Too "busy" on the bass?!?

[RiZzBot]

@RiZzBot
Y'all either need to smoke more weed, less weed, or different weed to get a more relaxed vibe.

We got the more part covered, maybe work on the less. I think a lot has to do with our punk and metal backgrounds. Thanks again for the feedback

 

[mcnach]

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

I'm not sure I'd say the bassline is too busy (Carolyn)... I think if I had to squeeze a (hopefully constructive!) criticism I'd say that the bassline may not be 'mated' to the drums very well: the bass rushes a little when it would probably sound better if it were a bit more laidback, playing slightly behind the beat, and the drummer could play something a bit more fitting with the bassline to take advantage of the extra notes (I guess it's borderline too busy LOL... but only because the rest of the band don't play in the same way for this song... you could tone down that one a bit and might sound better... but I'd actually first try to change the drums to mesh with the bass better, I like that bassline, but I'm sure you (the band) could work on that song a bit more to make it sound more together)... but that's all I'd say, really. I personally like the basslines a lot (I've listened to Carolyn and I smoke now)... I'd definitely go and see you guys play

I'm enjoying the reverbnation list

 

[ansonsti]

"This is why rock is slowly dying. It’s stagnant.
Rock has its roots in rhythm and blues and country, and those are improvisational styles.
People didn’t read music; they made up their parts and went along.
If you don’t allow yourself to evolve, then you’re being robotic.
If there’s no real and organic spontaneity, then what you are doing is not rock & roll."

^This

 

[mcnach]

I do mostly agree with what Lobster says. But having heard the basslines myself, dumbing them down seems like it would be a disservice to your need to fulfill your creativity and to the songs themselves. I would hope the guitarist could appreciate that good reggae basslines serve as a countermelody, not just providing half notes to indicate the harmonic structure.

I don't know. If you stick to your guns you may well lose the gig, but maybe you'd be more fulfilled in another situation that doesn't hold you back as much.

+1

I may be biased as I do have certain love for bass (surprise surprise but I'm liking these basslines here. They are pretty cool. I'd personally like to hear the drummer and guitarist (especially the drummer) playing in a way that suits those basslines better. Ok, mostly Carolyn.

 

[RiZzBot]

I'm not sure I'd say the bassline is too busy (Carolyn)... I think if I had to squeeze a (hopefully constructive!) criticism I'd say that the bassline may not be 'mated' to the drums very well: the bass rushes a little when it would probably sound better if it were a bit more laidback, playing slightly behind the beat, and the drummer could play something a bit more fitting with the bassline to take advantage of the extra notes (I guess it's borderline too busy LOL... but only because the rest of the band don't play in the same way for this song... you could tone down that one a bit and might sound better... but I'd actually first try to change the drums to mesh with the bass better, I like that bassline, but I'm sure you (the band) could work on that song a bit more to make it sound more together)... but that's all I'd say, really. I personally like the basslines a lot (I've listened to Carolyn and I smoke now)... I'd definitely go and see you guys play

I'm enjoying the reverbnation list

That really means a lot. Thanks buddy

 

[RiZzBot]

I'm not sure I'd say the bassline is too busy (Carolyn)... I think if I had to squeeze a (hopefully constructive!) criticism I'd say that the bassline may not be 'mated' to the drums very well: the bass rushes a little when it would probably sound better if it were a bit more laidback, playing slightly behind the beat, and the drummer could play something a bit more fitting with the bassline to take advantage of the extra notes (I guess it's borderline too busy LOL... but only because the rest of the band don't play in the same way for this song... you could tone down that one a bit and might sound better... but I'd actually first try to change the drums to mesh with the bass better, I like that bassline, but I'm sure you (the band) could work on that song a bit more to make it sound more together)... but that's all I'd say, really. I personally like the basslines a lot (I've listened to Carolyn and I smoke now)... I'd definitely go and see you guys play

I'm enjoying the reverbnation list

https://www.facebook.com/TheSkunkBrothers/

Heres a link to our FB page. Few more live performances and other junk.

 

[mcnach]

Dang, that cut deep friend. jkjk. I guess I'm just tired of other musicians (guitar player especially) thinking that the bass needs to be in the background; simple and drowned out by the other instruments. I want to find a way of pushing it up front but still within the confines of whats good for the band as a whole.

and that sounds great!
But you#re right... some want the bass to just be a low end rumble in the background... where pitch is barely important and it just enhances the bass drum and little else.
Well... f**k that
There's nothing fundamentally wrong with your basslines, in my opinion. BUt if *the band* wants a different style of bass then that's a problem, of course. In my opinion, you're the one providing the most interesting parts in the song, without making the bass scream "look at me". It suits me. I like that. Maybe you and your guitarist just have different opinions as to what the band should sound like. I don't have a solution for you, but I'm glad Flea never listened to someone who told him "just play roots in the background"

 

[RiZzBot]

and that sounds great!
But you#re right... some want the bass to just be a low end rumble in the background... where pitch is barely important and it just enhances the bass drum and little else.
Well... f**k that
There's nothing fundamentally wrong with your basslines, in my opinion. BUt if *the band* wants a different style of bass then that's a problem, of course. In my opinion, you're the one providing the most interesting parts in the song, without making the bass scream "look at me". It suits me. I like that. Maybe you and your guitarist just have different opinions as to what the band should sound like. I don't have a solution for you, but I'm glad Flea never listened to someone who told him "just play roots in the background"

You're right. This thread definitely made me reconsider what "I" think our basslines should sound like. I'm working on backing it off a bit. Ultimately it is about the band. Thanks for the feedback brother

 

[mcnach]

Bassline sounds good to me. Guitar has too much distortion IMO and is overbearing but that can often be the case with many guitarists.

