Should I stay or should I go?

[Admiral Akbar]

You and OP make me feel like trying slide bass
And if I like it, I will propose a deal to my band leader: I accept to continue playing his specific bass lines exactly how he wrote them, if he lets me play slide bass on one or two songs

My situation is — these bass parts have all been written by myself. They’re 100% from me. It’s my choice to play them on Fender, Serek, or Smith… Jazz, or Precision… 4, 5, or 6-string… fretted or fretless… pick, fingerstyle, or slide.

 

[Koshchei]

So, I played a gig with an originals band whom I’ve been playing with for about 4 years. We probably do about 3 or 4 gigs a year and have recorded an album and EP of original tunes. My role as bassist is to supply basslines to the tunes—I am not paid to do this, nor are any of my ideas for original tunes entertained. Im completely a “hired gun”, as is another band member. We play with these guys because we enjoy the hang.

Here’s the catch: we played a 30 minute (free) show with 3 other bands over the weekend. Prior to the show, I had indicated I’d like to try one of my basslines with a slide (a la Morphine) - it sounded cool in my woodshed and thought it might be nice to try with the band. Well, many of the band members liked the idea, but another stated he’d rather me try things in the studio. Understandable.

Anyway, the gig happens, some of the band members with less gigging experience were nervous, and the mistakes started to happen. Well, the song comes up, I play it with the slide, it sounds ok.

Next day, the guitarist who did not want me to try the slide on the gig called it “sloppy and messy”. That said; he’s the least experienced musician in the group, and plays like it.

I’m reconsidering whether I want to continue on with this band where I have no songwriting input, and then any playing input seems to be “controlled”. I’m not paid to replicate parts, so I’d like more creative leeway than what I’ve been getting. What would you guys do?

Sounds like a crap gig all around.

 

[Discount Bassy]

Start a band or join one. Play with these guys if your schedule allows it.

 

[51PRI]

So, I played a gig with an originals band whom I’ve been playing with for about 4 years. We probably do about 3 or 4 gigs a year and have recorded an album and EP of original tunes. My role as bassist is to supply basslines to the tunes—I am not paid to do this, nor are any of my ideas for original tunes entertained. Im completely a “hired gun”, as is another band member. We play with these guys because we enjoy the hang.......

With no money from playing, and little creative input, all you have to do is decide if "the hang" is enough for you to stick around or not.

 

[Savage_Dreams]

While i dont think shows need to be so rigid that nothing can be improvised or different from the norm, its also not really the place to try something completely brand new and unknown.

 

[Al Rivera]

Your wasting your time with this group!

 

[Admiral Akbar]

While i dont think shows need to be so rigid that nothing can be improvised or different from the norm, its also not really the place to try something completely brand new and unknown.

I didn’t rewrite my own bassline, I played the same notes and rhythms with a slide on my pinky. Nothing ‘unknown’ about that. That said, if this were a high-stakes showcase or paid performance, the slide would have stayed in the gig bag.

 

[And I]

"hired guns" get paid. just sayin'...

 

[Lucas Carioli]

Playing for free with other guys like you is one thing, getting paid for do a job is another. After all it depends how you feeling about your position in the band.If you are feeling unsatisfied, better leave.

 

[Biggbass]

multiple reg flags from the beginning....these are your options moving forward

1 - go
2 - decline requests for future gigs
3 - accept future gig requests but charge a frustration fee...double your price
4 - ghost 'em

 

[ThunderV]

In order to be a hired gun......they should be paying you......even for free gigs. Without creative input you are nothing more than a free bass player to them.......they want to have it both ways and it seems like you are letting them have it both ways. If I were not getting paid.....I would play the basslines however I wanted to. You can't be a hired gun without getting paid.

 

[SteveHeissner]

I'd do two things: 1) Find a cover band with paying gigs and serve whatever songs the audience likes. 2) Continue to play with the originals band 3 or 4 times a year and play whatever bass lines you want. If they don't like it, they can find someone else.

 

[Koshchei]

Also, I can't help but note that you're a jazzer in NYC. Ditch these bozos and hook up with a John Zorn-like outfit and explore the limits of your creativity, not pedantic nonsense like this band is putting you through. In context, this whole thread is about the use of a single embellishment in a song that had already gone off the rails.

It sounds like you've got your bread and butter covered through other bands already.

 

[mr80htz]

I never understand these kinds of threads. It's your feeling dude. Talk to the group about your thoughts. If you don't feel good about it, then leave. Music is supposed to be a joy to play...unless your a pro and that's been stripped of.you on ocasion.

 

[buldog5151bass]

FWIW, you can't be a band member AND a hired gun. Sounds to me like you are a band member with little to no creative input.

 

[Kael]

You said it was a free show yes? They pay you, then they are employing you and can make parameters about what you play. They don't pay you? Then they are free to suck it on demands on how to play.

 

[mikewalker]

Having read through all seven pages here, I would seriously consider firing the drummer (or quitting that band if the drummer is entrenched) .

About the minor drama of the guitarist complaining about your use of a slide instead of a bare fingertip to play 'essentially the same notes' - that sounds like something trivial. Maybe he was subconsciouly deflecting from his own shortcomings, maybe he was just unhappy with the trainwreck gig in general. In any event, I would just 'move on' from that... the focus for this band ( should you decide to continue with it!) ought to be about tightening up whatever has been falling apart.

but bottom line : LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO PLAY WITH BAD DRUMMERS! Find a great drummer to play with ( there are many out there...)

 

[Admiral Akbar]

Having read through all seven pages here, I would seriously consider firing the drummer (or quitting that band if the drummer is entrenched) .

About the minor drama of the guitarist complaining about your use of a slide instead of a bare fingertip to play 'essentially the same notes' - that sounds like something trivial. Maybe he was subconsciouly deflecting from his own shortcomings, maybe he was just unhappy with the trainwreck gig in general. In any event, I would just 'move on' from that... the focus for this band ( should you decide to continue with it!) ought to be about tightening up whatever has been falling apart.

but bottom line : LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO PLAY WITH BAD DRUMMERS! Find a great drummer to play with ( there are many out there...)

Totally agree. The drummer is the most important member of any band. They will make or break a band or performance. The problem is, their drummer is far more entrenched with these guys than I. Drummer gets creative freedom and helps them write and arrange tunes. I don’t see them firing him.

 

[Polfuste]

You say "their drummer", "these guys". You are already out of the band. Get a more interesting gig that will let you express yourself.

 

[pcake]

Totally agree. The drummer is the most important member of any band. They will make or break a band or performance. The problem is, their drummer is far more entrenched with these guys than I. Drummer gets creative freedom and helps them write and arrange tunes. I don’t see them firing him.

it doesn't sound like the hang so good that it makes up for all the rest or you wouldn't be posting this thread. why not start looking for an originals band - or creating one - to scratch that creative itch with more experienced musicians who are all willing to give and take creatively? i know habit or a feeling of loyalty keep a lot of musicians in bands that make them unhappy, but these guys have already had another bass player - they will be able to find another or not.