Band's keys player "wants to play bass on a few songs...." Alarm bells?

[Cat Burrito]

I too feel that the OP sets the scene but I couldn't see anything about the feelings / suggested resolution for his role in this scenario - so it is harder to give a definitive answer. If you are unhappy about it and it isn't clear what you are supposed to do while the keyboard player plays bass, it's a potential problem. If you can play something else and / or it's part led by your encouragement, then great. 

 

In my current duo I have actually suggested that my partner plays bass on a recording next year. We've also had one of my students get up and play bass at a gig (actively encouraged by me). No dramas. However, I did an album session for a singer songwriter recently who spent half the session saying "I play bass too". When I calmly said "what do you need me for then?" and "play on your own album", I got a look of shock and panic. I wasn't offended, I just didn't see why he kept feeling the need to say it and use me for the session.

 

As a multi-instrumentalist who plays with one of my oldest and best friends, it comes down to good communications and being respectful to one another. None of us here are making our millions so it has to be fun and I feel anyone in a band should be made to feel valued if they are to stay.

 

Best of luck in getting it resolved to a satisfactory conclusion. 

[12stringbassist]

Just politely ask her what you're supposed to do while she's playing bass.
A Bez impression?
I'd just say let her do it at a rehearsal to get it out of her system.

[leschirons]

I'm still gobsmacked at the news that there's a keyboard player out there who's prepared to actually pick up a bass to play all the bass lines.😉

[JapanAxe]

Having thought about this a bit more, it’s something of a stretch from her saying what she said, to announcing she is ready to play one or more numbers from beginning to end. The ball is in her court!

[Beedster]

Keep us posted, better than Eastenders this 👍

[Downunderwonder]

I can see it ending badly. Her and hubby get their groove on as the new rhythm powerhouse. They find a new keys player.

 

I can see it ending just fine if she is as bad a bassist as she is a keys player. In that case hubby will tell her she's much more use to the band playing keys, end of drama.

[paul_5]

Can she not just do it with her left hand?

[solo4652]

16 hours ago, Beedster said:

Keep us posted, better than Eastenders this 👍

Will do. At next rehearsal, I'll ask her how's she's getting on with her bass, and what her playing intentions are. See what she says.

[Woodinblack]

Not sure why there is an issue - just say 'sure' and leave it at that, IME these things never get round to happening. If anything it is just a problem for another day

[Wolverinebass]

32 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

If anything it is just a problem for another day

Someone probably said the same thing about removing the lifeboats from the Titanic.

[Woodinblack]

16 minutes ago, Wolverinebass said:

Someone probably said the same thing about removing the lifeboats from the Titanic.

 

Why would you have needed lifeboats on a ship that wasn't going to sink? Makes perfect sense. Plus, when they made a law that all boats had to have enough lifeboats for everyone, at least 1 boat, the eastland, rolled over under the weight of the lifeboats and 800 people died.

 

Either way, this is playing the bass, however bad you are its unlikely anyone is going to die

[diskwave]

May I suggest that way too  many keys players play bass anyway. My biggest beef with them that most just play as if theyre playing solo...banging the left hand on the bas notes.....

[Chienmortbb]

9 minutes ago, zrbass said:

May I suggest that way too  many keys players play bass anyway. My biggest beef with them that most just play as if theyre playing solo...banging the left hand on the bas notes.....

They often think they can do everything. Piano. Organ fine and oif the song needs some brass or woodwind, OK.

[leschirons]

The point is, is she good looking enough to be a bass player?

Irrespective of gender, it's a given that the bass player is, 99% of the time, the best looking in the band. If she wants to be in the club, then she needs the qualifications.

[bass_dinger]

4 minutes ago, leschirons said:

The point is, is she good looking enough to be a bass player?

Irrespective of gender, it's a given that the bass player is, 99% of the time, the best looking in the band. If she wants to be in the club, then she needs the qualifications.

Agreed!

 

If she looks like Tony Levin (shaved head, big grey moustache), then she is stage-ready. 

 

 

[ezbass]

1 hour ago, Chienmortbb said:

They often think they can do everything. Piano. Organ fine and oif the song needs some brass or woodwind, OK.

A hard stare at their left hand, accompanied with the words, “I will cut it off!” normally works.  

[Woodinblack]

1 hour ago, ezbass said:

A hard stare at their left hand, accompanied with the words, “I will cut it off!” normally works.  

 

Those words are far more effective if you aren't staring at their hand!

[Heathy]

1 hour ago, ezbass said:

A hard stare at their left hand, accompanied with the words, “I will cut it off!” normally works.  

I was once in a band with a left-handed, chain-smoking keyboard player. Problem solved!

[ezbass]

3 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

 

Those words are far more effective if you aren't staring at their hand!

But then you are possibly implying self mutilation 😱😖😂

[BassTractor]

2 hours ago, Chienmortbb said:

They often think they can do everything. Piano. Organ fine and oif the song needs some brass or woodwind, OK.

Indeed we do, and quite often that is because we're used to having to do everything.
However, the grave mistake of meddling with bass territory is one that should occur only once - out of lack of experience or somesuch. Once pointed out, it should never happen again.

From my days in figured bass accompaniment: the harpsichord player and the bass part player would meet up a bit early, and together decide on how to solve the task ahead. I gather this isn't even needed in many bands as long as keys=/=bass.

[Japhet]

I'm going to suggest that I take over some of our singer's duties in the band, namely, turning up late, not learning songs we're meant to, not lugging any gear around and never buying a drink.

[SubsonicSimpleton]

If the keys player is a good trombonist, how bout suggesting the band play some tunes with actual horn parts like this maybe

 

[Dan Dare]

51 minutes ago, Japhet said:

I'm going to suggest that I take over some of our singer's duties in the band, namely, turning up late, not learning songs we're meant to, not lugging any gear around and never buying a drink.

 

Add neglecting to tune your instrument and cranking it in a tiny venue you could take over some of the guitard's duties, too.

[Downunderwonder]

5 hours ago, Woodinblack said:

however bad you are its unlikely anyone is going to die

Could cause life expectancy issues for the drummer if she is bad and he doesn't properly appreciate her efforts.

[nilorius]

Maybe You could tell her that she can play some song bass lines on a keyboard synth and at that time you take a break at backstage and be a nice friend of Jack Daniels. No one will suffer!