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Simple advice needed

ohiomatt33

ohiomatt33

Guest
Apr 6, 2015
5
0
35
Ohio
#1
Keepers of the low end, I humble myself before you. I am but a simple guitar player, but I just got picked up for a few weeks long tour to play bass for a country artist. I've played guitar for him about a dozen times, and did a fill-in gig on bass for him last month. After the gig he told me what a great job I'd done, and that he had never known I'd played bass in addition to guitar. I told him that was my first gig...and it was. I bought a Squier VM 5-string (after some help and advice from you guys here!) and learned all his tunes note for note.

So, I'm looking for some tips and advice a guitar player might not think of when playing bass. I hear there is supposedly no money above the fifth fret.

What are some things you wished you'd known when you got that first big gig call?
 
#2
I'm almost certain that
'no money above the fifth fret' was coined before 5 strings came along

a lot of keys can start on the 5th fret with a 5 string

otherwise I won't ever get that big gig call so you're welcome to ignore this
 
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#4
This is basically what I mean:

I'm not saying don't play with a pick. Go right ahead. I'm not saying don't play bar chords and I'm not saying don't strum. All that can be implemented into a bass player's style, but this guy is playing like it's a guitar, not a bass. He brings no funk. You must bring the funk. That's your job as a bass player. I don't think I'm making much sense, but it's Monday and I'm sleepy so it is what it is.
 
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#5
Think bass, not guitar. Most guitar players that double play too
busy on bass because they think guitar.
Most of the time you'll be below the 7th fret but new country
has a low B and plenty of forays around the 12 th fret.
Have fun.
 
#6
Couple things come to mind;
- lock in with the drummer.. meaning, see/hear what he's doing with the kick, hi-hat. Get grooving
- as you start, see if you can get the technique right. May take lessons, may browse the web - but point is: easier to learn the right way right away rather than fighting bad habits later on (right hand AND left-hand technique is different from guitar)
- you're now part of the Rhytm section, rather than the Melody section :)

Regards
Mark
 
#7
This is for all of us lovin' soccer

If you're a lead guitar, you are a striker so you just look at your opportunities to score

If you're a rhythm guitar, you play midfield and aim to support strikers without leavin' defense alone

If you play the bass, you take care of the drummer, for he's your goalkeeper and you support rhythm guitars, which are said midfield, to build the proverbial wall of sound up and keep the inspiration and groove

As someone proudly declared over here years ago
The chunk (bass neck and bass in general, compared to guitar) keeps the funk!

Cheers,
Wallace
 
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#8
Gorn said:
This is basically what I mean:

I'm not saying don't play with a pick. Go right ahead. I'm not saying don't play bar chords and I'm not saying don't strum. All that can be implemented into a bass player's style, but this guy is playing like it's a guitar, not a bass. He brings no funk. You must bring the funk. That's your job as a bass player. I don't think I'm making much sense, but it's Monday and I'm sleepy so it is what it is.
Click to expand...

He's in a country band. :roflmao:
But yeah, get a away from straight country playing and bring the funk. Just funk up all the songs. You might get fired, but why be a cop out?
 
#9
Gorn said:
Don't play the bass like a guitar. I can't put into words exactly what that means, but don't do it.
Click to expand...
And...don't play Country Bass like you would play Rock Bass. Being in a Young Country cover band, I have had to unlearn a lot of my old rock bass habits and learn how less is more in country bass.

BUT, if the artist already likes your playing, you're well on your way.
 
#10
ohiomatt33 said:
Keepers of the low end, I humble myself before you. I am but a simple guitar player, but I just got picked up for a few weeks long tour to play bass for a country artist. I've played guitar for him about a dozen times, and did a fill-in gig on bass for him last month. After the gig he told me what a great job I'd done, and that he had never known I'd played bass in addition to guitar. I told him that was my first gig...and it was. I bought a Squier VM 5-string (after some help and advice from you guys here!) and learned all his tunes note for note.

So, I'm looking for some tips and advice a guitar player might not think of when playing bass. I hear there is supposedly no money above the fifth fret.

What are some things you wished you'd known when you got that first big gig call?
Click to expand...
Well, everything from guitar on the bottom four strings is the same. You can play all over the fretboard just like on a guitar.
But, you selectively choose when you play on the upper section of the fretboard as it fits the music.
 
