I don't see a dilemma here. You've told us what she does fits with the band and the crowd loves the music. Play the songs the way she plays them.
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Which bass lines to play?
- Thread starter mcontour
- Start date
I don't see a dilemma here. You've told us what she does fits with the band and the crowd loves the music. Play the songs the way she plays them.
Ha, agree with you on this one. I watched the band a couple of weeks ago at an outdoor festival and they were playing Footloose. I had no idea what the bass player was playing, it was simple roots…kinda, but it was not the iconic footloose groove, it killed the song.
In this case, it seems they’re used to not hearing the real lines so sounds like you can just wing it and it won’t matter.
I think as bass players, we are required to keep the original intent of song, That is, if you recreating an existing arrangement.
New and original arrangement, all bets are off.
If its a cover tune of the stock arrangement, stay close to home. However, if you have better line, play it, put you twist on it, but keep the intent of the original.
I play a regular gig with a Steely Dan band. When and if I come up with better lines than Chuck Rainy, I will play them. I do put my own thing on some fill choices, but overall intent and feel remains true to the original.
New and original arrangement, all bets are off.
If its a cover tune of the stock arrangement, stay close to home. However, if you have better line, play it, put you twist on it, but keep the intent of the original.
I play a regular gig with a Steely Dan band. When and if I come up with better lines than Chuck Rainy, I will play them. I do put my own thing on some fill choices, but overall intent and feel remains true to the original.
As several have already said, talking to the band seems like the best way to get the right answer.
One possible outcome I haven't seen: maybe you play most of the songs as the band currently plays them, but pick a couple out where you think it'll make most difference to really go to town? (Again, in collaboration with the band.)
One possible outcome I haven't seen: maybe you play most of the songs as the band currently plays them, but pick a couple out where you think it'll make most difference to really go to town? (Again, in collaboration with the band.)
I have subbed for a few bands when their bass guy couldn't make it. In most cases I had no idea what the bass guy played on any song so I just played what I would play. I am a quasi-purest for the fact that I start by learning the actual recorded bass line then during the performance being open to change to suit how the band is playing the tune. For example, if I am playing a repeating bass line and the the drummer opens up his groove on a chorus or the guitar player starts playing open, rolling chords then I will try to switch to a whole or half note , support the chord kinda line. I get positive responses from band members for doing this.
I have worked hard refining my playing style and building my chops and the result has been that I get calls to sub often and I have been asked to join bands after I have subbed. (after the bass player left)
Has the band heard you play bass? If so then I would assume that they know your ability. Just ask 'em. Do they want you to play the simplified bass lines for every song like the regular player does or can you play what you hear.
I have worked hard refining my playing style and building my chops and the result has been that I get calls to sub often and I have been asked to join bands after I have subbed. (after the bass player left)
Has the band heard you play bass? If so then I would assume that they know your ability. Just ask 'em. Do they want you to play the simplified bass lines for every song like the regular player does or can you play what you hear.
Are you going to rehearse with them? Then tell them you'd like to have a go at the "correct"/busier parts and see how it works for everyone. If they dig it and approve then go for it. But if for some reason that ends up clearing the dancefloor, then be prepared to adjust on the fly. No rehearsal? Then go with the approach that clearly already works for the band and their live show. What you "prefer" is irrelevant - you're being hired to sub on bass, not re-arrange the material.
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I heard the Footloose isolated bass part recently (Nathan East). There’s a lot going on! Sounds like bassist in the band you saw was half-assing it.
This reminds me of a story from my past (90's). I walked into a friends blues gig with the intention of sitting in for a few songs. The bass player was well known...had a f-bass and was just playing crazy difficult lines, including tapping and all sorts of technical stuff....I turned to walk out not wanting to follow him. Singer called me to the stage so I turned and headed to the stage...broke out my p bass and kept the lines simple and standard. Later singer told me"yeah that guy was good but nobody was dancing until you played with us, and nobody danced after you left"... I tell this story to students...just something to consider.
Since you are filling in for a person, I would try to fill in as closely to how that person plays as you can. Getting too freaky might just throw everyone off, even if it is more "right" to the album. Some bassists "simplify" things for good reason.
Just do your best imitation of the person you are filling in for. You aren't auditioning and it's not your job to show the band what they are missing, your job is to fill her shoes for that evening.
Just do your best imitation of the person you are filling in for. You aren't auditioning and it's not your job to show the band what they are missing, your job is to fill her shoes for that evening.
Wow, thanks everybody for all the feedback and suggestions. After much consideration, I think I will stick close to what they are used to hearing. I’ll be good with that. It will make the best show.
Thanks Again everybody
Thanks Again everybody
If the crowd likes the songs and dances the whole show then those are not incorrect bass lines.
nobody fires a bass player for playing too few notes... and then there is band and sound guy dynamics. You really don't want to atep in like star and maybe make here look not so hot... and then there are tehe arrangements and other player's parts... If I valued the relationship, I'd probably keep it simple and clean. Maybe a few little things here and there that are supportive and glaringly missing from her take on it. I'd be a little cautious ...
I see Yer in Happy Valley. What band ?
I'm out in da gorge but working with a guitarist from Gresham in a new band.
I'm out in da gorge but working with a guitarist from Gresham in a new band.
I would play the regular bassist's lines.
If it's a jam, I can do what I want. This, on the other hand is a steadily working, tight band, and as you've run sound for them enough to know her lines, that's exactly what I'd play. I would NEVER re-invent the wheel subbing for a working band. Those are the 'right' bass lines for this situation.
If it's a jam, I can do what I want. This, on the other hand is a steadily working, tight band, and as you've run sound for them enough to know her lines, that's exactly what I'd play. I would NEVER re-invent the wheel subbing for a working band. Those are the 'right' bass lines for this situation.
Yeah, it’s actually a fun song to play. We don’t play that song all the time, but it is in our catalog and it’s one that I truly enjoy playing because it is such a cool bass-line. There’s a really cool video of Nathan showing the Yamaha bass that he used on that song and how he played it live for several months before they ever went in the studio and actually recorded it (in one take no less).
