2-Piece Band Issues

[NateS]

what kind of rock have you been living under? Or are you just pessimistic about your role in music that much?

plenty of bands go without guitarists. plenty of bands go without drummers.

but how many bands do you know that go without bassists?

I'm pretty sure that means that non-basssts see the worth of bass. If not, you must fight through hell every day convincing your band not to drop you and go bassless, right?

 

[behndy]

Well, I'm not old, my opinion of metal is quite neutral, and I'm not a guitarist.

I'm realistic...or trolling. In this instance, there is hardly a difference, though.

The only people that value bass players are bass players.

hah! 1st time i've ever heard somebody accuse themselves of being a troll.

well played. well played sir.

i guess it depends what you classify as a "realistic" goal. if you want to be HUGE, then you need to switch over to synth, play all your bass with your left hand, become GOOD friends with AutoTune and aim for them tweeners.

if you want to have fun doing music you like, sounds like you're doing fine (and i'm getting happier) as a 2 piecer.

i think "normal band" expectations are what's causing most people that do to recommend a guitarist. i've noticed that without a live drummer we have a harder time winning people over that seem to think that since it's not a 3 or 4 piece we're cheating.

 

[putsia]

If you feel like getting a third member it should be keys. They can do it all; hold bottom, go guitaresque and do weird stuff. :<

 

[Zelphien]

I'll take your points into consideration. Thanks!

Yeah people do accuse me of cheating because they said its easier to make music with a bassist and a drummer. But if thats the case, why don't we see a lot of popular 2-piece bands like that? And don't give me that White Stripes ****, because they sucked.


And for the guy who said "people who value bass are bass players"
You may be right. To appeal to the masses, they rather see a guitar player play a cool riff, not a bassist. However, people who truly appreciate music and understand it more than just the casual kids who listen to overplayed and generic songs, value bassists and respect bassists.

 

[Raymeous]

Here's a quick and easy answer for you

Stay a duo and get a set of Roland PK-5 bass pedals. These will fatten up your bands sound without having to add another member that could screw up your current chemistry and will siphon off part of your gig money. With bass pedals you can add some extra textures and flavors to your music from synth pads to sound effects or even trigger loops if you wanted to. Technology can be a very useful tool.

Good luck and stick with what you've got going.