#13
I know this has many detractors and will have others disagreeing but I agree with P. Aaron and at least at the start keep thinking "less is more" or for those who want to be literal and say "no, less is just less" then i'll say "less can be better". Keep it simple, keep the groove and when you're comfortable throw in some tasty fills.
 
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#14
I've said to guitar players in the past, that in order to think and play like a bass player, you must be able to groove out on just 1 note with your drummer.. whatever the style of music. It will help you to know the role of the instrument better because it forces you to play rhythmically, which is the MAIN thing. Grooving on 1 note also breaks your playing down so you're not just adapting your guitar playing, you're building the bass line from the ground up. And since you already have the technical ability to pluck and fret the strings (although there are many different techniques to still learn) and you know the notes/positions on the neck, you're obviously starting from a way more experienced place than a total beginner. So IMO, learning for you will probably be more about the way you should think about the bass than actually play it. This probably sounds way too simple and below your level now that you already know the band's songs and you're past that, but I encourage you to give it a try. It's actually fun to play to play simple and just lock in with the drums.
 
#15
Learn to dance to the music you are playing. I don't mean on stage. Learn the 2 step, learn the waltz. It helped me to feel it more and really catch the grove. Most of the dances follow the bass anyways. Just a tip.
 
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#16
I do a lot of pick up gigs and whenever I'm going to play with a guitar player that I haven't played with before I ask them what they want to hear from the bass. You are a guitar player, play like you'd want your bass player to play. Enjoy you new gig.
 
#17
ohiomatt33 said:
...What are some things you wished you'd known when you got that first big gig call?
Click to expand...

20-some tips:

Do what the boss says without grumbles.
Always have the show memorized.
Being asked to turn up is better than being told to turn down.
Always arrive early and/or share the driving.
On stage, look at the audience, smile, keep an eye on the band leader and drummer, all at the same time!
If there are set lists, have a spare or two.
Stand on the right of the main guitarist (with right handed guitarist). You can then follow the guitarist's chords if you don't remember the changes. If you are on his/her left, you can't.
A rig with two speaker cabinets is more likely to shield you from driver failures, than a single cab rig.
Have a spare micro head that can cover the gig in your bag/trunk/trailer.
Always have spare strings, straps, cables (including speaker/speakon), and batteries.
Have the tools you will need to adjust anything on your instrument.
Have a music stand and a stand light (either on stage or nearby) in case you are asked to read a chart.
Wear a clean good costume for the gig.
Wearing regular cowboy (riding) boots on gigs or on the road is going to hurt in the long run—Ropers are better for your feet.
Have a drum key in your bag and some spare fuses, 9v, AA, AAA, and fender medium picks—they are for the other guys.
A fresh but tested 12AX7 is a good idea, as is a flashlight, pocket knife, two pencils, and some music paper.
Be positive. Support all the other players, but stay away from the squabbles and gossip.
On the road, sleep as much as you can, drink less than the other drinkers, and don't hit on chick bartenders.
Have a good business card.
Learn the NNS and 5-string.
Get to know a lot of classic tracks and the new stuff too.
Be open-minded and drop your preconceptions about people.
Be deeply deeply grateful for all you have.
 
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#19
ohiomatt33 said:
Keepers of the low end, I humble myself before you. I am but a simple guitar player, but I just got picked up for a few weeks long tour to play bass for a country artist. I've played guitar for him about a dozen times, and did a fill-in gig on bass for him last month. After the gig he told me what a great job I'd done, and that he had never known I'd played bass in addition to guitar. I told him that was my first gig...and it was. I bought a Squier VM 5-string (after some help and advice from you guys here!) and learned all his tunes note for note.

So, I'm looking for some tips and advice a guitar player might not think of when playing bass. I hear there is supposedly no money above the fifth fret.

What are some things you wished you'd known when you got that first big gig call?
Click to expand...

If you're playing his tunes note for note and the artist likes your feel, the battle is already won ;)

Some good beginner tips though:

1. Listen more than you play

1a. The notes that you don't play are just as important as the ones that you do

2. Make the groove feel good, play with dynamics, support the harmony, and add melody tastefully.

3. Have fun, and the crowd will too.
 
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