Note For Note Vs. "Wiggle" Room

[leamdav]

Actually I was turned down for what I thought was a tribute band because what they really wanted was someone to jam the tunes . I'm pretty sure they had been butchering the tunes for so long that they thought I was playing them wrong .

This is what I was thinking, note for note only works if the rest of the band is doing it .

 

[CryingBass]

I like Jazz and for the 100 years that I have been listening I don't think that I have ever heard one of the dudes play note-for-note.

Now: Toke-to-toke? That is another topic...

 

[electracoyote]

80-90% accuracy rate depending on the tune.

That's pretty darn close, especially if it nails the parts the majority can hear and remember.

I just simply don't have the time to devote to that, especially when I get a setlist two days in advance of a gig.

But this thread is of course not about short-notice gigs, it's about prepping for an audition. I won't do auditions in either direction on short notice; in the cover band world it is impossible to tell what a player can really do when they're rushed.

Heck...These days I even do what I consider cheating, and thats to go directly to an instructional video for a song where someone else is already telling you how it goes.

I think that's really smart...if the "instructor" can be trusted, has a good ear, and isn't teaching you the wrong notes.

 

[grimjim]

Playing in cover bands, I will add my own flavor to the bass lines. Playing in a tribute band, I stay as close to the original as I can.

That may come from being old. I started WAY before the internet and you could look up tabs for almost any song you wanted to learn. A lot of times you couldn't even hear the bass so I started playing what I thought it should be.

 

[obimark]

Unless you are in a tribute band, the audience won't know or care if you play it note for note.

Depends but nobody is playing true note for note anyhow...they are playing close to the record at best...

 

[FirewalZ]

Ive learned to adapt to whatever the particular musical situation calls for. On one end of the scale it could be a corp/wedding type gig that plays with tracks, on the other end, hosting a open jam where anything goes. I think learning to really understand where a particular situation falls within that spectrum, than delivering, is key.

 

[DWBass]

Competition? No. Some folks just have different creative vibes. When I was growing up, you learned songs by listening to the radio or records. By doing so, it was as close to note for note as it could be. I started playing in 1973. To this day, I try my best to learn songs note for note. For those that don't desire to do so, more power to you. I'm just not into half @$$ing it or just jammin' out songs.

 

[ToneMonkey]

A lot of bassists doing pickup gigs are in my area just seem to freelance over the key center, rather than actually learn the songs. If all you want is a paycheck, it's very efficient. No time wasted on pesky rehearsals or personal practice time.

 

[SactoBass]

Here's an argument in favor of learning covers note for note that I haven't seen on TB. It's COMPETITION. A player who learns note for note has an advantage over another who doesn't (everything else being equal).

Big +1

I'm a note for note type player. I've always been that way for the past 45 years of playing bass. I realize not everyone enjoys learning cover songs note for note, but *I* enjoy it! Some people consider it work. Others might consider it torture. I consider it fun!

A while back, I put together a YES tribute band. We played mostly their 70's era material such as the entire Close to the Edge album, stuff off of Fragile and The Yes Album, etc. We strived to pay tribute to YES music by playing it as close to the original recordings as possible. The audiences dug it, and we had a blast doing it! Never once did I find myself thinking, "sheesh....I can come up with a better bass line for that part of the song than what Chris Squire came up with." LOL!

 

[sxaxsx]

It depends on the song, and what part of the song. Of course if you are playing "Sunshine of Your Love" or "Another One Bites the Dust" you have to play the riffs note for note. If you are playing "Texas Flood" I don't think anyone is going to miss a bass fill during the guitar solo as long as you are walking the bass and it fits.

 

[David A. Davis]

IMO, no one wants to hear a cover band play "their" interpretation of a song. I thought the point of a tribute band was to take a little bit further (playing only one band/artists material, the look/presence on stage, show etc). I say note for note to the best of your ability. I see improv appropriate in specific cases, like the walking parts of a jazz standard. Never, ever screw with the melody or the bass line is critical to the song.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Learn them note-for-note. Unless the song is perfect, change it up a little to make it your own when you perform it. It's always satisfying when you can make the song even better.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Depends on the song, depends on the band. I play in a band with guitar, bass, drums, and vocalist/flute/sax. On some songs, playing the recorded line works, and on some it doesn't. Sometimes I finger fifths and octaves, sometimes I have to do other things to fill sonic space.

 

[jamro217]

I agree that knowing the most popular version of a tune's bassline for a cover band is important. Notice it's the most popular version, not necessarily the original version. By playing that line (especially at an audition) you not only answer the question of being able to do so, but prove you're able to learn. Both noble qualities. As far as being able to improvise goes, you should be able to do that, too. How many times have you been to a live show and the artist performs their hit differently than they recorded it? In some extreme cases the song is barely recognizable. The key is to be versatile, yet sensible.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

Note for note is a waste of time. No one would even know it's note for note except the original bass player. Do you expect your singer to do a complete copy of the original vocal ? Nail the signature bass line (if there is one) , copy the basic feel/ groove and go in peace.

 

[Davbassdude]

It's probably been said before, but: When I'm first playing in a cover band, I will play the bass lines exactly like they are on the record. However, once we've played some gigs and/or I become more familiar with the other band members, I'll take the liberty of providing some tastefully selected improvisation. This is only done if I sense appreciation from my fellow band members.

 

[Wasnex]

Here's an argument in favor of learning covers note for note that I haven't seen on TB. It's COMPETITION. A player who learns note for note has an advantage over another who doesn't (everything else being equal).

I guess. If your in one tribute band and the goal is to play exactly like the recording you better nail it note for note. If you play in multiple cover bands and need to know 10 or 20 hours of music good luck with the note for note approach.

To be honest, a lot of band leaders have told me they like my playing better when I get off the page.

There's a time and place for everything. Sometimes you need to play note for note. In my experience most of the time, it's not required and often not appreciated especially when your playing with old road dogs.

 

[Kmonk]

I have always believed that when people go out to see cover or tribute bands, they expect to hear the songs the same way they hear them on recordings and on the radio. I have always learned everything note for note. Unless you're a famous musician, nobody wants to hear your interpretation of a song. Learn it correctly or not at all.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Of course, but that's not an excuse for not learning it. Too many people can't be bothered with learning the original, and use every excuse available ("that's how /I/ do it" etc etc).

I learn how to do it note for note and then add my own twist to it, basically what the original bassist would do playing live.

 

[Wasnex]

I have always believed that when people go out to see cover or tribute bands, they expect to hear the songs the same way they hear them on recordings and on the radio. I have always learned everything note for note. Unless you're a famous musician, nobody wants to hear your interpretation of a song. Learn it correctly or not at all.

If someone wants to hear the original, why wouldn't they just listen on their phone or Ipod? Back in 97 I assembled a rig that used E drums and IEMs. No amps and no monitors. The number one complaint from audience members was it sounded too much like a CD. Clearly they wanted something different from the live music experience.