TimR

My biggest frustration is when someone says we can't do a certain tune because we don't have a brass section, or a strings section, or a drum machine, and doesn't understand why when we pick a tune done by a band with the exact same lineup as us it sounds wrong.

[quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1362233118' post='1997305'] Yeah, thats what I meant, although I was thinking more of more radical changes. The difference between Sinatras, and Sid Vicious's versions of my Way for exmple. [/quote] That's a concious decision to change the genre and feel of the song in the same way as I've heard metal bands doing very good versions of Britan Spear's - Hit Me Baby One More Time. With no sense of comedy. The song will sound different just by virtue of other people playing it and different instrumentation. You don't need to change much

[quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1362232073' post='1997288'] I cant see any other valid reasons. Except maybe a song thats just too personal, or say, with the name of an ex in the title. Part of the trouble is, doing a song your/your bands way aint what most covers bands are about. Which is a shame in a way, even real pap can sometimes be turned into good numbers. [/quote] I think bands seem to spend too long getting the song 'exactly like the original', when really, no matter how hard you try it will never sound exactly like the original. Therefore without consciously trying to make it sound different it will sound different and until you try a song you don't know how different it will sound and whether even it will sound good or bad. Having a closed mind is not what being a musician is about. Well, at least it isn't for me. If it was, I would still be listening and playing along to Iron Maiden's Live After Death album...

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1362130082' post='1996067'] Did someone mention waistcoats? Look, it was a blues rock band OK?... [/quote] That guitarist should be a lesson to us all. When you leave the house for a gig and your wife says "You're not going dressed like that are you?" It's a statement not a question.

I find it quite dissapointing that people would refuse to play a song before they've even tried it to see what the band can come up with. To refuse to play an Oasis song just because it's an Oasis song doesn't make sense. I mean you don;t have to do all the fighting stuff and your singer doesn't have to have a whiney voice to pull it off. Just play the chords, bang the drums and sing the words. It's not hard. Our singer has said he doesn't really like ZZTop. We haven't got long beards or american accents and we don't sound anything like ZZTop when we play their songs

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1362098537' post='1995931'] IME, the trouble with giving band members the right to block songs has been that there's always one who'll block enormous amounts. Quarrels ensue, and people leave or are thrown out. I'd like to try to have a rule about blocking no more than a certain amount or percentage or something - not that I've thought through this idea. If it were up to me personally, any person who blocks or tries to block enormous amounts of songs just doesn't belong in that particular band, or is a jerk, and thus out. As mentioned previously, of course all of this has to play out before gigging. Member-walking-out-in-protest seems like a sure sign that something is very wrong with the band or that individual. best, bert [/quote] My vote is the latter. I think the hardest part of being in a band is recognising that as each member of the audience has different tastes, so does each member of the band. It's what makes every band different. Unless you're in one of those corporate faceless wedding bands, who sample the keys parts and use electronic drums to faithfully replicate the track, every band sounds different due to our individual listening habits. Playing tunes you hate is part of the territory. It's also quite important to regularly review the setlist and be ruthless and chuck out material either the majority of the audience or the majority of the band don't particularly enjoy. If you don't enjoy playing then that comes accross. Before I joined the latest band I went to see them play. I could tell the bass player wasn't interested and it influenced the whole dynamic of the band. When I auditioned it lifted the whole band - their words not mine

[quote name='mep' timestamp='1362082437' post='1995592'] I have found my waistcoat and duly started the photo tribute to 90's Bassist & Fran. ... Conservatory / Sun room location - Check Waistcoat - Check. Ok it's leather but I bought it in the 80's Flightcased Trace Elliot Head - Check Twin speaker stack - Check I'll award myself a bonus point for slipping in the original Bassist magazine Who's next? [/quote] I am disappointed that you haven't done your hair.

[quote name='Jacqueslemac' timestamp='1362040867' post='1994759'] Slightly off topic, ... [/quote] Not at all off topic. You'll only get better by playing with other musicians.

[quote name='obbm' timestamp='1362043634' post='1994784'] Interesting point. I joined a band last year on the basis of the their Set List. Since then we have added quite a few new songs, all of which are fine however I detect a move on the part of the singer and guitarist to move in a musical direction that does not appeal to me. I've already said no to a song which I detest so it'll be interesting to see how things develop. [/quote] I'm in a similar position. The band I joined just before Christmas have a strong setlist which is a mix of well known tunes and few fairly unknown but catchy ditties that sound good on first listen. I thought all was going well but... There seems to be a bit of argument surfacing about who likes what tunes and whether the audience will like it. I'll play anything as long as the audience like it. Even if I don't. I hate Summer of '69. Every band I've been in has played it. Badly. The audience don't care. They ARE Bryan Adams.

Look at the left hand. That's more telling. The original has the correct proffesional hand shape whereas the others are clearly amateurs.

If it was me I would just gently prod this thread for another day or so before revealing my identity. Got to be plenty of mileage in it yet.

