Guitar player doing bass, is this recording that obvious?

[MJ Slaughter]

I've been playing guitar for decades and just started with bass. I know my technique isn't there yet but hopefully someone can let me know what they hear from this track I made.

A few months ago I picked up my first bass guitar and unfortunately I've been too busy to mess with it much until recently. There are some songs in my acoustic duo I use a looper pedal on and some of them just don't sound great without spending time building the loops and not everyone wants to sit and wait through that. So I've pre-recorded some loops at home and saved as presets. Works fine but I want to incorporate a real bass into my loops/tracks. I hate the idea of using tracks but have justified in my mind that I'm playing on it so semi legit, maybe.

So, you're sitting in a venue and hear this track along with live guitar and two singers. Do you instantly recognize that it's a guitarist trying to play bass or does it just sound like a beginner who hasn't developed the technique? I'm not attuned to bass playing like guitar and I don't hear the nuances yet so feel free to give me your tips or suggestions. Drums are the isolated tracks from Mick Fleetwood's studio album performance. No way I could play drums. I can only use two limbs at once, and some days that's questionable.

Fleetwood Mac Rhiannon

 

[Nashrakh]

Except the plausible expectation that you'd be playing with a pick, I can't hear anything that sounds obvious. "Playing bass like a guitar" is usually associated with overplaying around these parts.

Besides the technical and timing difficulties every beginner encounters, I say none would be the wiser.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Except the plausible expectation that you'd be playing with a pick, I can't hear anything that sounds obvious. "Playing bass like a guitar" is usually associated with overplaying around these parts.

Besides the technical and timing difficulties every beginner encounters, I say none would be the wiser.

Same.
Sounds cool man.
Add some rests.
You don't gotta fill every measure full up.

 

[AGCurry]

I really dislike the drum track, but the bass line sounds fine.

 

[LBS-bass]

Your playing is fine. Maybe could work to lock in with the drum track just a little more; it sounds a bit like you're playing above the drums rather than with them, which is kind of a guitar thing. But it's not bad, and could just be the way it's mixed. I don't play quite that many eighth notes when I play that line but it's been so long since I listened to it I'm not sure if that's correct or just my way of doing it.

As was noted above, most of the criticism on this comes from guitarists who aren't playing rhythmic parts but rather try to play bass parts like solo leads. You're clearly not doing that.

 

[mike buzzetti]

Not bad you are playing your timing like a gtr player on TOP of the beat , bass typically ( not all the time ) is behind the beat, , you could use a fiber pick to make it sound more finger style. I play GTR+BASS fyi

check out this video for the lines

 

[MJ Slaughter]

Thanks for the input. Playing the right notes is easier than playing them the right way. I'm still thinking too much about my fingering and hand position. Switching back and fourth between a guitar and bass in a session doesn't help me.

Except the plausible expectation that you'd be playing with a pick,

Not sure I understand. I'm using my fingers, are you saying it's originally played with a pick?

Same.
Sounds cool man.
Add some rests.
You don't gotta fill every measure full up.

I know, it is kind of busy but I'm almost certain that is how he played it. Hopefully when I'm better at this I can put my own spin on the bass parts.

I really dislike the drum track, but the bass line sounds fine.

The drums on this song always sounded a little odd to me but what you're hearing here is the actual Mick Fleetwood recording. For better or worst.

it sounds a bit like you're playing above the drums rather than with them, which is kind of a guitar thing.

Funny, the drummer in my other band made the comment the other day that guitarist tend to a little ahead of the beat. I don't know why I like to push the beat and would prefer to have better control. At least to do it intentionally if that's what I want.

 

[LBS-bass]

Funny, the drummer in my other band made the comment the other day that guitarist tend to a little ahead of the beat. I don't know why I like to push the beat and would prefer to have better control. At least to do it intentionally if that's what I want.

You're doing great, locking in with precision just takes some practice and thay's a busy line; you're not doing bad at all.

