Hey! A country Band

[bassbully]

Well in the little nearing four years i have been active in playing bass in bands it has been so-so.

Band 1. Blues some classic rock. I tryed out got in and after about 5 practices i saw they sucked pretty much. They were really decent players but all over the place and the drummer had a tude. I bowed out, i kinda knew i didnt like the fit but it was my first real band since getting back into music since high school ...over 25 years ago

Band 2. Decent gig. I stayed not quite 2 years. Alot of the first 8 months was getting the lineup down a 2nd guitarist who would stay. I got all the gigs and then the drummer started getting to bossy and lazy. I learned alot had fun made a few friends but saw the band going nowhere. It was classic rock and oldies...since i left well over a year ago they have had 2 gigs.

Band 3. The best so far. Mod rock to hard rock from Greenday to even a Slayer cover alot of good hard rock covers and good originals with a female lead.We did good gigs got some good reviews and i got in the studio twice which was good. The guitarist got flaky and wanted long travel and commitment and found a tude with me so i booked. I was in it almost a year and a half.

Band 4. Well i just ended two nights ago an old friend from the first band switched to drums from guitar and we had a great guitarist who sang and jammed out SRV, Hendrix good power trio stuff my Love music ...i was in heaven and seen this group as the best i have ever been in....untill. The guitarist left this week to many family problems (wife)

Well i live in a poor city with a dying scene dont want to start a basement project of my own (power trio) I want a giging band who has their S$$t togehter so to speak who is giging and has a future.One ad i answered is for a power trio but the practice is a drive and weather could be a problem...the dude is kinda all about himself and wants to gig maybe more then i can commit to but i might check them out.

But i called and ad looking for a country bassist in a town not to far a drive for practice but in a more rural area were country sells. They have bookings a small following and i heard them live on line and they sound good. They even sprinkle in some classic rock. I have a try out this weekend and you know i like old school country more then mod and was raised on it and even dig the basslines on some of it. It rminds me of blues in a way very tight pocket drivin and clean. Any tips on country bands or toughts...i love music and playing so the switch wont be a problem country's cool. The gigs do pay well in country and no more smelly sweaty drugged out types as in the hard rock scene to hang around...dang im gonna be 46 soon i dont need it

[mattsk42]

That was a long post for a simple question!

I play in a modern country group, so I don't kno how much applies, but I've learned a couple things. First, get your timing and click in with the drummer right away. Being tight really helped our band. Second, 5 string is a nice thing to use on a lot of it, third, be solid and have fun! I notice that most of the material is really easy, but if I really get into it and add a lot of fills, it makes the band sound a lot better. Maybe not for recording, but live it really helps the energy compared to the mostly boring standard lines.

[unbasslichkeit]

1. Do they have a pedal steel player? If not, then they ain't a country band.

2. Do they know what a Ray Price Shuffle is? (If *you* don't, get a copy of 'Night Life' ASAP and wear it out.)

[wingnut]

Get yourself some old Buck Owens and some Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. Listening to these two is like country bass college. Do not over play, stay home with the drummer. Pay attention to the singer if he plays guitar, sometimes for some reason they either chop the ends off of measures or change before the measure is over. Make sure your boots ain't too tight!!!!

[dcr]

Originally Posted by mattsk42

That was a long post for a simple question!

I play in a modern country group, so I don't kno how much applies, but I've learned a couple things. First, get your timing and click in with the drummer right away. Being tight really helped our band. Second, 5 string is a nice thing to use on a lot of it, third, be solid and have fun! I notice that most of the material is really easy, but if I really get into it and add a lot of fills, it makes the band sound a lot better. Maybe not for recording, but live it really helps the energy compared to the mostly boring standard lines.

My sentiment exactly!

I've been using this formula with good results for years! And your area can't be any worse than mine is.




dcr

[Lucas G]

all summer long, my band was on somewhat of a hiatus. i was looking for some folks to play with and the only folks looking were country bands. while i am primarily a rock guy, next time i find myself bandless i might just take the plunge.

i bet it's a whole different feeling playing to not only crowds, but crowds packed with ladies. country music is as hot as can be in my neck of the woods, and even though it's not my scene i bet it would be a heck of a good time.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by mattsk42

That was a long post for a simple question!

I play in a modern country group, so I don't kno how much applies, but I've learned a couple things. First, get your timing and click in with the drummer right away. Being tight really helped our band. Second, 5 string is a nice thing to use on a lot of it, third, be solid and have fun! I notice that most of the material is really easy, but if I really get into it and add a lot of fills, it makes the band sound a lot better. Maybe not for recording, but live it really helps the energy compared to the mostly boring standard lines.

