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I just quit my band

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#81
Listen to Suicidals Tendencies CD called Prime Cuts, it features Robert Trujillo on bass, and you'll see through his licks how important the groove is, and at the same time how he stands out. If need be drop me a PM and an e-mail and I'll get you some good examples of this. He's lays down a simple yet very very effective groove, and it's not really all that much beyond playing root notes!

Ray

P.S. I realize there are a hundred other examples of this out there, but I think what Nick is looking for, S.T. would give him the most insight...
 
#82
Nickthebassist said:
also, where'd you guys get the idea i want solos?
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Well Nick, maybe it has something to do with the following things you said.
Nickthebassist said:
I wanna change bass's image from being a rhythem instrument, to being an instrument that is along side the guitars.
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Nickthebassist said:
I will NEVER sit back and play a walking bass line in a band.
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Nickthebassist said:
I want to get rid of this stupid idea that bass is purely a rhythem isntrument. Time for a revolution me thinks.
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Nickthebassist said:
Who the hell said bass has to support some puney guitarist who does shred solos?
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Nickthebassist said:
I'm sorry, but I don't see the role of bass as being a supporting instrument. I see as being able to go from chugging rumbling lows, to fast slap and pop, doing solos. I hate this stereotypical idea of bassists.
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#85
Nickthebassist said:
C'mon you big bunch of i dont know what's! Sand up for yourselves. Who the hell said bass has to support some puney guitarist who does shred solos? also, where'd you guys get the idea i want solos? I said I wanted more artistic licence, as in make my lines more interesting, and have a distinctive tone. And the idea of the lyrics is to make them worried that I can steal their work...I am not going to go playing someone else's songs. This kinda music isn't what I'd write anyway.
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No other instrument has the sonically filling sound that the bass does so unless we lay down a nice foundation, the music is hollow sounding. If you choose to play the bass, you choose to fill that space.
 
#89
Then do that, but do it while laying down that solid foundation.

It can be done, but its not easy. Thats what makes bass a hard intrument to play. We have our primary role which is dictated by the sonic space we occupy and our secondary role which is dictated by the fact that we are artist.

You want to prove these people wrong? The learn to do both at the same time.
 
#92
Nickthebassist said:
I DO like bass's rumbling deep sound. I DO wanna make a good foundation. But within the space i have, i wanna have my own distinct tone, and mebbe do some interesting bits.
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This is in stark contrast to what you said earlier. This is a completely attainable goal.

But, you also have to remember that your distinct tone can't occupy the same sonic space as the guitar. You wouldn't want him always using an octave pedal, and stepping all over your territory, would you?

It's all about using (in your words) the space you have. Like it, or not, the bass has a role to play just like the drums and guitar, keyboards, saxophone, etc. Would you want a drummer who only wanted to play fills underhneath the vocals, and who wanted to redefine the role of drums in popular music?

I think the answer is, "no."

Again, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be an innovator. But, you have to work with a band, and not against them.

Or, as I said earlier, you can break every mold that exists for bass (use 4 E strings, kill every frequency below 400HZ, whatever), but a band is a partnership. If you want to start the Nick Band, by all means, do. But, if you want to work with other musicians, you have to start with the traditional role of bass player, and work from there.

The lyrics stealing thing is childish. Nothing is defensible about it. Period. Quit the band if you aren't happy, cut your losses, and move on.
 
#93
Nickthebassist said:
Aye.......I feel that having an interesting sound also makes the crowd sit up and pay attention.
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Like it, or not, the only audience that will truly notice a unique bass tone is a crowd of bass players. Very few people who don't play the instrument really go to see a band for he bass player. Unless, of course, you are going to see the Victor Wooten Band. Which brings me back to my comments above.
 
#94
Nick, honestly I've tried to be patient and see more than one way through this, but you don't seem to be accepting the bass player's role. You are the RHYTHM, FOUNDATION, BACKBONE OF THE BAND. You are there to make sure everyone has a nice solid groove and you are the one that the ladies shake their ass to! If you want to become the "guitarist" by taking over the lead role of the band and making the guitarists the foundation, rhythm and backbone of the band then go for it, but remember - You won't be the one lying down the groove that everyone is following and you won't be the one making the ladies shake their ass (guys too - Not just ladies). Bass has always been the supporting instrument in the band, BUT YOU CAN STILL STAND OUT AND HAVE UNIQUE LINES. Honestly, if you can't accept that - Go play guitar.
 
#95
Quite true. I accept that the bass is a rhythm instrument, bc thats what it is. I dont want to be a shredding bassist with no groove, thats stupid. I do my best to make the 'groove' part of my bands songs, and the guitarist does his job to support that groove , coming in and out of it when he chooses. Bass is a rhythm instrument. Do you groove with your drummer at all'/?
 
#96
Figjam said:
Quite true. I accept that the bass is a rhythm instrument, bc thats what it is. I dont want to be a shredding bassist with no groove, thats stupid. I do my best to make the 'groove' part of my bands songs, and the guitarist does his job to support that groove , coming in and out of it when he chooses. Bass is a rhythm instrument. Do you groove with your drummer at all'/?
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Well, I would never tell someone not to shread--if it fits with the band. I mean, Billy Sheehan shreds with Steve Vai, but it fits. And, he still holds down the bottom.

I don't think anyone should be telling Nick what sort of bass he should try and play--it's up to Nick to determine what he wants to do. He can play as much lead bass as he wants, and no one can tell him he's wrong if it's done on his terms to his satisfaction.


Nick just needs to understand that what he wants to do is not going to work in the context of most bands and he can't be surprised if others aren't ready to accept what he wants to do. I wouldn't play distorto-bass on a country gig, but I would play distorto-bass at a blues/rock gig. The same applies to "stretching the boundaries" of bass.
 
#97
Nickthebassist said:
Ahhh crap! Apparently I have to fit in behind all the guitars and drums, and be the quietist member, and aren't allowed to use my warwick cuz it's 'crap'. O, and my new ashdown is 'crap' too, according to the lead guitarist, who thinks my fender is better. I quit cuz I will NEVER be the stereotypical bassist, I wanna be a Flea/Ryan Martinie, and change bass's image from being a rhythem instrument, to being an instrument that is along side the guitars. My idea of a band is that no-one dominates and that we can all be heard equally. Do you think I made the right decision by quitting? :crying: :mad:
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I know how you feel. Some bass players just aren't content to play the stereotypical "bass role". Of course, you're not likely to find a band very easily. You can form your own band. That's what I did. Now it's all bass-wank all-the-time. :D
http://www.unpronounceable.com/

Of course, it's rare to find a drummer of this caliber who is willing to let the bass be an up-front instrument. Actually, we were going to just do bass and drums for a while. Both of the tunes at my site started as just bass and drum songs. We have our first gig in a week and a half.

- Dave
 
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