Bass vs. Piano

well, if it were my band and you really are an a** hole...then yes, i guess piano would be the better option

 

Maybe not a piano, but a keyboard can, sure. All depends on your definition of credibly, though. Lots of small bands have keyboard bass. Sounds OK. Fortunately, most people favor actual bass with strings.

 

Keyboards cant use double thump ha ?

 

Dont worry jack, you're safe as long as the keyboard player doesnt hit the button marked "Calypso", and start one of those preprogrammed beats with a bassline.

No bass player could compete with that...

Oh, and to answer your other question, it depends on if its a small pianist.

 

Buy some maracas, or a big cheesy tamborine, and shake it vigourously whilst dancing up and down whenever the keyboard player even thinks about doing something stupid.

He'll learn.

He'll learn good...

 

Seriously though, I dont think a keyboard/piano could sub for bass. It doesn't have the dynamics, and I have yet to see a keyboard/piano player hold a groove throughout a track with his left hand. Probably too busy changing lightbulbs with it...

 

SouLive anyone? Only keyboards in that band (drums, keyboard, guitar) and there are very few people on this board who can groove harder than the keyboard player. He can swing your face off and is always right on with the drummer.

Can it be done?? Yes, and done well. But he is the exception, you have to be a monster player to do it. Most players don't have the chops.

 

Stevie Wonders new CD, like many of his others, got along fine without a bass player. Though he has Nathan East on about four tunes off the new CD, and when he plays you can tell the difference. I can't remember if you said what type of tunes your band plays, so, I guess that might make a difference. Though with so many band gigs being cut back because of lack of $$, it would be easy to see who'd be the first to go. Maybe the reason you feel so 'a-holeish' is because you don't really like what you're doing, because of the music you're playing or the people you're playing it with. ..... My guess, it's the latter. ..... Life's too short, go out and find some like minded 'a-holes' to play with. There's pleanty out there.

 

Actually, based on my experience - keyboardists are often
more expendable than bassists. Especially in the clubs.
Most listeners are more than willing to sacrifice a harmony
part just to hear/feel that thump. It's a neanderthal tribal
kinda thing ; )

On the other hand - there a great many keyboardists who
can hold a groove like it's nobody's business, and a great
many bassists who can't hold a groove for the life of them.
Joey Defrancesco can lay down a walking line better than
I ever could, all while conjuring one of those freightfully
fantastic solos that would make Bireli Lagrene vomit with
envy. Well, maybe not Bireli... but you get my point...

 

The Doors used a keyboard bass on many of their early songs. "Light My Fire" uses keyboard bass. It will work, but you don't have those dynamics that a vibrating string and hands will give you.

Think of it this way. Would the Beatles "Come Together" have sounded the same without that punch.

Or, look at early Zep. It might work, but it wouldn't be the same.

 

I think it depends on the type of music. A fender P played with a pick is great for punk/metal etc, but I think (and this is just my personal opinion - check the sig) if you really want to groove, fingers is the way to go. But thats another topic really...

 

Apparently not ...

He only plays on 2 tracks and Nathan Watts plays on 2!!