On a related note, I'd like to add one: drummers who play something wrong yet refuse to acknowledge they're playing it wrong. Even when the entire rest of the band notices.
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Things bassist hate, Part 2
- Thread starter j-raj
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On a related note, I'd like to add one: drummers who play something wrong yet refuse to acknowledge they're playing it wrong. Even when the entire rest of the band notices.
scottfeldstein
Roots and fifths and a little extra.
It's probably been said before--maybe even by me--but this: Guitarists who don't know how to play dynamically. Like, they just have one loud volume and one high intensity level and can never get quiet or drop out of a mix. No matter how many times you say "dude, listen to the original recording of that song with some headphones" they just don't get it. They think it's their job to orchestrate the entire piece of music on their single instrument: drums, bass, everything.
And on another similar note. People that don't admit that they are not good enough and try to cover their mistakes with the most amazing line ever:'' I was improvising''. Even worse people that actually do throw completely random stuff and say the same thing Really? This is your idea of improvising? Perhaps you should give us a heads up before, man.
And another favourite of mine, when doing covers, insisting to play the originals spot on. That sometimes doesn't work for various reasons: instrumentation, equipment, singer is unable to sing in certain keys. You really want to play that damned cover? Well it's either our way or no way!
Sorry I started getting a little cranky...
This is the difference between a "cover band" and a "tribute act". Some people refuse to see the difference. :scowl:
scottfeldstein
Roots and fifths and a little extra.
That's totally true. But there's also a difference between playing the right chord and the wrong one: commonly known as the difference between a guitarist and a hack.
How about when someone says they are going to do a cover like the original, but then dumb it down to a 1-4-5, when there are two or three other chords in the original version but they don't have enough of an ear to hear it!
Saw a band do that with "Hotel California" many years ago. Worst part was the bassist just hung on to the root for the whole song; what made that entire song for me was Randy Meisner's bassline.
scottfeldstein
Roots and fifths and a little extra.
People asking me " why do you wanna buy a bass ??!!! go buy a guitar!! $600 is a lot of money bro!! "
you know i'm seriously thinking about ordering a t-shirt that says " I play the bass, b**** and there's nothing you can do about it " ..
you know i'm seriously thinking about ordering a t-shirt that says " I play the bass, b**** and there's nothing you can do about it " ..
Reading some of these makes me realize even more how lucky I am. My singer/songwriter/r. guitarist would never tell me how to play my bass. In fact, when I first auditioned for the band, they had given me a few recordings to learn. There was one were I completely changed the bassline, and the response was "Wow, that actually sounds like something a bassist would play!"
Anyway, things that irk me:
-Guitarists not knowing the notes on the fretboard, instead referring to them by fret and string. Particularly annoying when they're in an alternate tuning.
-"Well, bass is easier than guitar because you only play one string at a time, right?"
-Drummers randomly going into a flashy, grooveless fill when you've spent half the song locked together. Throws me off my game like nothing else.
Anyway, things that irk me:
-Guitarists not knowing the notes on the fretboard, instead referring to them by fret and string. Particularly annoying when they're in an alternate tuning.
-"Well, bass is easier than guitar because you only play one string at a time, right?"
-Drummers randomly going into a flashy, grooveless fill when you've spent half the song locked together. Throws me off my game like nothing else.
Guitarist: "Okay, play it like this..." (plays riff).
Me: "Okay."
Guitarist: "No, five to seven; right here."
Me: "Uh, okay. Are you in E, or A?"
Guitarist:
Had that conversation (or a similar one) many, many times...
Here's another one:
-Trying to learn a new song, but being forced to listen to it through tiny speakers because it's too early for the stereo. Not too bad with guitar, but with bass... Eek. At times like this, I really wish I had a good pair of headphones.
-Trying to learn a new song, but being forced to listen to it through tiny speakers because it's too early for the stereo. Not too bad with guitar, but with bass... Eek. At times like this, I really wish I had a good pair of headphones.
scottfeldstein
Roots and fifths and a little extra.
Sweet Jebus, yes. Trying to learn music by ear through anything but studio monitor style headphones. Ick. (I recently picked up some Sony MDR-V6. $65 and very worth it.)
icecycle66 said:
+1. Just did that the other day as the guitar player was struggling with a lead. I must say I enjoyed that moment.
Drummers who don't understand the pocket; slowing down when you ease back or speed up when you attack it; as the song dictates. Somehow when this happens, the guitards shoot the bass player the evil eye. I don't get it, the drummer is supposed to keep steady meter no matter what.
Keyboardists that play even when the song doesn't have keys. Shaddup and sing harmonies or pick up an appropriate rythym instrument to occupy yourself.
Keyboardists that play even when the song doesn't have keys. Shaddup and sing harmonies or pick up an appropriate rythym instrument to occupy yourself.
being told to lose the pick because it's not real bass playing. got to jam with this band a few years ago and their bassist played with his fingers, i played with a pick. was keeping rhythm and locking in with the drummer really tight. their bassist got jealous and left. we jammed for like, three hours. they commented on how good my tone and rhythm was. pick, fingers, doesn't matter as long as you're locking in with the drums and playing as an actual RHYTHM section.
