Help! Keyboardist is playing over me!

[AceOfBassFace]

The keyboardist in my band is also a bass player so he gets it, he just rolls off the bass eq on the board, and doesn't venture down there too much. We actually get a great sound doubling piano/bass parts here and there.

A band I was in had a guitar player with a pretty fancy large 4x12 100w rig, and his sound was mid-scooped and bottom-end heavy, and we ended up having this muddy warbling sound all the time from the low frequencies oscillating.

As for your guy, probably a lost cause. I'd turn down the lows on his amp/board, or have him use an HPF.

 

[MoireBass]

Give Fred 3 or 5 bullet holes - problem solved.

Be sure to get at least one bass player on the jury!!!

 

[STRMan]

When he's not looking, insert a high pass filter of about 200 hz into his signal chain.

 

[Ewo]

He’s not gonna stop…it’s almost an irreparable defect. He’ll just keep slamming the keyboard with his left hand.

Yeah, pretty much my experience, too. Keys players who have ears and listen to the whole ensemble intuitively know to leave space for the electric bassist. Those who don't ... don't.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

Have you tried scooping out your mid-range tones (300hz - 1000hz [or so])?

When playing "against" a keyboard player, you both have to sit down and work out a plan so you're not both fighting for the same sonic space.

Sorry. It's the best I've got.

 

[Luther]

Some problems aren't worth solving. Move on.

 

[franklindayala]

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

Play with this effect on during rehersal.

 

[gstaats]

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

This. Going by what you say, folks are already set in their ways.

 

[mborn]

Dingwall 6 string into a 1200 watt bass amp. 6-10’s with tweeter on. Play on the top two strings every time he plays with the left hand.

 

[Ostie]

Duct tape his left hand to his leg.

 

[Ralph Manak]

1. +1 for HPF and eq for the KB channel.
2. Maybe the KB player is too old or rigid to change, or maybe he has the not-unconventional mindset of "can people hear me" rather than "how well are people hearing us."
3. Between the BL and Fred, your growth with this band is limited.
4. Meanwhile, it is a good opportunity to work on listening and developing very simple parts that work well in context, which is always valuable for getting good at music.

 

[Methaneman]

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

Prune juice in his drink?

 

[klattman]

This is true of many players. If they don’t have experience actively listening to the ensemble, they are probably just listening to themselves and ignoring everything else. Leads to mud city every time.

 

[Element Zero]

This is true of many players. If they don’t have experience actively listening to the ensemble, they are probably just listening to themselves and ignoring everything else. Leads to mud city every time.

Gotta be creative in that setting. “Normal bass” parts just won’t work… or like I mentioned before, find another project. But yeah… naive players lead to horrible sound for sure.

 

[perfektspace6]

When he's not looking, insert a high pass filter of about 200 hz into his signal chain.

I think you are on to something here.

Have a side bar at your gigs with the sound guy and have him high pass all frequencies at whatever spot opens up things for your bass parts to cut through. Run it through the band leader if he seems to be understanding of the problem. Then sit back and see if Fred notices. I bet he won't.

If "Fred" is Rick Wakeman, then none of this applies and you are screwed.

 

[tb-player]

3 words: High Pass Filter.

When he’s not looking, put it on his keyboard and turn it up to 11. You’re welcome.

 

[Snarf]

Stab him in the hand.

 

[mmon77]

Insert a split into his keyboard patches that maps the lower keys to a non-existent sound. Or fart noises. Or something else equally as annoying.

 

[somatose]

How long did you play together with it not being a problem? Does he still see it as helping you out?

Also, how long have you been with the band/how long has he been with the band?

 

[Topkat13]

These types of posts blow me away. C’mon man…ask the dude to turn down.