So one of my band projects sort of fell apart recently with the sudden disappearance of the singer/guitarist. ( I usually have at least 2 bands at any given time) I have a lot of spare time so I decided to go find another side project with another band.
I hit craigslist and started surfing for bass player wanted ads.
I find this band that's playing some modern rock stuff. It's not the stuff I normally play but I like to expand my horizons so I respond to the ad.
In the ensuing correspondence they notify me that that most of their songs are originals and in Drop C. They continue to tell me that I must play a 4 string bass.
Now a little history here. I own 4 sting basses as wells as 5's. But it just completely baffles me that people want to drop the E to C on a 4 when its way simpler to just play a 5. I'm really not a fan of non standard tuning.
So, I realiase the guys are tools but figure I'll get smart and solve the problem and go jam and have some fun. My solution I grab a 4 string and a pack of strings for a 5 and string up and tune B E A D. I figure if they are in drop C they aren't going to need me to play anything on the G string anyway.
The next day I drive out and setup and jam with the guys and have a general good time. Their songs were pretty simple but had a nice groove and was fun to play. Everyone seems happy. They ask me if I'm willing to join the band and if I have time etc. I agree and they set me up to come to normal practices.
So at this point. No problems right.
The 3rd practice I went to after that we are playing one of the tunes and the guitarist is looking at my hands with a confused look on his face. He does this for a couple of songs and then on a break between songs he askes me "hey man why are you playing all the wrong notes". To which I reply, "I'm not playing the wrong notes". He they procedes to play a chord and have me play the root. I follow him for a couple chords and he says "I'm playing a C chord why are you fretting your C string?" So I tell him "because it's a B string to me".
At this point he gets pissed off and gives me a speech about how the tuning I'm using is ruining his music. And if he wanted it played on a 5 string he would have asked me to bring a 5 string.
The next day I get a text message asking me not to come back and that they replaced me.
Now i do agree that it is possible that some people might want the sound of an open ringing string C instead of a fretted C. But this guy didn't notice for 2 full practices and only then because it "looked wrong"
I just found it humorous that the stigma against 5's seems to translate to string tuning and not necessarily the number of strings.
-Rav
I hit craigslist and started surfing for bass player wanted ads.
I find this band that's playing some modern rock stuff. It's not the stuff I normally play but I like to expand my horizons so I respond to the ad.
In the ensuing correspondence they notify me that that most of their songs are originals and in Drop C. They continue to tell me that I must play a 4 string bass.
Now a little history here. I own 4 sting basses as wells as 5's. But it just completely baffles me that people want to drop the E to C on a 4 when its way simpler to just play a 5. I'm really not a fan of non standard tuning.
So, I realiase the guys are tools but figure I'll get smart and solve the problem and go jam and have some fun. My solution I grab a 4 string and a pack of strings for a 5 and string up and tune B E A D. I figure if they are in drop C they aren't going to need me to play anything on the G string anyway.
The next day I drive out and setup and jam with the guys and have a general good time. Their songs were pretty simple but had a nice groove and was fun to play. Everyone seems happy. They ask me if I'm willing to join the band and if I have time etc. I agree and they set me up to come to normal practices.
So at this point. No problems right.
The 3rd practice I went to after that we are playing one of the tunes and the guitarist is looking at my hands with a confused look on his face. He does this for a couple of songs and then on a break between songs he askes me "hey man why are you playing all the wrong notes". To which I reply, "I'm not playing the wrong notes". He they procedes to play a chord and have me play the root. I follow him for a couple chords and he says "I'm playing a C chord why are you fretting your C string?" So I tell him "because it's a B string to me".
At this point he gets pissed off and gives me a speech about how the tuning I'm using is ruining his music. And if he wanted it played on a 5 string he would have asked me to bring a 5 string.
The next day I get a text message asking me not to come back and that they replaced me.
Now i do agree that it is possible that some people might want the sound of an open ringing string C instead of a fretted C. But this guy didn't notice for 2 full practices and only then because it "looked wrong"
I just found it humorous that the stigma against 5's seems to translate to string tuning and not necessarily the number of strings.
-Rav
