question from a guitarist

[RentaBass]

Not to offend anybody, but I don't think it'll be that useful to show drummers videos of brilliant bassists, unless of course the fellow understands bass a little.

I know a vocalists who has a really good guitarist, but thinks he's like any other, because he doesn't play guitar or understand how difficult it is to pull of some of the things that his guitarist does.

Anyway, back to the issue. Just play any good song with a decent bassline that drives it. Then at some point of the song, tell the bassist to abruptly stop playing, while everybody continues. For good measure, the bassist has to be a loud player, much like Cliff Burton was.

If that doesn't make him take notice, nothing will.

PS. The song that I conducted this experiment with was Master of Puppets. When I stopped, everybody in the band looked around, wondering what the hell was wrong. Nobody realised that I had stopped playing, they just knew something sounded wrong.

+1.totally agree wit u..he plays hardcore/heavy stuff

Alternatively, you could try playing The Trooper by Iron Maiden. I'm sure if the bassist just stopped during that song, EVERYBODY would notice. It is after all the signature Steve Harris gallop that drives it. :twisted:

 

[Indigo_blues]

a band without a bass player is like a building without a foundation. Something just ain't right...

 

[ShredCow]

You could. Play with an 8 string guitar. Getting more popular these days, them 8 stringers...

Or cover The White Strips. :wink:

 

[tim_1002]

let him listen to some jamiroquai. funky funky bass.
i totally agree with the suggestions that he should jam with a bassist and let the bassist stop halfway thru the song. or have the bassist improv with him.
if that doesn't work then i'm not sure how to help. bass and drums have to be tight for a solid rhythm man. if he still doesn't appreciate the bassist something is very wrong.

 

[visa]

perhaps the guitarist(s) are also playing with the THEIR bass knobs up a little further than necessary in a band situation (as opposed to playing solo). Then the bassist would fit in better.

 

[RentaBass]

perhaps the guitarist(s) are also playing with the THEIR bass knobs up a little further than necessary in a band situation (as opposed to playing solo). Then the bassist would fit in better.

I would advocate the cutting of all bass frequencies from guitars! (Ala Ritchie Blackmore)

Then again, that's just me :?

 

[koolguy74sg]

hey hi, im a guitarist in a band with a drummer who isnt so too familiar with music.

ive been always trying to get a bassist, but my drummer sometimes thinks its not neccesary and guitar and drums are enough for the band's music. i tried to explain that bass is to add the "background" to the song. well, he doesnt really really understand why.

how should i explain it to him?

thanks!

It depends on what music you are playing...
If your music is sortta like R&B, hiphop,rock or metal, a bassist is required...
If your music is like ballads...Jazz...then bassist is not really necessary...

 

[cracko]

hmmm....

Tell him " a beautiful flower vase with many beautiful flowers is on a table. But there's no table cloth. Looks awful, isn't it? Bass is just like that table cloth..."

 

[Freeko]

i think bass makes a song more full its like a person with nice skin,bones..but no meat

 

[Taylorboy87]

aiyoh, where got drummer with such a fuc.ked mentality!!!! no offence but he should damn bloody hell know a drummer provides the groove and he needs a bassist to transmit the groove into the melody form. Tell him nicely, ONCE! then if he still insists, find yourself another drummer. With such idiots around, don't waste your time on him if he's adamant.

 

[ahkiatt]

so has he realised that we're the tablecloth yet?

 

[for420]

wah.. then like that ur drummer must be some pro skilled drummer sia.

never i heard from such drummers saying that..
consider yourself lucky to have SUCH drummers.

whatever it is,
peace.

 

[litford]

i love the Yeah Yeah Yeahs -) they are the anti-thesis of my main instrument, and i dont think they'll sound as good with a bassplayer.. because for some reason, Nick Zinner fills up the space nicely with their drummer, and it's the space that works.

but yeahh, is everyband like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs? -) sometimes having a bassplayer is useless when he doesn't understand the concept of space and just plods on the root for a bad effect (don't get me wrong, some songs work so well with straight 8 root bassing - it's always about the song)

but if you can't tap your feet, then you probably can't hear the bass.. it's like a heartbeat that sings!

 

[ahkiatt]

it's like a heartbeat that sings!

well said

 

[cold_static544]

LOL ! kick that fucka's balls.

aye mods: fucka's not censored. time to do something bout it

 

[Mitsugi]

a band can play without a drummer,. and could still sound good and full of tone,.... but a band without a bassist,... is like a driving blind,...

u get what i mean,....

 

[fenderrules]

so has he realised that we're the tablecloth yet?

well, he almost has it, but still dont get it...

maybe self taught drummers are like that....i tried playing bass to provide the groove and he found that there wasnt much difference...said guitar bass same lah so what the heck...somemore guitar distortion so heavy cannot hear bass...

......

well i found a bassist already so he's getting used to it, very soon. if he doesnt i really dont know what to say..

 

[reyrey]

just f him till he blur la :twisted:

 

[RentaBass]

....maybe self taught drummers are like that....

I beg to differ.

My drummer is 100% self-taught, but he understands the need for a bassist.

In fact, he usually listens out for me when we play, we take cues from each other and we usually work together to get the band as tight and as groovy as we can.

It's just your dummer.....I mean drummer.

 

[bouncychu]

tell him bass is liek secks, u cant live without it.

edit. nah just kidding, but bass is sexy though X= maybe u should let him hear songs with really nice basslines or whatever you call them,

http://www.radioblogclub.com/open/107392/spice_of_life/[OST1]%20%20Spice%20Of%20Life

or maybe even some song like are you gonna be my girl by jet, i think that song can make him hear out the importance of bass?

http://www.radioblogclub.com/open/124619/are_you_gonna_be_my_girl/Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl

it just sounds different without bass right? i mean no have the bass sound.. aiya i know = ) just tell him "a good bass afterall is the core of a band" ya try lol.