This is why you should always interview someone face to face or over the phone than relying on text or emails. You can ask and answer questions and get a good feel of someone's actual experience, not what they've made up on paper. You should really treat it like any other technical job application. Application, general interview then technical interview. By the time it gets to the technical interview you're only really confirming that their style and approach to playing fits with yours. If you're auditioning to join a band then put in as much effort to learning the songs for the audition as you would for the set. If anyone asks you to learn more than 5 songs, ask them why.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1361885945' post='1992415'] Do these count? [/quote] Who would have thought you could get so many Keith Chegwins in one place at one time!

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1361482848' post='1986543'] Well the title of my reply to him was "Bass player here" and the opening phrase was "I play bass..." [/quote] Yes but what you write and what people 'see' is very different. I've had similar exeriences in bands where we've looked for a singer: Yes I sing, I've got a PA, I've got my own transport, I also play rhythm guitar. Translates to - I'll come along as a singer but once I've got my foot in the door I'll try to muscle my guitar onto stage with me, regardless of how many guitars the band already has, how the arrangements go, what's been practiced etc. We even had a singer turn up to a gig with all his gear, "Just in case." If they're after a bass player then don't muddy the waters - You're a bass player.

It's funny how songs go down. I would have thought it was relatively well known. A bit of a coincidence I just ripped my Contraband CD into iTunes on Thursday. Another tune that everyone knows likes but never seems to go down well is Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz. I think you would be better off with Wecome to the Jungle than Slither - same style, slightly less heavy but has that 80s longlived vibe.

I assume he didn't see the bass bit and just saw the Cajon bit. How is your profile setup? What does it look like to other people?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1361458427' post='1985980'] [/quote] I think she's in one of my Over 40s Special magazines.

Right then. I'll get my coat. I thought this might lead into some discussion about approach notes and passing tones...

Was 1997 15 years ago? I can't remember what I was doing in 1997! I don't think that's me although I did have a pair of baggy jeans with turnups but that was in 1987.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1361349483' post='1984782'] ... The law is indeed behind the times. We don't even need a TV licence to watch iPlayer content, which I suspect is not really the original intention of the licence. [/quote] But it is restricted to territories where you are likely to have paid for it. I suspect that if you can receive TV programs, you should pay the license, whether anyone has been prosocuted yet is probably only a matter of time.

When you are soloing, ad libbing, busking, or otherwise creating a bass line; how far ahead are you thinking. Are you aiming for the next chord change, or two or more chords ahead? Do you think in terms of whole passages, or do you just play whatever appears under your fingers for the chord you're playing at the time? or something else...

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1361319591' post='1984675'] So your suggestion is that is a copy, or a copy is comparable to listening to radio. Legally, that is basically it, if you receive a file, you aren't copying it. [/quote] The radio station pay on your behalf everytime they send you the music.

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1361278242' post='1983719'] ... Some bold assertions here... 1. As do the majority of professional musicians today. Composers, quite rightly receive the greater rewards. 2. There are many examples of people having to pay to walk in to a building. Whether the architect is part of the profit sharing would be something for him to negotiate. 3. Then, don't work for Heinz. If you create your own sauce and work to get it in the stores, then you will most likely be paid for every jar sold. That's how it works. 4. Simply, not true! [/quote] 1. Yes nothing has changed there. 2. Why? He was paid a huge amount up front for his expertise and people will employ him in future to design buildings for them. 3. That's not the way it works. You're paid to design something and the manufacturer does all the advertising, testing, cooking, bottling, distribution, etc etc. You couldn't do it on the same scale without some serious backing. 4. Name one industry outside of art that does?

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1361207154' post='1982783'] I don't see why it's being pedantic, the E is sharp in the key of F sharp, it's just that it's the first time I have knowingly played one [/quote] It's not being pedantic. My example was that everyone knows what notes you mean and it's not worth having a long discussion in the practice studio over whether it's an Ab or a G#. In my example the guitarist called out the notes and after F# I was expecting him to say G# and when he said Ab it threw me for a microsecond. When I said it was G# he looked at me blankly like he'd never heard of a G#... If you're practicing and you call out C# D# E#, 9 times out of 10 you'll confuse someone.

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1361219348' post='1983093'] Mmmm, it seems to be. Loads of people speed and drink drive because they think they won't get caught. You're right, people do have a strong sense of morals. [/quote] Are you telling me that the only reason you don't drink and drive is that you might get caught. The only reason you don't steal things is that you might get caught and the only thing that stops you from assaulting or murdering people you don't like is that you might get caught. Clearly nonsense. If you're talking about copying music then I suspect you have a level of morality of your own. If it's an artist that you like and respect you may be more likely to buy the music. If it's a track for you to learn to play in your band that you're only going to listen to a few times then delete or file away then maybe you'd think twice. If it's a multi million selling track that you've already bought on vinyl? Are you saying the only reason you have not to copy music is that you might get caught?