solo4652

I'd like to thank everybody here for helping me to understand what's going on with these orchestra tabs. A lot of the confusion comes from me attempting to play bass in an environment that I have no previous experience of. I naively thought it would be like playing in a large covers band but, of course, it certainly isn't! This is what I'm going to do: I'll ask the arranger to send me the tab for four songs, and to tell me about any key changes. I'll also ask him to send me the rehearsal tracks for those songs. That way, I'll give myself the best chance of going to the next rehearsal and making a useful contribution. I can't sight-read tabs, so to be given a tab sheet sight unseen and be expected to play it there and then is not going to happen. If he can't/won't send me the rehearsal tracks, I suppose I could use Audacity to change the pitch of a standard YouTube recording for re-keyed songs to give me something to practise against, but that's not going to cover any new arrangements. The four songs would be: Riders on the storm, Baker Street, One Vision and More than Words (Extreme). There's also The Chain. If any of that causes any difficulties for the arranger, I'll most probably throw in the towel.

Arranger's reply to my request for clarification: "The tuning is all standard tuning, no detuning needed. With that said, as I warned you, some of the arrangements will be different keys due to accommodating the transposing instruments and trying to give them a more comfortable key in which to play. I know you like to write your own tab, which isn’t a problem, but I’d advise looking at what I’ve given you so you get an idea of keys and structure. Once you've joined us permanently, I can let you have access to the Dropbox which has the rehearsal tracks we use during the [rehearsal] sessions."

I've messaged the arranger and asked for clarification. Watch this space...

You see, this is what's confusing me. Here's a tab for Baker Street in EADG: https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/gerry-rafferty/baker-street-bass-1672337 which agrees with this cover on YouTube in EADG. Sounds OK to me against the original. But it doesn't agree with the tab I've been sent which I think would sound correct if the bass was tuned Eb. Sorry - I'm showing my ignorance here.

Examples of supplied tabs This is page 1 of Rolling Stones medley. I think it relates to Paint it black, but i'm not 100% sure...

Yes - I'm the only bassist there and yes, there are lots of brass instruments. Some of the supplied tabs are in EADG - My Sharona, You really got me, for example. Supplied tabs for other songs e.g. Baker street, Rolling Stones medley appear to be in Eb/Ab/Db/Gb. So, I have to transpose those tabs back to EADG, or have a second bass at hand pre-tuned to Eb, or faff about changing tuning on my main bass between songs - none of which appeal to me at all.

Yes - brass, wind, stringed instruments all present but bass tabs, as supplied, only refer specifically to "4-string bass", if that's what you mean.

Not sure whether this post belongs here, or in "Performance". Mods - please place it appropriately. I've played in pub covers bands for years, dragging bass tabs off the web and tweaking them for almost all songs. I've just started to play with a community orchestra with a rock concert coming up in April. Bass tabs are supplied, and some broadly agree with previous tabs I've used in covers bands in EADG tuning. However, some are causing me a lot of confusion. For example, supplied tabs (labelled; "4-string bass guitar") for Baker Street, Paint it black, Can't get no satisfaction all seem to be written for Eb/Ab/Db/Gb tuning rather than standard EADG. I've not looked at all supplied tabs - this could be the case for other songs too. Is there a particular "orchestral" reason that some bass tabs are re-written for alternative tunings? It's doing my head in. Pardon my ignorance - I have absolutely no previous experience of playing in an orchestra, and I have very limited classical music knowledge.

Have we done Laura Vane and the Vipertones yet? Loads of soul-funk stuff by them, e.g.

Thanks. I've ordered a copy.

Due to ongoing neck, shoulder and arm issues, I'm having to take a break from playing the bass. Very limited home playing, and no band rehearslas or gigs. Big hole in my life, which may become permanent. I've been writing poetry on and off for years, and I'm now considering having a go at song lyric writing. I don't have an extensive background in musical theory but I'd like to start the process of lyric writing. I'm inviting suggestions for books, online resources to get me started, please.

Folks - after almost 20 years of playing covers, I may shortly be joining a crew playing originals. Lots of songs already written and recorded e.g. Is there a free website or software program that will quickly and easily identify the song chords? Never had to do anything like this before - I'm so used to looking tabs up on Ultimate Guitar and playing what I find.

Having just left a 5-piece pop, soul, funk covers band playing to a good standard, I'm now looking for a new set of playmates. Pop, (neo) soul, soft rock, funk, motown, indie, bit of reggae, cheesy ballads - all OK with me. Not interested in anything loud and blokey, thank you. I also play cajon, but would consider myself to be an "improver" and not an expert! Looking to hook up with some experienced players - acoustic duos, trios, small bands, fully formed bands, busking. I'm open to suggestions, and I have loads of availability for rehearsals and gigs. Lots of videos available of me playing - just ask. Thanks, Steve

Whole raft of reasons. Main one(s) here: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/487313-bands-keys-player-wants-to-play-bass-on-a-few-songs-alarm-bells/

For a whole raft of reasons, I left the band yesterday. There are some great funk suggestions here that might help other people who are looking for ideas. I'm going to have a pause for thought.

Folks - thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions. The basic issue here is that the keys player just isn't good enough to be in the band. She's there because she's the BL's wife. She spends most of her time shaking a tambourine. Recently, she decided she wanted to do BV's. She managed an occasional "ooh" here and ther, but that was it. She's a nice enough person, and she tries hard to play the keys, but she doesn't have the talent. I've had enough. I handed in my notice yesterday. I'll honour the next gig which is 8 days from now. The one after that is 3rd of August and I'm being asked to honour that one too. I don't feel I want to - that's 5 weeks away and, in my mind, that's enough time for the band to make alternative arrangements.

Ha! We already play Runaway baby.

This is a big concern of mine. I think drummer/band leader was possibly suggesting that keys player and I double. However, I am almost completely sure that she and I will not be able to manage this. That's why I said that I'd be the one who plays the bassline, since I've done it before.

I play it on a 4 string.

I don't use any effects at all.

Yes - I think she'll mess it up, and I certainly can't see her playing all of the bassline throughout the whole song.

Folks - apologies for re-opening this thread. I'd appreciate people's thoughts. To save everybody the task of reading through 6 pages of posts, here's the band situation in a nutshell: 5-piece pop, soul, funk pub covers band. Drummer (who is band leader, and a decent keys player), his wife on keys (not a good keys player at all), lead guitarist , lead singer, myself on bass. Since I started this thread, the keys player has seemingly abandoned her idea of possibly playing bass guitar on some songs. However, she has now suggested that she could play synth bass on Madonna's Material Girl. I said (possibly too sternly); "No - I'm the band's bassist - I'll play the bassline. I've played it before." Band leader is supporting her, not me by suggesting that we both play the bassline. Not quite sure what he meant by that. Apparently, I'm being "Obstructive". Thoughts?

I'd do Bring it home by The Bamboos, but it won't be well enough known, I fear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77R3ErvQ9F4