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06-22-2009, 03:56 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Centreville VA (DC Burb) | | | how to "nudge" a bassit to play it the way you want him to
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In the band i play guitar in, there is a guitarist who plays bass. he is always overplaying (rhythmically). how do i get him to play "just enough" all while giving him room to express himself as he see's fit. i don't wanna pull the "it's my band" thing since we don't have a replacement handy....besides it's just for fun |
06-22-2009, 03:58 PM
|  | Supporting Member | | Join Date: May 2007 Location: Nashville | | | Tell him to learn to play it like a bass player rather than a guitar player. Or find an actual bass player. |
06-22-2009, 04:03 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brookfield, CT | | | You already know the answer, which is:
Ask him, politely, to please not play so much. If he will not comply, there's nothing you can do about it. Sorry, it's really that simple.
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Originally Posted by Lesfunk  I have trouble staying in shape because I'm a lazy, fat, piece of crap; not because I'm a musician. | |
06-22-2009, 04:07 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: right behind you... | | | Wait so you aren't a bass player?...........INTRUDER!!! RELEASE THE HOUNDS!!!!
Also, try and make him understand what kind of sound you are trying to achieve with the song/riff or whatever. If he is over playing make sure he knows you are going for a more mellow feeling. It'll give him a direction when writing without telling him how to play note for note.
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Just add a bunch of smiley faces and agree with the OP if you don't want to have the thread closed.
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06-22-2009, 04:32 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: St. Louis // St. Charles, MO | | | If it's your band and you run things you need to be able to have these kind of conversations without worrying about people taking it personally or offending someone.
Hell, if you in a band and don't run things, you need to be able to have these kind of conversations without taking it personally or being worried about offending someone.
One of the biggest challenges I've found is that so many people take constructive critisicm as nothing but criticism. I don't know how many times at rehearsal I've paused us mid-jam to talk about something that doesn't sound right - my part - someone else's part - the overall feel - whatever... and you can see the expressions and attitudes flair... It really sucks when people feel like you're kicking their puppy by simply saying - "Hey, could play a little less there?"
That said - I'd simply ask him to play a little less there. As long as your not flingin' poo on him while you say it, it's on him to deal with his feelings appropriately.
Now, if you're the kind of person who stops a song mid-stream and says, "Dude! What the F...? How about playing a GOOD part there, huh?" - well, I just wouldn't do it that way, ya know? ;-)
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On Groove Duty
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06-22-2009, 04:38 PM
|  | Registered User
Endorsing artist: Musicman basses, Hipshot products | | Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: New York City | | Quote:
Originally Posted by dmusic148 You already know the answer, which is:
Ask him, politely, to please not play so much. If he will not comply, there's nothing you can do about it. Sorry, it's really that simple. | Perfect response. |
06-22-2009, 04:38 PM
| | | | I remember being that guy, but only for a brief period of time.
First hint that someone rolled their eyes at me I was pretty embarrassed and decided to play appropriately.
Discipline is as important to making good music as chops.
Oh… for the OP, maybe just tell him politely and keep on him a bit, maybe he needs time to convert styles. |
06-22-2009, 04:49 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA | | | hook up a volume cut pedal to his rig when hes not looking and play him like a wah pedal! only turn his ass on when needed..chances are he cant hear himself anyway |
06-22-2009, 06:48 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Melnibone | | | how to "nudge" a bassit to play it the way you want him to
Give him a treat. |
06-22-2009, 06:51 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Woking, Surrey, UK. | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Turock Give him a treat. | LLadro or Nao?  |
06-22-2009, 06:55 PM
|  | Registered User
Maker of HPF-Pre upright bass preamp | | Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Madison WI | | | Pay your bassist more. We get paid for the notes that we don't play. |
06-22-2009, 07:07 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Phila Pa | | | You are describing me. My friends think I'm on drugs. I'm just high on life, and having a good time.
Play songs that are more challenging to your bass player in the beginning of each set. Let him rock it out and he will settle down and welcome the easy songs as a break. I would rather not play boring songs, especially originals, (not mine). I could fall asleep. An actual bass player could suck more, because you'll have to put up with the attitude of superiority. Like you said, it's just fun. |
06-22-2009, 07:09 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Diego, CA | | | Tell him "less is more" and to stop being such a damn guitar player!
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SWEET ZOMBIE JESUS!
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06-22-2009, 07:25 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Centreville VA (DC Burb) | | thanks for all the good advice.... if only i could get him to spend some time here on talkbass... i think all my worries would be over!
edit: unless he saw this thread |
06-22-2009, 08:31 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: St. Louis // St. Charles, MO | | | Funny - but that's something to keep in mind when discussing issues with a band you're still in!
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06-22-2009, 09:29 PM
| | Registered User
Hi-fi into an old tube amp | | Join Date: May 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM | | | Get a real bassist?
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Cirrus 5 / Mesa Bass 400 KT-88 / BDDI / Megoliath
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06-22-2009, 10:43 PM
| | | | Tell him it's not about him, it's about you. |
06-22-2009, 10:45 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Greenville, NC USA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by dmusic148 You already know the answer, which is:
Ask him, politely, to please not play so much. If he will not comply, there's nothing you can do about it. Sorry, it's really that simple. | This. Or you guys could just switch instruments.  Good luck!
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If you're gonna be stupid, you gotta be tough. - My Grandmother
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06-23-2009, 06:00 AM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by ForSix Tell him it's not about him, it's about you. | |
06-23-2009, 10:05 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Michigan | | | No need to insult him for enjoying a busy line.
-Find a song with a bass line you like, and say, this is what I had in mind for this song, something with lots of open space and interesting note choices.
-Also, you could ask him to sing back-up vocals (he probably won't sing loud enough, so no worries). Then he'd have to simplify his lines.
-Another method would be to talk about tone with him. Once he understands that a bass note is a huge and interesting thing, he may not feel the need to play a million notes.
-Bring up the topic of lessons (very careful with this one). Teachers will bring around the idea of playing for the song. | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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