| Author | Message | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2001 Registered: 4-2004 |
well out of the blue the band has asked me to leave. i am too :busy: when i play. the drummer called me to tell me this, not once in 6 weeks did anyone say anything about what they wanted or not wanted. no one said stay in the pocket etc. most of their tunes don't allow for much rambling to begin with. so i am guessing i stepped on someones toes aka ego. how the heck am i to know what they wanted if no one said a freaking word? that was all i needed to hear. no one said a word so i assumed all was good. and i believe i asked if they were satisfied. Annie had a great line- these guys must be good with relationships also. i just dont get it........ and we sounded real good sat night and of course i got compliments on my sound from the patrons the really bad news? they are playing a local festival and i wont get to open for the jonas bros. true stuff,,,,, | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 921 Registered: 6-2002 |
Damn! My sympathy , Flax. Back to looking for a musical home with brothers who won't pull the rug on you. Keep on truckin'. Mike | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1813 Registered: 10-2002 |
That's tough luck Jeff. A little communication from themn early on might have saved the day. Hopefully you'll have more luck finding a better band. graeme | ||
| pas
Intermediate Member Username: pas Post Number: 126 Registered: 3-2003 |
Ah, the never ending search for "home". Isn't that somewhere in Fennario...? Good luck. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 516 Registered: 11-2004 |
Flax..oh dear that was once said to me but I left because I think I was overshadowing the egotistical guitarist.My sympathies to you as you had a belly full of the last band. I have played in a lot of trios and you have to be 'busy' to fill the sound out but maybe when there is two guitarists and/or keys we busy bassists have to refrain..having said that I say bollocks to them, them bands are too used to a bass player playing root notes all night. Hope you get another band soon again much sympathy. On a foot note..we have e mails, mobile phones(cellphones in the USA), forums and even conversation..and people still do not talk to each other!!!!! | ||
| speicky
Advanced Member Username: speicky Post Number: 296 Registered: 3-2005 |
Jeff, I am sorry to read about your bad luck, especially after the experiences with the former a$$Os... good luck with finding a real good "home", I keep my fingers crossed for you. Terry, I think it's best to invite people into a TV talk show, preferably a commercial channel between 1 and 5 p.m. You'll be amazed about what's being discussed there  Christian | ||
| glocke
Advanced Member Username: glocke Post Number: 380 Registered: 9-2002 |
Dont fret too much Jeff....alot of people are used to bass players who play root notes all night long, and get intimidated by bassists who open things up and keep things moving. One of the guys I play with is like that, when I get bored playing some songs I will start playing fills, and than have to deal with dirty looks from this guy....but what the hell else am I to do when they want to play a 15 minute version of "The Weight"....yawn..... Ever thought of hooking up with a singer/songwriter type person who does acoustic stuff? Usually these people appreciate a bass player who likes to play "busy" alot more than other people.... | ||
| californiaman
New Username: californiaman Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2008 |
Jeff, my sympathies. I believe everything happens for a reason. You will no doubt bounce back and find a new band. It's only temporary. Trials are to teach us something or to push us in a new direction. You will be stronger in the end. Good luck. Todd | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 319 Registered: 10-2006 |
"I believe everything happens for a reason." Indeed - and the reason for this is that those guys are dipsh*ts. Hang in there, Jeff. Peter | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2003 Registered: 4-2004 |
i like to think so to cowboy... should i not be surprised none of them answered my email? should i be surprised that the guy holding my practice gear hasnt called me back? they basically used me to cover the 3 gigs they had...so i gave up one set of a-holes for another set of classless scumwads,......\ i dont deserve this crap....... | ||
| briant
Intermediate Member Username: briant Post Number: 200 Registered: 12-2004 |
Bummer, man. Whenever I join a new music project I make sure to ask the other band members for their opinion/take on what I'm playing. I make it clear that I can change or keep anything - just that I want feedback to make sure everyone is digging what I'm doing. I've found that this is a much easier way to get people to engage in this sort of conversation. A lot of musicians won't say anything for fear of getting confrontational or whatever. Better to talk about it than wait until it is so annoying that you can't stand it anymore. Just think of a band as you would a relationship. The more open your communication is the better. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 517 Registered: 11-2004 |
