Band Member inviting other bass player

chaak

chaak

Apr 25, 2013
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#1
Hey all I have been part of a band the three original members ( myself included) are childhood best friends. We are an all original band that used to be fully instrumental but just a year ago added a singer who had some songs written (lyrics only). We have been extensively composing and working on these songs soon to be released as the first debut album under this new line up. We meet up twice weekly at the guitar player's house we have set up a really good soundproofed space that has become our studio as well.

Every now and then and when the drummer cannot make it to one of the two rehearsals the guitar player invites a drummer or a keyboards player to jam and stay fresh. This doesnt happen that often though cause we usually meet without the drummer to write songs and work on the passages . (the drummer myself and the guitar player compose everything including the vocal lines sometimes it is a collaborative effort, with sometimes either me or the guitarists writing entire songs) I digress. Out of the blue the guitarist calls me up to tell me that he has invited a friend of his over to our first meeting this week. His friend is a bass player and according to the guitarist 'he will be there to assist'.

Sounds weird and wrong on so many levels. I did ask assist with what and how but i got a simplistic answer that he can give his input into the song we are currently working on.

Mind you i am on great terms with my band mates they commend my professionalism and both my rhythmic and songwriting abilities and creating a very tight pocket with the drummer when needed and soloing and playing lead when needed. Only thing i dont do well is play with a plectrum.

I checked out this friend and he is into cover songs and played in cover bands and his thing happens to be metalcore/djent stuff.

I have classical training (classical piano for 10 years before switching to bass in 2000) and have been studying jazz.

I listen to a lot of metal bands as well as many different genres (Funk, inde rock, hip hop, electronica, jazz and its subgenres of course).

I felt offended that he didnt ask me before inviting him over and threatened that some guy will be there with his gear (maybe) or worse going to be using mine ( and i hate to give my stuff let alone my gear to anyone to play it) .

Any advice, did this ever happen to anyone ?
 
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#4
I don’t know I’m seeing this a little bit differently given your history of bringing other people for jamming/writing. Is it possible that this other guy coming to “assist” and happens to be a bass player but not necessarily going to hit you with a frying pan and start playing with your bass. Maybe your guy was just trying to qualify him that he is another musician and just another person that will be collaborating and feeling it out. I may be wrong of course but I think as bass players we tend to think that when there’s another bass player in the room we kinda get territorial. I might be reading it wrong though. Hope it works out ok.
 
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#7
RNG1 said:
I don’t know I’m seeing this a little bit differently given your history of bringing other people for jamming/writing. Is it possible that this other guy coming to “assist” and happens to be a bass player but not necessarily going to hit you with a frying pan and start playing with your bass. Maybe your guy was just trying to qualify him that he is another musician and just another person that will be collaborating and feeling it out. I may be wrong of course but I think as bass players we tend to think that when there’s another bass player in the room we kinda get territorial. I might be reading it wrong though. Hope it works out ok.
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yes that's how i feel there is usually one bass player and with that guy coming raises all kinds of existential questions
 
#8
I was invited to a "jam" by a drummer a few weeks ago. Turns out it was a bit more rehearsed than a "jam" situation and the host of the thing was also a bass player. They apparently all thought I was coming there to sing, but I didn't know most of their songs and others were not in the right key for me. I did sing a few, sang harmonies on a few others, and listened politely to the rest. I just didn't know that's why I was invited.

I'm not sure what the purpose would be to invite a second bass player, even to a writing group. More does not equal better, especially when it comes to groups of creative people with opinions. Development by committee is rarely a way to produce an excellent result. But let it happen, see what develops, and then you can figure out how to respond to it.
 
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#11
Sounds like this fellow is networking outside of your act & trying to legitimize himself with the outside players he brings in.
Is this a a serious band or a musicians' collective?.. Who owns the copyrights on your material?.. Are you part of that?..
I don't think that this is a lack of plectrum chops issue...
 
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#13
portpc said:
Sounds like this fellow is networking outside of your act & trying to legitimize himself with the outside players he brings in.
Is this a a serious band or a musicians' collective?.. Who owns the copyrights on your material?.. Are you part of that?..
I don't think that this is a lack of plectrum chops issue...
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well he is not he might just be looking for some acknowledgment and a way of showing off what we are doing to the local scene. I guess we all do own the copyrights and no its a serious band.

I know it has nothing to do with playing with a pick

Thanks
 
#14
The guitar player is in another band with his brother (who is a drummer and a very close friend of mine) they play Death metal and they are about to launch an album. And no that bass player friend isnt the one playing bass in that death metal band.
 
#19
Just go to practice and don’t be a douche. If they want to replace you, the decision has most likely been made. It could be something, it could be nothing. Just do this one and then ask questions after the practice. Make sure you retain any IP rights. You never know when the next song that goes viral will happen. Ghost Busters? 5000 miles?
 
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