And again I reiterate: I'm not ONLY slapping, I finger a lot. I understand it's not for everything, but it has become a pretty large component of our band and if I would stop slapping it would detract from the character of most of our music.
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Bandmate angry about my choice in playing style
- Thread starter SMILEYSIXX
- Start date
And again I reiterate: I'm not ONLY slapping, I finger a lot. I understand it's not for everything, but it has become a pretty large component of our band and if I would stop slapping it would detract from the character of most of our music.
You asked for opinions and I gave one. Sorry if you only want to hear from people who agree with your point of view.
I asked for opinions on how to handle it, not your opinion about slap in general.
- Dec 12, 2007
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- Endorsing Artist: Zon Guitars, Tsunami Cables, DR Strings, GK
If you slap well enough you won't need a rythm guitar player.... just kidding.
Seriously though, everything has its place in music. Be open minded and use slap where it best suits the song. If you limit yourself to one sound your music will suffer in the sense that you won't sound versatile. If your band shares the vision of having only a slap sound then maybe he would be happier in a different band.
I love to play slap bass however, as many others have noted make it serve the song first. That way everyone wins.
Seriously though, everything has its place in music. Be open minded and use slap where it best suits the song. If you limit yourself to one sound your music will suffer in the sense that you won't sound versatile. If your band shares the vision of having only a slap sound then maybe he would be happier in a different band.
I love to play slap bass however, as many others have noted make it serve the song first. That way everyone wins.
x2.3
IMO why does this thread even exist?
You question your decisions and esteem to the point where you need people to back up the style you decided as a bass player to take up?
To h*ll with what everyone else thinks, do what you want.
Don't come to your peers or a forum looking for justification either.
I would suggest telling him that you appreciate his input. There is this thing called "compromise" in music and getting input from your band-mates is very important to a successful situation.
Ultimately, you are the bassist and it's your call how you want to play. Stay true to yourself and the tune.
Ultimately, you are the bassist and it's your call how you want to play. Stay true to yourself and the tune.
- Dec 12, 2007
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- Endorsing Artist: Zon Guitars, Tsunami Cables, DR Strings, GK
you mentioned in your first sentence that you and the lead guitarist make most of the decisions. I believe this may be the basis for your issue. If the rythm guy feels like his decision doesn't count then it's not really much of a band anyway. When I'm in a band where I don't make decisions or have imput, I'm paid for my practice time and all my gigs. Regardless of your musical vision, think about the management of your band and maybe you can come to a solution.
I guess you can think "youre the bassist, play how you like"
but then also... they're musicians, they play with who they like, largely based on how said other musicians play
- Nov 24, 2009
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- Endorsing Artist/Product Line Manager: Source Audio Effects
I find that the best way to communicate musical ideas is by playing them rather than talking about them. I say that because my band wasted hours arguing about what we were 'going' to do when the easiest way to determine what was best for our sound was to play it out. So it might not be worth bringing your band to the brink about what you plan on doing musically in the future. The next song that you guys write together, play it out and if slap makes you sound like a rock star, do it...but be open to the possibility that it could make you sound desperate.
I used to LOVE slapping on every part I could make it work on. I loved the fierceness of slap with rock. Then it got to a point where I did it so much it wasn't as entertaining as it used to be...for me or for anyone else. Tendencies are simply less inspired and therefore less inspiring.
I didn't stop slapping though...I just stopped clinging to the idea that it was so important.
The fact that your rhythm guitar player is reacting the way he is reacting is likely a sign that slap bass is becoming a tendency for you and it would be better for you and for your band to consider the possibility that he has a point.
Think of it this way...the best slappers out there like Flea, Victor Wooten or P-Nut venture far away from slap in a great deal of their playing.
I used to LOVE slapping on every part I could make it work on. I loved the fierceness of slap with rock. Then it got to a point where I did it so much it wasn't as entertaining as it used to be...for me or for anyone else. Tendencies are simply less inspired and therefore less inspiring.
I didn't stop slapping though...I just stopped clinging to the idea that it was so important.
The fact that your rhythm guitar player is reacting the way he is reacting is likely a sign that slap bass is becoming a tendency for you and it would be better for you and for your band to consider the possibility that he has a point.
Think of it this way...the best slappers out there like Flea, Victor Wooten or P-Nut venture far away from slap in a great deal of their playing.
I love slap bass in metal *coughRyanMartiniecough* and think it has its place for sure. I also hate when people tell me how to play. If he offered a suggestion such as "Hey, try this instead of slapping there..." or something like that, fine. But telling you straight up "Slap sucks, so stop it jerkwad!" is stupid. Tell him if he has a better idea, you will listen. Otherwise, keep strumming his weaker instrument and shut it.
i don't blame him. when i hear slap i get nauseous. i have to take a sip of Pepto even if i have to slap in a song.
my friends band asked if i would sit in on a slap-based tune and i almost vomited. it was 4 minutes of root/octave, root/fifth crap.
speaking of crap,... that reminds me....
i also hate Rap these days!!! rap & slap were cool in the 80's, but i can understand the youngster's loving it.
whenever i hear someone slapping in a Music Store, i grab a bass and do my best slap improv and annoy the other player until he realizes how annoyed i am.
i know that i'm an ass, so spare me!!!
my friends band asked if i would sit in on a slap-based tune and i almost vomited. it was 4 minutes of root/octave, root/fifth crap.
speaking of crap,... that reminds me....
i also hate Rap these days!!! rap & slap were cool in the 80's, but i can understand the youngster's loving it.
whenever i hear someone slapping in a Music Store, i grab a bass and do my best slap improv and annoy the other player until he realizes how annoyed i am.
i know that i'm an ass, so spare me!!!
