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Need to play more dance music
- Thread starter madurolover
- Start date
Dude get a Mark bass super synth, Chnuk Systems agent Funk, or Octavius Squeezer. All Great pedals, or a P or Jazz bass with Flats. In the Blues bar I play in it 35-55 and they want band that play tunes woman can dance to so lots of upbeat 70's rock and I love those pedals, also TSFM and Brown dog are great too. But you don't really need any pedals for up beat danceable music IMO.
Unless they're looking to have you cover keyboard parts, you won't need much to do those tunes.
I'll second the zoom B3 if you're unfamiliar with effects. It's pretty intuitive to use so you can focus on learning how the effects work. If you run into a song that has you stumped just ask here and someone will have an idea to get you there (at worst, get you close).
I'll second the zoom B3 if you're unfamiliar with effects. It's pretty intuitive to use so you can focus on learning how the effects work. If you run into a song that has you stumped just ask here and someone will have an idea to get you there (at worst, get you close).
technique and strings first... I'd try to go with a punchier sound, with solid mid content (and maybe that's what you keyboard guy asked for)... you should be fine with a clean sound most of the time I guess?
for the effects, I'd maybe use an octaver, an envelope filter, maybe overdrive, and chorus... however, since you already have a keyboard player (and he seems opinionated), work with him to determine your position in the sound... depending on his left hand technique, he could play all over your sound, or give you space and ideally you two would complement eachother's sounds...
for the effects, I'd maybe use an octaver, an envelope filter, maybe overdrive, and chorus... however, since you already have a keyboard player (and he seems opinionated), work with him to determine your position in the sound... depending on his left hand technique, he could play all over your sound, or give you space and ideally you two would complement eachother's sounds...
It sounded in your original post like you're being coerced into doing double duty as bassist and lead guitarist by the slacking keyboardist in a band who's changing direction into uncharted waters. If you're okay with the change, that's great. Try a bit more treble and a little more volume for the fills. If you need reliable effects, DOD, Digitech seem to be pretty good and they don't break the bank. A compressor, flanger (or phase shifter), and maybe an envelope filter will give you a broad palette to work with. If your amp is capable of both clean and distorted tones, you may not need to buy any sort of distortion or overdrive pedal. Best of luck.
Get an octave pedal, the one that adds a note an octave higher than the one you're playing. Depending on the brand they may be called multipliers or something to that effect, octave dividers add a note an octave below the one played (that's for guitarists filling in bass notes, you don't want that one). Haven't had to use one, so I can't steer you to any in particular. This way you don't need to lug around another instrument and have the added joy of switching between sets or, worse yet, between songs. Just another stomp box that will undoubtedly be cheaper than a piccolo bass. Hope this helps.
Most of those songs you mention are just standard bass tone- no special effects at all. If you have a good warm bass sound with some decent mids, treble and bass represented you should be fine. You wouldn't want fuzz or distortion on any of those, so maybe your standard tone is too "dirty"?
I have played ALL of those "dance" songs and more without a single pedal. Just a good bass tone.
I have played ALL of those "dance" songs and more without a single pedal. Just a good bass tone.
I'm not aware of any pedal on the market that gives you an octave UP that's any good. Fishman had that Powerchord pedal, where the description was enticing - but it sucked. Tone was awful and it couldn't track for beans. I think another company used to have one, can't remember the name but it's out of production now. If you're going for an octave effect, the pedals do an octave down and you play high on the neck.
There is no possible way to simultaneously play basslines that suit the tunes and cover for the lack of a lead guitar. You only have two hands. 
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I don't want to turn this into an "effects-no effects" argument, but assuming you are playing bars/clubs/places where people are drinking and dancing, they aren't concerned with matching the exact tone of the studio recording - they want a solid bottom to dance to. If you like your bass tone, then keep it.
And ya - Beatles "dance" music or needing effects?
And ya - Beatles "dance" music or needing effects?
Hmmm. I'm not getting why you need pedals for any of the three bands you mentioned and your amp and cab are fine for what you're doing. If you do get pedals , I would suggest getting a boss LS 2 . It allows you to blend your dry bass into the effected signal so your bass stays in the mix. Alot of times, using effects sound great until everyone in the band is playing. Another major benefit is that you can turn two or more pedals on with just one foot stomp. Analog pedals are better for staying in the mix but it's hard to beat the Zoom B3's versatlity as long as you're blending in an anolog signal to keep your instrument's integrity.
This is my experience. I have nothing against effects, but in my opinion the effect has to be fairly radical to stand out in the mix. Subtle effects that sound great when practicing alone often get lost in a live gig when everyone is at volume. I agree with the folks that say pick up a used multi effects unit like the B3. You can mess with a bunch of effects, and see what works. Then down the road if you want you can get individual pedals once you know what effects you truly need.
Have fun but be careful! Once you start down the pedal path you may find yourself constantly wandering the wilderness chasing that perfect tone.
- Jan 12, 2011
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why are you listening to a keyboard player about your tone 
I thought pedals made things more dirty than more clean
I thought pedals made things more dirty than more clean
I am also not aware of any pedal that actually gives you a good octave down, with good tracking. ;-) If someone finds one, let me know, because ALL of them have failed IMHO. What I want is something I can kick on and play those opening low C# notes on my 4-string for "Pour Some Sugar on Me" that will have some punch and sound like a REAL bass (not arse).
I'd use an octave pedal, a chorus, and possibly some high pass filter when you want to do some solo tones while the keys take over the bass part.
Did this a while back in a funk band. Was using a 2 channel Hughes & Kettner amp, and for the solo parts, I switched channels to the "lead" sound and hit the chorus.
The octave pedal is for the Prince songs.
Did this a while back in a funk band. Was using a 2 channel Hughes & Kettner amp, and for the solo parts, I switched channels to the "lead" sound and hit the chorus.
The octave pedal is for the Prince songs.
I think your keyboard player got it wrong. Pedals may not be the answer. Play whatever music gets the crowd to drink. After they've consumed enough alcohol they'll dance to anything. Good luck!