I really appreciate when I hear a great sounding guitarist that doesnt use tons of effects and pedals, sort of like a girl that looks good without all the paint makeup.

Your bassline has a much better reggae feel than the guitar.

yup... +1

I didn't mention the guitar earlier because I didn't want it to look like a "support your bass bro and gang up on the guitarist!" response but his timing is often off, and his choice of sound is pretty grating after a little while.

I love that bassline (Carolyn), damn. Fourth listen by now... That's a very cool reggae bassline. If it were mine, I'd be pretty proud of it. And yes, as others have said... when it gets into the higher registers there are some cool ideas there but in a couple of points it does interfere a bit with the vocals, perhaps... No biggie, but it may work out better to alter the timing there, switch to lower register or being altogether a bit more sparse (momentarily)... regardless: pretty cool.

 

[RiZzBot]

yup... +1
when it gets into the higher registers there are some cool ideas there but in a couple of points it does interfere a bit with the vocals, perhaps... No biggie, but it may work out better to alter the timing there, switch to lower register or being altogether a bit more sparse (momentarily)... regardless: pretty cool.

Yes, I this is definitely the approach i'm taking on that part. I really appreciate my fellow TBers for pointing this out to me.

 

[mcnach]

Several folks have commented that the guitarist is the one losing the groove, and that might be exactly why he wants you to play "less busy": However well you might be playing, he just isn't hearing/feeling the groove at times. So here's a compromise that might work: Why don't you try simplifying your line temporarily, and rehearse it that way for awhile until he's really getting it. Then you can work on gradually "busying it back up." Once he really has the groove down himself, you might not sound "too busy" to him anymore, and everybody will be happy.

Listening to 'Telling you'... that could be such a kick ass bouncy tune. Lovely bassline with a few cool fills here and there... yet that guitar... urgh. He really needs to get his timing sorted, and I love distorted guitars and can work in reggae beautifully too, but he's not really doing the band any favours. Hmmm.
The more I listen, the more I think you could sound a lot better, like a LOT better, with a new guitarist. He's definitely the weak link. I get you do it for fun mostly, but you can do a lot better. I get that there may be other considerations, like friendships etc that can be affected. Tough one!

 

[RiZzBot]

Listening to 'Telling you'... that could be such a kick ass bouncy tune. Lovely bassline with a few cool fills here and there... yet that guitar... urgh. He really needs to get his timing sorted, and I love distorted guitars and can work in reggae beautifully too, but he's not really doing the band any favours. Hmmm.
The more I listen, the more I think you could sound a lot better, like a LOT better, with a new guitarist. He's definitely the weak link. I get you do it for fun mostly, but you can do a lot better. I get that there may be other considerations, like friendships etc that can be affected. Tough one!

I'v know this kat for 20 years. This guy is straight punk rock. It's hard to expect him to change at this point. He's got that dirt sound ingrained in his DNA. It is a very tough call.

 

[mcnach]

I'v know this kat for 20 years. This guy is straight punk rock. It's hard to expect him to change at this point. He's got that dirt sound ingrained in his DNA. It is a very tough call.

In that case... you have to tread carefully and... find a way to make it look like it was his idea to change his sound

 

[RiZzBot]

In that case... you have to tread carefully and... find a way to make it look like it was his idea to change his sound

Ha! I could always break one or two of the 5 dirt pedals he uses.

 

[RBrownBass]

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.

Is it his band, yours, or a group effort? There are other guitarists. You might do better to find one who can stay in his lane.

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.

So long as you're making music and supporting it. And it's definitely not his call to decide if that's the case or not.

Whose idea was it to form an ensemblewhere a guitarist feels comfy commenting on anything anyone else does? If you don't comment on his riffing or the way he flings his hair this way and that while he does his solo-y thing, he needs to stay out of your space. I wouldnt trust any guitarist I've ever played with to help dictate my playing, and I wouldn't try to dictate theirs. If there's a conflict, move on or let him move on. Life's far too short to address criticism from guitar princesses.

 

[RiZzBot]

Is it his band, yours, or a group effort? There are other guitarists. You might do better to find one who can stay in his lane.



So long as you're making music and supporting it. And it's definitely not his call to decide if that's the case or not.

Whose idea was it to form an ensemblewhere a guitarist feels comfy commenting on anything anyone else does? If you don't comment on his riffing or the way he flings his hair this way and that while he does his solo-y thing, he needs to stay out of your space. I wouldnt trust any guitarist I've ever played with to help dictate my playing, and I wouldn't try to dictate theirs. If there's a conflict, move on or let him move on. Life's far too short to address criticism from guitar princesses.

You're right. We've had a lot of band discussion regarding these issues. I working for now. Thanks for the feedback friend.