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

[12stringbassist]

On 27/12/2023 at 13:36, 12stringbassist said:

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.

 

I'm revising this earlier reply.

Just politely ask her what you're supposed to do while she's playing bass. A Bez impression?
I'd just tell her she can do it at a rehearsal to get it out of her system, but you are not going to be made into a spare part onstage. EVER.

This idea needs to be nipped in the bud straight away.

 

I completely agree with those who won't play in a band with a couple in it - you know EXACTLY how voting will go.

Edited December 29, 2023 by 12stringbassist

[prowla]

Tell the guitarist you're thinking of doing the solos in a couple of songs.

[nilorius]

15 minutes ago, prowla said:

Tell the guitarist you're thinking of doing the solos in a couple of songs.

Or just start to sing main vocal.

[tauzero]

20 hours ago, 12stringbassist said:

I completely agree with those who won't play in a band with a couple in it - you know EXACTLY how voting will go.

 

You know EXACTLY how you assume voting will go. Honestly, as one who has been half of a couple on a band and as one who has played in at least three bands with couples in, I've never encountered a problem. The ones I encountered a problem with were brothers, who sacked me from a band because their mate (not as good a bassist) wanted to join. So don't ever play in a band with siblings, they're toxic.

[Woodinblack]

1 hour ago, tauzero said:

The ones I encountered a problem with were brothers, who sacked me from a band because their mate (not as good a bassist) wanted to join. 

 

Were you in Bros?

[Lozz196]

Ken!!!

[nilorius]

There could always be an answer - NO !

[SteveXFR]

5 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

You know EXACTLY how you assume voting will go. Honestly, as one who has been half of a couple on a band and as one who has played in at least three bands with couples in, I've never encountered a problem. The ones I encountered a problem with were brothers, who sacked me from a band because their mate (not as good a bassist) wanted to join. So don't ever play in a band with siblings, they're toxic.

 

A mate of mine worked with the Proclaimers once. According to him, they are seriously toxic brothers who absolutely hate each other and are absolute corn holes to work with. He was also not a fan of working with Chemical brothers but I don't think they are actual brothers. 

[police squad]

20 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

You know EXACTLY how you assume voting will go. Honestly, as one who has been half of a couple on a band and as one who has played in at least three bands with couples in, I've never encountered a problem. The ones I encountered a problem with were brothers, who sacked me from a band because their mate (not as good a bassist) wanted to join. So don't ever play in a band with siblings, they're toxic.

In the 90s i was in a band (classic rock covers mainly) with my older brother. We did 6 years and just over 600 gigs together. We had a right laugh (most of the time).

We've reformed for a few special events over the years (namely important birthdays, a stag night) and always have fun

[SH73]

Your band may end up like this

 

[solo4652]

Folks - apologies for re-opening this thread. I'd appreciate people's thoughts.

 

To save everybody the task of reading through 6 pages of posts, here's the band situation in a nutshell:

 

5-piece pop, soul, funk pub covers band. Drummer (who is band leader, and a decent keys player), his wife on keys (not a good keys player at all), lead guitarist , lead singer, myself on bass.

 

Since I started this thread, the keys player has seemingly abandoned her idea of possibly playing bass guitar on some songs. However, she has now suggested that she could play synth bass on Madonna's Material Girl. I said (possibly too sternly); "No - I'm the band's bassist - I'll play the bassline. I've played it before." Band leader is supporting her, not me by suggesting that we both play the bassline. Not quite sure what he meant by that. Apparently, I'm being "Obstructive".

 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

[neepheid]

1 minute ago, solo4652 said:

Folks - apologies for re-opening this thread. I'd appreciate people's thoughts.

 

To save everybody the task of reading through 6 pages of posts, here's the band situation in a nutshell:

 

5-piece pop, soul, funk pub covers band. Drummer (who is band leader, and a decent keys player), his wife on keys (not a good keys player at all), lead guitarist , lead singer, myself on bass.

 

Since I started this thread, the keys player has seemingly abandoned her idea of possibly playing bass guitar on some songs. However, she has now suggested that she could play synth bass on Madonna's Material Girl. I said (possibly too sternly); "No - I'm the band's bassist - I'll play the bassline. I've played it before." Band leader is supporting her, not me by suggesting that we both play the bassline. Not quite sure what he meant by that. Apparently, I'm being "Obstructive".

