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Bassists, help me here

mullyman

mullyman

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I'm in a situation right now where I want to play live shows but I don't have the band members. I have a drummer ready to go anytime I want, we're actually getting together next weekend to talk about stuff. The problem is there aren't many bassists around. I figured since I have another guy that plays guitar that I would take the bass and vocals. The guitar player doesn't have much time to get together, which is fine, but the drummer and I would still like to practice if we can. I guess my question is this, do you guys ever get together and just do bass and drums practice? Any advice on how to run a session like that or I'm I over thinking it?
MULLY
 
Eh?  You're asking for permission to rehearse?

Rehearsal is ALWAYS worth doing!  Especially with the rhythm section.  Doesn't matter if it's just two of you.  Nail down those grooves and you'll be all the tighter for it.  It also allows you to make the arrangement decisions (Key, tempo, etc). 

Besides, it will make the guitarist rev is motor to keep up.

It's worth doing. 
 
I used to practice with the drummer in a bass/drums only session 1-2 times per week in a couple of 3-piece Yes/Rush/Triumph styled bands years ago. this allowed us to work out all of the minute details in drum/bass fills and really break down exactly what we were playing. best thing I ever did for my playing, but more because the two of us were wanting to accomlish more than simply running thru the set list and ingoring all of the places where we were less than perfect

all the best,

R
 
if anything, i think the bass/drums relationship is more important than guitar/drums. can't see it being a bad thing! a band with a tight sound is always nice to hear. you can usually tell which ones put that extra time in when they play live
 
I agree with everyone here, especially if you're singing.  Also, if the song doesn't hold water with bass/drums/vocals, it sucks to begin with.  You can NEVER be too solid in that regard.  You want to be providing a solid, solid foundation for the guitar.  Also, if you're coming from a guitar playing point of view, it will help you to better understand the role of the bass (especially as far as it not being a guitar).

-Mark
 
Look at Peter Green's approach to a band. He named HIS band, that HE was the center of, after HIS rhythm section.

The way I figure, a guitar is the cinnamon on top. It makes things tasty, but you can only spice up a piece of shit so much. If the cake is delicious to begin with, you don't need much cinnamon.

To leave my dreamworld, yes. Practice. With the guitarist, without, any practice where there are 2 or more people is VERY important.
 
One thing practicing with the drummer only has forced me to do is learn more of the melody and song structure.  Stripping down the practice to two instruments can really help isolate what is going on and an weak spots.
 
Cool. As you all know, I'm a guitar player. I'm only taking on the bass because we can't find anyone. I'm cool with that though because I love the bass. Don't play it very often but I do love it. Even back when I was playing out regularly I always thought that the bass and drums were the heart of the band and if they were together it made my job a lot easier. I've practiced with the drummer using my guitar but in that instance it's just me working on my timing. With the bass and drums I feel like it's more than just timing, it's the soul, the groove, whatever you want to call it. I have never underestimated the importance of the rhythm section back there, I've just never really been a part of it and wasn't sure what to do. We'll see how it goes. This drummer has always said that I'm the easiest guitarist that he's ever played with because of my timing and rhythm sense. I hope it transfers over to the bass that way.
MULLY
 
Currently working with a new drummer and often do bass, drums and vocals to work with his timing etc.
 
Agree with all of what has been said so far.

I've never worked with the drummer only, but he already proposed me to work the rythmic section only...
I prefer to work all together, something is missing when there's no guitar or no singer...I'll will ask im again, in fact, it's a very good idea to work the rythmic section only.

But I'm pretty sure that, if one day, the drummer and I work together only, lots of mistakes will come up, from my side...
 
mullyman said:
I'm in a situation right now where I want to play live shows but I don't have the band members. I have a drummer ready to go anytime I want, we're actually getting together next weekend to talk about stuff. The problem is there aren't many bassists around. I figured since I have another guy that plays guitar that I would take the bass and vocals. The guitar player doesn't have much time to get together, which is fine, but the drummer and I would still like to practice if we can. I guess my question is this, do you guys ever get together and just do bass and drums practice? Any advice on how to run a session like that or I'm I over thinking it?
MULLY
Click to expand...

Mully, just rehearse together, drink a few good beers (very important step ! The FIRST one), start with a simple song, start gently, and go on through as many songs as you can...

If I had to rehearse with the drummer only, I would first target the most difficult songs we can remember and work the most difficult parts...
BUT don't forget the beer...
 
kboman said:
BassmanAK said:
Just one... But he also plays keys and sings....
Click to expand...

This I've got to see!
Click to expand...

oneman-band1.jpg


Dude! Freebird!!!​
 
You know, the whole thing is just because the other guitar player doesn't have the time or the money to get to the studio every week but the drummer and I really don't have that problem so we'd like to just have some jam time. As I said, I'm a guitar player first and this will be my first venture playing the bass in a band situation. The drummer and I have practiced together, just the 2 of us, many many times when it was just guitar and drums. I was just wondering if there were any ideas floating around on how to practice with just a bass and drums. Guess it's the same thing.

I don't remember what I wrote in my first post and am too lazy to go back and look, haha, but the reason I'm taking up bass is that we're just tired of bringing in bassists and not getting along with that person. All of us are mid 30's early 40's and at this point, we have no dreams of going pro and touring the world. We just want to play some music and not have a hassle. The 3 of us are the core of the band, always have been, always will be. First the singer went so I took over singing duties. The bassist we had was a good guy but he went to Canada is going to be gone for at least a year. I just figured it's easier on everyone if I take up the part of "Geddy Lee".
MULLY
 
mullyman said:
Is that Tim Conway?
MULLY
Click to expand...

Looks a lot like him, doesn't it? But, I don't know. I just grabbed it off a Google images page. I have no idea of its provenance.
 
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