How much is too much?

[lildrgn]

Overplaying, let's talk about it.

I started playing bass in the mid-80s and did a lot of listening to Rush and Geddy Lee, of course. Over the years, I played a lot of notes. As I matured, I started playing more for the song.

In a previous band, I wasn't told that I played too much, but that maybe I could play more straightforward. This was in an originals band. I tried to tone it down and give the song more room to breathe. It got to the point where I was in my head a little, thinking to myself, "Is this simple enough? Am I playing too much?"

One time after a show, it was pretty clear that the other bandmate wasn't happy about something. I thought it was about me and my playing. He didn't say it wasn't, but he also said that he was once told that he overplayed, and he didn't want to be that guy telling me the same.

Anyway, it has shaped how I've played since then and though I will still step out on my basslines, I do try to pump the brakes on going too overboard.

Occasionally, I will see or hear a bassist that is just fearless on their instrument. I don't mean that they're shredding, but that they are playing so tasty and melodic in the context of the song. It's not overplaying, but it adds to the complexity and musicality of the song.

The other day, I was going through some old videos and came across a rehearsal video for a band I was in (not the band referenced above). I was surprised at how busy I played. It was before the "overplaying" band, and when I watched the video, I was really going for it at times. Compared to how I play now, where I still do go for it, I feel like I go for it much less these days.

Generally speaking, I liked a lot of what I played. But, at the same time, I could see how it may be overindulgent. I don't want to turn this into a "look at my ch0pZ" thread, but will attach the video below for comments and criticism.

Regardless of the playing, please enjoy the music. I think the singer/songwriter (David, on the left) writes a great tune.

 

[mrcbass]

I watched about a song and a half of the video.

IMO, you're not overplaying at all in that span at least. For me, you're adding the right amount of seasoning at appropriate places. If you played your "seasoning" through the whole song, then yeah, it'd be too much, again IMO.

That being said, every situation calls for different levels of busy. I like to be busy, but I also respect the need for a solid pocket most of the time. I usually start out with a project on the less busy side and then gradually add stuff as I get to know everyone's parts. If they say something, I dumb it back down - unless it's pure torture - then I move on to a new project. It's not fun being handcuffed to a playing style that bores me. I don't ask for a lot of fills and busy work, but I do need some to hold my interest.

My general philosophy with business (not in cement):
- If the guitars are fairly static, it's OK to add a bit more flair to the bass line; if the guitars are busy, it's usually better to be somewhat static - unless you are playing a very specific complimentary line.
- There's more room for bass busyness in a power trio and the more instruments you add, the less busy the bassline should be.

 

[Slade N]

too busy/just right/not busy enough are all context dependent and can change in a bars worth of music. All you can do is be honest with yourself and try listening as the audience or a producer not a bass player.

A famous Nashville player was quoted as saying (paraphrased) “think of the most simple thing that you can and then play half of it”. Now, of course that wont always be what works as an viable approach but thinking with intention of asking the question, when should it be base guitar vs bass guitar that is the role that you're functioning in.

Think of Paul Simone’s Call Me Al, the bass line isn't indulgent nor just pushing roots, it moves in a simple yet effect way that serves the song. If the song didn't have the busy bass break it'd still be a good song with a tasteful bass line but that it does have a busy but still tasteful and not indulgent break makes the song even better.

 

[Aussie Player]

Its hard to please everyone. Enjoy yourself, thats why you are there.

 

[tb-player]

I occasionaly sub with a local jam band. The BL told me, "there's no such thing as overplaying in this band."

I love that band.

 

[Killing Floor]

Fit the song. Some songs need more, some need less.

 

[fhm555]

I used to play with a band and the singer/leader was always telling us we were not getting paid by the note.