New trio song selection help.

[jp58]

I've recently decided to help a few friends get started with their cover band. We all like the same music, and even though I've been on a bit of a break from my playing, I feel like it would be a great experience.

Friend 1 plays guitar and sings well. He sings through a green bullet harp mic, and sounds a bit like the guy from The Black Keys, or Jack White. He's got really good equipment, and could be gig ready asap.

Friend 2 plays drums and sings as well, although she hasn't done them at the same time. She has a pretty voice and was in the choir for years at school. She's a novice on the drums and lacks a bit of confidence, even though she has a good bit of talent.

Neither has been in a band beyond just jamming on a regular basis.

I play bass and can play harmonica, but thats it. I also bring the only true band experience to the group

Long story short, I got the song list for stuff that they want to work on and a lot of it is duo stuff. Several songs don't have bass parts in them on the records. I'm not concerned with not being the center of attention, but I'm confused as to why they want a bassist, but want to play mostly duo stuff. I'm not sure if they want me to write bass parts for the stuff that's more of a duo, or if they just want me to chill for those songs.

So here's the list, and maybe you guys can make more sense of it than I can.

The Black Keys:
Your Touch, Just Got to Be, Till I Get My Way

I love the Black Keys, but none of that has bass, so I'm not sure what they want me for there

Radio Moscow:
Broke Down

Jet:
Are You Gonna Be My Girl

Pearl Jam:
Alive

Hendrix:
Red House

And theres some White Stripes stuff, which has no bass (Seven Nation Army is a guitar, in case anyone was wondering).

I'm okay with trying to write a bassline for the songs that don't have one, but I really don't want to over busy the music up, I'm a cover purist so to speak. I've asked them about it, and I got the generic "you'll/we'll come up with something."

So how should I go about approaching this? I love those guys to death, but I'm not really sure how this is going to work with a lot of the stuff being duo stuff. Its slightly awkward and third-wheel ish I suppose.

Cheers

[Atticus]

IIRC, several White Stripes songs have a rhythm guitar track that's pretty simple. I haven't spent a lot of time listening to the Black Keys, but it wouldn't surprise me if they did as well. So that's your call if you want to pick up a guitar for those songs, duplicate it high on the neck, or just take advantage of a chance to have a bathroom break. Or just play as written, just down an octave. I do that for Icky Thump and it sounds good as far as I'm concerned. Also, who cares if Seven Nation Army is a guitar through effects? If you play it as a bassline, he can focus on singing and nailing the tone for the solo.

Suggest some Cream, Who, more Hendrix, and a little Zeppelin. Then forget to show up to practice once and they'll find out how much those songs will suck without a bassist. Maybe that will help them see the light.

[drpepper]

I find it difficult to peg what's going on...

You start off by saying you're helping friends get started with their band. What is your understood level of involvement and commitment, since you describe yourself as "just helping" them to "get started?" Are you planning to cut out after they get started? Does calling it "their band" mean that it's understood that you are not a member?

If you're in the band, and you intend that to continue, you should clearly express and discuss your concerns -

If the resolution is for you to "come up with something," then fill out songs that have no bass by just following the roots and kick drum. I wouldn't consider that "writing bass parts." It's simply adjusting the song to your context. You'll have a full live sound and be a band.

If the resolution is that the other two want to play a lot of stuff that's just guitar and drums and they want to keep that sound, if it were me, I'd have to question whether it would be something I'd want to do...really, what's the point?

If, on the other hand, you're really just helping them to get started, then why worry about it? Help them by doing what they want or don't help them.

And if you are IN this band, I think you might need to increase your mental level of commitment and belonging. The change in perspective from that alone might clear some things up.

I'm curious, is a cover band that looks to be shaping up as a Black Keys White Stripes semi-tribute band something that's going to go over in terms of gigging? Where are you guys or they going to play?

[tycobb73]

everyone knows the white stripes is being played with an octave pedel. But the bass frequency is still there. If your freind doesn't have an octave and looper pedal, he can't pull that song off. So he needs you. I've never heard the RAdio Keys or Black Moscow so I can't comment but everyting else on that list needs bass.

[ding_man]

The Black Keys suck. They could do with a bass line.

[Haysoochreesto]

In terms of not playing for a while and the time it'll take to get ready, it depends.

My buddy and I decided to do essentially the same thing you're talking about. I hadn't played in some 15 years and he hadn't played seriously in about 7 or 8.

