Help! Keyboardist is playing over me!

[Shenaniflan]

I'm new to playing bass in a band, both. And maybe it was ok before...gave me added confidence to have our keyboardist play a bass line at the same time. But it's gotten f'ing annoying. Band leader came in to help me. Told Fred that he could play bass during his songs, but not during our originals. Then Fred called me to ask to talk to find an arrangment that works "for both of us". As far as I'm concerned, the only arrangement that's going to work is for him to stop playing his poopy, monotonous, uncreative, squelching, boring-a$$ bass lines or play them an octave higher so I can even hear myself think. I'm sorry. I'm so frustrated. He's 80 years old and has been playing forever! How does he not know this is rude and how come little ol' me has to explain it to him?! Waaahhh! Thanks, I needed to whine. Anyhoo, please give me 3 or 5 bullet points I can tell him, and cc band leader on. Imma tell him my bros on this forum explained it to me so I don't come across as a B****. Even though I am definitely feeling like one. God I'm pissed! I never get pissed LOL

 

[ThudThudThud]

Get an EH Organ, or Keyboard pedal, and play all over his songs. Tell him it works for both of you.
Sorry, not real advice, but I know keyboard player would be upset if this happened to him.

 

[Zooberwerx]

He’s not gonna stop…it’s almost an irreparable defect. He’ll just keep slamming the keyboard with his left hand. The BL said it was okay during his tunes?!? Find a more conducive project.

Riis

 

[Aceman]

Accidentally on purpose knock his keyboard over.

 

[31HZ]

... As far as I'm concerned, the only arrangement that's going to work is for him to stop playing his poopy, monotonous, uncreative, squelching, boring-a$$ bass lines or play them an octave higher so I can even hear myself think. ...

A polite-but-direct version of your own words above would be best.

Wouldn't hurt to add "I don't want to play bass in a band that already has a bass player."

 

[40Hz]

The problem that some keyboard players have is that they started on piano. Piano players are generally trained to be soloists and tend to go into brain lock whenever it’s explained to them that once they’re in an ensemble they don’t have to play every single bloody note because they are now playing with other musicians and instruments.

About all I can say is “good luck” with your guy if he’s set in his ways. Whenever I got stuck with a keyboard player who had a heavy left hand things seldom changed even if the BL got on their case about it. Things would improve for awhile. But within a gig or two they’d revert back to being The Amazing Mister Ten Fingers unless they were jazz musicians. Jazzers are very good at listening to other players and giving them space.

 

[DWBass]

He’s not gonna stop…it’s almost an irreparable defect. He’ll just keep slamming the keyboard with his left hand. The BL said it was okay during his tunes?!? Find a more conducive project.

Riis

Facts. Been there, done that. I removed myself from the situation. I told the band, they don't need a bass player. Keyboardist has it covered. Was actually playing bass patches on his keyboard. Completely disrespectful!!

 

[Wood and Wire]

give me 3 or 5 bullet points

Give Fred 3 or 5 bullet holes - problem solved.


OK, seriously though :

1) Actively engage with Fred, and the rest of the band, to listen to the effect of both instruments playing in the same range, and decide if it's a help or a hindrance (we already know the answer, but they need to have that epiphany themselves).

2) Figure out when both playing in unison adds power, and excitement (it can work really well, but both players have to nail identical parts - the keys need to be using either a punchy staccato synth sound [think typical Moog type sound, with adjustable resonant filter, with a short attack & release envelope] or something with rich harmonics [such as a bright piano] that takes overdrive / distortion well).

3) Figure out passages when one of you can hold down the low end, and the other can venture higher up (punchy synth bass sounds great with a bass guitar playing high melodies [Joy Division / New Order made a career of this], or conventional bass parts combined with a synth pad filling out the mid-range can give the guitars ample opportunity to stretch their legs, before the synth lets rip another octave up, with a lead sound).


Record your rehearsals, and highlight the moments that work, and those that don't (keep pointing back to this evidence, if things start to slip).

 

[jeffb28451]

I been in a few bands over 40 years. Never didn’t have a keyboard player not do that.

A few could be reasoned with, until the next practice or gig.

Im sure there are some out there that realize that they are part of an ensemble. I just haven’t met them yet.

 

[eddiemac]

The same thing happened to me. The guitarist/singer had a friend who played organ and who would always be welcomed to sit in with us, usually for the entire night. He wasn't bad. Though he was a doctor, he had played in bands up through his college years. But he had a heavy left hand. I confronted him during a break, talking loudly so as to be heard above a thunderous jukebox - he thought I was yelling at him and told others he'd never been so insulted in all his life. I just wanted him to hear me - bad situation. A bassist filling in for me on a later night took a better approach. In response to complete keyboard bass lines throughout a song, he just put his bass down and went to sit in the audience. I wish I'd done that rather than making an enemy.

 

[Afc70]

Somehow, turn his volume way down, he prob won’t see you do it anyhow..
Seriously tho, I’d have a heart to heart conversation regarding his treading all over your parts, & how it needs to cease.

 

[timmus]

 

[Aceman]

Me and our other guitar player even discuss "If the solo is up here, I'll play the rhythm lower/higher" or I'll hit partials up here while you play the main line" or "I'll play whole note chords and you add the rhythm hits"

Just have that same talk.

 

[Element Zero]

Honestly? Find another band. Band leader AND keyboardist are clueless. Cut your losses.

 

[TheReceder]

There's probably only one way to stop him.
(3) Super-strong neodymium magnets crushing a man's hand - YouTube

 

[Killing Floor]

Rehearse the song. Then in front of the BL ask him to rehearse the song again but keyboard player put his left hand in his pocket.

If that doesn’t work get Taurus pedals.

 

[Stevorebob]

Honestly? Find another band. Band leader AND keyboardist are clueless. Cut your losses.

I am afraid this is the only answer.

 

[rickdog]

Along with discussing it with Fred - use a high-pass filter on the keyboard. I use both those approaches. The HPF keeps the fundamentals of the keyboard from clashing with note the bass is playing, and leaves the keys notes with good definition.

If Fred's "bass" notes are predictable, find a way to weave your bass line between them (and lock in with them when appropriate). It's an opportunity to exercise creativity on your original tunes

 

[Wood and Wire]

Never didn’t have a keyboard player not do that.

Huh?

So your keyboardist doesn't stamp all over your playing?

 

[BassBrass]

Literally 80? I can't imagine why he'd change or why you'd want to get in the way of his last wishes? If his bass lines are driving the band and someone likes the aweful poopy lines, don't play!!!! It Is what it is. Maybe you are insurance like a vice president. Ask the bandleader. and Refuse to double bass lines, it can't sound good, that part is very simple.