• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Am I overplaying?

#82
I took it upon myself to find more of this music genre (I like it), and I found this. The bass player is keeping it real clean, simple and tasteful with the use of fills. He stays on the downbeat and it makes you want to groove. I think it's about the groove and the funk and staying in time with the drummer "on the one" as James Brown would say.

 
#84
To OP, I am not a fan at all of this type of music (so take my feedback for what it is!), but as "by-passer", this springs to mind:
- Too many glissandos, which many seem to think.
- I think you could enhance the song by playing a bit more synchopated.
- In the context of the song, a thumpier, more percussive sound could perhaps sound better? A bit closer to an upright or an solid body with flats than the modern high tech one you have in the video?
 
#85
Ok, I've slept on this (and not read all the responses since I went to bed) and it occurred to me that probably 99% of the bass players on TB are not familiar enough with the genre to know whether you are overplaying or not. I retract my statement about the glissandos.

I do agree that the Yamaha fits better in the mix, less sustain more thumpy. If you are trying to imitate a kick drum that is exactly what you need.

For a hired gun if the band leader says you are overplaying then to him you are and he is really the one that counts. When you are the BL you can play whatever you like.
 
#88
My first thought before I got to those posts was ditch the SMITH bass, or do something about the tone, different EQ choices, different strings maybe.

Manuel101 said:
Guys some one said something about the tone of my Ken Smith clashing with the sound of the band. Does anyone else agree? I ask because I used to get complements about my tone when I had my yamaha trbjp1 I shared a video with the yamaha trbjp. Which tone fits the band better?
Click to expand...
 
#89
Great video... I like the tune too!

With regards to your playing, I think it's spot on... you're never ever going to please everybody. You are focused on the song and playing as you feel. It's your interpretation and I believe you're just trying to put 'your' stamp on it which is fine and I respect you for that!

After saying that, I understand where you Uncle is coming from but I think the sound he's after can be generated by one of those horrible automatic bass machines that are programed into electronic keyboards... they are simple, repetitive and there's no 'personality' or feel for the music. If he really wants you to play like that, almost like a lifeless robot, I'd respectfully stand your ground and continue to play as you want!

The situation reminds be of a discussion I read on another forum a few years back. It was all about the Ian Dury & The Blockheads song "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick"



Most people accept that Norman Watt-Roy's bassline as being brilliant (it was actually inspired by Norman seeing 'Jaco' in concert) and has been accepted as a classic!

Anyway, the argument was on the lines that if an unknown individual had posted a video of that song before it got famous and said, "Hey, what do you think of my bassline to this song" most people would probably say stuff like... too fast, too busy, self indulgent, over-playing, too complicated etc etc etc

How many of us on this forum could come up with something like that and have to strength and confidence to stick with it despite negative feedback?

Your situation I accept is quite different but I firmly believe there is no right or wrong with regards to your playing/interpretation. Of course you have to listen to feedback and criticism but if some say great and some say not so great what do you do? The answer to that in my opinion is to play what you enjoy playing and stick with it. Be yourself and play with confidence.

I played in a dance band back in the 80's and I enjoyed playing by own bassline to "la cucaracha" which I thought made the song more interesting. Anyway, the guitarist hated it but you know what, the drummer loved it and he locked into my groove to make it our own. In a subsequent band meeting I just said that this is me, this is how I play. If you like it, great and if you don't then find somebody else!

Bottom line Manuel101... you're doing great!
 
#91
Manuel101 said:
I play bass for my uncle's merengue band. He usually wants me to keep the bass line simple and use and effect we call ponche (ghost notes which sound like a kick drum) as much as possible. Not to long ago we recorded this video. My uncle was complaining that i was doing too much. I listened closely and although I could have kept it simpler I don't think I was overplaying really bad. What do you guys think was I doing too much?

Click to expand...

My observation is that you posted a thread and video and asked if you are overplaying, then when people here (whom you asked) offer their opinion that you are overplaying, you give excuses and tell them they are wrong. You're just looking for people to agree with you. That's human nature of course but you should try to exercise some insight here. Step away and look at it like me. I have no horse in this race. I don't know you or your band and I can tell you that your uncle is right (not only because he's the band leader). You should either try to play less and serve the song or try to find a band that focuses on you as a soloist so the song can serve you as a vehicle for where you want to go.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cnltb
#95
Manuel101 said:
I wholeheartedly agree, but I get a little slack because we are family. In other bands (not owned by my family) I do exactly as told
Click to expand...

Maybe you shouldn't approach it that way. Just because your family doesn't mean anything. You should have the same attitude with his band as you do with every other working relationship. If he wants you to play tighter or less then shagin do it. Quit being so immature. It's not your band. You need to respect that. Quite frankly, I think you need to tighten up. Despite other bassists sliding. When you do it, it's not tight with the groove. In regards to the chromatic walking between notes: if he does not care for that, then don't do that. Get your head out of your ass man. Have respect for your family, have respect for the music.
 
#96
AlexanderB said:
To OP, I am not a fan at all of this type of music (so take my feedback for what it is!), but as "by-passer", this springs to mind:
- Too many glissandos, which many seem to think.
- I think you could enhance the song by playing a bit more synchopated.
- In the context of the song, a thumpier, more percussive sound could perhaps sound better? A bit closer to an upright or an solid body with flats than the modern high tech one you have in the video?
Click to expand...
He doesn't like me to
AlexanderB said:
To OP, I am not a fan at all of this type of music (so take my feedback for what it is!), but as "by-passer", this springs to mind:
- Too many glissandos, which many seem to think.
- I think you could enhance the song by playing a bit more synchopated.
- In the context of the song, a thumpier, more percussive sound could perhaps sound better? A bit closer to an upright or an solid body with flats than the modern high tech one you have in the video?
Click to expand...
he really doesn't like me to play syncopated, he is very picky about his sound so much so that some musicians have gotten offended and walked out. That is the reason why I asked you guys, for all I knew he was just being picky and besides I am absolutely in no danger of getting fired so I can get away with doing my own thing (I really wouldn't do this in another band)
 
#98
I sort of have an identity crisis when I play in this band. I play with a bunch of other bands and they usually love my style. My uncle on the other hand puts a lot of restriction on my playing, "don't play so melodic, get a louder amp, do this here, no I don't like that there, this isn't classic merengue punch more." This makes it a bit hard cause I have to resist what I feel would work better. He wants me to play more like my brother but then get annoyed when i do exactly what my brother does on the cd (my brother recorded the studio version)
 
#99
cnltb said:
Rule of Thumb;
If your band mates suggest you may be over-playing there might be something to it.
Better to do something about it before they find a new bassist.
Click to expand...
The band mates have no problem with my playing just the bl (although his opinion carries more weight) and no he won't fire me there aren't too many bassist that play this version of merengue there are only 4 other go to bassist for this type of merengue in NY and NJ
 
#100
Manuel101 said:
The band mates have no problem with my playing just the bl (although his opinion carries more weight) and no he won't fire me there aren't too many bassist that play this version of merengue there are only 4 other go to bassist for this type of merengue in NY and NJ
Click to expand...
Still...listen to what he says and become a better musician.
Parking your Ego might be a good investment for future situations.
...before the BL surprises you...;)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back