Playing music and being friends are two entirely different things, I have good friends who i wouldn't play music with and know great musicians that i wouldn't want to be friends with.
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Metal bass, I really don't understand the fun.
- Thread starter KingCrimson
- Start date
Playing music and being friends are two entirely different things, I have good friends who i wouldn't play music with and know great musicians that i wouldn't want to be friends with.
You should check out a bass player like Joe Lester of Intronaut. You want ideas of how to incorporate your Jazz style in metal, Joe is going to be your new hero.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmK1XUI9VQc
Seriously. Watch this before you start bashing an entire genre of music. IMO, it's more about the player than the genre. A good player can play anything (even if you don't particularly care for the style of music). Just check Ed Friedland's videos. He is a player that does cover it all. And he looks like he is having a blast every time he picks up a bass.
I never considered myself a "metal head", but your generalizations make it seem as though players of metal suck. And I will defend my fellow bass brethren, no matter what genre is being criticized. Maybe check the technique area on how you might encompass some of your jazz and funk abilities within metal, because there is no rule that the bass MUST follow the guitar.
Thats the best. I love this new stoner stuff thats coming out, its like a jam band but bloody heavy. That whole we're having a good time but playing with balls to the wall heaviness is great.
This is exactly the way I try to play in metal.
I listed bands that do this, I have no question that it can be done in metal. I just do not understand how a bassist has fun in the 90 percent of metal, in which bass just acts like a lower guitar.
There are guys who do cool stuff and I'm not questioning that at all. Ever heard of the faceless? They are super cool and have great bass. Get into behemoth, dimmu borgir, COB, dissection territory and its rooooooots.
Alrighty then. You know what you have to do.
I would love, love, love to play like Lester. I lack his skills (even after 17 years of playing). But, driving myself to be more creative with song structures and bass lines. It definitely helps to be involved with people that share a similar goal. I also realized that song may not be the best to display Joe's prowess.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSqndBw-ujk
You may want to think about a power trio or a band with one guitarist. That way, you have to fill the space.
Don't play metal if it bores you.
There is a lot to be said about creating and playing simple but efficient lines, which is an art in itself.
Technical skill is a mean, not a goal. As a bass player it is important to understand it. The goal is that the band as a whole sounds good, not just the bass.
If you band mates think you play too many notes for the style, you probably do.
Finally, if you get bored listening to your own music, think about how the audience feels.
There is a lot to be said about creating and playing simple but efficient lines, which is an art in itself.
Technical skill is a mean, not a goal. As a bass player it is important to understand it. The goal is that the band as a whole sounds good, not just the bass.
If you band mates think you play too many notes for the style, you probably do.
Finally, if you get bored listening to your own music, think about how the audience feels.
What a ******** post. Why can you only enjoy playing bass if you are playing something different to what the guitarists are playing? You know what the most important part of a band's performance is? THE SONG. 100% Creative freedom is great, but playing in a band with awesome songs is better IMO. If there is an obvious bass line that fits a part of a song then play it. A lot of metal bass playing when done precisely, accuratley, in time and tight is really challenging. 200+ bpm speed picking, gallops, arpeggios, tapping, etc. yeah really boring..... Durrrr!
I would agree that mediocre metal is pretty boring on a lot of levels.
Great metal is great! (Dillinger Escape Plan will always be one of my overall favorite bands)... mediocre and worse metal bands are just as uninteresting as bands in any other genre but do it LOUDER and thus make it more annoying!
Great metal is great! (Dillinger Escape Plan will always be one of my overall favorite bands)... mediocre and worse metal bands are just as uninteresting as bands in any other genre but do it LOUDER and thus make it more annoying!
I guess (given all the posts in this thread) your REAL question is " how do the basic (root style) bassists in metal enjoy themselves?" You've stated that you don't enjoy playing that way. I suppose that you would have to ask THOSE style bassists. GLWthat though (since they might feel insulted by the statement).
In all reality, does it matter? It doesn't work for you, the band doesn't want anything else... what's the hang up?
Either that or you are asking if you should hang with that band. Ultimately, only you can make that decision. Would I? No sir... not for any amount of time. It sounds like the band just wanted a bass player and not a bassist. They need to understand that you aren't the guy that they want. If you feel that you shouldn't quit because they are your friends, that's another thing altogether. Still up to you but if someone wants you to play specific lines, it seems to me that they are trying to "hire" someone and that usually involves $.
In all reality, does it matter? It doesn't work for you, the band doesn't want anything else... what's the hang up?
Either that or you are asking if you should hang with that band. Ultimately, only you can make that decision. Would I? No sir... not for any amount of time. It sounds like the band just wanted a bass player and not a bassist. They need to understand that you aren't the guy that they want. If you feel that you shouldn't quit because they are your friends, that's another thing altogether. Still up to you but if someone wants you to play specific lines, it seems to me that they are trying to "hire" someone and that usually involves $.
Damn straight. The last metal thread basically devolved into BETCHA CAN'T PLAY THIS!!!!!!
The bass in this sounds cool as heck to play but all in all it sounds too compressed and distorted. IMO of course.
No it didn't. It devolved into a troll-fest spearheaded by the usual suspects. Ring any bells?
That sounds more like guitar playing to me. Seriously why not just pick up a guitar? On top of it you'll get leads and solos, sounds more fun.
I'm not trying to jerk off on my instrument, all I want to do is play a bass line.
This is just as ignorant when people listen to a couple of gangasta rap songs and think all of rap sucks. I don't listen to country music but I'm not going to take a dump on the whole genre. As a result I ended up liking a couple of country songs and can appreciate any good musician when they're skilled.
BTW Listen to Joe Lester or Evan Brewer. Do some research.
BTW Listen to Joe Lester or Evan Brewer. Do some research.
First time I was told to "shut up" I would have done them one better and packed up. That's disrespectful.
If they ask why, tell them the name of the bassist they want is Jason Newstead. He's the only one with a proven ability to put up with that kind of crap for any length of time.
If they ask why, tell them the name of the bassist they want is Jason Newstead. He's the only one with a proven ability to put up with that kind of crap for any length of time.
I've got nothing against funk or jazz and I'm no fan of musical masturbation.
But thanks for trollin'.
