Double Bass Writing out parts for gigs

[matthewbrown]

I have occasionally been asked to write out my own parts; usually I'm given a piano score. On other occasions I've been asked to learn parts off of recordings note for note, which amounts to pretty much the same thing. I'm curious: How often does this come up?

 

[TroyK]

So, I'm not quite sure what you mean. With jazz gigs, I usually and given a chord/lead sheet and/or a set list of standards to make sure that I know. Seldom, but occasionally, there will be a "play as written" bass line or intro. I appreciate knowing about those in advance, so that I'm not sightreading on stage, but it depends. I have been asked to transcribe the line from specific recordings and I sometimes chose to write something out if I think it will help me, usually if I'm learning a whole bunch of stuff for a gig that isn't a regular thing for me, otherwise I would just learn it.

I don't remember anyone ever asking me to score my bassline though. If I can play it, I can't imagine anyone would care if I had written it or not.

You didn't give your context, but I could imagine maybe in a big band setting, they wanted you to write the bassline for the sub or next bassist. Also maybe an arranged part or original tune that the bandleader wanted to be able to replicate with future lineup. But, no one has ever asked me to write something out for myself.

 

[Carl Hillman]

I have occasionally been asked to write out my own parts; usually I'm given a piano score. On other occasions I've been asked to learn parts off of recordings note for note, which amounts to pretty much the same thing. I'm curious: How often does this come up?

It happens often enough that, if I haven't played with someone before, I'll ask them if they have a book.

If they don't, and they want to do some tunes I don't know, I'll make sure and take into account any "homework" I have to do when I say yes or no to the gig.

I've got no problem taking off a couple of tunes if it's a $300 wedding. But, if they want me to sit down and learn/transcribe a couple of sets worth of material for $100 or $150, that's a hard pass.

(Probably the lowest dollars-to-transcribed-notes ratio I've ever willingly submitted to was when I wrote out parts for the whole band when we played "After the Cosmic Rain" at a union trust fund gig.)

 

[TroyK]

It happens often enough that, if I haven't played with someone before, I'll ask them if they have a book.

If they don't, and they want to do some tunes I don't know, I'll make sure and take into account any "homework" I have to do when I say yes or no to the gig.

I've got no problem taking off a couple of tunes if it's a $300 wedding. But, if they want me to sit down and learn/transcribe a couple of sets worth of material for $100 or $150, that's a hard pass.

Agree, although, sometimes I end up doing it anyway.

But, that's still different than what Matthew mentioned "asked to write out your part". Unless I don't understand, that's confusing to me. Why would they care what was or wasn't on my stand, if I can play it. If I can get through the gig without a stand at all, I do it, because I play better and have a better experience that way. If it's one or two things, sometimes I set the music on the floor for those tunes because a) I'm lazy and would rather not carry a music stand if I don't have to and b) if I have a music stand, I might be tempted to put the book on it and read things that I really know. If I don't, then I'm forced to listen and play.

 

[AGCurry]

As the arranger for my band, I write parts for everyone except the guitarist (for him, chords) and me, using Finale. Sometimes I'll write a bass part just to help me "hear" a piece effectively, and sometimes I'll write a bass part for something I want to record, because it helps build the recording and keeps me honest.

If I'm demonstrating a piece for others (Finale again), having the bass line there really seems to help to sell the piece.

For classical music, if I need/want to simplify a part, I'll write the bass part for the sections I edit, so that I don't have to play it solely by memory.

 

[Don Hergert]

Yup, context is important. I was going to mention that some genre encourage complete improvisation, with no written music, but then if that was the situation that the OP was referring to, he would probably not have posted this in the "Music [DB]" section... Nuf said.