My last band I was lead guitar and lead vox so this should be the opposite side of the spectrum. The only thing that's worrying me is I tend to be a little too busy when I play bass and I wondering if you guys have any tips to help kind of mellow my playing out.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Today I audition for my first band as a bassist
- Thread starter mathewcanhaz
- Start date
Congrats!
Learn to love the love the long notes.
Are you getting bored by playing less notes? Focus on your sound and phrasing. By playing less notes, you can put more emphasis, attention and care into the ones that are there.
As you know, well placed bassnotes can have a lot of impact on the melodic side of a song or the groove. When you play too many notes, the important notes often drown in the mass of notes. Simply try to identify the notes which really make the bass line and get rid of as many of the other notes as possible.
And good luck with your audition; I'm sure it will go fine!
Learn to love the love the long notes.
Are you getting bored by playing less notes? Focus on your sound and phrasing. By playing less notes, you can put more emphasis, attention and care into the ones that are there.
As you know, well placed bassnotes can have a lot of impact on the melodic side of a song or the groove. When you play too many notes, the important notes often drown in the mass of notes. Simply try to identify the notes which really make the bass line and get rid of as many of the other notes as possible.
And good luck with your audition; I'm sure it will go fine!
Just do what's right for the song and the band. Don't step on anyone else's sonic space. Relax, you're the rhythm section now. "Pocket," "groove," "pulse," etc.
If you tend to overplay, ride the root a little longer than usual. Don't clam up and become a bore, but hold down the bottom.
Good luck!
I hope things are going well at the audition, and afterwards, you should reflect on everything that went on today, regardless of how things worked out. If you are worried about overplaying, my first word of advice would be to stick to the kick drum like glue. Keep it simple until the guitar solo, then play a few extra "important" notes, without losing the foundation. As soon as the vocal comes back in, get back in your cage! ;-)
Congrats. Now you need to try to overcome the guitar player turned bassist syndrome. Like others have said, learn to be a slave to the groove, lock in on the kick drum and listen for the need to drive the dynamics. Mostly, lead guitar players forget all about dynamics, now it's YOUR responsibility to remind them. And like I read somewhere, learn just how many different ways you can play ONE note.
In the famous words of Jaco (who I am not overly enamored with otherwise...)
Women, children and THE RHYTHM SECTION FIRST!
In the famous words of Jaco (who I am not overly enamored with otherwise...)
Women, children and THE RHYTHM SECTION FIRST!
Hey man, whadda ya doin' auditioning for a band?
You've got your 100 songs in 100 days project to complete!
JUST KIDDING... Congrats on the band
I remember my first time (lol), was pretty nervous. Congrats on getting the job though! Best of luck to you and your new band!
There's nothing wrong with playing things your way (as long as you are in a band that likes the way you play). No need to be a slave to root and 5th.
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
-
Greetings, and help me value my basses, please.
- Latest: bass player 53