Band complaint

DaemonBass · #1 08-17-2006, 05:00 AM

I have been told by the leader of the band that I cannot play with fingers or slap, only playing with a pick is acceptable, because it "fits our style." On a side note, the "Style" seems to be to play the entire bassline on the lowest string. Lately, especially listening to my favorite bassists, I find that playing the basslines as taught to me when I first joined is rather limiting and they aren't very inspiring anymore. I think a reworking is in order, but these aren't my lines. I'm not being paid to be in this band so I want some creative input and that means if I want to have a short slap part and play fingerstyle instead of a pick then so be it.

What should I do? Just start creating stuff and trying it out at rehearsal or what?

pklima · #2 08-17-2006, 06:50 AM

Tell the leader that if you're not being paid you'll need some sort of reward to stay in the band - such as getting creative input or freedom of style. If they know that finding another bassist will be tough it might work.

invader3k · #3 08-17-2006, 07:01 AM

What kind of music is this band doing anyway?

SteveC · #4 08-17-2006, 07:04 AM

The leader doesn't sound like the sharpest knife in the drawer. It also sounds like your opinion as a bass player on how the bass parts should be performed is being considered. Get out.

ireidt · #5 08-17-2006, 07:07 AM

Tell the leaer that you are the bassist, and You play your style. I have been kicked out of bands that way, and everytime they ask me back becuase they can't find anyone else to play with them

DaemonBass · #6 08-17-2006, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by invader3k

What kind of music is this band doing anyway?

It's hard rock with 2 downtuned distorted guitars, but I wouldn't call it metal. A few tunes are on http://myspace.com/blindfiremusic to get an idea.

DaemonBass · #7 08-17-2006, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

The leader doesn't sound like the sharpest knife in the drawer. It also sounds like your opinion as a bass player on how the bass parts should be performed is being considered. Get out.

You mean they aren't being considered?

I don't want to get out just yet, but I don't need or want to be micromanaged by the leader.

BassChuck · #8 08-17-2006, 07:36 AM

If you're not being paid, and you're being told what to play and how to play it.... what's your motivation for being in the band? If the band had to advertise for a new bass player, how would that ad read?

pklima · #9 08-17-2006, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonBass

On a side note, the "Style" seems to be to play the entire bassline on the lowest string.

If you want to have a little fun with the leader tell him that it's time to change your strings but you're only going to put the lowest string on your bass since the rest don't fit the style - why waste money on them? Or maybe that you're going to sell your bass and buy a couple of Krappy one-strings.

fraublugher · #10 08-17-2006, 12:17 PM

run for your life

Slater · #11 08-17-2006, 01:53 PM

Usually, when someone tells me how to play...
...I tell them where to go!...

tZer · #12 08-17-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slater

Usually, when someone tells me how to play...
...I tell them where to go!...

That would be my first instinct too - unless you signed on to do his bidding. Did you? Is this band "his" in that he writes all the songs and it is his musical vision that is being served? If what he wants is something you are not comfortable with doing then you have to decide if you want to be a part of his vision or not.

But if this band is more democratic and input about all parts is mostly up to the respective players, then it would seem that he is overstepping some boundaries.

Is this band "all his"? Does he tell others in the group how to execute their parts? If the answer to these questions is "no", then I would rethink my participation in this band. Giving someone what they want and being told how to do your thing are two very different things.

tplyons · #13 08-17-2006, 03:05 PM

Walk away. You're the bassist, and frankly you're doing them a favor being there. If they're going to ask you to do what they want without any compensation, I'd be inclined to walk.

Roger Pounders · #14 08-17-2006, 03:09 PM

I concur, unless you are a hired musician to play someone elses compositions Live, with no creative input... then Tell him its your job to play the bottom, tell him to F off out of it

hartke20g · #15 08-17-2006, 05:54 PM

if i were you, i would do one of two things:
1. walk
2. if the guitarists + drummer (or at least 2 bandmates) agree with you that they're your lines and should be played how you want them to, then just keep showing up to practices/gigs and play fingersyle/slap/etc. leave your picks at home.

Luke73 · #16 08-17-2006, 06:08 PM

Tell him to jam it up his errmmmm....... mike?

DaemonBass · #17 08-18-2006, 01:20 PM

Thanks for the responses.

I have been thinking of a tactful way to quit since the band leader is also my roommate and we just payed a deposit on a rehearsal space which is gonna cost me 100 bucks a month. Also I am starting school soon so I won't have a whole lot of cash to blow on the band.

Right now I can't think of any way to get out w/o negative reprecussions(sp) even though like someone said I am really doing them all a favor by playing at all.

And yes, to answer someones question, the band leader does tell everyone else what to play and I have been thinking maybe this "Style" of writing isn't for me; I need something where everyone contributes.

Barfly · #18 08-18-2006, 01:33 PM

I listened to all 4 tunes and honestly, IMO, slapping has no real place in them. Finger playing would be fine, though.

The tunes are actually pretty good as is. From what I hear it has a hint of Sabbath, maybe STP, Bush (x), and a slight Tool.

Can't really hear where slapping would fit.

badstonebass · #19 08-19-2006, 11:33 AM

I was told once to use my fingers instead of a pick once. then I reminded the guy that the tunes by the Beatles, Grand Funk, Skynyrd, KISS, Guns & Roses, and AC/DC we were playing were all done with a pick.

In original music surely you should be allowed SOME leeway. However, does what you are playing sound RIGHT? Fingers don't make a difference but slapping DOES. i sure as heck would want Geezer to slap during War Pigs.

hartke20g · #20 08-19-2006, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barfly

Can't really hear where slapping would fit.

true, i agree. just like tapping wouldn't do too good in the whole 'emo scene' thing- or whatever it's called. however, IMO if TS wants to slap more, he should join a funk/disco band and leave his current one. or ditch his singer and change the band's style to funk/disco.