 

[mike buzzetti]

Funny, the drummer in my other band made the comment the other day that guitarist tend to a little ahead of the beat. I don't know why I like to push the beat and would prefer to have better control. At least to do it intentionally if that's what I want.


learn some MOTOWN stuff you will understand the difference in timing.

 

[MJ Slaughter]

learn some MOTOWN stuff you will understand the difference in timing.

That's a great idea. I like me some Motown.

 

[mike buzzetti]

That's a great idea. I like me some Motown.

Mercy mercy me & Whats going on , they groove hard and are back beat.

 

[Discount Bassy]

Thank you for sharing. It sounds pretty good. I agree with the trend of things not feeling fully "locked in" with the drummer/drum track. Spending a bit of time practicing playing bass with a competent live drummer can help you develop your feel and dynamics a bit more i.e. accenting downbeats and pertinent stresses. The bass line for that song is just sort of busy by nature, but you don't need to rush. It is better to trim something out and have the rest rock solid that to jam in everything and have the timing suffer. Relax and feel it. Move around if you have to. I tend to think more of being part of a rhythm section rather than playing bass over drums, especially in a selection where virtuosity has no place.

 

[GodPlayedBass]

Guitar players usually play bass like it's a guitar but this is an exception clearly

 

[Sub-hoo-fer]

Do you instantly recognize that it's a guitarist trying to play bass or does it just sound like a beginner who hasn't developed the technique?

I think you are doing great!

First and foremost I listened to your recording right after reading that question and recognized the song immediately. I had not read what you said about the drum track and did not see the name of the song before listening. That is a big check in my mind.

secondly, two guitars go on top of this? If so I believe anyone in the audience will get what you are doing and groove right along. I doubt anyone will think the bass line is “rushed”. If they consider it at all they will think you are putting your own spin on the tune. Which is exactly what you are doing.

thirdly, there is a TON of good advice in this thread. Lay back and let the song breath is what one of my teachers used to say.

I went back and listened to the original. John M really lays back and holds the A’s and F’s in the verse to accentuate them. Since he is laying back and the guitar is pushing the beat, the vocals are able to kinda slink all around the beat.

There is one of those auto-play tabs online that treats this bass line like straight 8s. You can really tell the difference when you compare the bot to the recording.

Rock on!

 

[AceOfBassFace]

Tough to say without hearing the full mix. The little flaws that are so apparent when listening back to just bass and drums can really add to the vibe when the rest of the instruments are in the mix. Not bad at all though - your tone is good and the performance is almost there, you just need to get a bit more precise with your timing and picking. Just something that comes with practice so don't sweat it.

I'd suggest to try finger style too. It can seem daunting at first, and a bit painful until you develop calluses on your plucking fingers. Once you get calluses you can play as long as you want without getting and pain or blisters. Not to say picking is bad or anything, but there are certain tones and a wider level of control you get playing with fingers, and I find the tactile feeling to be quite pleasant.

 

[P-Belly Evans]

I have never understood this non issue. I've been playing bass since 1986 and picked up a guitar about five years later. Nobody ever accused me of playing guitar like a bass player??? Your playing is super cool. Also forget this pick vs fingers garbage. I started with a pick, then became a finger snob for years (not cool) until the 2020 lockdown. I bloody love using a pick now and am truly sorry for my pointless snobbery. Just play, enjoy and get loads of bass (and guitar) GAS for ever...... Oh and remember Bobby Vega, Cody Wright, Rob Wright, Macca and all the other pick bass pioneers if you need a hug.

 

[mike buzzetti]

Felt pick !!
no snobbery

 

[Whousedtoplay]

John M really lays back and holds the A’s and F’s in the verse to accentuate them.

Here is the Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac - Isolated Bass and Drums Track.

 

[mike buzzetti]

Here is the Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac - Isolated Bass and Drums Track.

Busy bass line !

 

[pbass2]

To be a well-rounded bassist, you need to be able to play well with fingers and pick. So, start using your fingers, but don't hesitate to play w a pick if it sounds good for the song. McVie is a perfect example--that cat used both techniques equally effectively. The top session bassists all are capable of both--it's pretty much required these days.