It took us both a good six months of consistent practice and rehearsal in order to be gig ready again and have enough songs to be able to play for three hours. But from the time we started until we first played in front of people was somewhere around 10 months.

For a novice, I really can't say. I used to play 4+ hours day in highschool and about half that until I was 22 or so. And even then it took me a while to find myself again. So I don't know how long it'll take someone who's going to go from basically never playing to gig ready.

All I can say is to have her be dedicated, patient, and focused along with your experienced input to help her along.

From personal experience, if you guys can stick it out, it will definately be worth the time you put into it. It's one thing to form a band with already playing musicians or joining an existing band. But when it's a start from near scratch with friends, it's especially rewarding.

[jp58]

Originally Posted by drpepper

I find it difficult to peg what's going on...

You start off by saying you're helping friends get started with their band. What is your understood level of involvement and commitment, since you describe yourself as "just helping" them to "get started?" Are you planning to cut out after they get started? Does calling it "their band" mean that it's understood that you are not a member?

If you're in the band, and you intend that to continue, you should clearly express and discuss your concerns -

If the resolution is for you to "come up with something," then fill out songs that have no bass by just following the roots and kick drum. I wouldn't consider that "writing bass parts." It's simply adjusting the song to your context. You'll have a full live sound and be a band.

If the resolution is that the other two want to play a lot of stuff that's just guitar and drums and they want to keep that sound, if it were me, I'd have to question whether it would be something I'd want to do...really, what's the point?

If, on the other hand, you're really just helping them to get started, then why worry about it? Help them by doing what they want or don't help them.

And if you are IN this band, I think you might need to increase your mental level of commitment and belonging. The change in perspective from that alone might clear some things up.

I'm curious, is a cover band that looks to be shaping up as a Black Keys White Stripes semi-tribute band something that's going to go over in terms of gigging? Where are you guys or they going to play?

Well my position really hasn't been clarified. They've been kinda passive aggressive with it, but that part doesn't really bother me. I'm thinking that they've been playing together for a few weeks or more, and decided they want/need a bassist so as opposed to looking in the unknown..... I'm fairly certain that this will probably be a long term position, they just haven't stated it.

I have no intention on ditching them, I've known them for ages. They asked for me to help out, and since everyone loves to play, I gladly said yes. I've been coming up with some simple root note stuff, I just really don't want to oversaturate the songs.

I think its starting with covers, but at some point may turn to originals. I've written with the guitarist before, but not in any context as a band like now. There are several bars in the area that have been expressing lots of interest in bands recently, and I've sub'ed in a few bands recently, and that may be a goal for them too.

I'm hoping a few days worth the rehearsal or practice will clear things up. We're playing this weekend so that mey be a good time to bring this to light.

Originally Posted by Haysoochreesto

In terms of not playing for a while and the time it'll take to get ready, it depends.

My buddy and I decided to do essentially the same thing you're talking about. I hadn't played in some 15 years and he hadn't played seriously in about 7 or 8.

It took us both a good six months of consistent practice and rehearsal in order to be gig ready again and have enough songs to be able to play for three hours. But from the time we started until we first played in front of people was somewhere around 10 months.

For a novice, I really can't say. I used to play 4+ hours day in highschool and about half that until I was 22 or so. And even then it took me a while to find myself again. So I don't know how long it'll take someone who's going to go from basically never playing to gig ready.

All I can say is to have her be dedicated, patient, and focused along with your experienced input to help her along.

From personal experience, if you guys can stick it out, it will definately be worth the time you put into it. It's one thing to form a band with already playing musicians or joining an existing band. But when it's a start from near scratch with friends, it's especially rewarding.

I've been playing non-stop for months, but not in any permanent context. I've been helping music frat members here write because few of them are bassists and the 2 that are play uprights exclusively.

As for the guitarist, he's gigged a few times subbing around, and that may have lit the fire in wanting a band. I'm pretty sure it won't take long for the two of us to mesh up.

I really don't know anything about the girl, nor much about how long or ready she is to play out. She could've been playing at home for years before now. The only contact I've had with her has been on Facebook.

[jp58]

After playing with them, and them playing without me, I was told that the music was "lacking something" when I wasn't there.

It seems to make the biggest difference on Chandler, because I'm not there for her to co-depend on me to stay in time.

After 6 hours of practice though, I feel like I made a good call "helping" them. He still hasn't made it clear if this is a "permanent" job or just helping though. No matter I guess.