5 common Rockband-Cliches and what we learn from them!
I just found a post on stuckinmilwaukee.com, written by a Bass-Player who talks about the importance of a Bass-Player in a band.
Many people, especially beginning musicians, think that a Bass-Guitar isn’t too hard to play and was made for guys/girls who just want to be in a band and don’t worry about practicing; simply following the rule that there are only 4 strings (in most cases) to torture.
Well, this is a big misunderstanding.
If you’re serious about music, playing the Bass properly – fat, groovy, tasteful – is as hard as to play any other instrument.
But this is not the only cliche about musicians and their instruments. Bass-Players are not alone. Let’s have a look at some more:
Guitarists are there for the solos!
If a guitarist can play a nice solo it’s great. But who says that Guitar-Solos are most important? In fact, whenever i listen to a young band i’m going to tell the Guitar-Player to stop soloing immediately!
Not every song needs a Guitar-Solo. In 90% you should better concentrate on your rhythm-play and correct chord-changes. Good Guitarist know that and only solo when there is really no other thing to do.
Keyboarders can’t rock!
Keyboarders often have a classical background. They tend to think about music theory more often than other musicians. Of course, they want to demonstrate their intellectual capacity sometimes.
Such a Keyboard-Player can be an enrichment for every band. Just don’t put the guy into the corner, better tell him how much you respect him. Then he doesn’t need to proof and will be much cooler – and rocking.
Singers just have to look good!
I personally think that Lead-Singers have the heaviest job in a Rockband. It’s because they not only have to look good. A good voice and talent was given by nature, but the rest is hard work!
A singer has to take care about his health, more than his bandmates, because a simple cold or even a bad mood can mess up the voice. Not to think about the body condition that’s required for powerful singing.
Most good Singers are able to play an instrument and write songs; and they take care about timing and song-arrangement as well.
Drummers only make noise!
Drumming is only boom and bang, you know. That’s what dooDrum.com is all about. Drumming is not easy, playing the Bass isn’t easy. If you are a beginning musician don’t underestimate the effort of learning drums.
Cool Drummers don’t hide behind their huge Drum-Kit, only thinking about being loud and fast. They listen to the sound of the band and hold together the other guys – like a heart that pumps blood through the veins.
What can you learn from these cliches?
Such cliches don’t come out of nothing. I’m sure that really every musician knows one or more guys – drummers, singers, whatever – who perfectly meet such a cliche.
You can easily figure out if your band is ready to rock on an advanced level…
Can you recognize one or more of these cliches in the rehearsal room?
- Is the Drummer only loud and fast (and it’s not a speed-metal band)
- Is the Singer constantly forgetting the lyrics, too late, missing the tones?
- Is the Keyboarder often doing other things because he’s bored?
- Is the Guitarist frequently missing the chord-changes?
- Is the Bass-Player not able to remember the song?
Don’t wait too long until you talk to your bandmates. Figure out what they say about it and why they are in the band. What do they really expect? Are you on the same level?
But take care: Sometimes it’s enough to have Charlie Watts in the band instead of Thomas Lang…
It can be cool if every guy in the band is just funny and on the loose – but it’s getting hard when you’re the only one who takes it seriously! Then it might be time for a change ;)
Thanks for the mention! I’ve gotta tell you, what you said in the beginning there made a lot of sense. You see a lot of girl bass players out there that suck. Why? Because she’s usually the girlfriend of another band member. If they can’t find anyone else to play the instrument, they have their girlfriend learn it just to fill the spot.
Lame!
Keep rockin’ dude!
Andy
I’d go a little farther with the bass player thing.
Most bands that suck are lousy because they started with 3 guitar players and stuck the third best player on bass. This is always a mistake. Bass should be given to the #2 guy and #3 should get his chords straight or move to the audience.
If you really want people to dance you can even give the bass to the #1 guy. If you ever see a band that you just have to dance to, it means that the bass player is a bona fide musician. Outstanding live bands always have outstanding bass players. Not most of the time, all of the time.
You can get by with sketchy rhythm guitarist, especially if he knows his limitations and can sing. If your bass player is a liability, your band blows.
Indeed–it’s the bass, more so than the drums, that keeps the time in a band, as well as providing the harmonic bedrock. The drummer is responsible more for style than anything else, as well as setting up entrances, hits, what-have-you. So if your drummer is bad, your band is a little lackluster, but if your bassist is bad, you’re sunk.
Well, I can tell you’re a drummer, because what you say is at least 60% retarded. Nice work, though.
Thanks for you comments, people! It’s great to read your opinions…
@Nicki D. I really don’t want to disesteem bass-players. But i would not say that a bad drummer is the better choice. It’s hard to say. In my understanding everybody in a band should be on the same level, at least the bass-player and the drummer should play on the same level to form a fat rhythm-section. For me – as a drummer – the bass-player is a partner, i pay most attention on him…
@Tony Thanks, i take this as a compliment. Well, this post is about cliches and tales, isn’t it? ;)
apparently you haven’t heard a zao record.
The Bass and Drums ARE rock.
Without the bottom, drive, growl and explosions,
its just not Heavy.
Couple that with the folks that show the range possible (Geddy Lee/Neil Peart for instance)-
and its the biggest mystery to me EVER why videos shun bass & drums.
Yes, far too many ‘beginners’ play a bass cause everyone want to play a guitar, and they buy a crappy instrument and think banging one or two strings is all it is.
I like to make those people watch and listen to Jaco or Flea-
then they start to understand.
See? That’s the kind spirit I look for in a drummer… Sure, they’re a little different than most people’s idea of a “musician,” but drummers are the cornerstone of rock. Except for maybe the guitarist ;) Love this forum!
Bass and drums in time together then add guitar and vocals- thats the workings of a good band. If bass and drums are out then your screwed my friend
See? That’s the kind spirit I look for in a drummer… Sure, they’re a little different than most people’s idea of a “musician,” but drummers are the cornerstone of rock. Except for maybe the guitarist ;) Love this forum!