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No one listens to the bass player

#81
This is interesting. I'm jamming with a couple of guys - one is a drummer I played with years ago , in my previous life as a guitarist, the other his tag along who would spend the night transfixed by what I was doing on the guitar, regarding it as his gold standard to aspire to (I'm not being egotistical, just setting the scene)
Fast forward 20 years, I'm playing bass with them, both, he's playing guitar - same old thing - the guitarist's song choices take precedence over everyone else's, bass players song suggestions get conveniently forgotten about, and when talking, I get played over. Fascinating to see band dynamics from the other side of the fence.
 
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#84
Mark 63 said:
Yes, indeed. they expect me to just fall in on a new song without checking if I'm even plugged in and without saying (or knowing) the song key or tonality.
I've been playing music for many years mostly on my own until I picked up bass. Now, I've been in 3 bands in the past 18 months (still in 2 of them) and it's the same in all 3. So, that's my grumble of the day.
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Just don’t play. Sooner or later they will notice....maybe......and perhaps ask why you’re mot playing. That’s your moment to tell them to consider your position and ask them to give you the song title and key before they start.
 
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#87
Kmonk said:
Many years ago, a famous musician told that if nobody notices the bass, it's because he or she is doing their job. It's when they screw up that people notice that something is wrong. Ironically, when people dance, tap their foot, tap their hand, bob their head, they are doing so to the bass and drums.
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I’ve heard that a few times over the years, but I’ve never bought into that theory. I think you can play simple parts and still command respect and attention. For example, Freddie Washington frequently plays simple parts, but with such depth and precision that you know the bass is in the hands of a master. That’s my goal: to make every note count.
 
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#88
LBS-bass said:
It happens less and less, the more often I am humored. There are times when I'm called out on something that I'm doing wrong, too. Or asked to try something different that ends up being good that way. What I like to see is an even exchange of ideas, but there's always one person who wants too much control and has to be asked to stand down every now and then :)
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We have a pretty democratic attitude. If I bring something to the table and someone suggests changing a part or chord or key (or whatever) we usually try it and if it seems to work we roll with it, or take a vote. We’ve all been doing it long enough where if one of us flubs, we give a look and if the flubber knows he flubbed they usually smile and nod and we move on. It also appears when someone starts taking too much direction, than they usually get drowned out during orders with some well placed notes or snare hits to snap them back to the same page:smug:
 
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#89
Mark 63 said:
Why is that?
Song suggestions dismissed
Knowledge about chord variations ignored
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it's not because you're the bass player - it's because your bandmates are jerks.

i started playing bass 26 years ago and have not once run into this. in fact, most people i've played with not only want my opinion but show me respect as a musician all the time. they speak highly of me and my playing to others. and when i was primarily a singer and guitar player, i respected the bass player and all my band mates and expected all to treat each other and me well. everyone lived up to that.

i suggest you quit your current band and play with people who listen to and respect you as a person and a a bandmate.
 
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#91
Sometimes who wrote the song dictates who is in charge in practice. Usually to show others the song on their respective instrument, and then their ideas of what was in their head regarding the other instruments. It can be as trivial as “ a cymbal must be struck at this note, or play this riff while I’m doing this...” Whoever brings the song we happen to be working on is generally the leader at that time.
 
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#92
I get this a lot... the BL turns around and tells the drummer and keyboard player something, the next thing I hear is the drummer counting off... I have no clue what's coming up.... I have a split second to know what we're doing and be on my first note.... Sometimes I catch it quick but other times it isn't enough... then the BL looks at me like it's my fault...

If I try to get a drink of water or something, no one checks to see if I'm ready for the next song.

Band practice has been called at the last minute and if one of the others can't make it, there's no practice... if I can't make they might go ahead and get together.

It's just what it is... I try not to make more of it than it is... If it bothered me very much I'd quit. I just really don't care...
 
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#98
Wow, sorry to hear that, OP. I have been extremely lucky, I guess. I'm in 3 original bands, and everyone is cool and we all listen to each other's ideas. It probably also helps that I contribute to song writing in all 3 bands.

It seems as if more of these problems happen in cover bands with people who still think they are rock stars. Also, most of the people I play with have some either grounding, or interest/knowledge of jazz/progressive music, so they understand that everyone is important, and they understand what everyone contributes.
 
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#99
I was in a band for 15 years and I would make a suggestion about a song or an arrangement or whatever and it would be dismissed then a week later the drummer or guitar player would say what I had mentioned earlier like it was a new idea of their own. Used to drive me crazy but I also found it kinda funny. Now the band I'm in I'm the go to guy for all things! Now it's a little overwhelming but at least I get to make the major decisions!
 

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