The shy Bassist, should I join a band

BassOverdrive · #1 08-12-2008, 11:31 AM

I love playing bass honestly, its hell of alot funner than guitar in my perspective. I've been wanting to join a band for a while, particularly metal. However nowadays bassists seem to have their sound run over but the rhythm guitar player, and everything else to :P in metal anyways. When metal bass players play with the drums, you usually oinly hear it till when the whole band comes in and were run over again, i find it hard to hear on regular tracks without a big EQ overlook. Even if I did put up with being that Im afraid of not being able to follow that, I mean I looked at LoG's Laid to Rest and I have no idea how someone gets the scaleing down so correctly like that. Not sure if I can do it, was wondering what the experienced bass players opinions were. Ive only heard a few bass players in metal that stick out

paganjack · #2 08-12-2008, 11:36 AM

you'll never know for sure until you try.
it's kind of like dating- you might have to try a bunch of people before you find a good fit- you might only need to try one- it's impossible to say. but if you paralyze yourself worrying about if you're heard or not...well you won't be heard at all.

Geddyfleaharris · #3 08-12-2008, 11:41 AM

Why not make your own sound? That's what I do. We play metal but I am not having anything to do with that sludge that passes for a lot of bands bass these days. Be up front. Think Steve Harris. If you are good enough who the heck is going to tell you to change your sound? Unless of course you go into the audition where they clearly state muddy, sludge bass player required.

rappa29 · #4 08-12-2008, 11:42 AM

Join a band. Then buy a kick @$$ rig that will make the guitar player cry and the drummer pee his pants!!

Seriously though, everyone has to start somewhere. Get it going now! Just do it!

Don't get so hung up about not being heard or the mix or whatever. You can worry about that after you join the band and start gigging and start having crapping soundmen and poor PA and bad rooms and small stages and loud guitarists and egotistical singers and.......

nohbudi · #5 08-12-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rappa29

Join a band. Then buy a kick @$$ rig that will make the guitar player cry and the drummer pee his pants!!

QFT....

Also a great option is to roll the tone up till your ears bleed and play everything through a flanger.... Tell them that's the only way you can hear yourself... if they put up with it for a set, then you have yourself a good band...

scrotimusprime · #6 08-12-2008, 12:22 PM

Check this - Do what you love, write music that resonates with you AND your bandmates, create a style, tone, and technique that are all your own.

Guitar players are... guitar players, but some will be cooler than others. Find a guitarist you want to play with, not one thats trying to drown you out.

I guarantee you tho, if you walk into a band bringing some high powered equipment and some serious chops - you will be respected more than anything. Furthermore - you are a bass player. I gaurantee there are more bass wanted ads out there than there are bass players. Take your time, find your fit, and again...

do what you love.

acubass · #7 08-12-2008, 12:40 PM

If you are shy then do it. Where else is it more acceptable than a stage? Rock out and go wild. GO FN Nuts man it's a stage. Release!

BassOverdrive · #8 08-12-2008, 01:34 PM

Will do. Its just... i got to deal with highschool (annoying) people for now, I been wanting to join people a bit more mature and all, but getting into bars where most metal is played haha Thanks for the advice all

neuromancer · #9 08-12-2008, 02:07 PM

I used to be really shy way back when. This will change with time....give it a go. What's the worst thing that can happen here? You don't get the gig?

Hearing yourself can and will be a challenge, although I like to point out that the problem's been solved several time's over. Metal and harder-edged rock have been around for how long now? Over 40 years at the very least???

I realize opinions will vary widely, and there's no such thing as "necessary," yet I have found a few methods that IMO and IME have helped out immensely, namely:

Roundwound Strings - DR Highbeams and Dean Markely SR2000s/Blue Steels spring to mind, and I'm sure there are other worthy candidates
Using a pick - or growing out the nails on your picking hand a la Geddy Lee
Overdrive/Distortion - make sure whatever you're using has a "blend" or "clean" knob. It doesn't have to be full-blown fuzz! The amount of complexity you can add to your sound here can not be understated
EQ - I'm sure quite a bit has already been said on this subject
Ear-level speakers; not a must but again, it helps

Using the above, I certainly do not get run over. Do I get myself in trouble sometimes? Sure, although if you're in a cool enough band there shouldn't be (m)any problems.

DudeistMonk · #10 08-12-2008, 04:59 PM

First let me say join a band...or just jam with a drummer for awhile to start with. Take it slow, and who cares if they don't want you, "Ohh well I'll try one of the other 30 people people that replied to my craigslist ad"...that is one of the great things about bass, there are fewer of us.

