Gabass Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Hello everyone, Thought I would share an experience I had recently on my first recording session gig. I learnt a whole lot in the three hours that I was there and at times the seconds seemed to drag like hours but over all it was a positive experience. In Decemember I finally decided to do something that I had always wanted to do and I replied to an ad looking for a session bass player. The ad said there would be no pay and would suite someone that was looking for experience. I thought heck that's me inexperienced in the studio having only really recored a couple of times in the past and that was mainly scratch tracks. Anyway I replied to the ad, got on well with the singer/song writer,good guy. We had two practice sessions where we worked out what he wanted for the bass. Some of my ideas he liked some he didn't. I'm ok with that they are his songs. Get to the studio and the engineer had other ideas for the bass lines and changed them all. I'm fine with that. I did feel a bit stupid when he wanted me to play a very simple rythm but because I had practiced what the writer wanted, a lot, I found it very hard to play what the engineer wanted. That's when time seemed to slow down a bit and I started panicking a bit, lol. I got over it quickly and found having someone say to me, that's too much or really drive the song here, very helpful. In the end we got one song recorded and discussed three other songs for me to practice in the next week. Also the sky did not fall on my head, lol. Cheers Gabass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottom End Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Studio time is never a bad thing when you're starting out. It's strange to me that the writer and engineer diverged so much, was there a producer there who had ideas? Good on ya in any case. "Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, yet you cannot play upon me.'-Hamlet Guitar solos last 30 seconds, the bass line lasts for the whole song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 The engineer should never tell you to change what you're doing. That's not his job. He can make suggestions but that's not really his job either. If the enginer was also acting as producer, that would be a different story...in which case, do what he says. Glad you had a good learning experience. I got a fairly early start in a small studio where they wrote, recorded and produced R&B/hip hop tracks to sell to artists. They occationally brought in live musicians and found me through a friend durring my senior year of high school. That was a great experience and low pressure introduction to recording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 The engineer should never tell you to change what you're doing. That's not his job. I should qualify that by saying that you should only listen to him if the artist and/or producer agrees with him or, in their absence, you are comfortable making those changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillWelcome Home Studios Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 The engineer should never tell you to change what you're doing. That's not his job. Indeed. But at the same time, a hired gun is not the guy to complain, the writer should be standing up for his art. I never act like a producer unless I am hired to BE a producer, and THAT job starts long before the band walks into the studio. I'll also not be shy to say it when there is a technical problem with a musicians stuff, or a problem because of something that they are doing which prevents me from capturing the recording. But unless someone asks, when it comes to the art, I am a mute. "I believe that entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art, but if you set out to make art you're an idiot." Steve Martin Show business: we're all here because we're not all there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 A weakness of mine is that I don't learn well by someone saying "hey, play it like this". Seconds seem like hours and I sweat. I can usually get through it but give me some time alone with it and we will all be happier. My studio experiences made me a better player and I realized that I ain't too bad... I hate parts of it though, especially when they want to bring up just the bass parts. Gives me the Sh*ts when I know it is about to happen but I usually end up happy with the tracks. "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabass Posted February 5, 2010 Author Share Posted February 5, 2010 Cheers guys for the replies. Yeah, I should have explained that the engineer is also the producer and the artist is very happy to go along with him. Just listening to the artist's original ideas compared to what has been recorded with the direction of the producer I would say that it is a very good idea to listen to the producer. It has got me noticing things like length of notes and also about why I am really playing "that note". It's been great to cut away the parts that are not needed. I should also say that the project is an acoustic pop album and is much different from the "heavy rock" genre that I am used to playing. Ross I know how you feel. I was the only one recording that night I went in and at one point there were around 10 of us in a small studio just listening to what I was doing, was a bit of a nervous time for me but I survived, no biggie. Now I'm looking forward to going back twice this week with my new ideas to see how they will go. I only wish I did not wait until 30 years old to start doing this because I have missed out on heaps of learning and a lot of fun. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddiePlaysBass Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 I only wish I did not wait until 30 years old to start doing this because I have missed out on heaps of learning and a lot of fun. Regret is a time-waster. Look at it as 30 years building up to this point "I'm a work in progress." Micky Barnes The Ross Brown Shirt World Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottom End Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 Regret is a time-waster. Amen, brother! I'm glad to hear about your studio experience, it does sound like you learned a lot. "Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, yet you cannot play upon me.'-Hamlet Guitar solos last 30 seconds, the bass line lasts for the whole song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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