a bass player has just joined our band... any tips on how to work with one?

Question

we were a duo band for about a year. when the bass player joined us, we had some trouble trying to figure out where it fits in within the songs.
we've just had a gig and some of our friends said we didn't gel as a band. whereas before, we played perfectly well as a duo.
i guess we're just not used to having another instrument besides drums and guitar.
can anyone help and give us some tips?
i know it's mainly the bassist's responsibility to figure out what to do but i'd really love to help everyone out. i just want us to sound great together as a band.
honestly, sometimes i feel like she's way off, i just turn up my guitar to cover up the sound of the bass, which is wrong. but i'm trying to work it out now.
can someone please help?
i'm taking the criticsm really hard. we usually get good comments from people. this is the first time i've ever had to deal with criticism.

Answer 1

Seems like you're dealing with a very common issue - a bass player that tries to play regular guitar on a bass and who don't want to (or don't know how to) lock in with the bass drum.



Having more people and instruments is not always a good thing. On the other hand, if you have a tight rhythm section (bass and drum), then you're in band heaven :-)



Like Sivvus said, it does seem that you've got your listening skills down. And I agree totally that it is the best initial plan of action to say that something doesn't work and then trying to find something which does work. Often, as far as bass goes, it involves playing in the pocket, exactly on the bass drum beat - less is often times more than enough!



And if you can't getting things to work out, then someone and something will need to give. Sadly, this may at times involve going separate ways. Some times, being nice to everyone does not quite cut it unfortunately. Good people skills is essential in a band, but it is very hard to avoid tensions at all costs.



I wish your band all the best!

Answer 2

The bass player needs to develop some skills. Sounds like she can't hear the drums as well. As has been mentioned the bass needs to work with the drums. The rhythm section is very important to a band. A good one can make a band. One less experienced or lacking that particular knowledge will drag the band down a little. Not what you need.

I've been playing bass in bands for about 35 years now and have been asked to join more than I can remember. The result of exactly what we're talking about. Half a tight rhythm section. I played a song once out of key by mistake and the audience blamed everyone else for being off key. Guitar, keyboards, vocals the lot. Except me the bass player. I realised then what kind of influence a bass has over the band. So if your bass player doesn't have the skills, try to get her to develop them (and help) or replace the bass. I know that sounds hard but if the band is to get anywhere then you know what you need to do.

Answer 3

LIsten...I've been around the block a couple of times when it comes to music and band playing...ITS NOT GOING TO WORK. You have to let her go. Its nothing personal, its a professional decision. A good bassist is quite hard to find but if YOU have to tell another person in the band what part they should play then that person is completely not at the level they need to be to play in a band. Making a simple bass line is just ridiculously easy. You shouldn't look for just a bassist that can do simple bass lines, you should look for someone who can add color by adding the bass line to the music. What I'm trying to say is that a real bassist can quadruple how good your band sounds and its pretty clear that you are not experiencing that here. If this person doesnt contribute, and like you said forces you to play louder to cover them up What is the point? She obviously doesn't know what shes doing;. If i had a nickel for every time I had to let someone go for this reason, I'd be rich!

Answer 4

It sounds like you're good at listening to the group constructively, so I would go with your judgement on this one. If it sounds out, talk to the bass player and ask if they can try something different- either something more subtle, or something in a different style- don't tell them that they sound bad, just say you don't think it works.



The bass should ideally emphasize what the other instruments are doing and "ground" it. It might be a good idea to tell them to stay in unison with the kick drum, or to just play the root of each chord the guitar is doing. If they want to riff, then tell them exactly where that would be a good idea, and where it would be more conspicuous than Gordon Brown on a trampoline.



Good luck!

Answer 5

It's always AWESOME fun being in a band. Don't set your hopes too high for the first few weeks - learn some songs by other people, so that you can get used to playing together, and make sure you let people hear you, right at the beginning. There's nothing worse than convincing yourselves that you sound great, and going on to write your own music, without realising that you actually sound like pancake batter. But yeah, good luck!

Answer 6

Fire her and find a new bass player.



PS Its not the bassist job to "figure" out what to do. You need to explain what and why you are doing what you do. You have to be able to tell them we are playing this chord here etc.... you have to be able to explain this is rock, country, bop whatever.... so they know what pattern will work best.