Do we really need to bash anything that's not top 40 covers in 4/4? Some of us enjoy fusion and challenging tunes. I would never force that on someone, provided nobody forces me to play in a cover band.
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Guitar only likes parts that're complex in theory
- Thread starter thorplaysbass
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Do we really need to bash anything that's not top 40 covers in 4/4? Some of us enjoy fusion and challenging tunes. I would never force that on someone, provided nobody forces me to play in a cover band.
It's not the 70's, prog rock is dead.
Play some covers of Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber instead, that's what people want to hear nowadays!
Play some covers of Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber instead, that's what people want to hear nowadays!
I don't think it's bashing its just give the people what they want? If your goal is get gig, play, get paid then math rock, prog whatever you want to call it is not where its at for the most markets.
You will need to do covers and music people and the ladies can dance to and bars /clubs can sell drinks/food while you play.
My area has always had a decent (small) original music scene with National bands coming from here since the 70's. Metal and hardcore type bands still do ok but its a sausage fest and small crowds for the most part but, they dig it and support it.
I'm in an original band that does Americana music and it goes over but again smaller crowds but it's cool. If your good with doing complex music, math rock, whatever know that it will not be a huge draw and might only go over with other musicians, those who dig this type of music and small turnouts in most areas.
If you want the ladies and dancers then do covers and music Joe and Jane public support and know. Thats all we are saying.
Changed my mind. Fire his ass. Play Lady Gaga.
...besides, if $$ is the end point of what's right, I make a hell of a lot of $ with my day job. You all should do that instead.
Unfortunately, not everyone is making a killing at their day job! I'm certainly not! I love what I play but I also play for pay and it helps to pay the bills! If I can make money playing what I love, I'm going to do just that!Changed my mind. Fire his ass. Play Lady Gaga.
...besides, if $$ is the end point of what's right, I make a hell of a lot of $ with my day job. You all should do that instead.
Not everyone has the same motivations to do what they do! There should be diversity in music and I don't have a problem with folks playing obscure stuff. It's all creativity and if it keeps folks off the streets and out of jail, more power to you!
Then money isn't the end point?
I'm not bashing cover bands, but the double standard exists to bash original bands, especially anything "complex" by today's standards. I'm in a "complex" band and we're hoping to play for more than 1 person and hoping that more than 1 person will "groove" to it.
Besides, cover bands should welcome original bands who could be potentially writing a song they perform some day. Sooner or later, the Sweet Home Mustang Sally crowd will be dead or in a nursing home.
Changed my mind. Fire his ass. Play Lady Gaga.
...besides, if $$ is the end point of what's right, I make a hell of a lot of $ with my day job. You all should do that instead.
Trust me money has never been a reason for me to play music and never will be. I play in an originals band and have played covers and might again soon on the side.
I do get paid playing originals but its half of what I made doing covers a night. If I want money its covers, if i want to play from my heart and my love of music its originals. I have a good job and any money from music is handy and nice but it won't replace my need to be creative with music no matter how big the crowd is. I know my musics limitations and am ok with them.
I agree. I have been in originals bands but I was always adamant about writing good material and not just random nonsense just to be different. Been there, done that.....Quit! One band was quite good but the singer's voice left much to be desired and plus he kept wanting to play freebie shows! Sorry, I'm driving 50 miles and I'm not getting paid? I don't think so! If guys want to play just to play, that fine but there's got to be some sense of achievement or reward at the end of the road! Be it a solid cd recording to sell or paying gigs. I mean, transporting equipment and PA gear just because? Not for me! But hey, if the whole band is in agreement, who am I to argue?
I love playing AC/DC and stuff people love, try to throw in a Rush song now and then but in general what the Hell is wrong with developing a strong grooving song and playing your ass off on it? rather than counting- well this measure is in 3/4 than we go to 5/8 then ....
I really like to see the GIRLS dance- makes it more fun for me. They dance to Play that Funky Music, Killing in the Name of, Jailbreak and songs like this. Do i like to listen to Dream Theater on occassion, sure, doesn't mean it is a good thing to "attempt" to play at a bar.
I still say your main job as a bassist is to groove HARD whether you play originals or covers.
I really like to see the GIRLS dance- makes it more fun for me. They dance to Play that Funky Music, Killing in the Name of, Jailbreak and songs like this. Do i like to listen to Dream Theater on occassion, sure, doesn't mean it is a good thing to "attempt" to play at a bar.
