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Am I overplaying?

#121
I think that part of the issue at play is the use of a six string bass. They never sit in the mix right IMHO. A four string bass weaves itself in the mix better.
James Jamerson was a busy player but his P bass with flats always sounded right and supported the music well.

All that being said, your hell of a bass player in a nice band so keep the music happening.
 
#122
As others have said, I'm not terribly familiar with merengue, but that's one of the cool things about TB - it's always fun to learn more about the role of the bass in another genre of music. The glissandos sound great here,

Manuel101 said:
If you look at the video I was only using a markbass 210p cab so I could
Hardly hear myself. This made it hard for me to play as well as I normally do. Once he gave me the video file I raised the heck out of the low frequencies when I was editing it so people could hear the bass more.
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This is probably affecting how the Smith bass sits in the mix on the track and is probably not a fair judgment of the bass. Compared to the posted clip of the Yamaha, recorded using different methods, is not a fair comparison. I checked out your youtube channel to see of there were any other clips with the Yamaha you mentioned, I actually liked the Smith much better across the board - modern smoothness really fits your playing. If you're not happy with the tone/punch, I wouldn't scrap the bass, maybe look at amp/EQ/compressor solutions. Those would also be much less expensive.

You mentioned that your uncle suggested you get a louder amp - if the available volume is not sufficient and causing you to alter your style, the problem is the amp, not the bass. You should be able to turn up loud enough so you can sit in the right place in the mix without needing to adjust your playing for volume, playing the way the music dictates rather than equipment. Someone else suggested headphones or in ear monitors. That may be a good option.

Re: the issue with bandleader/overplaying and that you play differently if the clip will be posted: seem like good learning opportunities to exercise more intentional control over your playing, to step outside your ears, etc. The fact you can't get fired from this band could be a chance to dig your heels in and get it right for a demanding bandleader even if it takes some time. You'll be better able adjust you're playing to meet exacting specifications on the fly in the future.
 
#123
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?

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I like it. All of it. Sure, each person can nitpick things about it, usually based on their personal taste. But as a semi-live performance, this is quite good and I was happy to hear it. and for me, it is a bit refreshing. Often, latin/hispanic music can have really boring and repetitive bass lines. I lived in the "Mission" district of San Francisco for a couple of years and some weekends it was annoying hearing monotonous, boomy bass lines, aallllll daaaaay.
 
#124
Ewo said:
Sounds like the kinship ties might be more the source of friction than the musical performance. Hey--it can be tough working with relatives!

I gotta wonder if maybe, when your brother works with the band, you uncle tells him to play more like you...

Added: Whousedtoplay and I were pondering the family thing at the same time!
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+1
It did cross my mind on page 1 of this thread that maybe, just maybe, your uncle is "yanking your chain" a little because you are family (and young).

I had the chance to join the family business owned by my father and uncle when I left school and declined it, a decision I have never regretted. My brother joined them, he lasted about 4 months before finding another job.
 
#126
Overall, I think the band is very good. Regarding your playing, there were a lot of upward slides I thought detracted from the groove. For a song like this I would have rather seen a regular groove than a bass line that changes regularly. I didn't feel there was a foundational bass line I could "count on". Granted, I only listen to purely Latin music like this in the car (fairly regularly, where I can't really hear the bass). There are so many musicians so the bass doesn't stick out like it would in a quartet or a trio.
 
#127
Manuel101 said:
what do you think of this version of the song? Also depending on which musicians he uses (he hardly ever has the same people at all times) changes the feel and sound some which then influences what i do.
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I like it a lot. Insomuch, that after hearing your version and the one that I found on the internet, I started experimenting with Latin beats last night. If I understand correctly, this is a style that can be interpreted in many ways. Correct me if I am wrong, and please feel free to give details...
IMO, you don't want to replicate the bass playing but you still have to maintain the groove.
 
#128
Overall, it's very good. To nitpick and delve into OP's question, I'd say yes. The full-board glissando at the end of the very first verse is kind of aggressive. Just save the more intense things for later in the song, to help it develop, and leave more space at the get-go. But just being critical, great band, great recordings.

Your uncle sounds like he's been around the block a few times, he's killing it. I would mostly listen to his criticism. The changes you choose to make, or not, will in part define your artistic statement.
 
#130
Maybe your approach will help to attract younger members of the potential audience without alienating (any or too many of) the older audience members. After all, the band is already a more modern take on the classical version. Might be worth a businesslike (i.e., nonconfrontatory, nondefensive, strictly-about-marketing) conversation with your uncle
 
#132
Manuel101 said:
You know what I really appreciate your comment you pointed out an issue but you did it in a very polite manner. Some of the other guys said the same thing but they did it in such a way that sort of put me in the defensive and annoyed me a little
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My first post in this thread which i just browsed through...

