You probably just can't hear yourself. This happens to me when I'm not paying attention, and suddenly my fingers are getting raw during rehearsal from playing harder to hear what I'm doing. You can try tilting your amp and all those other tricks. Turning your volume up counts too.
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.
Why do I play so DIFFERENT?
- Thread starter Blue Dragon
- Start date
Man, you gotta watch your ears, seriously. There's no reason for a band to play that loud these days, rehearsal OR live. It's dumb. Sounds like this band needs to work this out promptly. EVERYTHING will sound better and get easier when you do. And you sure don't want to be looking back years to come when you have tinnitus that it was a hobby that did it....
And you don't just hurt your ears playing like that--you can mess up your hands, wrist, etc. etc. from playing too hard like that--repetitive stress and all... (aside from how your tone is suffering from that approach...).
I go through the same thing, nowadays I only play in a worship band with some very talented musicians, I am the least skilled. Now you should hear me at home, I rock! In church I tend to make more mistakes.
Although .... as I am getting more confident playing (have only playing bass for 2 years) I find myself making less mistakes. My take on it, nervousness & lack of confidence = mediocre playing.
Although .... as I am getting more confident playing (have only playing bass for 2 years) I find myself making less mistakes. My take on it, nervousness & lack of confidence = mediocre playing.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I play great until someone hits the record button then it's take Two..... Three.... Four......
Practice repeated notes with a metronome and work to control your attack from soft to loud and back to soft.
It's the band dynamics at work. You simply don't get that when practicing at home. It's good for you to experience that and it just sounds like you need more of it. This phenomenon is why people who only practice at home and don't perform live much are overall less adaptable musicians.
Last edited:
This is pretty much it. The ONLY way I've ever had success is getting the guitars to turn down is to stop in the middle of a song (at practice, of course). Then tell them, "Look, we're way too loud. We're drowning out the vocals." That's something they'll all understand, and they'll turn down (at least for one or two songs before cranking up again). Repeat as needed. Plus, your vocalist(s) will thank you...
Sounds like they are to loud, or you are to quiet, or a combination of the two things. maybe a little bit of overthinking on your part, in the heat of the moment? just let your bass lines groove.
I am a hard player but I also practice that way. I always give it a bit more at gigs though. Perhaps try using a compressor/limiter and getting a bit bigger amp. 100w is nothing, you are going to struggle to compete with the drums with that low power. Look for 300w+ and use a third or less of the power to keep a good clean sound. Also stand further back from your cab if you are right on top of it, it will not get to your ears well.
Then; ask then nicely to reduce their volumes a bit. You should set yourselves to your drummers natural volume.
Lastly get a good chemistry going with your drummer. you need to lock in tight with that mofo.
I am a hard player but I also practice that way. I always give it a bit more at gigs though. Perhaps try using a compressor/limiter and getting a bit bigger amp. 100w is nothing, you are going to struggle to compete with the drums with that low power. Look for 300w+ and use a third or less of the power to keep a good clean sound. Also stand further back from your cab if you are right on top of it, it will not get to your ears well.
Then; ask then nicely to reduce their volumes a bit. You should set yourselves to your drummers natural volume.
Lastly get a good chemistry going with your drummer. you need to lock in tight with that mofo.
Last edited:
Get ear protection.
Point your amp at your face.
Bring out your low mids in the EQ. If your tone is scooped it will likely get buried. You will hear low mids better but still sounds like a bass.
Point your amp at your face.
Bring out your low mids in the EQ. If your tone is scooped it will likely get buried. You will hear low mids better but still sounds like a bass.
It's been my experience that keeping my volume low generally doesn't discourage guitar players from turning up. Maybe consider getting a beefier amp. Your sound will be fuller, you'll enjoy it more, hear yourself better and maybe make fewer mistakes. Plus, it's always nice to know you have the headroom to bury the guitars if you want to! That said, there's no need to practice at volumes so loud people can't hear themselves well. Talk to your band fellows about that.
Eq your bass properly.
Bedroom tone won't work with the band.
Start by centering all eq and opening your tone pot all the way.
Your bass will sound all clicky and clacky when you play by yourself. But when the whole band plays, it will be an epiphany when you can actually hear yourself.
It's counterintuitive to start with a tone you don't actually like and think that it's going to sound good when the band plays.
But, seriously, just try it!!!
Bedroom tone won't work with the band.
Start by centering all eq and opening your tone pot all the way.
Your bass will sound all clicky and clacky when you play by yourself. But when the whole band plays, it will be an epiphany when you can actually hear yourself.
It's counterintuitive to start with a tone you don't actually like and think that it's going to sound good when the band plays.
But, seriously, just try it!!!
This. And from the lack of confidence, people feel the need to turn up the volume to "drown out" their own mistakes as well as those made by others in the band.
This is the number one reason it's always better to play with another Musicians than alone. The volume, tone, timing makes all the difference in the world. Keep it up and tell the others to turn it down.
You need a more powerful amp and speakers. It's that simple. If you can't hear yourself then you second guess and start making mistakes.
Playing with them tonight. My amp is a kickback Hartke 250w. I'm going to try it in the 'kicked' position (along with my earplugs!) to direct the sound towards me. I'm also looking at an extension cabinet (and eventually a separate head). We'll see if that helps! (Can't hurt tho!) I hate to get into a volume war with the guitars. They're already too loud and I think they will just turn up more (even if unconsciously) if I boost myself a lot more. But directing it to myself seems like a good choice at least till I can get more power. ($ is a big issue for me I fear).
I do play differently from situation to situation. I play in a C&W and a corporate cover band, very often 4 hour gigs and it is a no sweat situation. Otoh have a Southern Rock and an instrumental band, that is very challenging, and after 2 hours I am burnt.
Good idea, try it in the 'kicked' position. it may help a lot. Its more the 15" speaker that will let you down rather than wattage, Driven at 250W its not going to move much air. Don't get into a volume war though ask them to come down a lil bit.
Didn't the older kickbacks only push out 125w @ 8 ohm? If so with an extension you get the full 250W @ 4 ohm and twice the surface area of cone.
First, to the OP: tell the band to turn it down. Seriously.
Second, get custom ear plugs. I wear them at practice, but mine are only about 10dB attenuation.
Second, get custom ear plugs. I wear them at practice, but mine are only about 10dB attenuation.
