Without a bassist?

[concrete Building]

So Burning Shaddows has been having problems finding a bassist for a year. After we found one bassist, we found a backup. However, neither can join our band quite yet as both of them are busy. So if we start without a bassist, tell us your opinion

Concrete Building,
Drummer

[bgibson]

hmm, dealing with something rather similar, bass players keep flaking on us because there is so much that they can do.

We havent made the decision to go that route, but if we did, we would be recording bass tracks and loading them into the guitar players loop machine, making sure we have a bass behind the music because it is going to be necessary to get the right sound.

i would recommend waiting, just because of stage show if anything else.

best of luck

[EddieV]

Ever thought about getting a KEYBOARD player to do it?


Why not?

[bgibson]

fair idea as well. i never thought of that, maybe that would be an other idea as well.

[Northern Redneck]

Keys work really well when you dont have a bass player.
Also who says you need a bass player? You could go the White Stripes route.

[shabutie2113]

Keys work really well when you dont have a bass player.
Also who says you need a bass player? You could go the White Stripes route.

yep i agree with nr plus since you play metalcore usually the bassist for that type of music just follows your feet so its not really necessary for the type of music you play you should try it

[DrummerDlux]

Don't worry man. Anyone can play Bass. Mostly you just have to act like your playing unless your great at bass like Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers.

[Tadman]

We've had periods without bass players. Keyboardist is good option if you have covers, or originals, where bass is critical.

[concrete Building]

Ok so I'm getting alot of keyboardist suggestions. I was thinking the same thing since they could use chords to do that. Is it any easier getting a keyboardist?

[Bish]

Ok so I'm getting alot of keyboardist suggestions. I was thinking the same thing since they could use chords to do that. Is it any easier getting a keyboardist?

Not in my experience but at least that's in my area.

There aren't many keyboardists and the ones that are any good are usually already in a band.

It might be hard finding someone good enough and available at the same time.

[Timactionfigures]

Don't worry man. Anyone can play Bass. Mostly you just have to act like your playing unless your great at bass like Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Oh no you didn't!

Anyone can PRETEND to play bass...just as anyone could PRETEND to play drums. Whether they actually sound good is the question.

You seem to think a bassist is worthless and only has to stand there and move his head back and forth. That is simply not true.

As a bass player for 10 or so years...let me tell you...it completes the music as much as any other instrument. It is ESSENTIAL for laying a foundation along with the drums.

Without it, the music sounds weak. Try taking away your bass drum and only playing cymbals, toms, and snare. Something would certainly be amiss!

IMO, a keyboardist can fill in a bass line, but you shouldn't come to rely on that. They need to focus on their own thing, filling crazy melodies and chords, just as a bass player needs to pound that low end underneath everything. It's why they are two separate instruments.

[jordison515]

Get another guitarist and have him play rhythm, but in a key lower than the rest of the band. It actually doesn't sound bad

[concrete Building]

IMO, a keyboardist can fill in a bass line, but you shouldn't come to rely on that.

Yeah, but sadly that's what options come to. I have both very busy bassists and if I want to get this band up and moving, I've gotta do it soon. And with what options I have left. And I certainly don't want to be looking around for another year for yet another bassist.

Get another guitarist and have him play rhythm, but in a key lower than the rest of the band. It actually doesn't sound bad

I've thought of doing that, and yes, it doesn't sound too bad, especially with the current setlist we have. If i can get the person I want for lead guitarist (She can hear a song and play it back, even if it's for the first time.), that would work VERY nicely. Sorry Tim, but options are options, and I do understand your view on bassists, and I share it as well, but under the circumstances, we can't have a bassist.

[t.ice]

What is it about bassists? I've lived in NYC for a LONG time and I can say that they are the bane of my existence. It seems I have to call 8 of them every time I have a gig or have been asked to get a bassist.
In general, my advice for anyone is get someone who is a cool person and easy to get along with. Of course they gotta BRING it, too. Todd

[Northern Redneck]

A bass player is just a guitar player who couldnt handle the two extra strings.

[Geo Rose]

Tell that to a 6 string bass player or Doug Wimbish.
















[/QUOTE]

[Geo Rose]

Timeaction this is a great response! I long for bass and I'm so sick of how empty our band sounds with it.

Oh no you didn't!

Anyone can PRETEND to play bass...just as anyone could PRETEND to play drums. Whether they actually sound good is the question.

You seem to think a bassist is worthless and only has to stand there and move his head back and forth. That is simply not true.

As a bass player for 10 or so years...let me tell you...it completes the music as much as any other instrument. It is ESSENTIAL for laying a foundation along with the drums.

Without it, the music sounds weak. Try taking away your bass drum and only playing cymbals, toms, and snare. Something would certainly be amiss!

IMO, a keyboardist can fill in a bass line, but you shouldn't come to rely on that. They need to focus on their own thing, filling crazy melodies and chords, just as a bass player needs to pound that low end underneath everything. It's why they are two separate instruments.

[concrete Building]

What is it about bassists? I've lived in NYC for a LONG time and I can say that they are the bane of my existence. It seems I have to call 8 of them every time I have a gig or have been asked to get a bassist.
In general, my advice for anyone is get someone who is a cool person and easy to get along with. Of course they gotta BRING it, too. Todd

Very true, bassists are very common in NYC as I have seen during my weekend over there. However, they are not nearly as common around Chicago.