How Easily Could You Be Replaced ?

[mep]

I've posted this before. Back during the lockdown era our band rehearsed with a guy they know on bass for a gig I wouldn't do. I got this text message from our guitarist. The 3 of us (singer, guitarist and myself) have been together for 20 years next year along with 4 different drummers, so replacing any of us would feel odd. Our son was drummer #3 and rejoined the band after 6 years of drummer #4 (Dave in the text). That was difficult enough for us until our son rejoined earlier this year and the band really felt it was back together. When you have a great line up it's not easy to to replace anyone.

[uk_lefty]

22 hours ago, neepheid said:

Covers band - I'm easily replaceable.  I am myself a replacement, so I've already proven how easy it is if a chancer like me can do it

Exactly my situation! But what I add is a good attitude, I help lug everyone's gear - the heavier the better, I store a load of the bulky equipment at my place, I make sure I am saying thank you on behalf of the band to photographers, sound engineers, people who turn up to see us at different venues, etc. and I really care about what we do as a band. But if I were unavailable for an important gig a dep could play my bass parts "better" but the feel would be different.

[casapete]

In the blues band I play in then I’m easily replaceable. In fact when I joined I did say to them

that my acoustic duo needs to be my first priority, and in the event of dates clashing would

they mind me putting a dep in. They were happy with this, and I have a couple of friends who

have each depped once with them in the past 6 months so all good. Should I decide to 

leave then either of them would be a good replacement for me.

 

With the duo then I’m not so easily replaced. We’ve been doing it for nearly 30 years, and 

although my playing is nothing special, it’s the singing aspect that makes me more difficult

to cover - mainly harmonies with the occasional lead vocal. I doubt my guitarist mate would

continue without me for this reason, despite him regularly working with some of the best

bassists in the region. Singing confident BV’s has been my main USP for most of my pro career,

often getting me gigs over far better players along with being a ‘band’ player and the ability

to get along with people. ( My replacement in my last band was a far better player AND singer

than me though, so I know I’m not unique! )

[Franticsmurf]

No one is irreplaceable and I know that there are better bass players than me from a technical point of view out there. In the Hulla band there is one person who I've been working with so she can dep for me if the need arises. If I were to leave the band tomorrow, they would not be without a competent bass player. While I've never actually been 'replaced' without my consent in any band, I have moved on from bands who have continued with new bassists with little disruption.

 

However, I'd like to think that bassists who have stepped into my shoes do not bring the same overall package - I'm thinking about style, creativity, experience, ideas and social skills in addition to playing skills. I remain friends in some form with most of the musicians I've played with in the past.   

[BassFace1991]

16 hours ago, Bluewine said:

 

 

16 hours ago, Bluewine said:

I'll throw this out there. If you were told you were being replaced or the band told you they were moving in a different direction,  would you go out gracefully or kicking and screaming?

 

At my age I'd go out gracefully.  I'd even let them know I'd always be willing to dep if they needed me.

 

Daryl

I'd go out gracefully. Any idiot could do  what I do and there's plenty of people better than me. So I'd totally understand if they want someone else to improve the band. I would miss it but in other ways it would be a relief. Plus if I wanted to do something else there's always opportunities for bassists out there.

Edited December 26, 2024 by BassFace1991

[chris_b]

In the last 20 years I've been fired because the band leader wanted his mate in, because the drummer wanted his mate in and because I wanted to put a dep in and the band leader had a childish strop!!

 

You can be the best player/person in the world, there is no guarantee you're in the band from one week to the next. But in my experience, in the majority of bands, things are not that cut throat. All the 18 bands and projects I played with in 2024 are happy bands and the players who leave do so of their own free will, rather than being fired.

 

In my world many players are in multiple bands, most bands are cool with that and most players seem to be in long term relationships with their bands. All positive things.

[dmccombe7]

1 hour ago, chris_b said:

In the last 20 years I've been fired because the band leader wanted his mate in, because the drummer wanted his mate in and because I wanted to put a dep in and the band leader had a childish strop!!

 

You can be the best player/person in the world, there is no guarantee you're in the band from one week to the next. But in my experience, in the majority of bands, things are not that cut throat. All the 18 bands and projects I played with in 2024 are happy bands and the players who leave do so of their own free will, rather than being fired.

 

In my world many players are in multiple bands, most bands are cool with that and most players seem to be in long term relationships with their bands. All positive things.

WOW Chris 18 band / projects in 2024. That's impressive.

No idea how you can find the time.