In regard to uneven distribution of power, I'll admit, that may be a cause, but this band was started as our side project by the lead and I as an outlet for different music than we were both into. Gradually it became our center of attention and the drummer and singer became key components and it became our main band. The rhythm, as I said, I relatively new and was originally there to sub for me on some stuff while I was out, but kept because our singer thought rhythm may be useful.
Slap only would be bad.
Anything done in excess loses whatever it is that makes it special. Doing only slap will become old after a while, and as usual "play for the song" comes to mind. Only tapping, or only playing with a pick, or any technique or sound can become sterile and boring after a bit, no matter how cool it would be on its own. I do understand the slap thing wont really be 100% but too much can be too much.
As for the guitarists response, the only thing you can do is demonstrate what you have in mind. Record it. Once you come up with the parts listen to them with an objective ear. Does it really move the song in the direction you want to go? No really does it? If it works then go with it, but if it's only there 'cause you WANT it to be there, is it justified as being the right thing for the song?
It is supposed to be fun, so if you want to get funky go with it, but keep a level head about it.
Anything done in excess loses whatever it is that makes it special. Doing only slap will become old after a while, and as usual "play for the song" comes to mind. Only tapping, or only playing with a pick, or any technique or sound can become sterile and boring after a bit, no matter how cool it would be on its own. I do understand the slap thing wont really be 100% but too much can be too much.
As for the guitarists response, the only thing you can do is demonstrate what you have in mind. Record it. Once you come up with the parts listen to them with an objective ear. Does it really move the song in the direction you want to go? No really does it? If it works then go with it, but if it's only there 'cause you WANT it to be there, is it justified as being the right thing for the song?
It is supposed to be fun, so if you want to get funky go with it, but keep a level head about it.
- Feb 27, 2005
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- Full disclosure, I'm a certified Fender technician working in a music store that carries Fender, Yamaha, and Ibanez products among others.
This, +100. Play it, don't say it. Do what you want; I wouldn't warn the band in advance if I was trying something different at rehearsal, I'd want to see how it worked out.
If the guy is wrong, okay. If that part doesn't sound good with you slapping the part, ok. He may have a great set of ears, or he may just be trying to pigeonhole you as a bassist, and is upset that you won't cooperate. Try anything, and trust your own ears.
Either way, though, as JimmyM wisely points out, your project, your rules. If he can't deal with how you like to play and what you guys want to do, then it may be time for him to move on.
+1
totally agree, people seem to play slap because it is seen to be a "skill" or medal of honour as a muso, much like shredding on a guitar, or double kick pedals on a drum kit.
as for whats going on with the band, I had a similar situation in a band I was in a while ago, and eventually pushed me away from the band (caus the singer/writer was a dictator and never let anyone have input on the final product, to quote "its my song and I'll do what I want with it when he insisted on having delay on the vocals)
We had a song where in the chorus I thought slapping sounded cool, so I was playing it then when he noticed he asked me why I was doing it, I said "I thought it would sound cool and I think it kind of does" he replied with, "we leave the funk to bands like flounder (local funk band that our mates are in) or crappy pop artists" I preceded to tell him that I'm the one who actually has to play the bass line, and if he had any real reason why I shouldn't be playing it how I wanted to, tell me...needless to say I won the battle and could play it how I wanted to.
Unrelated tangent. I don't see slap as some kind of superior style, in fact, slap is easiest and comes more naturally to me. It was the first way I learned to play, so I don't see why people hold it on some sort of superior pedastal when it comes to difficulty. That being said, I still love the sound of it (when someone can actually do more than RHCP and Seinfeld) and think it sounds cool.
- Apr 6, 2001
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- IT director for a music retailer/dealer: Warwick, Yamaha, Ampeg, Gretch, Kala, Marshall, Orange etc..
After ripping on people for offering their opinion of wether you are slapping too much (and you are). This obviously becomes an issue about your interpersonal communication with bandmates.
Your question "how to handle this" has nothing to do with slapping or anything else bass/musical and all about either of your guys ability to communicate effectively or to compromise.
These are things you need to consult your shrink or psychology forum about. This is not bass related.
Generally speaking (as was mentioned before) its usually about somebody lacking the balls to share how they really feel and even worse someone with balls too small to accept what someone else saying (without but being butt hurt) regardless of being in agreement with them.
My only advice is:
1 don't be a p#ssy about sharing your opinions about something you feel strongly about. If he still has an issue let him walk... Hiding out about how you really feel is a disservice to everyone and in the long run becomes a cancer to any band/team/crew etc
2 quit slapping so ****ing much (don't kid yourself about everyone thinking it sounds good/better)
Your question "how to handle this" has nothing to do with slapping or anything else bass/musical and all about either of your guys ability to communicate effectively or to compromise.
These are things you need to consult your shrink or psychology forum about. This is not bass related.
Generally speaking (as was mentioned before) its usually about somebody lacking the balls to share how they really feel and even worse someone with balls too small to accept what someone else saying (without but being butt hurt) regardless of being in agreement with them.
My only advice is:
1 don't be a p#ssy about sharing your opinions about something you feel strongly about. If he still has an issue let him walk... Hiding out about how you really feel is a disservice to everyone and in the long run becomes a cancer to any band/team/crew etc
2 quit slapping so ****ing much (don't kid yourself about everyone thinking it sounds good/better)
