Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How do I get rid of Sax player?
- Thread starter KalBasssss
- Start date
(the Alto and Bari version) Put sheet music in the key of E major in front of him, mwahahah!!
(the Tenor version) Put sheet music in the key of B major in front of him, mwahahah!!
...Unless he's a good transposer. Then that wouldn't work
LOL
Sounds good to me.
There's a director's cut? And I thought my day was great already!
I'll get out of the way of helpful people now...
OK.....
..... uh, it doesn't fit. This tune. It COULD be cool, in the right places, but that's up to you and your band.
Sorry, best answer I can give based on this.
If you don't like what he brings to the table, tell him. If you DO, then work on it, record it, listen to it, and make sure you like what you're hearing.
He might be having difficulty with the key of the tune. It's tough enough for a proper jazzman to play horn with regular pitched instruments half the time, let alone a kid.
Unlikely you're going to get much better out of him until he learns a bunch of weird, for him, scales. Then he could potentially blow you all off the stage. Not that the potential is presently audible.
Unlikely you're going to get much better out of him until he learns a bunch of weird, for him, scales. Then he could potentially blow you all off the stage. Not that the potential is presently audible.
This. Or some sort of ointment if it's a more personal infestation.
Kidding aside, I agree that a sax could work really well in the tune you posted, but you'd need someone who is a LOT better than this guy is, in terms of technical competence with the instrument and also a feel for the music you're doing. If he's listened to what he's playing on that recording he should know this already. If not, it's time for some real honest talking.
Cool bass tone by the way.
It could work, but DON´T let him play under the vocals. It just sounds terrible. IMO, if you just added an extra chorus at the end without vocals, he could probably mimic the vocal melody. In other songs, there´s probably already space for him.
Just make him understand that just because everyone else is playing, he can too.
Have you tried confetti in the sax? That would be awesome
.
Just make him understand that just because everyone else is playing, he can too.
Have you tried confetti in the sax? That would be awesome
.
Hes our good mate and i just don't know how to tell him he can't be with us anymore, he thinks it sounds good but it really sounds terrible. Sax player in a grunge band? Pfffffft!
I like the recording idea since almost every band I've played in does that to review each gig, but you have to understand that unless he's really unusual, you're going to hurt his feelings. I fullly understand where you're coming from - making music is all about having fun and the love of the music, but you obviously want to sound good doing it or what's the point? I guess it boils down to whether his friendship is more or less important to you than sounding good? It's a tough one...sorry, I don't think there's an easy solution to this one. Good luck!
I have included alto sax in my (kinda-technical) death metal band and it worked. If he just plays sax, maybe you could teach him other instruments. Y'all play the basic drums, guitars, bass and vocals, then he could be the other guy who does backing vocals, percussion, keys, horns, harmonica...?
^ Agree.
Perhaps a better title for this thread would be: How do we find a better role (or sound) for our sax player?
If he's your friend, you think he's musically competent enough, and you want to keep him in the band, perhaps try finding a better sound for him (or make a better place for him, sonically) - whether sax or otherwise.
Good luck!
-kdiggity
Perhaps a better title for this thread would be: How do we find a better role (or sound) for our sax player?
If he's your friend, you think he's musically competent enough, and you want to keep him in the band, perhaps try finding a better sound for him (or make a better place for him, sonically) - whether sax or otherwise.
Good luck!
-kdiggity
Just get him to play "Sax Man" by the Lonley Island FT J.B
I think he'd pull it off pretty awesome
I think he'd pull it off pretty awesome
Kick him in the Sax, or move him to keyboard.
If he knows his theory it should be a not-too-painful transition.
If he knows his theory it should be a not-too-painful transition.
Have him to buy a WX7 and contribute to the songs with some effects or unusual synth tones. Some backing vocals and cool stage presence and he could easily stay in the band.
One thing, though...
Please read this again. It doesn't make any sense, does it?
If after the WX7, new arrangements for his parts and lots of talk it still doesn't work out you must politely dump him... It happens...
One thing, though...
Please read this again. It doesn't make any sense, does it?
If after the WX7, new arrangements for his parts and lots of talk it still doesn't work out you must politely dump him... It happens...
Mistake #1 - having someone in the band because they're buddies.
Mistake #2 - not listening to each other at rehearsals.
I checked out your video link. The saxophone is being played out of tune, and without any regard for the structure or harmonies of the song.
Your saxophone playing buddy is not ready yet, and that's what you need to tell him.
You guys sound really good except for the sax player. Have you considered booting him?
I agree with mambo4's advice.
First........he had no idea what he was doing!
Second........he had no idea what he was doing!
Third......not facing the crowd! Why is he playing to the band? This is annoying to me! My last band had a singer who would do that!
Lastly........he had no idea what he was doing!
Playing random notes out of key has no place in a band! You don't put folks in bands just because you're friends! End it now before it goes on too far! Seriously!
Listen to some X-Ray Spex ("The Day the World Turned Day-Glo", "Identity", "I Am a Poseur", "Germ Fee Adolescent"), listen to the Flesh Eaters ("See You in the Boneyard", "Wedding Dice", "River of Fever", "Divine Horseman"). They both pulled off an overdriven sound with a saxophonist, and rode above their genres for it.
One of the key things is that he needs to know this isn't stream of consciousness jazz, and that he needs a solid, tight role. Usually the sax doesn't play during the lyrics, other than distinct flourishes that relate to chord changes, or a riff by the guitar/bass. In "Wedding Dice", the sax doesn't even play except the break/mind warp moment.
Your problem is not that you have a saxamaphone in your band, it's that you have a musician who doesn't actually know what he's going to be playing at any point of the song, and he's wandering around trying to find his role... while you're on stage.
If you do manage to work a role out for him, or even just try in a conscious manner, you'll all grow as musicians and learn stuff you didn't know was there.
One of the key things is that he needs to know this isn't stream of consciousness jazz, and that he needs a solid, tight role. Usually the sax doesn't play during the lyrics, other than distinct flourishes that relate to chord changes, or a riff by the guitar/bass. In "Wedding Dice", the sax doesn't even play except the break/mind warp moment.
Your problem is not that you have a saxamaphone in your band, it's that you have a musician who doesn't actually know what he's going to be playing at any point of the song, and he's wandering around trying to find his role... while you're on stage.
If you do manage to work a role out for him, or even just try in a conscious manner, you'll all grow as musicians and learn stuff you didn't know was there.
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
Post a funnier picture than the one above - Parallel Universe Edition- Latest: BassFishingInAmerica
-