I struggle finding time for the 3 bands i'm in let alone 18. Appreciate some are projects tho. Are some of them depping ? Depping is an art form in itself.

Dave

Edited December 26, 2024 by dmccombe7

[Count Bassy]

Puts me in mind of the old saying:

 

"irreplaceable people?  The cemetery is full of them".

Edited December 26, 2024 by Count Bassy

[Bluewine]

7 hours ago, uk_lefty said:

Exactly my situation! But what I add is a good attitude, I help lug everyone's gear - the heavier the better, I store a load of the bulky equipment at my place, I make sure I am saying thank you on behalf of the band to photographers, sound engineers, people who turn up to see us at different venues, etc. and I really care about what we do as a band. But if I were unavailable for an important gig a dep could play my bass parts "better" but the feel would be different.

 

I agree, however I'm starting to think what we call groove, feel and vibe is more important to bass players than the other guys.

 

Daryl

[Bluewine]

18 hours ago, Downunderwonder said:

By that I think you mean an exceptional drummer that can hold the time when everyone is playing around the beat, even the soulful bassist now and then. 

 

Exactly

 

Daryl

[Woodinblack]

10 minutes ago, Bluewine said:

I agree, however I'm starting to think what we call groove, feel and vibe is more important to bass players than the other guys.

 

I think just drummers and bass players care

[jezzaboy]

Being the (mediocre) bass player in an ACDC covers band, playing wise I could be easily replaced. But I own and run the Facebook page, the pa, keep on top of dealing with venues and run the group chat page. The last bits have fallen to me as no one seems to want to do them.

 

Our drummer recently left and I have had to find a dep to play tomorrow night, you would be surprised how hard it is to find a good drummer who can do the Phil Rudd thing. It`s a bit like the Rick Parfitt thing, it looks easy until you try it!

 

If the female singer or rhythm guitarist left that would be it as trying to find replacements for them would be too difficult. Band chemistry is just as important to us as being able to do the gig. The singer has found the drummer leaving pretty hard to accept as he has been there since she joined in 2020 but hopefully I have a new guy lined up so we will see where that goes.

 

To conclude, playing wise yes, easy to replace but taking everything else into account, no.

[Jason Karloff]

Irreplaceable. 

Who else is going to soley fund the Scottish Whisky industry. 

[dmccombe7]

1 hour ago, Bluewine said:

 

I agree, however I'm starting to think what we call groove, feel and vibe is more important to bass players than the other guys.

 

Daryl

That's a good observation and i agree up to a certain point, however i've left bands and when i was persuaded to return the comments were that i was providing a drive that other bassists weren't. What i took from that was down to confidence in what i bring to a band. I learn my parts well enough i can drive a rock song with a bit of aggressive attack. I think other bassists were what i call more "club" bass players.

Other things that may affect why i am asked to join bands is that i learn my bass parts note for note or as near as possible. Our guitarist has regularly commented on the fact he has never needed to show me any bass part and that's a first for him. When i turn up to a rehearsal i make sure i know my part of a new song inside out that i'm confident playing it.

To sum it up i guess i'm quite a confident player but that comes with a lot of time and effort learning things.

Dave

Edited December 26, 2024 by dmccombe7

[chris_b]

10 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

WOW Chris 18 band / projects in 2024. That's impressive.

No idea how you can find the time.

I struggle finding time for the 3 bands i'm in let alone 18. Appreciate some are projects tho. Are some of them depping ? Depping is an art form in itself.

Dave

 

Hi Dave, I started the year in 4 bands but 3 have fallen by the wayside!! Due to some ill health in those bands, most of this years gigs were deps. I have several regular dep gigs which keep the diary ticking over, but a few were one-offs. I also had a few side projects from guys I play with so I'm kind of familiar with the people and the style. You could say gigging is my work, but learning the sets is my hobby. If I have time, I run through the sets until I know them, but if I'm in a hurry I just write charts. I like the variety.

Edited December 26, 2024 by chris_b

[dmccombe7]

1 hour ago, chris_b said:

 

Hi Dave, I started the year in 4 bands but 3 have fallen by the wayside!! Due to some ill health in those bands, most of this years gigs were deps. I have several regular dep gigs which keep the diary ticking over, but a few were one-offs. I also had a few side projects from guys I play with so I'm kind of familiar with the people and the style. You could say gigging is my work, but learning the sets is my hobby. If I have time, I run through the sets until I know them, but if I'm in a hurry I just write charts. I like the variety.

