"Your bassist trys to show off too much"

[tmoney61092]

So I just played my first gig in 3 years with a band I joined about 2 months ago. They kicked out their guitarist, my brother went being the bassist to the guitarist so I jumped in on bass. For most of the 2 months we spent writing all new songs because they wanted to change the sound. I fancy myself one of the better bassists in my city and like to show my skill like most musicians do and sometimes I get bored playing simple 1 note pieces(do enough of that at church!). Well the gig went really well and all the old fans loved the new songs/sound as well as some first time listeners except for 2 people. These 2 people came up to our singer and was telling him that they thought I was showing off too much. I found this extremely odd as usually comments like that are aimed more towards guitarists than bass players and it really threw me off. I was just wondering if anyone else has had something like this happen.
 
~Taylor

[tubeperson]

Different strokes for different folkes.  Some people do not like busy bass players such as Squire, Geddy Lee, Peter Cetera, McCartney etc.  Just ask them to listen to a song with no real bass, and try dancing to that!  As long as your band members are OK with it, and most of the crowd is, don't let some bass defficient people ruin your fun.

[hydrargyrum]

All I can say is make sure that the part fits the song.  Neil Pert would have sounded pretty awkward drumming with the Beatles, Van Halen would have been wrong for the Sex Pistols, and Victor Wooten would probably have been bored playing with Pink Floyd.  If the rest of the band thinks it sounds good, then those folks probably just don't care for the sound of a technically strong bass player.

[benson_murrensun]

Never happened to me! I don't have the skills, and I don't like living at the Clam Bar, so it's K.I.S.S. for me. But almost all my favorite players could be accused of overplaying, by somebody. Joke 'em if thay can't take a F@#%.

[jazzyvee]

Some of us bass players, me included  are not good enough to over play or even go as far as showing off.  hahahaha  
 
It's challenging enough just to do the basic stuff.
 
Jazzyvee

[eligilam]

I pretty much approach every bass line with the mantra:  What would Geddy do?  The results are usually pretty darn busy.  Folks at the gigs seem to really enjoy all the bass freneticism (especially fellow bassists).

[briant]

All I can say is make sure that the part fits the song.
 
This.
 
If you aren't serving the song what are you doing?
 
Note I'm not suggesting that the original poster isn't serving the song.  Just agreeing with this statement as it is exceedingly important.

[thumbsup]

A lot of times you hear the term solid bass player. These guys usualy play simple beats and remain in the pocket. And there is certainly nothing wrong with that and preferred by some bands.
 
If you've been playing for many years at times one can tend to over play! I find myself concentrating on not overplaying. But there is a time and place for the bassist to shine.  
Just don't shine thruout the whole song. Usualy when a guitarist takes a lead I try to stay solid.  
It's actually not an easy task!  
Solid Bass Players are uaualy sought after and have little problems gettin gigs!

[dfung60]

Taylor -  
 
I agree with a number of other posters in the thread - if you and your band finds what you're playing is appropriate, then it probably is.  Hopefully, if it's not, they'll feel the freedom to tell you so.  What the audience is saying is certainly a factor in you and the band judging appropriateness.  It sounds like it was working for the audience too, except for a few old fans.  If your presence causes the band to go somewhere new, and you're all onboard for that journey, how can that be wrong?
 
One other comment on the thread.  Hydrargyrum said: and Victor Wooten would probably have been bored playing with Pink Floyd.  Hmmm... Maybe, but I'll bet not.  And I think Roger Waters would probably have a hard time sitting in with the Flecktones (too many happy songs, right?), but I bet he wouldn't be bored either.  
 
Here's a better example - how about Steve Morse playing in Deep Purple?  Yeah, I'm not quite sure how that happened (well, of course it's for the money) and what Steve Morse is thinking about as he waits for the next chord change to come up...
 
David Fung

[terryc]

Unfortunately I was of the Mark King/Stanley Clarke mold which didn't go down too well early in my musical career..oh youth and it's problems, anyway I soon learnt that less is more and people were ringing me up for stand in's and to join temporarily.
It's nice to show off from time to time but the majority of the public/audience expect that from the guitarist, not the bass player or the drummer.
Jaco was fantastic, the best and so is Stan but then James Jamerson and Carol Kaye have showed that simple but melodic bass lines can be the most subtle and best musical lines that have been played.
I am all for progression but it really only appeals the the few who are interested.

[jet_powers]

Just because you can do something doesn't necessarily mean you should... It's only natural to want to take your playing to places you've never brought it before, but as others here have pointed out there is a time and a place for everything.

[bigredbass]

I'd always say to myself . . . . well, if YOU were any good, YOU'D be up here . . . .  
 
J o e y

[gtrguy]

If you need more challenge, try singing while playing bass!!!

[serialnumber12]

not only that but there are times you find yourself playing with cats that cant quite cut it and showing off comes out of frustration an it also sends a message to let them f*****s know they need more practice!
 
[moderator's edit: language]
 
(Message edited by artswork99 on August 24, 2011)

[811952]

What would Geddy do?
 
You made me spew coffee.
 
That's just about perfect.
 
Thanks for jump-starting my morning!
 
John
 
(Message edited by 811952 on August 24, 2011)