you know at 51 years old I don't think I can get insulted anymore, if I get refused a gig I ain't going to worry about it but when a***holes like the band that fired flax act like that well you wonder why they haven't matured. I think all of us in this forum are mature enough to accept criticism, compliments and advice but some of the bands out there are still acting like teenagers who think they are going to amaze the world with there stuff..I say to them 'get real', if you were that good you would be revered like all the jazz, rock, c&w, mainstream bands but you ain't. Flax..they were scared of you because you were too good for them, you were a threat...their loss, not yours..best without them I say | ||
| rklisme
Advanced Member Username: rklisme Post Number: 348 Registered: 5-2004 |
Flax Sorry to hear about the band but I am sure you will land on your feet and find something without the childish behavior. Keep practicing and don't give up! Regards, Rory | ||
| anarchyx
Member Username: anarchyx Post Number: 87 Registered: 10-2007 |
I cant believe someone could be so egomaniacal that they can't allow a bass player to play like the bass god they are! I love playing fills and complicated basslines in a song, and my bandmates always approve. Keep playing greatly, Jeff, no matter what all the other egotistical douchebags say! | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 778 Registered: 3-2004 |
Ah yes, but the world is full of insecure musicians who are not in control of what is really important, so they try to control other things. On the flip of inspired playing, some folks at a jam were really surprised when I had to play some Neil Young and Lyle Lovett tunes, and I played simple and in the pocket. No solutions Jeff, just good wishes on finding a situation that feels good to you. We are all seeking the perfect gig in our hearts. Now if everyone would just pay the cover! | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 923 Registered: 6-2002 |
"Nooo Duuude ... I'm with the band. (holds up a broken drumstick) See?" Mike | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2004 Registered: 4-2004 |
i went back to pick up my practice gear tonight. the guy had nothing to say, even tried to shake my hand... so i said ya know i just dont get it but whatever it was i dont know why nobody said anything... no reply on my way out i said i hope you snd the other scumbags are happy. he said good luck- i said f u some were pocket tunes and some werent. for the most part i played appropriately and if you dont like my slow runs on my girl? say so. the only hint i got was monday when my mailman- the drummer- ps no xmas gift this year- said we gave you the originals to work from- right- i worked em- and sometimes i stayed with it and sometimes i took a liberty to play something i thought was better.maybe some were out of place in their opinion.. but thats their issue. so when i got a call today from a band looking for a bass player for a cover band what are you looking for? this is how i play..... my favorite line is and i said this to those guys' thanks for writing the tune,now its open to interpret it,,,, my deepest regret? i dont get to play jenny 867.5309 anymoe- btw is that classic rock? | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 518 Registered: 11-2004 |
flax..so the band gave you the originals and it had to sound exactly they way it is on the recording. Well If I want to hear the exact sound then I will stay at home and listen to the CD but I don't, I go to see bands to see their interpretation of the song.Okay lets not get confused here we are not talking about turning a classic into a free bebop jazz jam with dischords, odd meters but just to hear it played with a different flavour. What a bunch of a***holes they must be, but I guarantee that 99% of us on this forum have been in bands like that. Good riddance. | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1431 Registered: 12-2002 |
thats part of the business, ive been in fist fights because this same shit & now i keep a Base-ball bat in my basscase! | ||
| glocke
Advanced Member Username: glocke Post Number: 382 Registered: 9-2002 |
"thats part of the business, ive been in fist fights because this same shit & now i keep a Base-ball bat in my basscase!" I keep a Glock...pop a cap in them fu**kers that say Im playing too much than keep on groovin.... (Im kidding).... | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1880 Registered: 2-2006 |
Jeff, I think you might have "HIT" the nail on the head when you said "they basically used me to cover the 3 gigs they had". If being busy was the problem I would've thought they'd said something sooner. I wouldn't give it any more thought. You're better off without these guys (who need some H.I.T, Honesty, Integrity and Truth.) OO | ||
| alemberic
Member Username: alemberic Post Number: 73 Registered: 6-2006 |
Jeff-- I agree with Terry's post (518). I personally don't see much value in note for note renditions of the original, either. I also think Olie may have hit the nail right on the head--it appears to me that they were just using you for their own purposes. Good luck to you--I'm sure the right bunch of people/band situation will come up for you, so don't give up! Eric (Message edited by alemberic on June 25, 2008) | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1977 Registered: 3-2004 |
