Issues with being a composer?

[JeffVanter]

I am a lead bassist and a very dedicated composer. I love to play lead bass, but when I'd like to cover the bottom end; my guitar player is very terrible. My drummer is limited and sticks with a particular style of drumming which makes things less than easy for me to explain what I want. I am not the type to control everybody. I always tell my band members that it's important that we are all equal and we all have a share. However, because of this I am not pleased with how the sound is going. Guitarist can't keep up when I tell him to do something that is just a little beyond simple. My drummer can never come up with any ideas. It's always me writing and composing my parts and they ruin it (as so it feels like it to me.) Does anyone else have this problem or had this problem when they we're young? I'm 17 and am extremely dedicated to my bass. Always looking to create and re-create. In my small town I have very very limited amount of drummers and great guitarists.

I guess I need advice. Just don't know how to ask

[FlatFive]

Keep going. Keep learning. Keep finding more people to play with.

But if you're serious about composing, learn to play some guitar and basic keyboards. And learn how to program drums. You'll never have to depend on others to get your ideas down.

[pushbuttonfour]

yeah, perhaps get your own guitar (doesn't matter how crappy) and compose the guitar parts as well. Write down some tabs and give them to your guitarist,and there you go. He might appreciate the easiness of not writing his own stuff. Now the drummer, I'm not sure about. maybe just mimic what you want it to sound like with your mouth (beatbox, if you will) and try to get him to copy that.

[Slough Feg Bass]

Buy a 4-track recorder, learn how to play drums and construct chords.
record your songs the way YOU want them to sound, show your band, impress your friends!
You will rule the world someday.

[Piggy8692]

I can relative with the limited supply of good musicians. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places. Maybe your not either.

I picked up a guitar/amp and a drumset and focused on those for a while. Now that I'm back playin with people I have a better understanding of my role as a bassist. If they are only holding you back theres no reason to stay other than the social aspect. If that's even something you care about.

When you play alone, learn all the parts you want to incorporate in your song. Drums, guitar, keys, flute. whatever.
Then just play stupid stuff with your friends. If they don't want or can't get any better, there's only so much you can do.

Just don't quit bettering yourself or you'll end up finding people who you've always wanted to be in a band with and you might not be as good as THeY want You to be.

It is frustrating, I know... Keep thumpin along!

[gurensan]

It's better to be a composer than a decomposer!

Sorry, had to.