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Too passive aggressive?
- Thread starter 3bc
- Start date
I like some of the White Stripes stuff. And yes, that song has no bass on it.
But just for comparison, one VERY popular song that a lot of bands play is Kiss, by Prince. That song also has no bass, but that doesn't stop a million bass players from making up their own lines.
I would play the song, it could be fun. Nobody except bass players knows there is no bass on it.
But just for comparison, one VERY popular song that a lot of bands play is Kiss, by Prince. That song also has no bass, but that doesn't stop a million bass players from making up their own lines.
I would play the song, it could be fun. Nobody except bass players knows there is no bass on it.
One band I'm in does "Kiss" by Prince. No bass, from what I can tell. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not a Prince fan (hate on me if you need to) but here's the deal: I can try to contribute a bass part that doesn't detract from the song. I've been the angry guy who rages about a particular song or band (don't get me started on the Eagles) or I can try to make a positive contribution. When I do the latter, three things happen:
1) I get to use it as a teachable opportunity. What can I bring to the song? How can I improve my execution? That sort of stuff.
2) Regardless of the song, I get the satisfaction of a job well done. There are plenty of songs I play that I would never listen to for pleasure but I appreciate playing (and vice versa).
3) My band mates think I'm an OK guy, not the a**hole I really am!
The Bar Band Bassman
1) I get to use it as a teachable opportunity. What can I bring to the song? How can I improve my execution? That sort of stuff.
2) Regardless of the song, I get the satisfaction of a job well done. There are plenty of songs I play that I would never listen to for pleasure but I appreciate playing (and vice versa).
3) My band mates think I'm an OK guy, not the a**hole I really am!
The Bar Band Bassman
How does an actor effectively play an abhorrent character? The actor has to find a way to love that character.
You don’t respect the Whites’ musicianship, and that’s fair. But millions of people connect with the music they make. Maybe it’s an opportunity to try to understand their appeal—not intellectually, but by crawling inside the song and finding a place for yourself within it. Maybe you’ll find that making music can be about something other than being “good”. Maybe there’s value in creating a simpler, more primal experience for the audience.
Play the song like you believe it, and watch how the audience responds.
You don’t respect the Whites’ musicianship, and that’s fair. But millions of people connect with the music they make. Maybe it’s an opportunity to try to understand their appeal—not intellectually, but by crawling inside the song and finding a place for yourself within it. Maybe you’ll find that making music can be about something other than being “good”. Maybe there’s value in creating a simpler, more primal experience for the audience.
Play the song like you believe it, and watch how the audience responds.
"Jerry, just remember ... it's not a lie ... if you believe it!
(George, on how to pass a lie detector)
The audience can't read anyone's mind, so ya play the song and try to make it better than the piece of crap ya loathe. Hey, our version ain't too bad!
Point of trivia, "Kiss" was recorded with bass, and Prince took it out while mixing (I think he actually played the bass on it then cut it).
White Stripes? No bass? Might be a good time to play 2nd guitar like, say, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.
White Stripes? No bass? Might be a good time to play 2nd guitar like, say, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.
Billy Cox plays great bass on the Woodstock version. Apropos to the OP song, there's room to potentially make it better.
My cover band plays a few White Stripes song. We rearrange it so I come into song somewhere in the middle and add to the dynamics. It sounds cool.
And no... Jack White doesn't sucks at guitar. He's actually one of the best!
And no... Jack White doesn't sucks at guitar. He's actually one of the best!
It doesn't matter what I think about a song. From the moment the decision is made after voting, I approach it as if it's the best song in the world. Someone in the band or in the audience will be happier because of it.
Sometimes you have to give instead of take.
Sometimes you have to give instead of take.
Options:
- Spice it up with a bass solo.
- Get a guitar and double up.
- Get some MIDI bass pedals and play it on them.
- Introduce some random percussion & sounds into it.
Lol this is me for sure. I can play the real me without missing a note, really it’s about 3 minutes of constantly changing little licks and fills. And then I will fubar Flagpole Sitta because my unique form of ADHD gets bored and messes up the one note that differentiates the chorus from the verse. I will alternate between looking like a pretty good bass player and a total newb on consecutive songs.
If I was forced to play a song I didn't like that had no bass in it, I would talk to the rest of the band and see if it would be cool with them to add something in there.
Unless it's a 1:1 act, then just suck it up. Seems reasonable.
Unless it's a 1:1 act, then just suck it up. Seems reasonable.
Have you ever listened to them? Seriously awful.
Some of the greatest music is super easy to play. perhaps musicianship is not the best yardstick for determining what sucks?
i'd suggest broadening your appreciation of music by playing more songs outside of your comfort zone. embrace that!
theres a chance you might find yourself having fewer things to hate and less to whine and be passive aggressive about.
i'd suggest broadening your appreciation of music by playing more songs outside of your comfort zone. embrace that!
theres a chance you might find yourself having fewer things to hate and less to whine and be passive aggressive about.
That's what he did with the song When Doves Cry; it had bass in it originally, but then he took it out:
If you do take a beer you can play the slides with the bottle.... I would totally throw myself for this.