Don't get discouraged either, I thought I blew at bass for a long time cause I kept trying to jam with a drummer friend who was into metal, but metal wasn't my style and I didn't understand the way the bass fit into it (yeah I know now 8th notes at 200bpm untill your fingers bleed). Like someone above said you need to find players who fit your style.

Second sounds like the problem is hearing bass on metal records in general, not his own bass. If you have a good amp you will be able to hear yourself. As for hearing on metal records, turn up the bass on your stereo or computer, and listen real hard...also try listening to some non metal stuff, once you get used to hearing the bass when its not being drowned out by an overly distorted power chord, you will eventually be able to hear it under the overly distorted power chord.

OtterOnBass · #11 08-12-2008, 05:09 PM

Better than finding a band, find some friends with a similar interest in metal. Surely there's some kids in your school, or a nearby school, that would love to play with you. Maybe even some mature ones.

BassOverdrive · #12 08-12-2008, 07:14 PM

Yea theres a few, buts select on the HS kids round here only want to do the anti melodic and alternative punk thing (not my style) I can listen for the bass and all, i just wondered why its so low. While Metallica is good and all, sometime i have a hard time even hearing their bassists unless its Orion or intro/interlude for the bassist haha. Whats awesome about us bassists and metal is we never have to fight about lead

(seen guitarists complain bout it lol)

toytech · #13 08-12-2008, 07:34 PM

get out there and play with anyone you can, especially people with more experience. Nothing makes you get better faster than playing over your head. And if you think it is tough to be starting out now, you should try starting out when you are 43!

BTW the best metal guitar player I have ever heard is a local cat who is 52!

jsingles · #14 08-12-2008, 07:40 PM

youd notice the bass if it was gone in metal. the depth is important for the genre

and i think in a live situation the bass is alot more obvious than on metal recordings

fdeck · #15 08-12-2008, 08:27 PM

I was quite shy when I was younger. Playing music in bands was probably the thing that finally got me out of my shell.

After dabbling with this and that in high school, I ended up playing jazz, which is a genre where the bass can choose pretty much any role, from "support instrument" to "one among equals." As I gained self confidence as a player, I gradually pushed myself into more of a prominent role in bands.

Given the seemingly endless possibilities, I don't see why you couldn't do the same with metal. Maybe you have to start out in a less threatening role, just to build your chops and ensemble skills.

One idea is that you gain more control if you compose tunes.

deesako · #16 08-30-2010, 12:20 PM

I'm an older guy and I'm still shy ;P. Start small, then work your way up. But don't start too big... don't feel a need to 'jump in the deep ends' and go to some awesome band you're not ready for. That's about all I can say

5string5fingers · #17 08-30-2010, 12:42 PM

Cut your bass,and boost your mids and you will be heart. Don't be afraid,as long as your timing is good,you could play the root the whole time and it would sound just as good.

EatADeadGoat · #18 08-30-2010, 12:42 PM

1) bass isn't heard so much in the recordings, but it's what makes people mosh live. When they talk about the live experience of seeing a band, it's mainly from the bass, IMO.
2) turn it up a bit, and don't let the rhythym guitarist play what you make up. tell them to at least play it in a higher key if they absolutely can't be creative.
3) rhythym guitar is useless IMHO. Just have some bass, and lead guitar.
4) have fun with distortion and other effects to define your sound

And most importantly practice practice practice. Play your @ss off. Because of months of constant practice and dedication to bass, I can now blow guitarists out of the water. the ones who think they're god's gift to music and all.

Also, when you get good enough, start soloing. Nothing draws people faster then a bass solo. especially if there's a great drummer there too! Bass + drum solo = awesome. No guitar, toss distortion in if you want the uber crunchyness.

EatADeadGoat · #19 08-30-2010, 12:44 PM

also, I just remembered. Alex Webster for Cannibal Corpse plays without distortion, to be better heard in the mix. If there is 2 guitars, distortion will get you lost in the general sound, unless you fine tune it and dial it in perfectly.

neuman · #20 08-30-2010, 12:53 PM

Yep. I started taking bass lessons when my son started taking guitar lessons. I am 39 now and a few years ago my instructor had another 40-ish year old guitar student who wanted to form a band and connected us. The first few rehearsals I just sat in a chair and played my parts as best I could (I was freaked out). I then got to where I could play while standing and moving a bit. Played live the first time and really believed I was going to wet my pants. Survived it, got feedback and went from there.

We now gig about once every 6-8 weeks, I've written a few parts to songs and even brought a full arrangement for a song that we are going to start working on.

Greatest experience ever. My lessons and noodling have direction, meaning and the connection to my band mates is invaluable to my learning and playing.

Get out there, be you, have fun.