 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

 

You're on a hiding to nothing - he'll always take her side, and that mild attempt at compromise is as good as you can expect.

 

Does it matter if you both play it? Will she bugger it up, is that what you're worried about?

[solo4652]

1 minute ago, neepheid said:

 

You're on a hiding to nothing - he'll always take her side, and that mild attempt at compromise is as good as you can expect.

 

Does it matter if you both play it? Will she bugger it up, is that what you're worried about?

Yes - I think she'll mess it up, and I certainly can't see her playing all of the bassline throughout the whole song.

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

Material Girl has been in my 80’s band set for…..well, forever. 
If your keys player reckons she can play the synth bass bass line plus the actual keys parts at the same time, I’d like to hear that.

We have a dedicated keys player, a sax player (who uses his EWI this track), plus me and it sounds ace.

You’re going to sacrifice something going for a brew whilst she makes a pigs ear of this one.

Again, I’m prepared to be proved wrong. I’d like to hear it, but would I like hearing it?

You have more patience than I. I’d be long gone.

[Boodang]

9 minutes ago, solo4652 said:

Folks - apologies for re-opening this thread. I'd appreciate people's thoughts.

 

To save everybody the task of reading through 6 pages of posts, here's the band situation in a nutshell:

 

5-piece pop, soul, funk pub covers band. Drummer (who is band leader, and a decent keys player), his wife on keys (not a good keys player at all), lead guitarist , lead singer, myself on bass.

 

Since I started this thread, the keys player has seemingly abandoned her idea of possibly playing bass guitar on some songs. However, she has now suggested that she could play synth bass on Madonna's Material Girl. I said (possibly too sternly); "No - I'm the band's bassist - I'll play the bassline. I've played it before." Band leader is supporting her, not me by suggesting that we both play the bassline. Not quite sure what he meant by that. Apparently, I'm being "Obstructive".

 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

Do a Michael League and have a Moog Phatty on a stand next to you so you play synth bass or BG therefore making the keys redundant in this instance. 
Alternatively, a synth bass pedal like the EHX mono synth?

[Woodinblack]

5 minutes ago, solo4652 said:

Yes - I think she'll mess it up, and I certainly can't see her playing all of the bassline throughout the whole song.

 

So then it will be one car crash then hopefully it won't happen again. Play it together, sounds like she will get over the idea anyway.

[solo4652]

9 minutes ago, Boodang said:

Do a Michael League and have a Moog Phatty on a stand next to you so you play synth bass or BG therefore making the keys redundant in this instance. 
Alternatively, a synth bass pedal like the EHX mono synth?

 

I don't use any effects at all.

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

1 minute ago, solo4652 said:

I don't use any effects at all.

Do you think that be part of the issue?

Also, do you play it on a 4 or 5 string?

[solo4652]

4 minutes ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said:

Do you think that be part of the issue?

Also, do you play it on a 4 or 5 string?

 

I play it on a 4 string.

[Boodang]

12 minutes ago, solo4652 said:

 

I don't use any effects at all.

Well, a Moog Phatty isn’t an effect and would make for a cool look on stage. 

[asingardenof]

27 minutes ago, solo4652 said:

Yes - I think she'll mess it up, and I certainly can't see her playing all of the bassline throughout the whole song.

Then let her try it at a rehearsal, and when she messes it up try not to look smug as you wait for the apology. I'd have told them to do one by now so you're more patient than I am.

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

7 minutes ago, solo4652 said:

I play it on a 4 string.

Yeah, sorry confused myself there. Doesn’t make any difference.

[Woodwind]

Bass and synth bass doubled can sound really great. I suspect the original recording is exactly this. 

 

You'll have to be locked in together though and I fear that when the syncopation inevitably drifts it will be you who gets the blame 😞

[Cosmo Valdemar]

40 minutes ago, neepheid said:

 

You're on a hiding to nothing - he'll always take her side, and that mild attempt at compromise is as good as you can expect.

 

Does it matter if you both play it? Will she bugger it up, is that what you're worried about?

This. Anything for a quiet life.

[Woodwind]

38 minutes ago, solo4652 said:

Yes - I think she'll mess it up, and I certainly can't see her playing all of the bassline throughout the whole song.

 

Blimey, how bad a keyboard player is she?