Hmmm, well, I do see value in playing original tunes note-for-note if that's the way the songwriter wants it. I try to respect the writer and get input if I start to diverge or play anything odd. My band has a dozen or so good tunes and the guitarist is the writer. In spite of the fact that he teaches guitar, he's not much on theory so I tend to throw some theoretical ideas out for bass lines and chord changes when things are still in flux. I am always cognizant that the song is his brainchild and try to stay true to his vision. That said, every situation is different. Am I coming in as a full and equal member of the group, or added on as a bass player to an established group where equality can come down the road? Does my view of the situation match theirs? If I want to stamp my style onto the tunes and they want at least an approximation of a note-for-note rendition, then maybe this is the wrong situation. Who knows... As far as the "used me to cover three gigs" comment, I don't know. I suppose they could have used you like that because you had a pulse and could play while they continued to look for someone they liked better. If that's what happened, it's wrong on so many levels. When you first hooked up with them, I thought I remember you posting that it was a decent bunch of guys and a happy environment. If they wanted to bring you in just for a while to see if it would work, it wouldn't have been so bad if they were up front about it. Sure doesn't seem like they were, though. Additionally, one can never know if the reason they gave you for splitting is the actual reason. Especially with them being so closed-mouthed about it now, you have to wonder if there is maybe another reason they aren't comfortable talking about. In any case, it doesn't matter now except as a learning experience to help you have a better outcome from your next band situation. Good luck with it! -bob | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2005 Registered: 4-2004 |
bob of course i agree that if you are playing originals with the writer- you play it as he wants it played- duh.... as for the final answer? here is the posting from craigslist Gigging classic rock band (Beatles to Maroon 5) is currently holding auditions for a bass player. We are all 40+ have day jobs but practice once a week and gig out about 3 times a month. We are looking for a bass player who fits in and is able to play basic bass lines, we play covers only and stay fairly close to the original recordings now if they would have just said this.... trust me guys- in most cased what i played was better than the original./.. guess not in their opinion- so........ f em -they arent musicians- theyre replicants oh--- i answered the ad under a bogus email address might as well have some fun... i am not a beer drinker- guess i didnt fit in | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3135 Registered: 7-2004 |
One of my bands plays several of my originals. I'm the writer and lead singer on these tunes. I DON'T tell the other guys what to play note-for-note. I respect that my friend on bass has a better sense of the bass than I do. Of course if he comes up with something that just doesn't work IMHO, (an EXTREMELY rare occurrence), I'll say something. Otherwise I enjoy the group dynamics in bringing a new song up from infancy to gig-ready adulthood. If you want me in a band where someone else directs what I play note-for-note, pay me. If it's for fun, no dictatorships for me. Hang in there Flax. Find yourself a Dead/Jam band that appreciates a bass player that understands "outside the box" isn't poisonous territory. Bill, tgo | ||
| elwoodblue
Advanced Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 387 Registered: 6-2002 |
Flax, If you were in my town I'd be happy(overjoyed) to find a creative soul with some gear...communication (especially the small stuff) makes the good things happen.You deserve a band that isn't afraid to talk about their/your/the music. kris | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2007 Registered: 4-2004 |
HAVE ALEMBICS WILL TRAVEL | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2008 Registered: 4-2004 |
I posted a rant on craigslist sbout rebelling against the madness..... should i jerk their string and reply for an sudition i will not show up for via my notmyname email address and have some vindictive fun? last comments on this i have a stylr- its mine- i hope its unique f em! their loss and i dont have to play a billy joel tune- i will never play cant get enough of your love EVER!snd no more american band. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3136 Registered: 7-2004 |
Flax: I wouldn't waste my time screwing with them. Negative energy is still energy expended. They ain't worth it. Forward! Bill, tgo | ||
| elwoodblue
Advanced Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 389 Registered: 6-2002 |
...what Bill said, yup I agree,100 percent positively I've been through alot this last year, sometimes all I had was positive thoughts to get me through...seeds will grow...I'm still here(woohoo!!!) | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 782 Registered: 3-2004 |
Relax, pick up your bass, play along with your favorite cds, go for a walk, read a book, listen to a book, be positive, go forward as the other learned gentlemen have said. Burn some eucolyptus leaves and rid your gear of the evil spirits. Or burn the other leaves you are fond of...... | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2009 Registered: 4-2004 |
