Guitarists trying to write your basslines..

[Marko 1]

...

What are you guys' opinions on when guitarists try to write a bassline for you?

I’m guessing there’s no pay involved, so... if he's a micro-managaning control freak (no fun to be had), I'd walk based on that alone.

That said, sometimes I liked what I heard and went with it, but most likely tweaked it in time.

Sometimes I’d go along just to get along, then tweaked it or changed it in time.

Sometimes I said “yeah, sure”, then gig time I did something completely different.

Sometimes I just nodded my head and completely ignored it from the outset (arguing only prolongs the process, and makes me have to hear them keep talking).

But, I was never (nor would I be) in a situation where I could be dismissed over it.

 

[bassbrad]

If it's something interesting, challenging and appropriate why not. I've had some interesting chop busting lines thrown at me by guitar players. And it is a 2 way street, write something for them to play.

 

[Marko 1]

... I will usually create my own basslines for songs written by the guitarist. Sometimes I just go with the flow though, especially if he's really excited about the song he's written.

Doesn’t sound like he’s a control freak then.

I’d say, try to get along when it’s important to him, and save the struggle for when it’s something more important to you.

 

[garmenteros]

If it works it works... I expect them to be about as open as I am when I have ideas as well (regarding their parts too)

 

[butchblack]

I've been on both sides. I've had songs someone else wrote that they wanted a certain bass line or feel to the song. Some I could do, some not. I also pulled an original from a band because I hated what the drummer had come up with for his part and he was adamant that was how he heard and felt the song,

Bottom line an original should be played as the author hears it. You can suggest a different bass line, but it may give a totally different feeling then they're hearing.

 

[ceruer]

Doesn’t sound like he’s a control freak then.

I’d say, try to get along when it’s important to him, and save the struggle for when it’s something more important to you.

I agree completely.

 

[more coffee]

Oh man, I totally relate.

Just the other week, the guitarist brought in a new song that he wanted me to sing on, and he had already written a vocal melody line and lyrics for the song!

So I listen to the song, and start coming up with my own melody line and lyrics on the fly (I'm good like that), and the guitarist gets all irritated and asks what I'm doing, he's already written that stuff.

So I'm all like "Yo, brother, I ain't your hired gun, I bring my own flava to this." And he's like "That's the way I wrote the song, it's that way for a reason." And I'm like "Whatever, you obviously just want me to be a sideman, and you hate input, and are a total control freak, Mr. Controlly McFreakerson."

He just doesn't understand that I'm the singer, and I'm supposed to write this stuff. Why do guitarists think they can write vocal lines and lyrics?

What a jerk that guy is. I'm considering walking away.

 

[whitefuneral]

I'm writing the guitar part to my bands song, does that make me the same? :hide:

 

[stepswork4me]

I'm writing the guitar part to my bands song, does that make me the same? :hide:

Not as long as you stay open to revision.

 

[Nev375]

I would be ok with it, unless he is trying to write every bassline for every song.

Sharing and shuffling the creative inputs is a good way to keep the band from sounding the same on every track.

 

[pudgychef]

Meh. I'm a big fan of collaboration. It's usually my drummer that hears stuff in his head and tries to relate it to me.

One thing I really like about my band is that nobody gets butt hurt over criticism. I wanna try to put a cold stop after the bridge? Sure let's try it. If it's a cool tune, it's a cool tune.

+1 why get panties in a bunch about who wrote it? If its good and serves the song use it, if after trying it, isn't working - come up with another part...

 

[pudgychef]

Oh man, I totally relate.

Just the other week, the guitarist brought in a new song that he wanted me to sing on, and he had already written a vocal melody line and lyrics for the song!

So I listen to the song, and start coming up with my own melody line and lyrics on the fly (I'm good like that), and the guitarist gets all irritated and asks what I'm doing, he's already written that stuff.

So I'm all like "Yo, brother, I ain't your hired gun, I bring my own flava to this." And he's like "That's the way I wrote the song, it's that way for a reason." And I'm like "Whatever, you obviously just want me to be a sideman, and you hate input, and are a total control freak, Mr. Controlly McFreakerson."

He just doesn't understand that I'm the singer, and I'm supposed to write this stuff. Why do guitarists think they can write vocal lines and lyrics?

What a jerk that guy is. I'm considering walking away.

maybe less coffee? Imagine you worked hard to create a song, put your feelings into the lyrics and vocal line and a bandmate starts re-writing it without even listening to what you came up with first? Most folks would be ticked at the dismissive nature and lack of respect that shows....

 

[pudgychef]

If it's something interesting, challenging and appropriate why not. I've had some interesting chop busting lines thrown at me by guitar players. And it is a 2 way street, write something for them to play.

absolutely....I think its can often be the chop busting/looking at a line outside of one's comfort zone/patterns that gets people worked up and defensive....

 

[kevteop]

Whatever happened to 'Serve the song'? Is that just something we say to eachother in forums when we're trying to appear noble?

 

[pudgychef]

Whatever happened to 'Serve the song'? Is that just something we say to eachother in forums when we're trying to appear noble?

plus infinity

 

[Waffles and Scotch]

I've had people suggest where to go with my basslines in certain parts (i.e. follow the singer to accent his vocals, etc), but I've never had anyone come to me and say "this is the bassline. Learn it." Guess I've been fortunate.

 

[deshi00]

My band has always kind of collaborated on parts, guitar, vocals, drums, bass, everything. I dont mind input on songs at all, but then again my bass playing is very mediocre if you ask me.

 

[James Judson]

As a player I appreciate getting to just do what I'm hired to do (play my bass). As a song writer I have ideas of what kind of journey I'm taking my audience on so I appreciate getting to dictate to the band what I think fits. I rarely get any input from other song writers and that can be frustrating. I like it when a song writer communicates what he wants in "his" song.

I don't tolerate music lessons (guitards like to give music lessons). Bottom line "I"m the bass player so let me play bass" and if I'm not doing a good enough job replace me.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I'll usually ask the writer of a song to give me a bassline with the understanding that I might not use it. I do this because 1. it makes my job easier if the line is good, 2. it gives me an idea of what they think is appropriate, and3. it gives me something to borrow ideas from.

 

[fishdreams]

IS this about music or about ego?

If you are in band together, what matters is what is the best bassline for the song, and whomever writes it, is not important. You could learn and play his line-then you are in position to present an alternative. Maybe there are disagreements about what is the best bassline, but at least it is about the music, not ego's.

But if it comes down to that I am supposed to play only the basslines exactly like someone else tells me to play, than the solution is a play-for-hire situtation.