Yea i was bored and i'm longwided plus still bumming over losing the guitar player.They stay in standard and said i wont need a 5.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by unbasslichkeit

1. Do they have a pedal steel player? If not, then they ain't a country band.

2. Do they know what a Ray Price Shuffle is? (If *you* don't, get a copy of 'Night Life' ASAP and wear it out.)

I dont agree witht the pedal steel. They are a country band and a good one a that. Alot of country bands dont have pedal steel.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by dcr

My sentiment exactly!

I've been using this formula with good results for years! And your area can't be any worse than mine is.




dcr

I would think the country scene would be busy in Arkansas...which by the way is my Mama's home state i have a ton of family down there great state.
The scene here is Metal and more Metal where bands compete for no gigs and do openers or shows for little money. What few cover bands are around are good and have the scene locked up but it still only a few.There isnt alot of country so it sells and sells well.

[bassbully]

I met with the gutarist today for an hour or so and we jammed a bit and overall it went well. I was just stopping by to find his house since my tryout is Sunday and he was home so i stopped in good people.
I got 4 setlist cd from him and a printed setlist around 50 songs ...only a few i know (play) and quite a few i know by hearing on the radio etc. I have my work cut out for me if i get this gig.

[GreyBeard]

I've played in my share of country bands both modern and old country over my many years of playing. I'd say be careful not to over play the bass lines. Country bass lines are simple for a reason. That's the way people like em.

[Busker]

Originally Posted by Lucas G

all summer long, my band was on somewhat of a hiatus. i was looking for some folks to play with and the only folks looking were country bands. while i am primarily a rock guy, next time i find myself bandless i might just take the plunge.

i bet it's a whole different feeling playing to not only crowds, but crowds packed with ladies. country music is as hot as can be in my neck of the woods, and even though it's not my scene i bet it would be a heck of a good time.

Good time indeed. We play country and rock. Some modern country, some older country, a few country originals, plus a selection of southern rock and classic rock covers. The crowds love country music, in particular the ladies.

OK, truth is, the ladies probably like our front men as much or more than the music itself. They are young, good looking, sing well, etc. Its a lot of fun to see the girls get worked up over these guys.

As far as the bass lines, yes, some of them are simple. Some are not so simple. Fun stuff to play though.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by bassbully

They stay in standard and said i wont need a 5.

A couple of things.... If you are playing old country, you mainly you use a 5 to make it easier when the singer changes the key on you. You have more options open.

That said, if they say you don't need a 5, don't bring one until a) you find you need it, or b) you are comfortable with the group. I find that country players *want* to see a Fender. But once they are comfortable with you, you can show up with a pink BC Rich and they will just roll their eyes

But for old country, you really don't need a 5 IMHO.

A big tip: the singer is *always* right. Pay attention. If they drag out a word, pause too long, drop a verse or repeat a line it is your job to compensate. They are being a vocal stylist. I find a lot of country singers tend to rush the starts of verses, choruses, and endings of solos. Be listening all the time.

When somebody solos, you generally are now responsible for changes and the soloist will rely on you. It is not strange to go from very loose chord changes during the singing to tight changes during the solo.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by seanm

A couple of things.... If you are playing old country, you mainly you use a 5 to make it easier when the singer changes the key on you. You have more options open.

That said, if they say you don't need a 5, don't bring one until a) you find you need it, or b) you are comfortable with the group. I find that country players *want* to see a Fender. But once they are comfortable with you, you can show up with a pink BC Rich and they will just roll their eyes

But for old country, you really don't need a 5 IMHO.

A big tip: the singer is *always* right. Pay attention. If they drag out a word, pause too long, drop a verse or repeat a line it is your job to compensate. They are being a vocal stylist. I find a lot of country singers tend to rush the starts of verses, choruses, and endings of solos. Be listening all the time.

When somebody solos, you generally are now responsible for changes and the soloist will rely on you. It is not strange to go from very loose chord changes during the singing to tight changes during the solo.

Thanks , great points. The singer covers all the songs so far in the general key of the song as recorded. I played thru almost all of the setlist CDs tonight and i wouldnt need a 5 although i would like the big E in the center to stay home on all night. I just sold my fender 5 and got a 50's reissue ..P...great bass.Im a Fender guy as is the guitarist no problems there. some of the songs are simple some are not. I using the bands live recording not the original artist and their last bassist was a long time very good country player. This cat is all over the neck and plays tasty licks on old standards they do outside county..brown eyed girl, 3 steps,mustang sally. They said if i follow the basic roots and 5th and ad my own fills its cool i dont have to sound like him. I hear ya on the loose chord changes during verse and tight during solo's. My time in a trio and last band will help there. I held it down anytime the guitarist soloed but in country it hads to be squeeky clean.
I have till sunday to learn as much as i can and hope to get the gig we shall see.

