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A band that doesn't freak if I don't play roots! Finally!

U

unbridled

May 26, 2005
1,076
480
Montana
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist-Compton Compensated Custom Bridges (for Gretsch 6ers)
#1
I had my first rehearsal with a new group. I am very happy that they understand the bass part doesn't have to be the root of whatever chord they are playing and that sometimes, ys bass players actually know what needs to be played.

I've spent years off and on playing "dumbed-down" parts because other folks in the groups didn't know their parts well enough to not second guess themselves when they heard me doing something different. (not every group, just the bad ones always stick out in my mind)

I actually got complimented on playing the correct parts tonight.

So, new rule for me: don't play with those other types!
 
#6
Yeah, glad you found a band that's not full of chumps. Root noting works great for...oh...um...nah, there's almost always some sort of accent note or variation that can improve any bassline. If you're being forced to not play the parts that should be played, tell 'em to eat a bag of dicks. You're the bassist, and should decide what the bass line should be. If they don't trust you, tell them to find someone else.
 
#7
Yeah, It hasn't ALWAYS been that bad. I took about 5 years off from regular gigging but still played as a side-man during that time. Those pick up gigs are where I mostly ran into the folks that weren't open to musical playing. At least with those gigs, it wasn't my group or my name on the banner.
 
#8
I just ended my relationship with a band that was that way... It was two brothers. One played lead guitar and one was a vocalist who played rhythm. They've been playing together for over twenty years and would stop everything as soon as I left the root...

Them: Something's wrong. Something's wrong. Bass! What are you doing? It's in G.

Me: That was in G.

Them: But it didn't sound right.

[plays back recording]

Me: It fits.

Them: But it's not how we play it.

Me: You play it like they do on the original recording. That's the way the bass is on the recording so that's how I tried to play it.

Them: Well it doesn't sound right. Just play G.

Me: Just G?

Them: Well no, play C when it changes to C.

Me: Just G and C? The entire song?

Them: Yeah. And turn down too. You're way too loud.

:help: :scowl:

After the "turn down" comment I actually turned all the way down and mimed playing. They said the mix was much better... Bye bye fellas! Have a nice musical experience. :rolleyes:
 
#10
Big Joe said:
I just ended my relationship with a band that was that way... It was two brothers. One played lead guitar and one was a vocalist who played rhythm. They've been playing together for over twenty years and would stop everything as soon as I left the root...

Them: Something's wrong. Something's wrong. Bass! What are you doing? It's in G.

Me: That was in G.

Them: But it didn't sound right.

[plays back recording]

Me: It fits.

Them: But it's not how we play it.

Me: You play it like they do on the original recording. That's the way the bass is on the recording so that's how I tried to play it.

Them: Well it doesn't sound right. Just play G.

Me: Just G?

Them: Well no, play C when it changes to C.

Me: Just G and C? The entire song?

Them: Yeah. And turn down too. You're way too loud.

:help: :scowl:

After the "turn down" comment I actually turned all the way down and mimed playing. They said the mix was much better... Bye bye fellas! Have a nice musical experience. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

That sounds SOO familiar!
 
#12
Big Joe said:
I just ended my relationship with a band that was that way... It was two brothers. One played lead guitar and one was a vocalist who played rhythm. They've been playing together for over twenty years and would stop everything as soon as I left the root...

Them: Something's wrong. Something's wrong. Bass! What are you doing? It's in G.

Me: That was in G.

Them: But it didn't sound right.

[plays back recording]

Me: It fits.

Them: But it's not how we play it.

Me: You play it like they do on the original recording. That's the way the bass is on the recording so that's how I tried to play it.

Them: Well it doesn't sound right. Just play G.

Me: Just G?

Them: Well no, play C when it changes to C.

Me: Just G and C? The entire song?

Them: Yeah. And turn down too. You're way too loud.

:help: :scowl:

After the "turn down" comment I actually turned all the way down and mimed playing. They said the mix was much better... Bye bye fellas! Have a nice musical experience. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I've read so many stories like this on here but I've never encountered any band situation like it in my life. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones.
 
#13
About 20 years ago I got into a "hybrid chord" kick where I would intentionally reharmonize every single chord in every single tune with non-chord tones. Not talking about passing tones, I mean "I'm gonna play Eb against that Bbmaj7 whether you like it or not!"

As long as we were playing original material (not cover tunes) the bands I did this in all found it either A) an interesting & welcome improvement; or B) completely unnoticeable!
 
#14
Hoover said:
About 20 years ago I got into a "hybrid chord" kick where I would intentionally reharmonize every single chord in every single tune with non-chord tones. Not talking about passing tones, I mean "I'm gonna play Eb against that Bbmaj7 whether you like it or not!"

As long as we were playing original material (not cover tunes) the bands I did this in all found it either A) an interesting & welcome improvement; or B) completely unnoticeable!
Click to expand...

That sounds like it was fun. What genre were you playin?
 

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