New Band Red Flag

[SCS]

So no one dances to Motown or Funk?

I love Funk, and this band has given me a new appreciation for it. Then sax player even came up to me and said he was glad to here me playing funk lines to warm up (Cake: I will survive and groove is in the heart) is what I usually play while adjusting my levels)

 

[dbsfgyd1]

This is partially true, they play a lot of songs that I've never heard or rarely heard before, definitely a different world than playing music you've heard all your life and an issue on my part. But that's only a temporary problem

Well, that’s the correct attitude. Trust me I get were your are coming from.

For me it was being smacked in the face at audition time with reggae. If you got a look at me, I’m the last guy in the world one would expect to be able play it fluidly. But I went back to the woodshed and worked on it. Still don’t do it well as other things, but good enough. No doubt you will find your way

 

[Ric5]

These are good. Particularly the last one. Awesome. Billy Sheehan solo was noise.

it is all a matter of taste ... I enjoy Billy's noise ... and I like his attitude ... no pun intended

 

[SCS]

Sounds like a "tryout" if you feel the drummers is making valid points LISTEN, if on the other hand you think it is purely a control issue work it out as a band or move on! My gut tells me as soon as he comes across a bass player that will stroke his ego you will be out. As a bass player and a drummer I get it, I often have asked drummers to chill out, on the other side if a guy or gal is groovin on bass and adds extra chops or fills that work with the song I dig it! Even if (or I could say especially if) it is one of my songs). More like ah ha thats it and why didn't I think of that when I wrote it. Then again it's a cover band, the parts have already been established. Just my 2 cents...

My feeling is, they are not looking for another, they seem happy with me and have said they can tell I'm putting in the work multiple times, the drummer has said "we know we've thrown a lot at you". They've only been together a year, and they started out as friends just jamming together. The stated goal is to be ready to play out when this mess is over.

 

[dreamadream99]

A thousand different band problems in this category, but still only three possible outcomes:

1. Do nothing. Live with it. Accept it.
2. Change it. Talk to them. Air your concerns. Ask for change.
3. Leave. If you can’t accept or change the problem, then move on.

 

[lfmn16]

Someone who doesnt play bass telling a bass player how to play bass. The classic disrespect we go through hahaha

I disagree. When another musician makes a suggestion, you should listen and consider their opinion. In this case, though it's just the drummer so you can dismiss it outright!

 

[longfinger]

How would you read this situation if it was you? Spare no feelings. TY

I'd (We'd) have to hear you and the band playing to make specific to you comments.

If you're struggling too much to keep up and play with great time using the larger palette of notes, then simplifying note choices might be best. Focus on the quality of your rhythmic playing first, notes second. He's a drummer after all. :-D Perhaps you're timing is way off in your current approach.

 

[Engle]

We haven't locked in musically. Personality wise, on breaks he all about the music and potential songs to do next. We are approaching 30 songs after just 6 rehearsals, so I think I'm doing pretty good for being in a new genre. The singer (who is outta this world) keys and sax and to a lesser extent the guitarist (who is across the room) have been easy to connect with.

If you’re not locking musically, that may be why he’s asking you to simplify.

I like playing with drummers I don’t have to think about, and I likely wouldn’t stay in the situation.

But there may be some value for you to grow as a musician working through this.

 

[C Stone]

My feeling is, they are not looking for another, they seem happy with me and have said they can tell I'm putting in the work multiple times, the drummer has said "we know we've thrown a lot at you". They've only been together a year, and they started out as friends just jamming together. The stated goal is to be ready to play out when this mess is over.

Only time will tell, sounds like you are not "put off" by the criticisms so hang in there and it and don't overthink it. The bands encouragment and the drummer sayin "we know we've thrown alot at you" tells me he's willing to help you grow...

 

[Max Bogosity]

I wouldn’t get in anybody’s face about it, but I would explicitly ask why he wants those songs played differently than the recorded versions. Maybe he thinks you aren’t executing the original lines well, maybe he wants it simplified because one of the *other* band members is struggling, or maybe he just doesn’t like the original very much. My response would vary a lot depending on the answer.

 

[Eminor3rd]

It's impossible for us to tell without hearing you guys play. He could be completely right or totally off-base.

Most of us have been guilty of overplaying at LEAST some of the time, but it never seems like it when it's happening.

 

[Ralph Manak]

This seems a good opportunity to become not only a better bassist, but also a better musician in general. The drummer/BL may be giving you the mechanics that allow a penny or two to drop, and the other side of that coin is the time and space for you to help the BL learn to trust your ability/instincts/judgment through your improvement and growth. The degree to which learning happens in a band, regardless of skill level, is related to the life of the band. Personalities are another issue, and another domain in which learning can happen—adjusted accordingly for individual tolerance.

 

[Joe Nerve]

About 20 years ago I had a similar situation. I learned more from that drummer than probably any other musician I played with. She had more experience than me at the time, and knew things I still very much needed to learn.

 

[kittywithabanjo]

I think you of course listen to comments but make your own decision in the end,

If they are covers and you are trying to keep them true to original, you play the part to the best of your ability.

 

[aprod]

Could it be the BL is simplifying your parts because you are not hitting the original basslines correctly?

 

[Obese Chess]

If I wasn't gelling with a drummer after eight weeks I'd bounce, irrespective of their behavior.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Hope this is the right place for this question. I joined a new band, 8 weeks in (six practices) and the drummer (Band leader) has requested that I play only root notes on some songs, He and I haven't seemed to mesh yet, he started out critical of my timing the first to practices, then moved on to the actual notes I was playing, now this, All very seasoned musicians with incredible ear for music (keyboard and guitar and the sax player has a pretty good ear on his own), but the drummer seems to want to control what I play. FYI I'm out of a rock band, this band plays oldies and standards along the lines of Motown r&b and dance standards. How would you read this situation if it was you? Spare no feelings. TY

If you’re playing covers, there should be absolutely NO ARGUMENT. Play the basslines as they were recorded.

 

[hrodbert696]

Yep, a whole lot of "it depends" here. I've heard bassists wreck a song by putting in fills where they don't belong. I've heard bassists wreck a song by simplifying it where it really needed a fill. I spent maybe my first five years as a bassist learning to play more, and then the next five years learning how to play less. There are some songs that are so boring idiot-simple that it's tempting to spice them up with fancier playing, but that actually ruins the groove ("Hang On Sloopy" comes to mind.

BLs also vary. Some are the boss and give the orders, and you better do as they say or you're out. Others are more chairmen-of-the-board, setting general direction and building consensus, but not dictators. A lot depends on how this band works.

When he asks you to just play roots, I would ask what he's aiming for or why the way you were doing it didn't work. If he has a persuasive answer, take his advice. If not, maybe start looking for another project.

 

[AMp'D.2play]

You must have some thing(s) going for you on the plus side to explain why you haven't been fired yet, despite the BL dishing out criticism in the 2 months since you joined the band. Do you provide the PA?

Seriously, as others have mentioned, it's possibly the BL's polite way of asking you to dumb down some - not all - songs where your playing may be hindering the feel/groove. If it's important to you to remain in this band, I'd still learn the material consistent with the original versions but perform them as the BL wishes for the time being. As you become more accomplished playing this music which currently has you out of your comfort zone (style/genre, familiarity, etc.), he may become less concerned with what you play. Good luck.

 

[Peteyboy]

Speaking as a guy who has never played in a cover band, you have 2 things going for you:

1. Your basslines are already written.
2. You'll get paid for every gig.

If you're playing the lines as written I don't understand what your drummer could have to say about it. If you're not playing them as written he's got a right to point that out.