thanks danno and friend bill... i got my answers from his reply if it aint played like the original they dont capish... | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 520 Registered: 11-2004 |
Well I have just joined a classic rock band(not really my style but I need the money), anyway at the audition I played some fills to close up the sound, anyway they were well pleased and gave me some very positive comments, so it is not all that bad to expand the original when it is necessary. Flax...time to move on now, it's nearly a week so it is all gone, I am sure you will get something more for your style and taste. | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 322 Registered: 10-2006 |
"Can't Get Enough of Your Love"? "American Band"?? BILLY JOEL???? Dude, you are SO much better off without them! And let me add, on the subject of note-for-note: about 25 years ago I was making a living doing sound for a cover band - 60s pop, Motown, a touch of Stax, the usual; not, however, the original arrangements. I thought the way they did most songs was actually a little better, and it seemed to work for the audiences, too. We weren't playing stadia & getting rich, but we were filling bars & getting by. The keyboard player (the only one with a day job) started agitating to become a copy band - they practiced, then started playing, note-for-note - the crowds fell off, the gigs stopped coming, I went to work at Guitar Center. Peter | ||
| eligilam
Intermediate Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 112 Registered: 2-2006 |
Try starting a bass-centric band like Primus or RIM...then you can call all the shots and play the bass any way you want. Finding submissive guitar players can be tough, though. I recommend scouring the local subway stations. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1050 Registered: 2-2005 |
Well Flax I was playing with some folks last night and on one particular song with a very sparse bass part I was told by the keyboard player to play more notes. I've written that one down in my book of firsts. LOL ... Just goes to show there are folks out there that don't expect you to play the root all night long. Be patient and something will come along. Keith | ||
| mike1762
Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 74 Registered: 1-2008 |
It seems the underlying theme of this post is "what is an appropriate bass line". The answer depends on the situation and everyones expectations. Bass players are often relegated to the back line while the guitar player goes.... "Weedely, weedely, weeee!!!". It seems other instruments are often held to a different standard as far as improvisation goes and I think that reflects the importance of the bass and drums in holding a song together. As long as those two guys are on the same page, venturing "outside the box" can work (check out footage of John Paul Jones and John Bonham working together). I used to set-up extra practice sessions just with my drummer to be sure that we were "locked in" in both a musical and a spiritual context. Over time we learned to anticipate each other's moves. With your next band, I would spend time developing a relationship with the drummer and you will have an advocate the other guys can't shake. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3138 Registered: 7-2004 |
I prefer bands where everyone does weedely! lol In my Dead band we have a bass player who had little previous experience playing Dead material. We're always encouraging him to be more active, to think of the bass more as a lead instrument. It's all about context. Bill, tgo | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 949 Registered: 11-2004 |
Flax, I'm sorry you are having so much trouble lately finding people who are not boneheads. I guess I have been lucky. Even the most controlling band leader I have ever worked for gave me some freedom. The people I play with now are just there to try to make the music sound good and have some fun, even when preparing for a gig. I find that it's easier to get some feeling and personality coming across when I'm playing what I feel not copying someone's line note-for-note. If your bands don't get that then you will have more fun without them. Again, sorry you're having to go through all this. Rich | ||
| benson_murrensun
Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 52 Registered: 5-2007 |
I am lucky because I am in a band with people who are my friends first and foremost, and co-musicians somewhere after that. We are 2 guitarists, drummer and me (bass). We tend to stretch tunes a bit and get outside now and then; in fact, I am the one who usually tries to keep the original thread of the tune close by while the others are cuttin' loose. I have had the experience of watching the guitarists go off into outer space while I hung with the simple bass part until I could stand it no longer, and to make a point, I would start playing lots more notes and syncopations and see if they would get the idea to get back to the tune. But it backfired! They loved it, and encourage me to play like that more often! Like Daffy Duck has been known to say, "Ya' never know where you're goin' 'till ya' get there." | ||
| ttwatts
Junior Username: ttwatts Post Number: 14 Registered: 9-2004 |
Hang in there Flax. I constantly have the same issue. Keep at it and I am sure you will find a group worthy of your talents. (Prayers) ttwatts |