[unbasslichkeit]

Originally Posted by bassbully

I dont agree witht the pedal steel. They are a country band and a good one a that. A lot of country bands dont have pedal steel.

I only know of one of those. The guitarist in this case plays better pedal steel licks than the real thing. Of course he has this really scary Peavey/Fender amp he put together himself, with chicken wire over the speaker, and all kinds of reconstituted stomp boxes no one will ever figure out and live to tell about it.

[g4string]

Even though most country tunes are variations of 1-4-5 progressions, however they move differently. Dont go into the audition thinking, it's just like blues, 1-4-5 progressions. Keeping this in mind, try to follow the lead vocals and train your ear as to what chord comes next by the singers phrasing and the melody line. Country is hard, no joke! It seems that bass players who didn't grow up really listening to country music always over play when they first start playing country, don't be that guy. Fills are not needed as much, learning to walk up/passing notes to a root chord/note properly is more important. Be solid and have a nice fat round tone. If you have a 5, bring it. I used my low b' all the time playing country.

[Moe Monsarrat]

Ditto on the 5 string. I have a tip on the slower C&W stuff: Let your notes connect & leave the accents to the drums & that other string instrument. We call them "ding dong" basslines. If you don't cut the notes off & just let them run together you'll immediately see the dance floor fill up. No kidding. Do it wrong & they'll all sit down. It makes it easy to see if you have it together. Playing western swing is more thumpy & you cut the notes off short to push it along. We call that "playing stubby" . I play in an original country band & a reggae band. The styles are closer to each other than you might think.

[Lazylion]

Originally Posted by GreyBeard

I've played in my share of country bands both modern and old country over my many years of playing. I'd say be careful not to over play the bass lines. Country bass lines are simple for a reason. That's the way people like em.

+1 This is an important point. Read and heed. You can't go wrong keeping it simple.

My band plays a variety of stuff, old and new country and classic rock. I choose my moments carefully. When we're doing Patsy Cline, Bob Wills or a fiddle tune, I'm dead simple. If it's Big&Rich, Skynyrd, or the Rolling Stones medley, I throw in a few more notes. It's all about being appropriate for the song.

PS I play my Jazz 5 on all of it!

[jive1]

Originally Posted by Lucas G

all summer long, my band was on somewhat of a hiatus. i was looking for some folks to play with and the only folks looking were country bands. while i am primarily a rock guy, next time i find myself bandless i might just take the plunge.

i bet it's a whole different feeling playing to not only crowds, but crowds packed with ladies. country music is as hot as can be in my neck of the woods, and even though it's not my scene i bet it would be a heck of a good time.

Well I took the plunge. Bigger crowds that are there to dance to a live band, beautiful and friendly women, and more $$. It's not my scene or preferred genre of music, but it can be a blast.

As a dyed-in-the-wool city slicker, I piss off my bandmates by telling them that Country music ended at Alabama. Seriously, since then, most Country music is rock/pop/R&B grooves with twangy voice and different lyrics. If you took the vocals out of "Hicktown", you'd think it was a hard Rock tune. "Baby I'm Amazed by You" could just as easily be sung by Michael Bolton or Celine Dion. And the list goes on and on.

[bnutz]

People have made some great suggestions about what to bring to a country gig/audition, in terms of simplifying your planing and not over-playing, paying close attention to melody and harmonic motion, etc. and the only thing I might add to that is to try really hard to make every note count.

You probably will only get two notes per bar (sometimes even just one) to make your point, so play each of them like it's your last. Make sure it starts where you want it to start (in terms of being behind, on, or ahead of the beat) and also (and just as importantly) where you want it to cut off. It's amazing how much you can influence a groove by playing a note just a little shorter or hanging on to it a little longer. In my own playing, I feel like focusing note placement has helped me get the sound I was hearing in my head and on the records I was listening to.

Different musicians have lots of different, and often contradictory, ideas about what is and what isn't country: You have to play a Fender, there has to be a pedal steel, no 5 strings, the bass should always be a little behind the beat, the bass should always be right on the beat, you have to cut off your notes with the snare, etc. etc. etc... And that's fine for them, but just use your own judgment and musicality to figure out what's right for you and your band. If you aren't totally confident in your own judgment and musicality, listen critically to the recordings and players you want to emulate and see where they come out on these issues.

Most of all, if you haven't played a lot of country before, enjoy digging into a new genre of music. I happened into a country band 7 years ago just because I needed a gig and they were hiring, and have ended up learning a lot about my playing that I might not have encountered otherwise, even though I'd had a lot of experience playing Rock, R&B and Jazz.

Good luck, and keep us posted on the audition.
-b