• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bass lines that almost everybody plays wrong...

#141
nortonrider said:
The guy who wrote a song can play it any way he wants.

A band covering a version of a song has a clear road map (a recording) of what to play.
Play it that way or not.
Click to expand...

Might as well just stay home listening to the record, then....

'sides... which version of a song is the authoritative one? The version of Closer to The Heart from the original record or the one from Different Stages?

N.b the purpose of some bands, e.g. jazz bands, jam bands, bluegrass, etc., is intentionally NOT to play everything just like the record.
 
#142
From a guy in a Beatles trib:

Everyone always plays Day Tripper an octave too low, using the open strings. Macca played it an octave up the neck.

Get Back - the bass does not follow the G D A part, it stays on A. (At least in the original recording - even Macca plays it wrong these days.)
 
#144
smurfco said:
From a guy in a Beatles trib:
Everyone always plays Day Tripper an octave too low, using the open strings. Macca played it an octave up the neck.
Click to expand...

I've noticed how the bassline can all of a sudden sound more authentic when it's played the way it was originally played/fretted. Big difference in the fretted A on the E string as opposed to the open A string for example.
 
#147
biggs1249 said:
that's stupid. playing bass lines note for note off records isn't making music. sure learn the parts just to develop your ears, and your concept, but why play them out like that? who benefits? those notes might be the "perfect" notes. but they are perfect for that performance. The music will be better in the moment. the crowd knows when great music is made in the moment and they respond to that more than nailing the correct lick variation in bar 106.
Click to expand...

You obviously don't play a lot of reggae. ;)
 
#148
learn the corerct bassline, then adapt it IF necessary. Theres nothing I hate more than someone playing a bassline incorrectly on purpose because they think theyre making it better somehow, or emphasisng a 7th on a maj. chord to show everyone that he knows theory.

Serve the song, its not about you changing the bass line to make it "hipper". I mean throwing in your own fills here and there are 100% fine. but there is a fine line you must walk. (zing!)
 
#149
KimblesNimble said:
Theres nothing I hate more than someone playing a bassline incorrectly on purpose because they think theyre making it better somehow
Click to expand...

I'm your new worst enemy, nice to meet you. :D


Although, I don't do it because I think I do it better, I do it to suit my style and allow me to get more involved.


Except for Runnin' With the Devil. We all know anyone can make that bassline better. :hiding:
 
#150
not_jason said:
Very very true.

I don't play in a cover band, but I once played in a band that did a lot of bar gigs and had a big list of covers. Most of the time I focused hard on nailing the parts that really defined the song, but beyond that, I opened it up a little to interpretation.

Playing cover songs in my own band, a two piece with a drum machine, I often had to do double duty playing not only the bass, but compensating for a missing second guitar, keyboards, etc.
Click to expand...


I've played in tons and almost exclusively find these to be the case. To the point now-years later-that I don't even realize I'm not playing the "correct" line. Whatever make the band sound better. If that requires deviation, so be it.
 
#160
4001 said:
I've noticed how the bassline can all of a sudden sound more authentic when it's played the way it was originally played/fretted. Big difference in the fretted A on the E string as opposed to the open A string for example.
Click to expand...

I kind of like it with the open E, however. I noticed McCartney would do that often, though...play the high 'E' instead of the low 'E' - like in I Saw Her Standing There, Money (That's What I Want), etc. I always thought that was kind of strange...why have a bass if you're going to play in guitar range? I thought maybe because his Hofner apparently had intonation problems, but I doubt it. If that were the case, then playing the low 'A' riffs would be problematic too.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back