New bass player using my ideas.

[Mytt88]

Was wondering if anyone knows how I should approach this.

Basically I co-wrote the songs in a band that has gone behind my back and replaced me. I'm mainly thinking about the bass lines that have my style all over them. I'm happy for them to use the parts I've already recorded with them to save them the hassle of re-recording but the new bass player hasn't bothered writing his own parts in rehearsal videos of unrecorded songs posted on facebook. I know they're scheduled to record soon but I really don't think they should be recording my take on the bass lines.

 

[sears]

I think the law states that the party with better lawyers, wrote the song.

 

[4stringfarley]

I would only be concerned if the new bassist got song credit for writing them. You wrote the bass lines for their songs.

 

[JW56789]

Unless there's songwriting credit(s) and publishing in question here, the guy is learning the parts from the recordings he was given. You may not like it, but you're gonna have to live with it. Move on.

Hal Blaine was once asked what if felt like to have done so many landmark recordings for the Beach Boys. Ever irascible, Blaine replied, 'I'll tell you how it feels: I got double scale once for each song, and that %$^#& Carl Wilson makes 15 grand a night playing them.'

Like I always say, if you want 'fair', buy yourself a ticket to the Ferris Wheel.

 

[LBS-bass]

Unless there's songwriting credit(s) and publishing in question here, the guy is learning the parts from the recordings he was given. You may not like it, but you're gonna have to live with it. Move on.

Wow. Agree with the above. When I joined the originals band I've been in for three years, they gave me a bunch of recordings and I learned my parts. It never once occurred to me that their earlier bassist would be upset with me for "stealing his lines." I've since met that guy and he's always been nice to me, so...

Are you a credited songwriter on a money-making release? If so, then you should be getting the money for your contribution. Anyone coming in behind you to play it is just covering your material. If it's not making money and/or you aren't credited, there's not much to be upset about.

 

[Lobster11]

Personally, I would just take it as a compliment and move on.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Accept it, and let it go.

The only other choice you have is to be upset and/or do things that will make you even more upset. And that's the truth.

 

[Joe Nerve]

And I'll add:


I had a bass line taken from me from someone who is now famous. I can post recordings of ME playing the bass part, and HIM re-recording it (and taking credit) --and I REALLY want to -- but my belief is it will only cause more issues. The song wasn't a hit, but its available for purchase. Its a remake of a cover.

EDIT: Just realized I CAN do this without me causing waves. Here's ME playing bass on the song... first time I'm ever posting this, even though it was recorded over a decade ago.

 

[RustyAxe]

Was wondering if anyone knows how I should approach this.

Just walk away. Really.

 

[Mushroo]

Was wondering if anyone knows how I should approach this.

Show up to their next gig, introduce yourself, tell him he's doing a great job, and generally be supportive.

 

[Keger Jupit]

No advice that hasn't been mentioned already, but yeah, it's out of your hands. Take it as a compliment, & take two of these. Get back to us in the morning...

 

[gln1955]

Those bass lines go with those songs. Your old band liked them, but apparently didn't like you. Now they probably want the new bass player to play those songs as is.

Forget about it. Write more songs with other people and get on with your life.

 

[SactoBass]

Unless there's songwriting credit(s) and publishing in question here, the guy is learning the parts from the recordings he was given. You may not like it, but you're gonna have to live with it. Move on.

Hal Blaine was once asked what if felt like to have done so many landmark recordings for the Beach Boys. Ever irascible, Blaine replied, 'I'll tell you how it feels: I got double scale once for each song, and that %$^#& Carl Wilson makes 15 grand a night playing them.'

Like I always say, if you want 'fair', buy yourself a ticket to the Ferris Wheel.

^^^THIS!

 

[Chrisk-K]

Do you legally own the bass parts? Even if you did, it wouldn’t make sense to pursue any legal action.

 

[waynobass]

... the bass lines... have my style all over them.

Very few bassists have a really distinctive style. Maybe his style is naturally similar to yours.

Take it as a compliment that they couldn't come up with better bass parts than yours!

 

[51PRI]

Was wondering if anyone knows how I should approach this.

Basically I co-wrote the songs in a band that has gone behind my back and replaced me. I'm mainly thinking about the bass lines that have my style all over them. I'm happy for them to use the parts I've already recorded with them to save them the hassle of re-recording but the new bass player hasn't bothered writing his own parts in rehearsal videos of unrecorded songs posted on facebook. I know they're scheduled to record soon but I really don't think they should be recording my take on the bass lines.

Are you getting songwriting credit? If so, consider your bass parts, which, for the new bass player to want to play them, must be perfect for the songs, as a part of the songwriting credit. If you're not getting songwriting credit, get that taken care of first, in my opinion.

 

[sqlb3rn]

When Kiko Loureiro joined Megadeth he learned all of Marty Friedman's parts and solos. When Chris Barnes left Cannibal Corpse, George Fisher did not rewrite his own lyrics. That's just how it works. A band is not going to rewrite or trash all their songs every time someone leaves the band.

 

[MattZilla]

Um, did they just get signed to Geffen, Warner Brothers or some other company that's in a position to let them on The Ride?

 

[Mushroo]

Look at it this way:

I am allowed to play Flea's bass line from "Aeroplane." I am allowed to play James Jamerson's bass line from "Bernadette." I am allowed to play John Deacon's bass line from "Another One Bites The Dust."

What is your logic why I am *NOT* allowed to play your bass lines?

 

[Bodeanly]

"Co-writing a song" and "coming up with bass lines for a song" are not the same thing. Either way, unless there is money at stake, it is useless to spend more just to make a point.