Replacing a member of an originals band

YuppyPunk · #1 03-18-2013, 08:32 AM

Last night I went out with a friend to see his brother's whom I've seen before and really dig. I immediately noticed that their bassist was missing. We hung out with them during a break and I asked where he was. He told me that he was a flake that had quit a few times in the past and had quit again and they all decided it was final this time. He then asked I'd be interested in joining. He gave me their CD to learn as much as I can by this Saturday. In the past I was always a founding member of originals bands so replacing someone is new territory for me. Should I be expected to learn the other guy's parts note-for-note or it reasonable that I come up with my own part and only learn hooks and other key parts note-for-note?

canshaker · #2 03-18-2013, 08:36 AM

The answer is Yes.
Learn the songs the way they were written, AND be able to put your own take on them. At the rehearsal/audition, ask to play the song both ways, and see how the other guys react.
I'm not the original bass player in my band, and some songs I play note for note, while others, I redid the original bass parts.

bluewine · #3 03-18-2013, 08:43 AM

Ask the guy who asked you to sub?

Blue

Runnerman · #4 03-18-2013, 08:43 AM

good response by canshaker. if they thought the guy was a flake, they may appreciate your embelishments. Good luck.

YuppyPunk · #5 03-18-2013, 09:23 AM

Thanks for the input. The good part is that the band is a 7-piece folk-rock band (mandolin, violin, accordion, etc) so most of the parts are pretty simple. The bad part is that the bass is pretty buried in the CD mix so hard to hear exactly he was playing in some parts.

bassbully · #6 03-18-2013, 09:23 AM

I would ask the band if they want you to reproduce his lines or keep with the chords and add to them on your own. I play in an originals band and we want to sound like our albums for the most part. We will allow somebody ..drummers in out case to add to the songs and add fills etc. As long as it works and is tasteful it's good.

just like covers you need to know what the band expects when it comes to the music and basslines..ask them.

bassbully · #7 03-18-2013, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YuppyPunk

Thanks for the input. The good part is that the band is a 7-piece folk-rock band (mandolin, violin, accordion, etc) so most of the parts are pretty simple. The bad part is that the bass is pretty buried in the CD mix so hard to hear exactly he was playing in some parts.

In this case ask for chord sheets so you can chart it out and know where the songs are at. My originals band is the same type of music Americana,folk rock.

Marial · #8 03-18-2013, 09:29 AM

Yep, get charts and you'll be just fine.

DataDan · #9 03-18-2013, 12:59 PM

I replaced a bass player in a 1/2 cover 1/2 original band about a year ago. They actively gigged often, but never recorded, so I had to write my own licks for songs they had already written. It was tough at first since they were used to listening to the bass for certain changes, but they guided me along for the important parts and let me settle the rest my own way.

I have seen the guy I replaced play. He is a good player. Filling his spot has not been easy.

portpc · #10 03-18-2013, 01:27 PM

I would agree, Learn the original first & then feel free to put your own signature on it..
Chances are the band wil realize you are a strong player/non-flake and will shortly like your parts better..

**bassman314** · #11 03-18-2013, 01:30 PM

If the CD is recorded professionally, can you get just the bass and drum tracks?

ErebusBass · #12 03-18-2013, 01:30 PM

Depends on the details of the situation.

If their last bass player was good and they liked his parts, they might want you to play the songs exactly like he did. If this was not the case, they may want you to write new parts.

casper_morgan · #13 03-18-2013, 02:32 PM

I just did this same thing... replaced the bassist in an already locally established band... I learned all the songs exactly the way they were originally recorded on the album. Now on there new album I'll be able to write all my own original bass lines and I am good with that. If your band already has a fan base and they are expecting one thing from a certain musical instrument from the band, and you give them something NOT what they are expecting to hear... they might not take that so good. Just saying

nolezmaj · #14 03-18-2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman314

If the CD is recorded professionally, can you get just the bass and drum tracks?

That's what I got when I joined originals band. Learned the lines very close to the original, and than added something I though was missing (mostly sonic variety, since the album was recorded with 4 stringers, and I play fiver). Never mentioned the changes to the band since they immediately liked my playing.

I suggest you learn original lines, but play your variations. If someone criticizes you, be ready to defend your ideas, but also to play originals if they insist.

YuppyPunk · #15 03-19-2013, 07:22 AM

Update. I found out that the bass player was pretty new when they recorded and that the bass lines weren't very well honed at that point. The keyboard/accordion player is going to email chord progressions for each song. They don't expect me to learn the songs note-for-note.

bassbully · #16 03-19-2013, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YuppyPunk

Update. I found out that the bass player was pretty new when they recorded and that the bass lines weren't very well honed at that point. The keyboard/accordion player is going to email chord progressions for each song. They don't expect me to learn the songs note-for-note.

There you go. By knowing the chords charted out you now can work on developing your bass lines for the songs. This was one thing I loved about playing original music, seeing a new song or songs come together in a band.

YuppyPunk · #17 03-19-2013, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbully

There you go. By knowing the chords charted out you now can work on developing your bass lines for the songs. This was one thing I loved about playing original music, seeing a new song or songs come together in a band.

The challange here is going to be finding something simple, but not just playing roots. The band a a 7-peice there isn't a lot of sonic space. I'm used to playing in 3 and 4 peice bands where the bass has to carry a lot of weight.

bigsnaketex · #18 03-19-2013, 09:09 AM

I got yelled at this weekend for going to an E instead of a C because I thought the E sounded better. You have to put your own mark on the music and stand up for "your" sound!!

And yes, I went over it time and time again and the E sounded better - I don't care what "they" say!!

JoeWPgh · #19 03-19-2013, 09:17 AM

Both. Some lines will be intrinsic to the song's melody and structure. You should learn these. Others will be far less critical.

bassbully · #20 03-19-2013, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YuppyPunk

The challange here is going to be finding something simple, but not just playing roots. The band a a 7-peice there isn't a lot of sonic space. I'm used to playing in 3 and 4 peice bands where the bass has to carry a lot of weight.

Well you could be faced with a problem in a band that big. The roots are the glue so their should be no shame in using them in the type of music you are doing or any music for that matter.
It's how you use the roots and what you do off them with fills, octives and runs that make it sound like you are doing more.
I play Country so thre roots rule but how you play them and the tension with them is key here. In folk rock and Americana type music there is not allot of room often and again and with 7 people you are going to need to watch what you play. The old saying that sometimes it's all about what you are not playing could be a big help here.