Band Member inviting other bass player

[bass12]

Whatever the deal, I'd say that's a bit tactless on the part of your bandmate. Band meetings and rehearsals, as far as I'm concerned, are exclusive occasions unless otherwise determined by all members - not just one bandmate. I've never been comfortable with outsiders attending rehearsals/band meetings.

 

[Steve-D]

Bring a guitar player with you.

I agree, but not JUST a guitar player. I'd go find a guitarist, a drummer, a keyboard player and singer. Take em all and tell him exactly the same thing he told you. They are all there to assist. Now get his reply to that situation. If it's still the same ******** he gave you this time take those other guys and start a new band. Just make sure you go to the trouble of actually copywriting the songs you have written.

 

[redwingxix]

Could be someone that has producer or arranger experience that they are getting input on the new material. Since we all know that bass players are by far the most musically knowledgeable persons in the business that could make sense. Either way, I would try not t get all worked up over something that hasn't actually gone wrong yet, though I personally have been known to do so.

 

[Kmonk]

He is there to "assist". Ever hear of the saying "too many cooks spoil the broth". Outside influences can destroy a band. I wouldn't like it if someone invited a bass player to my band's rehearsal.

 

[BassWaffle]

Ah man, I've always wanted to be in a band with two bassists



Keep an open mind and see where it goes

 

[redwood]

How can it go badly if the guys is a true bassist? We are the best human beings in the world.
Maybe your guitarist just wants someone with a discerning ear to listen to what you all have so far and get opinions?
I know I'd ask a bassist.

 

[StyleOverShow]

I think ‘we’ get territorial too soo, too often.

Music, particularly in an ensemble is about cooperation, NOT competition.

This other player may play something that is different and appealing. Listen for that and not the sounds of our internal dialogue touting our insecurities.

As to using your gear, I am a no problem kind of guy(within reason). Bring your best intentions and behavior along, whatever the outcome

 

[arbiterusa]

You gon get fired

 

[RichardW]

Two words: Pete Best

 

[red_rhino]

He should have checked with you first, and the fact that you're feeling the way you are, validates that. Whether he means anything by it or not, he's not considering your feelings, and that's a no-no in any collaborative band arrangement.

Best case is that your guitar player is just clueless. You should clue him in, and you shouldn't have to defend how you feel about it; he should just accept it.

 

[dxb]

Out of the blue the guitarist calls me up to tell me that he has invited a friend of his over to our first meeting this week. His friend is a bass player and according to the guitarist 'he will be there to assist'.

Can't you just ask what he'll be there to assist with?

 

[nilorius]

This kind of miserable done to. Be sure that it will never be done again, but if done again - let them know that you will leave the band.........if again.

 

[fhm555]

Are you truly that insecure? If you’ve covered your 6 by keeping your share of the rights to the collaborative material intact and you feel you have been carrying your own water musically, why the angst? If a play is being made behind your back would you want to continue with wankers of that caliber? IME, getting axle wrapped on spec just insures there will be flung poo even if there was never any poo flinging in the plan. Relax and have a bit of confidence in your skill and worth to the project, and if you in fact discover you are among scrotum sucking wankers who want to backstab, you can step away and let them have their fun with some other sucker.
Unless of course you have good reason to believe you are being stroked. If that’s the case i got nada.

 

[chaak]

Are you truly that insecure? If you’ve covered your 6 by keeping your share of the rights to the collaborative material intact and you feel you have been carrying your own water musically, why the angst? If a play is being made behind your back would you want to continue with wankers of that caliber? IME, getting axle wrapped on spec just insures there will be flung poo even if there was never any poo flinging in the plan. Relax and have a bit of confidence in your skill and worth to the project, and if you in fact discover you are among scrotum sucking wankers who want to backstab, you can step away and let them have their fun with some other sucker.
Unless of course you have good reason to believe you are being stroked. If that’s the case i got nada.

you 're right I am just going to go and do what i do as always.

 

[rtslinger]

Agree "not cool on so mean levels" I wouldn't let another bass player use my gear unless I knew him very well and I would have to be consulted on this ahead of time, whether he was preparing to show up at all.

 

[Mosfed]

While difficult I would try to check my ego and see if another bass player could help me see my original compositions in a new light. Fresh set of ears and eyes and perspective could be super helpful.

Or be bitchy and in a bad mood about it. I’d probably choose the latter though I would be proud if I could see it as an opportunity to learn.

 

[Slater]

This guy might just be a friend invited to offer a fresh set of ears and offer some opinions on the material, who also happens to be a bass player.

Or...

He could be invited to assist with the bass parts. If this is the case, I would just say, “No thanks. I’m good.”

 

[Nevada Pete]

The first thing that comes to my basically paranoid mind is you'all write a tune, it gets picked up as a theme song for a major network television sit-com (it happens), and along comes Jones claiming he was the actual author and demanding royalties. Wouldn't be the first time that happened. What's to prevent this guy from copyrighting anything he hears at your rehearsal? I'm just saying. Unless you have a written agreement with this person, including him in song writing sessions just seems fraught with potential problems. Not the brightest thing in the world to do, in my opinion.

Technically, a copyright for a creative work is created when the work itself is created. When you "copyright" something, you are actually only registering the copyright. This makes it easier (i.e., possible) to enforce your copyright. It also makes it possible for people to claim rights to things they don't deserve.

There are certain other peculiarities to the copyright laws. You can't copyright a song title, for example. I found out about this back in the day when I was riding in an elevator and heard one of my submissions come over the piped in music. The tune was re-written some, but it was my tune, no doubt. This kind of thing was not unusual back then and when it happened, it could actually give you a little more standing with producers, etc. It was usually best not to make too big a deal about it. Producers were looking for as sure fire a bet as they could get, so any proof your material was commercially viable could actually be helpful in that particular club.

It's kind of a shock though when you see a pretty big chunk of a script you copyrighted produced almost verbatim on the tube! I hadn't even submitted the dang thing! So know that copyrights are a rich man's game. You have to enforce your copyright. Not always easy, and always expensive. Another interesting thing about copyrights is that if you don't enforce your copyright, you loose the rights to the material. Lot's of guys lost the rights to their material because it was demonstrated that they didn't enforce their copyright.

I personally wouldn't permit anybody to participate in a song writing session I had anything to do with unless an agreement had been signed waiving their rights to the material, or defining their contribution and what arrangements are contemplated for remuneration in the event of commercial development of the material. Then again, I tend to be paranoid. Good luck in the jungle.

 

[saabfender]

Just go with the flow a little. There are all kinds of possible reasons. If the guy wants to play some let him play - no need to be a problem. After it's all said and done you'll know what needs to be done.

I think this is really all you can do. Be professional and let the chips fall where they may. It would be bad if you unnecessarily pitch a fit and come off as uncool (still a thing, from my understanding), souring the relationship with the band.

You’ll know more after you go. After reading through you account and following posts, I admit it doesn’t sound good for your future with them. Just my reaction.

 

[mrcbass]

1. If they're going to replace you, its gonna happen whether you like it or not and you probably wouldn't know about it until you get the pink slip. The fact that you know he's coming is probably a sign that that's not the intent.
2. Just because he plays covers doesn't mean he has no valuable input on original music. Never pass up an opportunity to work with other musicians. If he is there to be a "consultant" on bass lines, then soak up what you can. You don't have to do what he suggests, but new eyes/ears can't hurt you.
3. You can never have too many people in your musical circle of contacts.
4. After the event, if you don't want to work him again, talk to your bandmates about it, but give it a chance before making waves.