Overplaying vs Underplaying?

[lfmn16]

So explain why there are just as many popular bands with busy bassists as bands with bassists who just stick to the root like Oasis' bass player.

Stop obfuscating the argument with facts or you'll get a citation from the Root/5th Police!

 

[Bassamatic]

Nice Playing - But you are definitely overplaying. Take this from someone that also tends to overplay. I started playing bass with power trios back in the 60's and 70's and you had to play more to fill in, and when I hear recordings, I am still doing it too much now.

When you play those nice fills all the time, it dilutes them - they are no longer special - just a fill. It gets monotonous - the same thing all the time. Cut it back by 75% and they will stand out more.

 

[Spawnster]

Nice licks and all. But I think you overplayed just a tad bit. Especially on the verse, just too many octaves. On the other hand the chorus was fine ...If i was you, I would save up my energy for the guitar solo, then I would just rip it up!

 

[T-MOST]

You have to look at your situation. But, in general when you have 4 or five guys all thinking it ok to play as much as they want it usually sounds like crap.

 

[Alex J]

If the bass was actually like that in Oasis songs, I might be able to stand listening to them

As long as you're grooving, it's all good in my opinion..

 

[iunno]

I think you were over playing a bit, there weren't really any pauses in your playing, I would add more space. Pretty good otherwise though.

 

[muljoe]

I think that it was a bit much on the bass. It sounds like you are kinda playing in your own world there...not really paying attention to what the rest of the band is doing. To me, you are stepping all over the vocal parts and the guitar solo...just my humble opinion.

 

[josiah goldfish]

Let the space speak.
Listen to some slow jazz, it's beautiful and can be, wait for it, really simple

 

[MartinzeBassman]

Playing more or less than the song requires, which is something very subjective. Paul McCartney, James Jamerson and John Entwistle plays busy but it fits their music and makes it so great. Jaco Pastorius, Victor Wooten and Chris Squire is known for their even busier or lead-style playing but their music is built around that.
Dusty Hill, Cliff Williams and Adam Clayton often plays basic but I don't think their bands would have been the same with a more busy approach. Jason Newsted doesn't stand out as much but he gets the job done very well, he just seems to approach the instrument in a very supportive way without dragging much attention to himself, and that worked during his time in Metallica.

 

[Watchootognbout]

It depends on the musical context.
Overplaying will get you fired if you are recording this track.



Underplaying will get you fired if you are recording this track.