By the Record or " With Our Own Twist"?

[Jarred Harris]

I play mainly for country artists locally. It's a mix of originals and covers. No one plays the covers by the record. I do not waste my time learning a bassline note for note if the guitarist plays his own solos and the band plays a song with an extra 5 here and no walk up to the 4 etc... I was really just wondering if this is normal or if others experience this on the regular. To me as long as I can have a solid practice or two with the rest of the band and the bass and drums are together and all chords are correct I have no problem not playing 100% to the record, but I was wondering what others thought. Thanks in advance.

 

[Slater]

I have always believed there is a big difference between choosing to play something different from the original recording, and not being able to play it like the original recording…or not willing to put in the effort.

 

[Jarred Harris]

I have always believed there is a big difference between choosing to play something different from the original recording, and not being able to play it like the original recording…or not willing to put in the effort.

I completely agree. The question is... is it worth putting the effort in if other band members aren't or if that lick isn't going to sound right with the band.

 

[Slater]

I completely agree. The question is... is it worth putting the effort in if other band members aren't or if that lick isn't going to sound right with the band.

No, you have to go with the flow and make the song work, especially if your a hired gun and not a permanent member.

I used to play (occasionally) with a lead singer that was a little scatterbrained. He would sing verses out of order, so you would just have to lay back and see if the chorus, bridge, or another verse was coming next.

 

[Jarred Harris]

No, you have to go with the flow and make the song work, especially if your a hired gun and not a permanent member.

I used to play (occasionally) with a lead singer that was a little scatterbrained. He would sing verses out of order, so you would just have to lay back and see if the chorus, bridge, or another verse was coming next.

It's good to know other guys have dealt with that before too!

 

[JRA]

i think it depends on what your market expects from you.

some cover bands are known for their note-for-note renditions of tunes. some are known for their own twists on the same music. (and some bands can't play note-for-note so they do the best they can do.)

my jazz band doesn't bother with note-for-note, but the event band at least bows in the general direction as those audiences would expect it.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Depends on the music. Something like country or blues, where the original artists is probably changing solos nightly, there is nothing wrong with changing it up. Listen to Golden Earring's latest live arrangement of Radar Love. But if you are playing bass to Don't Stop Believing or Crazy Little Thing called Love, you better nail the original part.

More importantly, "putting your own spin on it" should never be an excuse for half @$$ing it through a song.

 

[brianrost]

Might not be the case with modern country, but even big name country bands play covers and I've never been in a country band that tried to do note for note covers. It only seems to matter for rock and top 40, which is good because I don't play that stuff.

 

[EricMordus]

My best answer:
Kind of both

 

[Paulabass]

I've gone 45 years without covering a song even remotely note for note, and I never will. I usually don't even listen to the song unless I'm subbing, and in a hurry.
So far, they keep hiring me.

 

[Somanytoys]

To be honest, on most songs, most people in the audience can’t tell, as long as the whole resembles the song and retains the feel/groove. Some really need to be nailed, tho.

I was at a pretty large krewe party for a Mardi Gras parade a few years ago, and the band they hired did all the typical covers. None of the musicians played the parts correctly, nor were they trying to put their own twist on it. But all in all they sounded enough like each song, that I don’t think too many people besides me and maybe a few other musicians really noticed, or cared.

Alcohol typically helps a lot with this phenomenon.

 

[Kmonk]

I've always played covers note for note. I believe that people want to hear songs the way they know them and unless you're famous, nobody wants to hear your interpretation of a song.

 

[DirtDog]

If we all played exactly like the record, half the songs we'd play would fade out at the end. I swear to god I saw one local band do that here in the '80s. Not sure if they were being serious about their craft or just taking the piss.

but I agree with @Slater - big difference playing it different on purpose and playing it different because you can't play it properly.

 

[diegom]

Alcohol typically helps a lot with this phenomenon.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

When I see a cover band and they don’t play songs correctly, it annoys me. Unless they’re really really really talented musicians and they do unique, killer cool versions of the songs.

Me personally, I learn songs note-for-note. I figure people (especially those on the bandstand) appreciate it more. This approach has brought me much success.

 

[dramatwist]

...if you want the original arrangement, see the original artist or play the recording... I've got the LP at home... I'd rather hear the band's take on it...

 

[dramatwist]

I've always played covers note for note. I believe that people want to hear songs the way they know them and unless you're famous, nobody wants to hear your interpretation of a song.

...sorry @Kmonk... not true in my market, no disrespect... if you play it "note for note", get a DJ... for a lot less $$...

 

[CryingBass]

The smoker you drink the player I get.

 

[cmcbass]

Bands I've been in always played covers "with a twist." We were always capable of playing them note for note, but I've never found that fun. Music is about creativity for me, so I like to come up with my own rendition.

If I was getting paid good enough money to play note for note I would do it though.

 

[mrcbass]

I'm in the do what it takes to make the gig work camp. I'm not a note for note guy; honor what ever groove the band is throwing at a song and support the version you're performing. In old school country, there isn't a lot you can do; newer stuff has a lot more room for interpretations.