I play with a drummer that thinks time is a magazine. So I can't overplay even if I want to, cause the drummer would fall apart without me holding the groove.

LOL, I feel your pain brother.

steve.roark · #12 05-08-2011, 02:28 PM

Sounds like you may want to take the bass player a case of beer and a old merle haggard vinyl record to learn what dropping in the pocket means. Not that I am a country fan, but if you understand pocket you should be able to jump out and embellish some but for the song not the coolness. I have found in live settings without overdubs sometimes it is much better to play less licks and go to the boring side of things for the better good of the song. My name is not Victor and I get that I (the bass player) am not why most people come out. But If I drop in the pocket they may shake their booty.

kreider204 · #13 05-08-2011, 02:36 PM

"Overplay"? Never. If you want to show off, learn guitar.

coreyfyfe · #14 05-08-2011, 02:59 PM

Depends. Some of the songs we do need a little something so I don't shot myself in the face out of boredom (top 40s pop), others need a little something because they're empty and or repetitive otherwise, others are good enough as is. It really depends on the feel of the song, feel of the night, and my mood. Never too over the top though.

pasta4lnch · #15 05-08-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big John66

I play with a drummer that thinks time is a magazine.

hysterical!

My singer used to say that before I started playing bass I thought Motown was off the Long Island Expressway

Roy Vogt · #16 05-08-2011, 03:18 PM

Er, I dunno, probably......
YouTube - Stan Lassiter Group Documentary Clip Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4resE...eature=related
Errr, sorry! You meant covers...I should pay more attention.
We meant for it to be that busy....

steveksux · #17 05-08-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

I play in a band where taking liberties with covers is just what we do - doesn't stop us getting booked for well paid gigs year in year out.

I lol at musos who think that the only way to do covers in a band is playing exactly like the original.

I agree.

Most artists don't do their songs in concert exactly like the studio version. Nothing wrong with adding some energy.

That's not necessarily overplaying though. Overplaying is more like when you ignore the original groove/feel/bassline completely and seek solo opportunities in mostly any available space in a song.

Randy

Skitch it! · #18 05-08-2011, 03:47 PM

I used to, in a bit of a dodgy way in the past, but it was a way of trying things out over stuff (that's my excuse anyway : ) After listening back to gig's on tape, I cut the nonsense out and stuck with the ideas that groove. All the cover bands I've played/dep'd with have they're own take on tunes/feel and arrangements. Learning and adding to synth lines I like, but anyway's, I'll still put other stuff in as long as it sits with the groove, not too much though (these days).

PopaWoody · #19 05-08-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

I agree.

Most artists don't do their songs in concert exactly like the studio version. Nothing wrong with adding some energy.

That's not necessarily overplaying though. Overplaying is more like when you ignore the original groove/feel/bassline completely and seek solo opportunities in mostly any available space in a song.

Randy

That's a solid interpretation. Exactly what I have witnessed out of more than a few bass players.

Keep the groove solid, never shoot oneself in the face. Embellish as you see fit. BUT FOR GODS SAKE HOLD THE GROOVE.

duff beer · #20 05-08-2011, 05:12 PM

I stick to the original line as much as possible. However, our band has just one guitar player, so for a few songs I may play a portion of a second guitar part in places so that the "signature" licks are heard. An example of that is Night Moves...the guitar player plays an acoustic and I add the electric guitar riff to the bassline.