I still say your main job as a bassist is to groove HARD whether you play originals or covers.
yeah I had that... lead guitar player wanting to do some complex stuff... rythm guitar player always kissing the ground the other one walked because, let's face it, he was good... the drum just didn' t care...
my advice is do something about it... talk do him, quit, get rid of him... whatever...
we went like that for 1 year and all we got was a ****** original, a lot of ideias and we eventually splited up....
so for the sake of the band do something.. even if you have to quit...
my advice is do something about it... talk do him, quit, get rid of him... whatever...
we went like that for 1 year and all we got was a ****** original, a lot of ideias and we eventually splited up....
so for the sake of the band do something.. even if you have to quit...
Music I enjoy is free. All others must pay cash, which is basically the "rule" of my band.
We try to balance complexity with something that some people can enjoy. We're realistic that Play Some Skynard Dude probably won't like the band. We can live with that.
Oddly enough, the drummer and guitarist love odd time signatures. I don't always like these odd times, but take it as a chance to learn. My job always throws me curve balls, but I don't have any other choice but to adapt.
As for the whole band being in agreement, we don't know that about the OP and the rest of his band. They look like youngsters to me.
Heh, you read my mind. I don't know about you guys but, for
me, replacing band members is a major PITA -- and it's a crap shoot.
The grass isn't always greener on the other side.
This is true but if a band member is a disruptive force, then they gotta go! Nothing like having someone who's not willing to be a team member or compromise for the sake of the band's goals. we just let a guy go for this very issue. Dude got high, before and during gigs! During breaks and after gigs, he's out in the parking lot chasing women around. During gigs likes to have conversations while we're playing. a lot of bad habits but one of the best guitarists in the area. Didn't matter! At the end of the day we felt he wasn't a good enough asset to the band to deal with all his crap. Yeah, we have not replaced him but the entire band is a lot happier!
Some people get very upset and threatened whenever anyone wants to expand the role of the bass or play anything except root/5th. They usually resort to telling everyone what the role of the bass is, as if there is only one possible role and we all have the same goals.
I notice that the people who want to expand the role of the bass never tell the traditionalists what they have to play; but the traditionalists have no problem insisting that we all assume the same role and play the same way.
Exactly. I decide what my role as a bass player is, not other bass players. Not all music is meant to groove, and not all music is meant to be danceable and simple, either. I don't see Dream Theater hurting for fans or cash, for example.
Some people get very upset and threatened whenever anyone wants to expand the role of the bass or play anything except root/5th. They usually resort to telling everyone what the role of the bass is, as if there is only one possible role and we all have the same goals.
I notice that the people who want to expand the role of the bass never tell the traditionalists what they have to play; but the traditionalists have no problem insisting that we all assume the same role and play the same way.
I once got "fired" from a "band" for walking to chord changes. The guitard asked what I was doing. (What do you mean, "what am I doing"?!) Don't do that s***. The chord change went from A to C and I made a pitstop at B. This offended him.
I got the impression that the less a guitarist knows in general, the more they like to boss us around.
Rush wrote off attracting chicks in 1980
If there were a competition for not attacting women, Rush would win it by a landslide!
Goes both ways, some original bands are highly respected for doing technical music, and it can defy who they are.
Or you get annoying junk that nobody wants to listen too, because its written by one guy and biased to his way of seeing things.
Or you have a musical genius, and the only thing holding him back is a drummer that can barely play 4/4 , and a bass player that couldn't tell you where a C is anywhere on the neck.
Likewise learning complicated stuff is a challenge, and some are not willing to accept it, or not capable of doing it.
Original bands are a compromise, one guy writes something and then the rest of the band adds there style and influence to it.
And possible even adds more to it.
The difference between some guy just recording his ideas at home for a stale boring sound, all written by one guy. Or a guy who brings his ideas, and it can blossom into incredible art with the influence of other players.
Question is, does it sound lame? or is other members unwilling to take the challenge, because they lack skills or have a hard time memorizing or learning new things.
Likewise it can be good or a learning experience. and together as a group you can create something beyond a single mans vision.
Or you get annoying junk that nobody wants to listen too, because its written by one guy and biased to his way of seeing things.
Or you have a musical genius, and the only thing holding him back is a drummer that can barely play 4/4 , and a bass player that couldn't tell you where a C is anywhere on the neck.
Likewise learning complicated stuff is a challenge, and some are not willing to accept it, or not capable of doing it.
Original bands are a compromise, one guy writes something and then the rest of the band adds there style and influence to it.
And possible even adds more to it.
The difference between some guy just recording his ideas at home for a stale boring sound, all written by one guy. Or a guy who brings his ideas, and it can blossom into incredible art with the influence of other players.
Question is, does it sound lame? or is other members unwilling to take the challenge, because they lack skills or have a hard time memorizing or learning new things.
Likewise it can be good or a learning experience. and together as a group you can create something beyond a single mans vision.
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