Too "busy" on the bass?!?

[RiZzBot]

So my band is in the process of recording a low budget demo. I'm laying down tracks on bass and the guitarist tells me that the bass sounds too busy. What the he**?!? I told him to define "too busy", and of course he couldn't. Not the first time I have heard this. My question to you guys is, what's the definition of "too busy" as it applies to the bass? Why is it too much sometimes and not other times? We're an original band that plays a little rock/reggae/blues. I think I do a decent job of locking in with the drummer. I play what I hear and feel in my soul. It's not like this is some huge production by some huge record label, paying all kinds of cash. We're in my shed recording off a $500 Sonus studio. I hate the term "too busy", and It makes me feel oppressed as a bass player in general. So the next couple track I purposely go way too busy, just to piss him off. My response to him; deal with it.

 

[bholder]

It's just what guitar players say when they're insecure about getting all of the audience's attention. I think your response was appropriate. Also might try telling him "too busy" after his big solo.

 

[Biggbass]

if we're talking basic R&R or Blues, then too busy = playing too many notes between the kicks.
Many bass players are guilty of it because apparently, it's just too hard to keep it simple

 

[RustyAxe]

Post a clip ... let us hear what he hears. Just because he's a guitarist, and you are happy with your bass part, doesn't automatically make HIM wrong. I've heard many bass players who play too much. And don't tell the guitarist he's too busy after his solo ... that's what his solo is all about! Wanna show off? Ask for a bass solo. In my band your "deal with it" response would likely result in the BL dealing with it, and you looking for a new gig tomorrow.

 

[RiZzBot]

It's just what guitar players say when they're insecure about getting all of the audience's attention. I think your response was appropriate. Also might try telling him "too busy" after his big solo.

Right on

 

[JLY]

We have to pick our spots

Sometimes there is room to move
Other times we should just keep the groove

 

[Lee Moses]

I don't know that it's necessarily an attention grab on the guitarist's part. He may find your parts distracting or not conveying the vibe that he wants to hear underneath his playing.

 

[RiZzBot]

Post a clip ... let us hear what he hears. Just because he's a guitarist, and you are happy with your bass part, doesn't automatically make HIM wrong. I've heard many bass players who play too much. And don't tell the guitarist he's too busy after his solo ... that's what his solo is all about! Wanna show off? Ask for a bass solo. In my band your "deal with it" response would likely result in the BL dealing with it, and you looking for a new gig tomorrow.

It's a good thing we arent a real band. Just a couple of 8 to 5ers looking to get our wiggles out on the weekend.

 

[bholder]

If it's the band leader (and employer) saying it, then you do what they say or leave. If it's just a bunch of people playing together, then do what you will and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[RiZzBot]

Post a clip ... let us hear what he hears. Just because he's a guitarist, and you are happy with your bass part, doesn't automatically make HIM wrong. I've heard many bass players who play too much. And don't tell the guitarist he's too busy after his solo ... that's what his solo is all about! Wanna show off? Ask for a bass solo. In my band your "deal with it" response would likely result in the BL dealing with it, and you looking for a new gig tomorrow.

Please bare in mind that I am a novice at best. Keep the harsh criticism to a minimum. jkjk I'm pretty thick skinned, let me have it.

Carolyn | the Skunk Brothers
i smoke | the Skunk Brothers

 

[RiZzBot]

then do what you will and let the chips fall where they may.

This has been my approach thus far. Probably why I cant find a steady gig.

 

[Wolfenstein666]

Discretion is the better part of being a bass player. I love busy basslines and I work really hard on some of mine, but there is a time and a place ESPECIALLY when you're playing with more than one guitarist or rhythm player.

I'd say a line is too 'busy' when it sonically starts to stomp on everyone else's bits or just muddles the whole thing down in general.

 

[Woolber]

So we're in the process of recording a low budget demo; I'm laying down track on bass and told by the guitarist that the bass sounds too busy. What the he**?!? I told him to define too busy, and of course he couldn't. Not the first time I have heard this. My question to you guys is, what defines "too busy"? Why is it too much sometimes and not other times? We're an original band that plays a little rock/reggae/blues. I think I do a decent job of locking in with the drummer. I play what I hear and feel in my soul. It's not like this is some huge production by some huge record label, paying all kinds of cash. We're in my shed recording off a $500 Sonus studio. I hate this term and I'm starting to feel oppressed as a bass player in general. So the next couple track I went "way too busy, just to piss him off. My response to him; deal with it.

if it's not the first time you've heard then maybe it's you.

 

[Lee Moses]

Please bare in mind that I am a novice at best. Keep the harsh criticism to a minimum. jkjk I'm pretty thick skinned, let me have it.

Carolyn | the Skunk Brothers
i smoke | the Skunk Brothers

Not too busy, IMO. That's nice playing that suits and propels the tunes. But hearing the guitarist, I don't think he comes from as much of a reggae background as your playing comes from. He may expect more of a root-5th thing going on.

 

[RiZzBot]

Discretion is the better part of being a bass player. I love busy basslines and I work really hard on some of mine, but there is a time and a place ESPECIALLY when you're playing with more than one guitarist or rhythm player.

I'd say a line is too 'busy' when it sonically starts to stomp on everyone else's bits or just muddles the whole thing down in general.

Thanks buddy. I guess I need to look more into this. The line between just right and too much is so blurred to me that I end up all over the place sometimes.

 

[Lobster11]

I didn't listen to the clip because in my opinion, whatever we think about your playing is irrelevant. A band has to function like a team -- especially an originals band -- and everyone should be open to hearing their bandmates' opinions. You're playing it the way you hear and feel it, but evidently that's inconsistent with the way he hears and feels it. You both need to be more open-minded, discuss it like adults, and try to find a way to play it that everyone is satisfied with.

 

[RiZzBot]

Not too busy, IMO. That's nice playing that suits and propels the tunes. But hearing the guitarist, I don't think he comes from as much of a reggae background as your playing comes from. He may expect more of a root-5th thing going on.

That's exactly what he tells me. "dude stick to root and fifths". Thanks again buddy.

 

[Wolfenstein666]

That's exactly what he tells me. "dude stick to root and fifths". Thanks again buddy.

Ugh. Musical death (IMO)

 

[Atshen]

I can't remember who said that, but some famous bassist said "It's much harder to play only the right notes than to play all the notes" or something like that.

 

[RiZzBot]

I didn't listen to the clip because in my opinion, whatever we think about your playing is irrelevant. A band has to function like a team -- especially an originals band -- and everyone should be open to hearing their bandmates' opinions. You're playing it the way you hear and feel it, but evidently that's inconsistent with the way he hears and feels it. You both need to be more open-minded, discuss it like adults, and try to find a way to play it that everyone is satisfied with.

We've discussed this till we're both blue in the face. In the end, it always boils down to me reminding him that we dont get paid for this, and him him calling me an a****** and storming out. He always comes back though, so we must be doing something right.