A band without a dedicated bass player
Yeah our bass player left and there are not many around so me and the other guitarist were thinking about a) one of us now plays bass or b) sharing bass duties depending on the song.
Has anyone been in similar situation and did it work out ok?
we do it all the time in our band.
I play guitar (only guitarist) and Joe plays bass whilst Fred is on the trumpet.
I play bass for a couple and fred plays guitar.
another song fred plays bass and Joe sings.
We switch around but block them together - it sounds like a pain but when you get into it - you can swap pretty quick and doesn't delay the set.
upto you really, try it - if it doesn't work dedicate one of you.
just don't play bass like a guitarist would
In most cases I find bands that swap about a lot end up with that Belle and Sebastian school musical recital feel where it doesn't really lock up properly.
The rhythm section is too important. Get a bass player or one of you full time switch.
Do it properly.
The Rhythm section is a funny beast. If they are great the punters don't notice. If they are shit, then it doesn't matter if you've got Pavarotti singing and Jimi on the guitar, the band will suck.
The Reverend Lord Henry was not one of those new-fangled parsons who carry the principles of their vocation uncomfortably into private life.
The Matt Schofield Trio is bassplayerless as were the Doors live.
Fanning the flames of burning GAS for over 30 years
that is not a good argument.Originally Posted by JCA2550
Not having a bass player is always better than a shit one.
The Reverend Lord Henry was not one of those new-fangled parsons who carry the principles of their vocation uncomfortably into private life.
And sometimes Jimmie Vaughan ( who basically dislikes the electric bass guitar) and sometimes Steve Miller and probably a whole bunch of people.
You do need a fairly top notch organist though to do what they did.
Then the White Stripes, Hound Dog taylor,etc,etc,who just went without anyone taking on the bass role beyond some fuzzy down tuned guitar.
Breeding mammals with insects is my personal bugbear.
Although I'm inclined to agree with mon and fret, three words - Fun Lovin' Criminals
Cheers for the input.. I have put an ad in the Classifieds for a bass player. We had a band meeting last night and agreed that while we are looking we'll borrow some bass gear to see how it might work if we can't get someone in.
do you have any video on YT? I wouldn't mind seeing a visual example of how it works because I am a bit worried that we will come across as 'we couldn't get a bass player', instead of 'this is what works for us'!we do it all the time in our band.
I can have a look to see if anyone's uploaded a video, at bandjam they section the set videos.
It's not as often or as complicated a it sounds but what I failed to mention is all three of us learnt bass before guitar, so the rhythm sections still quite strong.
It's literally Locke introduces th song an banters as usually for about 30 seconds and were good to go.
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