I envy and respect guys that can work like that. The stress of learning full sets at short notice has been enough that i tend not to do it these days. Its a hobby for me and i'd prefer it not to become a job as such where i feel i have to do it.

Dave

[Bluewine]

9 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

That's a good observation and i agree up to a certain point, however i've left bands and when i was persuaded to return the comments were that i was providing a drive that other bassists weren't. What i took from that was down to confidence in what i bring to a band. I learn my parts well enough i can drive a rock song with a bit of aggressive attack. I think other bassists were what i call more "club" bass players.

Other things that may affect why i am asked to join bands is that i learn my bass parts note for note or as near as possible. Our guitarist has regularly commented on the fact he has never needed to show me any bass part and that's a first for him. When i turn up to a rehearsal i make sure i know my part of a new song inside out that i'm confident playing it.

To sum it up i guess i'm quite a confident player but that comes with a lot of time and effort learning things.

Dave

 

I get it. I've been told I'm more of a presentation bass player. And I like owning my material too.

 

And how about decades of experience understanding how to approach and  handle all the curves gigging throws at us.

 

The whole confidence thing is key.  You  cant be confident if your sliding up to hit the right note or hitting mysterious suspicious notes. I'm working on some new fills now that won't be usable until summer.

 

Daryl

Edited December 27, 2024 by Bluewine

[Cat Burrito]

I think any band is always so much more than the sum of it's parts. Sure, any musician can follow C, F and G (for example) but the dynamic changes. I guess this in part explains why when people leave (or get fired) from bigger name bands, the fans often pine for earlier line ups. 

 

The one (sort of) exception for me would be the fact that I play in a duo. We have a 35yr history and I co-write / co-produce and play several instruments. I don't doubt Nick could go solo or manage in another project BUT it wouldn't be *that* project. And, I hasten to add that this cuts both ways. 

[dmccombe7]

7 hours ago, Bluewine said:

 

I get it. I've been told I'm more of a presentation bass player. And I like owning my material too.

 

And how about decades of experience understanding how to approach and  handle all the curves gigging throws at us.

 

The whole confidence thing is key.  You  cant be confident if your sliding up to hit the right note or hitting mysterious suspicious notes. I'm working on some new fills now that won't be usable until summer.

 

Daryl

Its all about the prep Daryl.

Good prep = confidence. 

Dave

[BigRedX]

As others have said, I suspect that all of us are replaceable but depending on the band, it will probably change the sound and the dynamic, especially for originals bands.

 

But what if you're not even replaced?

 

In my current band when the guitarist left before we looked for a replacement we tried rearranging the songs with me swapping from traditional bass parts to using a Bass VI and alternating between bass and melody parts with the synth player. It worked very well and defined the sound of the band. When our drummer left latter on, we decided that rather than look for a replacement we'd go with programmed drums instead. 

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I'm probably very replacable as a bass player, but the other band members might wonder why there are no rehearsal/gig recordings, no printed setlists, and why the website has not been updated.

[12stringbassist]

On 26/12/2024 at 12:13, chris_b said:

..... All the 18 bands and projects I played with in 2024 are happy bands ......

18??!!! 
Good God.
One's hard enough for me!

[chris_b]

1 hour ago, 12stringbassist said:

18??!!! 
Good God.
One's hard enough for me!

 

The result of never saying no to a gig.

 

One or two bands that were working as much would be fine, but somehow I have become involved with more than my fair share of "occasional" bands.

[Gasman]

Main theme running through this thread seems to be that the bass players with the best job security achieve this not by being a Charles Berthold wannabe, but by bringing added value to a band - lead and/or BVs, taking on admin (bookings, media), providing PA, transport, doubling on another instrument. The other factor is being able to somehow get along with all the other people in the band, even when provoked, otherwise it's eventually gonna end in tears and/or bruises! 

 

 

[Bluewine]

1 hour ago, Gasman said:

Main theme running through this thread seems to be that the bass players with the best job security achieve this not by being a Charles Berthold wannabe, but by bringing added value to a band - lead and/or BVs, taking on admin (bookings, media), providing PA, transport, doubling on another instrument. The other factor is being able to somehow get along with all the other people in the band, even when provoked, otherwise it's eventually gonna end in tears and/or bruises! 

 

 

 

Some guys take being in a band to serious. For example, I know that my role in my band is not making song selection, where and when we'll gig or who we will use for depping or anything.  My role is to play bass, show up and be thankful you're in a band that makes good money. 

 

One thing I've learned from this thread. If you own the PA and lights and do all that other stuff like booking and social media you are much harder to replace.

 

Daryl