"Bass is not played that way" ?!

[Dana R Gregory]

There is always some poser who knows every thing about nothing. Ask to come see his band so you can "see how it's done".That should shut him up. If by any chance he actually is in a band, go see him and give him a dose of his own medicine.

 

[knumbskull]

Funnily enough that is exactly how Steve Harris got kicked out of the Moody Blues

 

[Jack Butler]

Some people get great satisfaction out of being able to copy the original lines as perfectly as possible. Nothing wrong with that, nothing wrong with doing your own thing.

I always have the "How close to the original do you want to play covers" discussion before I join a band. It makes things so much easier down the road.

Agree 100%. Personally, I have little interest in copying note for note. I respect those that get it perfect, but when I join a band I tell them I like to add my own stamp from time to time.

 

[cnltb]

Hey all,
so I was playing a 16th note riff on the higher frets of the G and D string, then the guitarist comes to me and says: "man, bass is not played that way". I was so upset that there was someone making rules for an instrument haha. Have you experienced this as well, that someone said, stick to the root notes or anything like that?

Cheers

If the bass gets in the way of the guitar he might have a point, I think.

 

[Flabass]

I would have said "guitars aren't played that way."

 

[Paulabass]

Nope- rock. Take a listen to Phil Lesh, Otiel Burbridge, or Mike Gordon, to name a few. We hate repetition

 

[Clef_de_fa]

the R-5 police can be found everywhere

 

[Frampton]

When he starts paying me, he can tell me what he wants the bass to sound like. Until then, STFU!

 

[SactoBass]

Some people get great satisfaction out of being able to copy the original lines as perfectly as possible. Nothing wrong with that, nothing wrong with doing your own thing.

I always have the "How close to the original do you want to play covers" discussion before I join a band. It makes things so much easier down the road.

^^^This is a great post!

One of the bands I was in was a YES tribute band, and we all strived to play everything note for note to pay tribute to YES music. It was so much fun it should have been illegal! We had a blast!

Some bassists in cover bands prefer note for note, and others prefer to add their own style to it. I happen to be the type of bassist who prefers the former rather than the latter. Pure personal preference there!

 

[Wanker_Joe]

I would have broken out in my craziest wankiest over the top bass line just to spite them if somebody gave me that comment. But that's kind of what I do anyways, so what do I know....

 

[SactoBass]

and Jaco, and Victor and Chris Squire and Les Claypool and John Entwistle and Paul McCartney and Jack Bruce and every other bass player that ever had an original thought.

LOL!

I could just imagine someone telling Chris Squire to "just stay on the root." It would be like telling Mario Andretti to "just drive the car and keep it under 40 mph."

 

[smeet]

Nope- rock. Take a listen to Phil Lesh, Otiel Burbridge, or Mike Gordon, to name a few. We hate repetion

I don’t think Phil Lesh plays bass incorrectly, but I hate listening to him. It’s my problem, I know.

 

[Two-Spirit]

Hey all,
so I was playing a 16th note riff on the higher frets of the G and D string, then the guitarist comes to me and says: "man, bass is not played that way". I was so upset that there was someone making rules for an instrument haha. Have you experienced this as well, that someone said, stick to the root notes or anything like that?

Cheers

Plenty of stupid people to go around, everybody talks before thinking. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[AztecViking]

Muzz Skillings gets that all the time.

 

[Mr.Ace]

It is now lol!

 

[Strung_Low]

You should've just told him you can do what you want, then turn and fart in his general direction!

 

[Pilgrim]

Hey all,
so I was playing a 16th note riff on the higher frets of the G and D string, then the guitarist comes to me and says: "man, bass is not played that way". I was so upset that there was someone making rules for an instrument haha. Have you experienced this as well, that someone said, stick to the root notes or anything like that?

Cheers

You are the bass player - play it the way you like.

However, I am always open to seeing techniques which I can learn from. So like a previous response, I'd be open to asking him to demonstrate. Of course, I retain the right to say: "Thanks, but I like my way better."

 

[jdthebassman]

I would play more 16ths just to tic him off LOL

 

[40Hz]

Never had anybody tell me to dial it back, play less (or more) or turn it down.

There were a few times when I was asked to turn it up however.

 

[somebrains]

Hey all,
so I was playing a 16th note riff on the higher frets of the G and D string, then the guitarist comes to me and says: "man, bass is not played that way". I was so upset that there was someone making rules for an instrument haha. Have you experienced this as well, that someone said, stick to the root notes or anything like that?

Cheers

Tell him that's what his old lady says, suggest that a prescription will help him get over the physical hump while he deals with his performance issues.