Do you play songs exactly the same every time?

[gidbass]

Nope. I nail the hooks (well i try too...) and kind of improve the rest.

Good Luck!

 

[rufus.K]

Depends on the song. Sometimes

 

[Veldar]

I prefer to keep it loose, know all the changes & the important bass hooks but have a level of freedom, just joined a covers band where the guitarist hates that so I'll see how it goes.

 

[wintremute]

I'm not in a tribute band, so I change it up.

 

[frsbdg]

I prefer to keep it loose, know all the changes & the important bass hooks but have a level of freedom, just joined a covers band where the guitarist hates that so I'll see how it goes.

That's pretty much how I play, and my bandmates don't seem to mind. Good luck with your guitarist.

 

[micque]

I try and keep the same groove, its happened at times that i might make a mistake and miss a cue and losse where I'm at, then have to make a split second creative run to get back where I belong, and discover that the made up on the fly bit actualy sounded better than what I was supposed to do in the first place.

 

[davegt666]

I change it til I'm happy, whether its originals or covers. Once I find somewhere I'm comfortable with I stick to it and don't change it.

 

[Jughead6]

I subscribe to the Keith Richards method of live performance. Whatever happens, happens.

 

[markmeloney]

I'm fairly new to bass, and it occurred to me recently that I pretty much never play a song exactly the same way every time. I hit the root notes the same, and might play 90% or more of my approaches the same, but I really don't think (or care) about playing a song one way forever. When I practice, I try out different fills, approaches, and rhythms, and incorporate the ones I like into my "vocabulary" for that song.

Do other people play like this, or do you essentially play note-for-note replicas? Improvising in the moment is more interesting, in my opinion. I'd like to hear how other players feel about it.

If you're doing a cover it's probably best to play it the way it's originally played. That said, music is an art, not a science, so play the song which ever way you think it sounds the best. If you like what you're playing, chances are other people will too. My biggest suggestion to you is to learn as many songs as you can. even if learn a song and never play it again. This way you'll start to learn the 'tricks of the trade' so to speak. There are a lot of little things that all bassists do to make their playing more interesting. the more songs you learn the more stuff you'll have to incorporate into your own style. Also don't think you can't learn something from a song in a style that you're not a fan of, or that certain techniques can only be used in a certain type of music. I routinely use right hand funk techniques in death metal. double thumbing sounds wicked over fast picked guitars IMO. Above all else, play the music YOU want to hear. you have to like what you're playing so you'll practice more and progress rapidly.

Never stop rocking

 

[Scottkarch]

I sing about 30% of our songs, and backups on almost all the rest. While singing I agree that I play on autopilot and focus 90% of my attention on lyrics and pitch. The few that I don't sing on I switch around all the time.

 

[markmeloney]

In my last original band I would play the part all the time the same once I found something everyone was happy with. If I play a cover I play everytime the exact same thing especially if I have a music sheet.

the problem with never playing the same thing twice is one night it will be amazing and the next it will sounds terrible. And so when you improvise all the time or change your part all the time your band mate can't create something in response to what you play because they never know what you'll be doing. Or you can't even harmonize some part either.

I wish the guitarist of my old band could have figured that out. he never seemed to play the same thing rhythmically and it really pissed me off. he actually changed some parts the day he recorded and when it was my turn to track that bass I was like what. the. F. meanwhile the engineer is looking at me like 'bass players never learning their parts..'

 

[RicoTheBassMan]

Players are bringing up really good points here....tribute bands and a lot of vocals will drive you to play the same lines every time. It really matters on the circumstances and the group you are playing with.

 

[MegaSwing]

Doubtful. What's important is the feel, which can be copped without playing with note-for-note precision. Without the correct feel, you can play every note perfectly and still not sound right.

 

[two fingers]

Hey Welcome to TalkBass @frsbdg !!!

It depends on the band and the song. If the song is a smash hit and the bass line is a pretty big part of the song I'll leave it alone and play it lone the recording. Otherwise I'll do some of my own thing with it.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

What you are hearing now is what you get. If the leader takes us off a cliff, we will follow him and all be together before we hit the ground. This is especially true in the Praise music we play.

I've always felt the song should be recognizable but this is the way we do it. I know that may not be the way you would be comfortable playing. Works for us.

 

[Kevin Isaac Garcia]

I'm fairly new to bass, and it occurred to me recently that I pretty much never play a song exactly the same way every time. I hit the root notes the same, and might play 90% or more of my approaches the same, but I really don't think (or care) about playing a song one way forever. When I practice, I try out different fills, approaches, and rhythms, and incorporate the ones I like into my "vocabulary" for that song.

Do other people play like this, or do you essentially play note-for-note replicas? Improvising in the moment is more interesting, in my opinion. I'd like to hear how other players feel about it.

Nope, not even Victor wooten plays "Amazing grace" the same in his covers.

 

[Laklandfan]

Yes, if I'm reading sheet music.

 

[Big Hoss]

I usually screw up on different parts of a song each time I play it.

 

[LT131]

Playing note for note is great providing everyone else does the same.

 

[okcrum]

Playing exact parts is more common in recording when layering or doubling parts. The classic "tic tac" double track is one example of playing the exact same part, either with another player or as an overdub.

Most live performances that require repeatability at that level use charts, backing tracks, or lots of shedding then rehearsing. Yes is a classic example of the last from days of old.