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Metal bass, I really don't understand the fun.

#161
JoeVictim said:
Throw up the horns at a "religious" person with your tongue out and roll your eyes back as far as you can. Then say something like, "in the devil's blood we pray"... see what happens. :p
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In your country they are really susceptible in your country ... maybe during the 80 but now ? Some of them still think about exorcism or possession ? ok ... it isn't like you burn churches like it happened in Norway
 
#162
You're clearly not happy in the band. Just leave. I'm sure they'll find some deads*** bassist to fill your shoes.

I've got no problem with "follow the guitar" bass players. A lot of the guys I know who play that style make up for their "boring" (and I use that term very loosely) playing by chucking on grit and effects to beefen up the band's sound or create interesting layers - particularly in three-piece metal and hardcore bands. There's a place for everything...not every band needs an obnoxious bass player to fight over the limelight with the guitarist.
 
#166
I agree with the OP. Certain styles of music are just boring as hell for a bass player.
Try playing a blues gig.
I like metal but can only take about an hour then I have to turn it off.
Too dark & gloomy for me because I live in that zone mentally.
 
#169
HeebHammer70 said:
I saw a metalcore band (they were the opener, I didn't see them willingly) cover Iron Maiden. It didn't make them better.
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I suppose that's the case. I've heard Maiden cover tunes by the pros and wasn't overly impressed. I once auditioned for a hair metal band and we NAILED two Maiden tunes. I was very bummed when they handed the gig to a guy who didn't even own a bass.
 
#172
Im in a heavy metal band, Plague of Ignorance (like us on facebook!) And although at times i do play the root only but other times i go nuts and play some leads and a solo or tow in our songs. My band has the oppisite complaint as you, i play the root too much. But hey, sometimes that what the song needs. My band is very supportive of me playing and thinking outside the box. Sounds like it just isn't the band for you. Dont blame metal.
 
#174
I'm lucky enough to play in a metal band that lets me run wild with my bass parts. I make an effort to make my lines fit the music; at times, that calls for root note chugging, and at others, I have room to move around melodically in a way that doesn't detract/distract from other things happening in the music.

Fifth and octave jumps work wonders for spicing up root note bass lines. They fit 95% of the time since you're not playing anything that's not in the guitar part, assuming the guitarist is playing power chords.
 
#177
As a metal bass player myself, I just wanted to give my thoughts on this. I apologize if it kinda "goes off the deep end."

First, I really enjoy metal music overall but yes, there are certain styles of it that are rather boring to me. I enjoy the bands where the bass player has a voice and does their own "versions" of songs. But, there are times where the bass needs to just hang back and double up on the guitars. The best way I see that style of metal is like jazz.

From personal experience, touring and recording/whatnot, there has to be a balance. But the kicker is that some bass players don't want to put in the time or effort to really expand on a song, and that's fine. You will find SO many metal bands that the bass player is just a copy of the guitars, minus the solos and whatnot but that's fine. I have been fortunate enough to have band members that allow me to do what I want to do. So as for you, I would say talk to them and present some ideas. If they shoot them down then so be it. That's why there is solo music.

My brother told me once that, when I was first starting to play bass guitar, that there is a time and place for everything in music. My first band shot down most of my ideas, mainly because I was the new guy. But later on, they became more comfortable with allowing me to do my thing. The main point what I'm trying to get across ( poorly) is that do what you love. If you enjoy playing with the band and they don't want you to do things outside of the box, either quit or keep playing and work with another band/write your own music.

One final thing is that sometimes, not doubling up on the guitars and playing a even more basic version of a guitar riff is very cool at times as well. Cynic comes to mind. Sean Malone is amazing. He can do things outside of the box by either doing some amazing yet crazy parts or even hanging back with a more deconstructed riff on the bass and still sound amazing.

Give it time with the band. Talk to them, show them some examples and in the meantime, keep practicing. If you come up with some ideas that the band shoots down, make your own music with it. And have fun!
 
#178
InternetAlias said:
Imagine this scenario:
There's a vanilla ice cream on the table, your friend asks you to try it and tell him what you think. If you like it he can get you more. You try it and decide you don't like it. What do you say?

1. Gah! This is the most terrible ice cream ever, how do people like this? This sucks!!!
2. Not my cup of ice cream.
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This. For every argument on this site. This.
 
#180
I've run into the OP's issue with multiple genres...Punk, Metal, and ESPECIALLY P&W music.

I was once in a prog metal band, but they had a very peculiar request. The guitarist wrote bass parts and it was brutally apparent that he REALLY didn't know how to write a bass part, nor did the drummer know how to lock into a bass part either. I would play what they wrote and I was told I was playing it wrong, when I played at the correct rhythm (to my ear) and in the same key, they said it sounded right. Well no crap, it's because I know how to play and you don't lol. Sometimes you have to play what you know is right and let them realize it later on...better to ask for forgiveness than permission. If they don't hear it, then move on because that is likely to stay the same no matter what lol.

To be fair, my current band where I write all the tunes (grunge style) does have the bass dialed back a bit more than I usually do. For a Nirvanaesque sound, you want the guitar driving a lot of the melody and the bass holding down an almost rhythm guitar type role when the guitar cuts out (think In Bloom or Teen Spirit). Sometimes less is more, but where that line lies is up to you my friend. Best just to move along to something you feel is in sync with how you want to express yourself.
 

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