Forget about him playing your bass parts - make sure you get songwriting credits. And if you want to take it further, create a publishing company.
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New bass player using my ideas.
- Thread starter Mytt88
- Start date
Its not so much playing those parts. It's recording those parts and not making effort to give credit to file/ james jamerson/ deacon.
To be clearer I have no issue with them playing the songs live I have an issue with them recording my idea where nothing has been mentioned of me getting writing credits. The songs have not been recorded yet but all live videos the new bassist has learned my parts and due to that I'm presuming he will play them on the new recordings in the studio.
There was also a discussion where they assured me they would not be using my ideas. I'm not talking about bass parts that follow along with what the guitar is doing either as I would see how that is being a bit pathetic, I'm talking about bass lines that the rest of the song was built around or took the song in a completely different direction.
Gotcha. If they went back on a verbal agreement, then you have every right to be upset.
Unfortunately I think it will be difficult for you to get retroactive songwriter credit now that you are no longer in the band. Typically songwriter credit goes to whoever wrote the lyrics and melody. Chord progression, rhythm, and other "arrangement" elements (such as the bass line or drum beat) are not generally considered "songwriting." But historically there have been many exceptions. Entertainment law is cray-cray.
No one will know except you; no one will care except you. There is nothing you can do, or frankly should do, and you'll just wind up looking small and petty if you don't let it go.
I never got this whole "thing" about worrying over what is going on with bands I am no longer with. Wether I left on my own, by mutual agreement, or was terminated, once I'm gone I'm gone.
Stop stalking your ex *I mean old band* on facebook and just get on with your life. All you will ever do is cause yourself grief about it and there is nothing reasonable you can do about it, and unless they become rich and famous which is so unlikely it's not funny, what difference does it make to you anyway.
Anthony Jackson and Lee Sklar spent many years copying synth bass lines devised by the song-writers. Yet, Lee and Anthony got the credit.
The band likely asked the new person to play the same lines because they want them - they just didn't want you.
This is really about them going behind your back and replacing you. There's a backstory here that's making you cling to bass parts. I suggest if you can't afford to litigate, you can't really afford to hang on to those bass-lines. On the other hand, if you can afford to litigate, don't. Just don't.
The band likely asked the new person to play the same lines because they want them - they just didn't want you.
This is really about them going behind your back and replacing you. There's a backstory here that's making you cling to bass parts. I suggest if you can't afford to litigate, you can't really afford to hang on to those bass-lines. On the other hand, if you can afford to litigate, don't. Just don't.
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I played in a rock band that wrote a bunch of songs back in the 90's. We had some 4-track garage recordings under our belt when I moved out of town. When I attended a rehearsal when I was back in town, I thought the new guy played the parts I'd written pretty darn well! It never occurred to me that, in some universe, I should have been mad at him for learning to play the songs correctly.
Word. Let it go.
I don’t remember seeing liner notes where it lists who wrote each part for each instrument as part of the song writing credit. Song writing credit usually goes to the person writing the lyrics/chords/structure. Was Jason Newstead supposed to write all new bassmaterial for Cliff Burton’s bass lines when he joined Metallica, and Trujillo all new bass parts when he joined? Does each song credit for Metallica indicate who wrote those bass lines? (Sorry for using Metallica as an example)
I’ve written awesome bass parts (in my mind
) for multiple bands, and I don’t consider them mine. They belong to the song I wrote them for, and I’m honored to hear other bassists play them if I’m no longer in that band. To summarize; move on.
here's a cat who knows/shows how it works in practice --- with some good advice for anyone who wants a songwriting credit:
what constitutes songwriting? How to define songwriting
OP, if you google: what constitutes a song? you get this:
COPYRIGHT WORKS IN A SONG. A song is the combination of melody and words. Each is protected by copyright: the melody as a musical work and the lyrics as a literary work. ... The song is protected by copyright once it has been 'fixed' in a form that can be copied, such as being written down or recorded.
- that cool tambourine part in the bridge --- it was my wife's idea --- she gets a cut!
- the snare drum was a sample i created when my dog tipped over the garbage can --- it's my dog!
- the chord progression was my idea: i kind of 'stole' it from neil young except i changed the Dm7 tp F6 to lose a bunch of 'drama' i didn't want.
- the bass lines were all mine: sort of a 'tribute' to all the cats who have influenced me!
- in music: i'm a creative force to be reckoned with!
- i know the guy who invented pants.
what constitutes songwriting? How to define songwriting
OP, if you google: what constitutes a song? you get this:
COPYRIGHT WORKS IN A SONG. A song is the combination of melody and words. Each is protected by copyright: the melody as a musical work and the lyrics as a literary work. ... The song is protected by copyright once it has been 'fixed' in a form that can be copied, such as being written down or recorded.
- that cool tambourine part in the bridge --- it was my wife's idea --- she gets a cut!
- the snare drum was a sample i created when my dog tipped over the garbage can --- it's my dog!
- the chord progression was my idea: i kind of 'stole' it from neil young except i changed the Dm7 tp F6 to lose a bunch of 'drama' i didn't want.
- the bass lines were all mine: sort of a 'tribute' to all the cats who have influenced me!
- in music: i'm a creative force to be reckoned with!
- i know the guy who invented pants.
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.
What the Hill?
Before the mods jump in, I'm not dissin' anyone. It's a joke
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There's an old saying that goes: "A verbal agreement is not worth the paper it's written on."
I agree with the other TB'ers who said that you should be flattered that those other musicians are using your ideas. That says alot about your creativity vs theirs!
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...etc This wins the interweb today!- that cool tambourine part in the bridge --- it was my wife's idea --- she gets a cut!
- the snare drum was a sample i created when my dog tipped over the garbage can --- it's my dog!
- the chord progression was my idea: i kind of 'stole' it from neil young except i changed the Dm7 tp F6 to lose a bunch of 'drama' i didn't want.
- the bass lines were all mine: sort of a 'tribute' to all the cats who have influenced me!
- in music: i'm a creative force to be reckoned with!
- i know the guy who invented pants.
Who exactly do you think you are? I guess I missed all the articles about you in the major magazines. Stole your lines?!?! The nerve!!! "Maybe you don't know who I am!!!"
Besides, if the band actually sells any of these recordings, they probably stand to make tens of dollars. Sue 'em, and don't spend it all in one place..
Besides, if the band actually sells any of these recordings, they probably stand to make tens of dollars. Sue 'em, and don't spend it all in one place..
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
- 16,793
- Disclosures
- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
Unless you're a co-writer and your band are platinum selling rock gods, you really just need to let it go. There is absolutely nothing you can do.
If you know a law student and wanna screw with them.. Give them a notice of copyright infringement.. Show them the penalty.. And tell them to redo the line or pay you $1000.00 to buy line from you.. Just for shites and giggles
Or, be an adult, and move on with your life. I can guarantee those basslines aren't remotely as unique as you want to think they are. You have nothing to gain by pressing the issue, and your reputation to lose.
If you created the bass lines entirely from scratch (remember there's not much new under the sun) and if they have sufficient originality, there may be a copyright in them. Who owns that copyright depends on a lot of things (recording agreements, band agreements, etc).
The practical short answer is forget about it and be content with the co-writer credit on the songs themselves. If they generate any revenue, you will be entitled to your percentage share of the writer royalties and, if you haven't assigned the song copyright and publishing rights, also a percentage share of the publisher share of royalties.
If the songs are going to see any public exposure be sure that they are properly registered (apart from the sound recordings) with the appropriate agencies - ASCAP, BMI, etc.
