razze06 Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 So tonight i'm auditioning for a local gigging raggae band, and seek this community's advice. First of all, I've never played raggae in a band before, but i've done my homework and learned the 5 songs required. I have some experience with ska, that should come in handy. In terms of playing style, I understand that less is more, and must not overplay, and keep with the flow of the song. A nice mellow sound is better than and aggressive clangy one, but any other tips? Also, I'm not sure what bass to take with me tonight. The Ned is tempting, for the woody vintage sound, but all the others have their merits too, and are easier to play Quote
thisnameistaken Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 I'd take your Jazz and maybe your T40 too. Just don't over-play, sit in the groove and stay there. So long as you feel it, you'll be fine. Quote
Roland Rock Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 Good luck. I'm very jealous, as I've been looking out for opportunities to play with a reggae band in Nottingham, with no success. No further advice other than what's been said already. BTW, slightly off topic, but if anyone can point me in the direction of a good, detailed guide to the differences between reggae, roots and rocksteady, I'd be grateful. Quote
Grassie Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 Aston "Family Man" Barrett once said "Nothing above the fifth fret". Wise words... Quote
razze06 Posted August 10, 2011 Author Posted August 10, 2011 [quote name='witterth' post='1335149' date='Aug 10 2011, 03:13 PM']tink dub style (and its "Reggae" btw) [/quote] I've been exposed, haven't i? Quote
redstriper Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 Are the songs cover versions or originals and what style of reggae are they? If it's roots reggae I would use the Jazz bass - neck pup only on about 75%, tone rolled right off, heavy flatwound strings if possible, otherwise well worn rounds. Play finger style between the neck and the pup with a strong and repetitive feel with no fills or fanciness. The bass must be absolutely solid and able to carry the riddim in the absence of all other instruments. Remove all treble and upper mids on the amp, it's all about deep smooth clean bass. Enjoy yourself and good luck Quote
witterth Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 [quote name='razze06' post='1335151' date='Aug 10 2011, 03:13 PM']I've been exposed, haven't i? [/quote] good luck hope it all comes out well, if you insist on exposing yourself Quote
jimbaby Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 Hi No advice to offer as I don't have the experience, but good luck just the same and I hope you enjoy it. Regards Jim Quote
razze06 Posted August 10, 2011 Author Posted August 10, 2011 [quote name='redstriper' post='1335153' date='Aug 10 2011, 03:14 PM']Are the songs cover versions or originals and what style of reggae are they? If it's roots reggae I would use the Jazz bass - neck pup only on about 75%, tone rolled right off, heavy flatwound strings if possible, otherwise well worn rounds. Play finger style between the neck and the pup with a strong and repetitive feel with no fills or fanciness. The bass must be absolutely solid and able to carry the riddim in the absence of all other instruments. Remove all treble and upper mids on the amp, it's all about deep smooth clean bass. Enjoy yourself and good luck [/quote] The songs seem to be mostly originals, not very rootsy and with more of a ska and rocksteady vibe to most of them. I'll stick to deep and smooth bass though, cause that's what I like for this kind of thing. I'll keep my plucking hand close to the neck, and my mindset on the strong and repetitive pattern. cheers! Quote
redstriper Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 [quote name='razze06' post='1335180' date='Aug 10 2011, 03:31 PM']The songs seem to be mostly originals, not very rootsy and with more of a ska and rocksteady vibe to most of them. I'll stick to deep and smooth bass though, cause that's what I like for this kind of thing. I'll keep my plucking hand close to the neck, and my mindset on the strong and repetitive pattern. cheers![/quote] Sounds like a plan. I just realised I recommended the Jazz bass without knowing anything about your others - take whichever you feel most comfortable with so long as it's got a deep smooth tone. Quote
ziggydolphinboy Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 [quote name='Lozz196' post='1335502' date='Aug 10 2011, 07:15 PM']Groove and feeling over number of notes.[/quote] + 1 maybe use ur thumb occasionally too while dapennimng the strings with ur hand , seems to get that deep muted/sound thats nice and thick . but most of all enjoy!!! Quote
Cyrene Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 Have fun and good luck! I'm quite envious because I've been wanting to dabble for a while in this sort of music but nothing going on locally it seems. The Amy Winehouse number we rehears e is the nearest thing to anything with a soulful Afro-Caribbean feel; i try to keep it deep and low, and of course focus on the timing. I'm gonna bear all that advice above in mind. Best! Quote
Hobbayne Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 If the drummer is good, then he will give you the courage to groove, and also give you an idea of what to play (Unless of course they tell you to play what they want!) Quote
EdwardHimself Posted August 10, 2011 Posted August 10, 2011 Good luck mate. Just take whatever bass feels best and you'll want to roll back on the tone, and have plenty of lows and low mids. Quote
razze06 Posted August 11, 2011 Author Posted August 11, 2011 Nailed it and got the gig (band is called red2red). In the end I took both the T40 and the aerodyne P, just in case the practice room amp didn't like the peavey. Fantastic thick, deep and powerful tone from the T40 through the room's TE 4x10 combo. Can't emphasize enough how important it was to have got there prepared. Got through the 5 songs from the webpage, plus a couple of improvised dub grooves. Not once did anyone ask me to turn down, quite the opposite Quote
Len_derby Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 [quote name='razze06' post='1336112' date='Aug 11 2011, 09:37 AM']Nailed it and got the gig (band is called red2red). In the end I took both the T40 and the aerodyne P, just in case the practice room amp didn't like the peavey. Fantastic thick, deep and powerful tone from the T40 through the room's TE 4x10 combo. Can't emphasize enough how important it was to have got there prepared. Got through the 5 songs from the webpage, plus a couple of improvised dub grooves. Not once did anyone ask me to turn down, quite the opposite [/quote] Congratulations. A good news story. Are they letting you wear the hat? Quote
witterth Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 [quote name='razze06' post='1336112' date='Aug 11 2011, 09:37 AM']Nailed it and got the gig (band is called red2red). In the end I took both the T40 and the aerodyne P, just in case the practice room amp didn't like the peavey. Fantastic thick, deep and powerful tone from the T40 through the room's TE 4x10 combo. Can't emphasize enough how important it was to have got there prepared. Got through the 5 songs from the webpage, plus a couple of improvised dub grooves. Not once did anyone ask me to turn down, quite the opposite [/quote] Nice one! Quote
razze06 Posted August 11, 2011 Author Posted August 11, 2011 [quote name='Len_derby' post='1336134' date='Aug 11 2011, 09:51 AM']Congratulations. A good news story. Are they letting you wear the hat?[/quote] Wasn't wearing one last night, I'll surprise then at the first gig Quote
Monckyman Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 I was going to suggest the old bit of foam under the strings near the bridge for that muted dub sound. Quote
JTUK Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 [quote name='razze06' post='1335180' date='Aug 10 2011, 03:31 PM']The songs seem to be mostly originals, not very rootsy and with more of a ska and rocksteady vibe to most of them. I'll stick to deep and smooth bass though, cause that's what I like for this kind of thing. I'll keep my plucking hand close to the neck, and my mindset on the strong and repetitive pattern. cheers![/quote] Done well, it can be a tough gig..but if you feel it, you're there. If you force it...you'll do no one any favours. Good luck. Quote
JTUK Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 opps.... that will teach me to read all the way through, but in my defence, there are a LOT of threads on here that are moving so fast, it is hard to keep up. Glad the gig went well Quote
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