Non-Bassists & Bass Knowhow

[R. Laevinus]

...so I'm corresponding with a singer about an audition for his band.

One of the songs he's sent me requires the low end of a B string, and as I only own/play fours, this is going to be a problem. I email him back explaining the issue, also explaining that if I got the gig, I'd restring one of my fours to BEAD, but that since that requires a new nut and setup, I'd prefer to do a different song for the audition.

He comes back with "You have over a week from today to figure something out, I'm sure you can play it on another string."

*facepalm*

I'm pretty sure I can't, pal.

So how about you folks? Ever have to deal with foolish bandmates telling you what you can and can't, or should and should not, do on your axe?



...I've informed the singer that as per his request, I shall play it on another string. An octave up. I hope he will be pleased at my flexibility and chops, because I'm almost dead certain the two guitarists will not be pleased.

[No Malarky]

I have dealt with the sillyness of non-Bass minded individuals many times and, excuse the harsh language, I tell them they are SILLY GEESE and should GO JUMP IN A LAKE.

This approach has paved the way to greater enlightenment for those people!

Good Luck, Bro!

[No Malarky]

Keep us posted as to the outcome of said audition!

[StuartV]

Just hum those notes. Show 'em you've got vocal chops, too.

;-)

[pklima]

Why would you think the guitarists won't be pleased? If you didn't say anything except for maybe "we're doing all the songs in the same key as the original recordings, right?", there's a good chance nobody would have noticed.

Never underestimate the inability of bandmates to understand what you're really doing.

[R. Laevinus]

It's a sort of metal-esque tune that relies on the grinding, deepity-deep bass ostinato. I'm fairly certain that they will notice the super deep grind has been replaced by a twee little tinkle.

StuartV, even though I studied vocal music for years, and am actually a second bass singer, I don't think I'd be able to project a low C over the (inevitable) Marshall stacks.

I will certainly keep you guys posted, though. The audition is next Wednesday.

[Xwolf Okami]

Originally Posted by No Malarky

I have dealt with the sillyness of non-Bass minded individuals many times and, excuse the harsh language, I tell them they are SILLY GEESE and should GO JUMP IN A LAKE.

Oh, the profanity! You kiss your mother with that mouth, pal!?

As for the OP, I say playing it up the octave is a good idea. If the guitarists don't like it, tell them to tune to Drop-G, and see if they can. It'll throw 'em for a loop.

Good luck on your audition.

[Atticus]

The worst part will be when he hears it and complains that you screwed up, and refuses to take any blame.

I would let the guitarists know in advance about what is going to happen. It'll ease the problem and could even save the audition.

[bassteban]

Singer sounds dense(surprise, surprise)but I wouldn't complain about not having the tools to do a job I'm trying to get. Just sayin.

[lowfreqgeek]

Just tell them they have to play the song up a 4th... Problem solved.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by R. Laevinus

...so I'm corresponding with a singer about an audition for his band.

One of the songs he's sent me requires the low end of a B string, and as I only own/play fours, this is going to be a problem. I email him back explaining the issue, also explaining that if I got the gig, I'd restring one of my fours to BEAD, but that since that requires a new nut and setup, I'd prefer to do a different song for the audition.

He comes back with "You have over a week from today to figure something out, I'm sure you can play it on another string."

*facepalm*

I'm pretty sure I can't, pal.

So how about you folks? Ever have to deal with foolish bandmates telling you what you can and can't, or should and should not, do on your axe?



...I've informed the singer that as per his request, I shall play it on another string. An octave up. I hope he will be pleased at my flexibility and chops, because I'm almost dead certain the two guitarists will not be pleased.

You want to be a part of this band? Still?

[KeithAlanK]

Borrow a 5 from someone?

That'll make it a non-issue, and you won't be forced to make the singer look dumb, which NEVER ends well.

[R. Laevinus]

Bassteban - I hear ya, I hear ya, but I did explain that I'd retune if I got the gig, and also why I don't want to do it now. I don't think asking an established band to choose another song out of their repertoire is a big deal, either.

KeithAlanK - I could do that, or rent one, but frankly I've just never felt comfortable with fivers. More power to those who love 'em, but fivers have always just felt wrong in my hands, and I've even owned one to try to overcome that.

Thunderthumbs - Yeah, I'm not gonna lie, I'm rethinking this audition. Although it might be fun just to see what happens.

Atticus - That would spoil the fun!




Now come on, guys - I know this audition is shaping up to be a barrel of laughs for us low-enders, but I'm sure some of you have experienced similar hijinks - let's hear your stories too!

[Eminentbass]

Gotta love singers. I'm currently doing a theatre show that is part of an arts festival, so lots of productions are using the venue and gear(also the reason we're not allowed to mark or number the mics) which means that soundcheck is essential(the FOH engineer is brilliant but the in-house tech guys are rather inept and also tend to patch things in the snake without keeping track of what is what) . Tell that to the cast member who only pitched
up in time for the show and consequently was not heard for the first half of his opening song because it took that amount of time for the engineer to i.d which one out of all the blinking LED's on the desk was the mic in question. But it's the soundguy's fault right?

Btw have you considered a hipshot extender key? I just switched back to four after about 16 years of playing mostly fives and got an extender key. It works like a charm and I'm actually considering getting another four to tune down a whole step and add the hipshot to as well.

[bassteban]

OP, I appreciate your not taking my post as a jab; I also agree the singer doesn't *get it* & IMO likely won't. That said, my gigs have at times gone perfectly smoothly because I bit my tongue/compromised on a part that sounded weak when everyone else was happy. Doesn't happen often, & I am supremely blessed w/a spouse who will listen to my venting after such events & sometimes point out that it's *not all about me*
NOT saying that's the case here, mind you- just offering my thoughts/pertinent experiences. Do keep us posted.

[lowfreqgeek]

The closest I've ever come to a similar situation (and it's not that similar) was a fill-in gig for a blues guitarist about 10 years ago. He would only allow a 5-string with a brass nut. No bone, no plastic, no exotic hard material; brass.

My main 5 at the time had a brass nut, so I used it, but it was a very modern sounding bass and my Jazz V with custom SD pickups would have fit better. It didn't have the right kind of nut, though...

[m_bisson]

It wasn't bass, it was drumming.. but we were trying to do a cover of a Barenaked Ladies song and the singer kept telling me I was playing too fast. So I finally gave in and played at their speed then went home. I came back next time with a metronome and my iPod to show them that THEY were going too slow, and I had actually been playing at the correct speed all along.
Their response? They told me to play it slow anyways because it sounded better. The song ended up taking 45 seconds longer to play...

[Beginner Bass]

I'd say get a Hipshot, and adjust it to hit B from an Eb. That way you only have to go down a semitone between songs.

[Haysoochreesto]

Originally Posted by bassteban

...but I wouldn't complain about not having the tools to do a job I'm trying to get. Just sayin.

This was my thought too. It seems that metal these days almost requires you to have a 5 string. And that low B can make life so much easier. No having to tune down to drop D or play up an octave.

Get a five string.

[bassteban]

I always welcome justification for bass GAS.