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Double Bass Bass & Banjo....Buddies?

neddyrow

neddyrow

www.simmerinstew.com
Apr 21, 2011
2,309
3,136
Cortland, NY
#1
there has been something i have been noticing and since i've been playing with only one banjo player mostly, i want to see if this is happening to you guys as well.

Do you find yourself doing the same things that the banjo player is doing?

examples:

  • we both do our walk up together when starting a verse or walking up into the chorus
  • when we get to a "V" at the end of a line, we usually both do some kind of a fill in that spot
  • sometimes the banjo player will not roll but do an off beat "pluckchop" thing that hits when i slap.

we have been playing together for over 15 years and since we are locked in, it doesn't sound off but seems redundant. i like it because it reinforced important parts of the song but don't know if it makes things too busy.

anyone experience this? ....anyone even know what i am talking about?

my luthier explained how the entire bluegrass band IS the drummer, hence no need for one.

so extra rhythmic stuff that contributes to rhythm is good, right?
 
#3
Right. I used to get frustrated when guitar players would play the bassline. Don't want to be doing the same thing. The walk ups together are OK. And have been trying not to do fills or a simple turnaround instead when I get to the V since I've been noticing this.

Not sure if it's a big deal. I'm sure I'm the only one who notices.
 
#4
neddyrow said:
there has been something i have been noticing and since i've been playing with only one banjo player mostly, i want to see if this is happening to you guys as well.

Do you find yourself doing the same things that the banjo player is doing?

examples:

  • we both do our walk up together when starting a verse or walking up into the chorus
  • when we get to a "V" at the end of a line, we usually both do some kind of a fill in that spot
  • sometimes the banjo player will not roll but do an off beat "pluckchop" thing that hits when i slap.

we have been playing together for over 15 years and since we are locked in, it doesn't sound off but seems redundant. i like it because it reinforced important parts of the song but don't know if it makes things too busy.

anyone experience this? ....anyone even know what i am talking about?

my luthier explained how the entire bluegrass band IS the drummer, hence no need for one.

so extra rhythmic stuff that contributes to rhythm is good, right?
Click to expand...

Seems right- you're telepathically linked to one another. After all that time together you'd be hard pressed NOT to naturally fall in and get used to each other's feel and customary moves.

Record a gig and you'll soon determine what works and what doesn't.
 
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#5
It sounds like you guys have good chemistry after that long of a run together. If you're playing small parts off of each other like that, then it's a good thing. One of the best feelings for me on the bandstand is being able to trust what the others are doing. Sounds like you guys have that, so I doubt it sounds busy. Musical would probably be a better description.

Some of it depends on the players as well, but that doesn't sound like an issue for you. In my old timey band when we had crappy guitar players early on, I played almost all of the walk ups and fills to lead us back to the 1. Then we ended up with a skilled guitarist who had been playing traditional music for years in a band with no bass player. He plays bass runs in those spots, and a lot of the time different ones than I would play.....plus he's set in ways sometimes to a fault. So I figured I'd be the bigger person and just quit playing fills, because in those instances - it would just sound busy. Ironically the fiddle player and often cross the same paths inside the song, but we've been playing together for 4+ years.

In general when I playing bluegrass, I just let the banjo or guitar lead (especially if I haven't played with them before). There are just too many oddly timed turn arounds and holding patterns on some of those traditional tunes to try to lead the band from bass. Chances are, they waiting for your queue anyway!
 
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#8
i did get a chance to play with a sub banjo player for a gig saturday and will say we do not "mesh" like our normal banjo player. he's very good but definitely different. i am sticking with the walkups and other little pieces here and there where we do the same stuff but, playing with the other banjo player did help me to identify spots to stick to 1/5 and pots where i can add walkups and fills.

the real question i think is: do i think like a banjo player? if so, i may need a lobotomy!
 
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#9
I'm sure you will remember the story about what each member of the bluegrass band was thinking during the gig:
Guitar/Lead Singer: "that chick in the front row is really hot!"
Mandolin: "is this the way Sam would play the break?"
Banjo: "if we get paid I can put two new tires on my pickup."
Bass: "one-five, one-five, one-five."

Too much thinking can distract the band.
 
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