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Busy Bass Player Blues

Posts: 24 Threads: 14

Fellow VDF members,

Would appreciate your opinion on an age old problem with (some) bass players. I'm currently drumming in a New Orleans funk/soul/groove band and the bass player drives me up the wall with his faux Jaco chops. The guy obviously never learned about rests in musical notation. I think the problem stems from his classical training. To be fair, he is talented and has a really nice tone on his Precision bass. But his playing is way too busy and defeats the purpose of finding a groove or pocket. I've dropped many hints about "less is more" and told him the rests are just as important as the notes. What can a poor drummer do?

HummDrumhttp://www.vintagedrumforum.com/images/smilies/guitar.gif

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 185 Threads: 18

Do what I did, find another Bass player ! Nothing worse than trying to find a groove and ending up in a rut.

Jeff
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 29 Threads: 8

Man, I feel your pain, Brother! He does't get it, and we can't "make" him get it. Is it better to put up with "Captain Plays-Too-Much", Or not play out at all? Here's an old one : What do bass players use for birth control? Their personalities

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 730 Threads: 61

Band meeting. If the other players agree with you, you shouldn't have to fix it alone.

If you have recordings of your band, compare and contrast them for him with the originals.

If not, make some recordings. If they're not grooving, the band should analyze why not as a group. Making recordings regularly nips a lot of problems in the bud for all players.

In any case, accentuate the positive (tone) before bringing up the negative (the groove).

9x Slingerland New Rock 50N 12-13-16-22 with 170 (Super S-O-M) holder
• 1979 Oak
• 1978 Blakrome + 6.5x14 TDR SD
• 1977 Black Diamond Pearl + 5x14 SD (gold badge, Rapid strainer)
• 1976 Black Cordova
• 1975 Silver Sparkle + 5x14 SD (Rapid strainer)
• 1974 Chrome + 5x14 COB TDR and 6.5x14 COW Zoomatic SDs
• 1973 Purple Sparkle
• 1973 Phantom (clear)
• 1971 Walnut (gold badges) + 5x14 TDR SD
1x Rogers Powertone Londoner V 12-13-16-22
• 1972 Butcher Block + 1979 big R Dynasonic SD
Posted on 13 years ago
#4
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