Swapping instruments with another band member

need4mospd · #1 07-20-2007, 01:36 PM

In my current band I'll swap bass for keyboards with a band member on certain songs that I'm more comfortable playing keys or just better at playing keys than him. He is an older guy, by twice my age almost, and he is a primarily a bassist and keyboardist second. He knows lots of music, can sing, plays multiple instruments, so he is very valuable in the band. It's great to be able to swap with him on certain songs because I notice a HUGE improvement in my singing WITHOUT the bass in my hands. For some reason I lose my rythym on the bass almost completely, or at least I feel like it. Add to that, I'm just better at the keys than him(he'll admit that), mostly due to it being a newer instrument for him. So I don't mind taking the more complex songs on keys.

That said, his playing style is grating to my ears sometimes. On more relaxed simple pieces he's good at laying back a bit and not playing too loud. But the faster/louder songs he digs in pretty much the ENTIRE time. It hurts my fingers and ears to listen to him, the strings are hitting the pickups all the time, and the volume almost doubles from what it would be if I was playing. The actual notes/rythmic content is fantastic, better than me most of the time, but I get distracted by all the buzzing/popping of digging in. It's almost like he's just playing as hard as he can.

I'm just trying to figure out a way to tell him this isn't a pleasant noise without hurting his feelings. He's older and much more experienced so I have a feeling it would come off as the young guy trying to tell him how to play. I've got an idea to have him bring his bass next time just to see if maybe his playing style and my bass don't mix. We've been using my bass since I didn't see the point in bringing his if I had one already. Other than that, I'm not too sure how to go about it. I think I'll consult other members to see if it's just me before saying anything.

Any thoughts?

rap138 · #2 07-20-2007, 02:07 PM

"send" yours for a set up or something, and ask him if you could borrow his for a session.

mattsk42 · #3 07-23-2007, 10:52 AM

Get a recording if you can. You can get free programs like Audacity that work well and just set them up to go into a laptop. It's pretty easy to do, and then have him listen or all the band listen.

Also, ask the other people in the band if they hear it and think that it is a good idea to have all the digging in. Of course they'll say no, but it's a nicer way to put it that way. Then maybe you ALL can say something.

Lastly, maybe try saying something like "Man, you really dig in more than me. Maybe you should try your bass so that you can play harder and not have trouble with my WIMPY low action and setup on MY bass!"

need4mospd · #4 07-24-2007, 01:56 PM

He brought his bass to last practice. Problem solved!

New problem though.... He sounded better than me.

He really made me miss my old Ibanez soundgear.