Storky Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 I play upright bass in an acoustic band. It was formed by the guitarist and I was 2nd one in. Guitarist is very limited so I recruited fiddle player to add some lead. We also have drums/percussion. Female vocals have recently changed; guitarist chose her without consultation with rest of band and in my opinion she is also limited. Fiddle player loves it and is getting loads of gigs, guitarist loves that fiddle has improved the sound and is getting gigs. They are now getting gigs when I’m not available (I’ve missed last three) and it seems they are quite happy to go ahead without me. Guitarist has admitted she can’t hear the bass anyway, so I don’t think I’m much valued. So question is should I stay, or should I go? Waste of time, or worth sticking with it? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 At the next gig you can make, turn up with a bass guitar and go all 'Billy Sheehan' on them to see how much fun you can have with them. That way the decision to stay or not will probably be taken out your hands! 2 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 Forget their thoughts, if you enjoy it stick around. If you’re not enjoying it, coupled with their thoughts I’d say time to go. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 If you need to ask for other people's opinions on a public forum where the rest of your band can potentially see what you have written, then you probably need to go. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urban Bassman Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 Sounds like a no-brainer to me...off you go and find something better and more to suited to your skill set...IMHO of course! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trueno Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 (edited) I’ve mentioned this before… I work on the pain/pleasure ratio. 51% pain: 49% pleasure… time to go. Edited February 26, 2022 by Trueno Brain fuzz 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 What can't the band hear you? If they can't hear you, why should they care whether you are there or not!! Sort your gear out and make the bass integral to the sound of the band. 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 Or keep dropping the odd note whilst looking at the guitarist and shaking your head in disgust. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Smalls Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 I used to have problems with the band not being able to hear me. Then I bought a 1500w amp... 😁 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storky Posted February 26, 2022 Author Share Posted February 26, 2022 Thanks everyone for the comments. The guitarist and the singer can’t hear the bass, or at least their ears are not developed enough to know that what they’re hearing is bass. The drummer and fiddle player hear it fine. It wouldn’t occur to them that bass players had their own forum, so not much chance of them seeing this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 3 hours ago, Storky said: I play upright bass in an acoustic band. It was formed by the guitarist and I was 2nd one in. Guitarist is very limited so I recruited fiddle player to add some lead. We also have drums/percussion. Female vocals have recently changed; guitarist chose her without consultation with rest of band and in my opinion she is also limited. Fiddle player loves it and is getting loads of gigs, guitarist loves that fiddle has improved the sound and is getting gigs. They are now getting gigs when I’m not available (I’ve missed last three) and it seems they are quite happy to go ahead without me. Guitarist has admitted she can’t hear the bass anyway, so I don’t think I’m much valued. So question is should I stay, or should I go? Waste of time, or worth sticking with it? If you were not available for said gigs its hardly their fault. Acoustic bands seem to get away with almost anyone missing, except vocals. If you enjoy the music then stay, if you don't enjoy the music, leave. It's all about the music for me, as long as the other band mates are not complete idiots. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero9 Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 Sounds to me like there is a mutual ‘not fussed it’s not about the bass’ in the band. Wouldn’t work for me... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storky Posted February 26, 2022 Author Share Posted February 26, 2022 5 minutes ago, mikel said: If you were not available for said gigs its hardly their fault. Acoustic bands seem to get away with almost anyone missing, except vocals. If you enjoy the music then stay, if you don't enjoy the music, leave. It's all about the music for me, as long as the other band mates are not complete idiots. Yes, we had a couple of gigs offered. The last one was whilst I was out of the country for just 6 days on a holiday booked months ago. I asked if they would be prepared to ask for an alternative date; the answer I got was that they didn’t want to miss the opportunity so they went ahead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storky Posted February 26, 2022 Author Share Posted February 26, 2022 6 minutes ago, zero9 said: Sounds to me like there is a mutual ‘not fussed it’s not about the bass’ in the band. Wouldn’t work for me... I think the guitarist feels that way; drums and vocals go a along with it and fiddle just wants something to solo over. All a bit unsatisfactory. The thing that makes me hesitate is the band is a bit different to other bands and I like the material, but it’s nice to feel that you make a worthwhile contribution and I don’t. I think it’s similar for drummer, but she doesn’t seem bothered, so should I? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storky Posted February 26, 2022 Author Share Posted February 26, 2022 Thanks for all the comments everyone; it stops me moaning on at my other half! 😁 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 2 hours ago, chris_b said: What can't the band hear you? If they can't hear you, why should they care whether you are there or not!! Sort your gear out and make the bass integral to the sound of the band. Absolutely this ^. If you're the entire rhythm section and they can't hear you, then something is seriously wrong with the way the band sets up at gigs. I'm not convinced that you can blame their defective hearing or lack of musical experience! 😂 If I were you (and of course I'm not) I'd be suggesting the band goes out for a drink and a chat. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 1 hour ago, Storky said: Yes, we had a couple of gigs offered. The last one was whilst I was out of the country for just 6 days on a holiday booked months ago. I asked if they would be prepared to ask for an alternative date; the answer I got was that they didn’t want to miss the opportunity so they went ahead I've been in a couple of bands where they could gig without me, although they preferred not to. I preferred them to take the gigs if they could rather than miss out on them, although I think they would have asked about alternative dates (something you can't really do for weddings, birthdays, or saints' days, of course). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storky Posted February 26, 2022 Author Share Posted February 26, 2022 26 minutes ago, Happy Jack said: Absolutely this ^. If you're the entire rhythm section and they can't hear you, then something is seriously wrong with the way the band sets up at gigs. I'm not convinced that you can blame their defective hearing or lack of musical experience! 😂 If I were you (and of course I'm not) I'd be suggesting the band goes out for a drink and a chat. A drink and a chat is always a good idea; although I’m not the entire rhythm section as we have a drummer and a rhythm guitarist as well! And to be fair, it’s only 2 of the 4 others that don’t hear the bass, the trouble is the guitarist thinks as she can’t hear it, the same must hold true for the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 1 hour ago, Storky said: Yes, we had a couple of gigs offered. The last one was whilst I was out of the country for just 6 days on a holiday booked months ago. I asked if they would be prepared to ask for an alternative date; the answer I got was that they didn’t want to miss the opportunity so they went ahead If everyone bar one can do a date, it has to be greatest good for the greatest number. The one who can't make it isn't really in a position to expect the others to miss out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris7273 Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 (edited) Next rehearsal: let them listen to a few songs without bass they are easily found on YouTube (keywords : name of the song + bass backing track, …) if they like the songs: then they are deaf. Or worse : they have no groove…in either case : quit 🙂 Edited February 26, 2022 by chris7273 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storky Posted February 26, 2022 Author Share Posted February 26, 2022 1 minute ago, chris7273 said: Next rehearsal: let them listen to a few songs without bass they are easily found on YouTube (keywords : bass backing track, baseless…) if they like the songs: then they are deaf. Or worse : they have no groove…in either case : quit 🙂 That’s a great idea, although I think I know the outcome - I’d bet no one would notice there is no bass. ☹️ It’s a sad state of affairs that they place so little stock on the bass. Maybe I should look out a rockabilly band or something where bass is essential. 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero9 Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 I’d start a band with just double bass & piano - who needs guitar 😉 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storky Posted February 26, 2022 Author Share Posted February 26, 2022 Just now, zero9 said: I’d start a band with just double bass & piano - who needs guitar 😉 I’d go with that! 👍 “whenever there are problems in a band, a guitarist is always close to hand” (IMHO 😉) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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