I know what you're saying above, you're fine in that regard. As TB suggests, take a look at a person's profile info when reading their posts just for a point of reference in where they are coming from. You are obviously a much in demand player, especially in your genre, and that doesn't come from being "wrong" so take lightly comments from guys who don't appear to have Latin music cred...including me! But I am fair-minded and listen with an open, unbiased, non-jealous ear.

If you didn't have a bunch of bass players (players of unknown capabilities and unknown genre awareness) WATCHING your playing, complete with boosted bass, your "overuse" of glissandos would not have been noticed and pointed out. Your playing is excellent. You are obviously a skilled and tasteful player, especially showing in the "non-uncle" vids where you get to let loose. In those songs you play way more notes and it's certainly not overplaying. So, your uncle is seeking a sound different from those other bands, and that's fine. You know him and the latin genres better than most of us so go with your gut. If he wants less chromaticism then give it to him; hopefully, he'd be cool with more groove playing though- I understand and use empty space but, damn, you were leaving huge gaps that, to me, there's no way it can be said you are playing too much. Too much chromatic for him, okay fine but overplaying- no way. But he's the bass. Hopefully just dropping the chromaticism will make him happy. Again, WATCHING your relatively advanced playing techniques with boosted bass is obviously a factor in some of the guys' posts here who say you are doing too much. Great playing, there's a reason you are in high demand, including from one of the biggest guys in the genre....
 
#133
tonemachine said:
My first post in this thread which i just browsed through...

I know what you're saying above, you're fine in that regard. As TB suggests, take a look at a person's profile info when reading their posts just for a point of reference in where they are coming from. You are obviously a much in demand player, especially in your genre, and that doesn't come from being "wrong" so take lightly comments from guys who don't appear to have Latin music cred...including me! But I am fair-minded and listen with an open, unbiased, non-jealous ear.

If you didn't have a bunch of bass players (players of unknown capabilities and unknown genre awareness) WATCHING your playing, complete with boosted bass, your "overuse" of glissandos would not have been noticed and pointed out. Your playing is excellent. You are obviously a skilled and tasteful player, especially showing in the "non-uncle" vids where you get to let loose. In those songs you play way more notes and it's certainly not overplaying. So, your uncle is seeking a sound different from those other bands, and that's fine. You know him and the latin genres better than most of us so go with your gut. If he wants less chromaticism then give it to him; hopefully, he'd be cool with more groove playing though- I understand and use empty space but, damn, you were leaving huge gaps that, to me, there's no way it can be said you are playing too much. Too much chromatic for him, okay fine but overplaying- no way. But he's the bass. Hopefully just dropping the chromaticism will make him happy. Again, WATCHING your relatively advanced playing techniques with boosted bass is obviously a factor in some of the guys' posts here who say you are doing too much. Great playing, there's a reason you are in high demand, including from one of the biggest guys in the genre....
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I bring these issues here because I notice bass players tend to be sort of a family and we tend to share more with each other(as far as I have seen) then musicians who play other instruments. Also it's hard for me to tell if my ego or pride is clouding my judgement (specially since I get praise from other bands) but then my uncle complains a bit. So I bring it to the brotherhood if you will for unbiased insight. I wasn't sure if I was wrong or if he was just being picky. Although it's very annoying sometimes because I have to second guess myself so much when I play with him. At the same time I am very greatful to him because he gave me the chance that helped boost my career as a bassist. Before I played in his band I was an unknown playing in my basement and in a little church
 
#134
For whatever my opinion's worth, I don't think you're overplaying at all. I personally don't like so many glissandos, but as I read in the previous pages of this thread, it's a common thing in the style, so that would be another no: no, I don't think you're overdoing it at all. But if the band owner says "play it simpler"...well, you already heard it several times, and you already know it: he's the boss.
 
#135
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...


If the BL tells you that you're overplaying, it doesn't matter what you, me, or anyone else thinks: you're overplaying.

Also, the bolded sentence above literally says that even you yourself think you were overplaying, at least a little bit...just not "really bad" ;)
 
#140
If you are worried that you are overplaying...you probably are.
The traditional Latin rhythms might seem too simple
but they have a lot of sabor if you approach them right.

My approach (when I played Latin stuff) was always to play it as simple as I could,
and listen a lot. Try to feel the song as complete whole, with all its parts. Eventually the right spaces for more interesting bass line became apparent.
 

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