Got a Complement last night

[buzzbass]

I'm laid up with pneumonia. Have been for a few days. Kept my guitarist informed and the plan was I would play rehearsal by ear last night. If I fealt up to it, I'd go. If not, they'd practice anyway. I don't sing or anything, so I figure missing bass parts wouldn't matter for one night. Anyway, I get a broadcast text message last night that practice was canceled at the last minute. I figured, oh no, it's my fault and we'll have to pay for canceling so late. I ring up the guitarist(notice I don't call him a guitard), and tell him I'll be there. So, we don't lose the money. He tells me no worries and that they were talking about why I should be there for every practice. Here's what he told me each of my band mates said.

Drummer said he listens to me for time. Guitarist needs me for arrangement ques. I usually help the keyboardist figure out his parts, as he's comiong back after a 15+ year layoff, and the lady singer needs to feel my bass notes to put her into the groove. It's just simple covers, and I don't play anything earth shaking or innovative. But my steady, solid approach seems to have struck a chord with these guys. I was ordered to take care of myself and get well, by the band as a whole.

I've expressed in other threads how refreshing it's been to play with these folks. they're all longtime friends and bandmates, reuniting after almost 15 yrs apart. The old bassist is deceased, and I'm the replacement. They've never once made me to feel like an outsider/new guy, and I'm pretty appreciative of that. Ask me, I'll tell you I'm mediocre @ best. But these guys see me in a whole different way. It feels kind of cool. It's even making me feel a bit better today. I feel lucky to be playing with these guys, they actually appreciate a "real bass player". Their quote, not mine.

[TheDarkReaver]

Originally Posted by buzzbass

and the lady singer needs to feel my bass notes to put her into the groove.

**beavis and butthead style chuckle**

reminds me of a time we played a place with huge subwoofers under the stage. a female friend, who was in the audience, mentioned after the set how she certainly felt the bass.

[James Hart]

congrats! I hope these guys are more volume conscience then the last group

[superfunk47]

Originally Posted by TheDarkReaver

**beavis and butthead style chuckle**

reminds me of a time we played a place with huge subwoofers under the stage. a female friend, who was in the audience, mentioned after the set how she certainly felt the bass.

I'll +1 that Beavis and Butthead chuckle

[stingray56funk]

Yay!

[6jase5]

Isn't it nice to play in a band in which everyone respects everyone? I've done it the other way, with the ego-maniacs, the "I may split our publishing deal with you" bs and it's so nice to be part of a team, a family, no bs. It makes songwriting so much easier, and exciting. Everyone in my band comes up with ideas for one another from drums to guitar to harmonies, even guitar effects.

some of us are lucky

[ster]

It's nice to hear this. Sometimes you don't realize how much you miss/need something until it isn't there–like when the electricity goes out!

[Thor]

Its very nice that they took the opportunity to tell you.

Good solid pocket, the super glue of the band.

[buzzbass]

Originally Posted by James Hart

congrats! I hope these guys are more volume conscience then the last group

yes, restraint is definitely an ingredient in our recipe. that old band guy was the very definition of the term guitard.

[buzzbass]

Originally Posted by 6jase5

Isn't it nice to play in a band in which everyone respects everyone? I've done it the other way, with the ego-maniacs, the "I may split our publishing deal with you" bs and it's so nice to be part of a team, a family, no bs. It makes songwriting so much easier, and exciting. Everyone in my band comes up with ideas for one another from drums to guitar to harmonies, even guitar effects.

some of us are lucky

I concur, this is the 1st gig in many years that has been this cool. I'll probably get booted next week. LOL

[buzzbass]

Originally Posted by Thor

Good solid pocket, the super glue of the band.

That's always been my goal, I don't need to be Jaco. Not that I ever could be

[ster]

Originally Posted by buzzbass

That's always been my goal, I don't need to be Jaco. Not that I ever could be

No need to be Jaco. You'll put a bar to sleep playing that stuff.

[Thor]

Kind of a similar thing happened to me last year.

We had a big jam lined up, No Exit 7 plus one or 2 guests. So
3 guitars, drums bass and tenor sax. A Saturday afternoon
with the boys.

About a week before, I had something come up, a family
function that was unforgiveable not to attend.

I notified the guys, and offered to find a sub for the jam.
They declined, and decided they would rechedule. The
concensus was that if I wasn't playing, they didn't want to
play. Kind of a back handed compliment, but it was nice to
know how they felt about me on the low end, and how
the drummer and guitars all keyed off on my pocket.

The primary guitarist noted he liked the way I hit him right
in the buttcheeks with the low notes. He needed to have the
thump right there for his time.

Good stuff.

[Valerus]

Dude, you're a lucky man! They seem like a great bunch to play with

[buzzbass]

Originally Posted by Valerus

Dude, you're a lucky man! They seem like a great bunch to play with

they really are, same peer groups(age wise), similar musical tastes and goals. yeah, I hope this project sticks and becomes successful. If for any other reason, that only becaus ethese folks are so cool. You come across so many a-holes out there. you know ?

[CincyBassMan]

Good for you buzzbass! It really is great to hear about bandmates treating each other with respect and caring!

Keep on Rockin'

Russ

P.S. I really like your avatar!

[txbasschik]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS!!!}}}}}}}}}}}}}

How wonderful, to be appreciated and needed and *missed* when you're gone!!! Man, you are with a good bunch of people. Keepers!!!

Lovely news!!!

Cherie

[Ramstien]

Originally Posted by ster

No need to be Jaco. You'll put a bar to sleep playing that stuff.

He'd played stuff? I thought it was random noodling.