Small acoustic band... Bass??

[Theodeus]

Me and my fellow guitarist had an idea of starting a "smaller project" beside our band with two other guys. So it would be just me and him, from the beginning. He´s going to play guitar, probably acoustic. But I´m wondering wether I should play the bass or learn more piano/or something similar. Any ideas what to do, and then if bass, WHAT to do. Chords?

[japhy4529]

Nah, just play the Bass as you normally do now. If it's going to be all acoustic, you COULD pick up an Acoustic/Electric Bass. However, with a small combo you could continue to play Electric at a low volume.

 

The main thing to consider is what the song calls for. If it sounds to sparse with just Acoustic Guitar and Bass, change the arrangement, add more players or both!

 

Good luck.

 

- Tom

[PhilMan99]

I play with 1-2 (amplified) acoustic guitars and an occasional (mic'ed) mandolin. I use a run-of-the-mill bass with good flat-wounds (TI Jazz) and a very smooth/warm combo-amp (Bassman 25 for practice, Bassman 200 for gigs).

 

On the other hand, a *good* keyboardist could pretty-much handle the bass-lines, and also be available to play chords/melody on other songs.

 

So much music, so little time...

[PhilMan99]

Note: I'm a bass-player, so I prefer "real" bass to "synth" bass, yada, yada, yada...

[BenLoy]

Just remember...you'll be the entire rhythm section...so play simpler. Without a drummer, you'll be responsible for the rhythmic undercurrent.

 

This doesn't mean you can't play high register fills, flourishes, etc...but you'll need to pick your spots very carefully.

 

Have fun and listen critically to the music as a whole while you're playing...you'll find the right part will seem obvious to you if you do that.

[getz out]

Originally posted by BenLoy:

Just remember...you'll be the entire rhythm section...so play simpler. Without a drummer, you'll be responsible for the rhythmic undercurrent.

Very good point, Mr. BenLoy. No one wants to hear someone trying to pull a Jaco behind someone pulling off a Jame Taylor.

[Jode]

Your small Fender amp should be perfect. If it's not enough amp, then the other guys definitely don't get the point of an acoustic band. You may consider an acoustic/electric or a fretless with flats. I play my friend's Warmoth fretless when we go acoustic, through his great little old-school Roland cube amp.

[alexclaber]

Originally posted by getz76:

No one wants to hear someone trying to pull a Jaco behind someone pulling off a James Taylor.

Joni Mitchell did.

[Max Valentino]

For a very good reference check out some of the live work of Suzzanne Vega, who has been touring for a few years now accompanied only by her bassist, Mike Visceglia. Yes, some tunes, like Luka, Tom's Diner et al., get "re-tooled" but that really brings forth some creative musical possiblities.

 

My favorite gigs have been as the only backing musician to a singer/grtist. Well, "backing" is an inappropriate term...as the point of the spartan lineup is to allow each instrument voice to exist as equals and engage in a musical dialogue......

Max

[Mike H.]

Myself and the guitarist/singer from an existing band did the same thing. He pounded on acoustic and belted voc's, while I played bass. More often than not, the bass line filled things out enough and kept it simple. Where the bass was too simple, I played octaves or chords to help it out a bit. Occasionally, someone would sit in on percussion ala bongos, congas, etc. Stick with bass.

[dcr]

I have found that bass, acoustic guitar, & vocals can make a very effective combo. But listen to Ben & Maury; you've got to adapt to being the whole rhythm section wrapped into one. I enjoy the challenge, actually. It really tunes you in to how much control over the feel of the song you have by note choices, beat placement, etc. At the same time, you've got to think like an arranger the whole time--where should I play? how loud? what expression? what part of the chord should I emphasize? Obviously, you ALWAYS have to think about these things, but when you're also the only harmony instrument, you've got extra duty.

 

Of course a lot of this will depend on the style you want the combo to develop. James Taylor & Joni Mitchell are both acoustic singer/songwriters, but they were seeking pretty different sounds. (99% of the time Sklar is what you're after, though, I'd say...)

 

When I play in this sort of combo, I really like using a fretless bass. For me, one of the big payoffs of the fretless is that it can convey a lot of expression & texture, without necessarily using a lot of notes. Often you've got a strict "word limit" in acoustic music, so it's good to be able to say more with fewer words. (You'll note I need all the help I can get.)

 

Very fun. Dive in!

[dcr]

Also, check some threads on playing without a drummer. This takes some getting used to.

 

It's really not that hard. The only trick is being confident to simplify & hold down the time. You'll struggle if your sense of time is shaky, & you'll absolutely SUCK if you insist on doing "your thing" even if it's not what the overall sound & other bandmembers require.

 

Experiment with different approaches, & see what works with this group of people. (It's a small group, & if their time is good, you actually might be able to get "out there" a bit.)

 

But I suggest MOST strongly that you begin by thinking like a drummer who has differently pitched notes to play rather than differently pitched surfaces to strike. (I've developed a couple of simple techniques for this; PM me if you're interested.)

 

I've only done this twice, mind you, so I'm no expert! But I intuitively went for the drummer-with-notes approach, and both times the rhythm held together as if a drummer had been there, the sound was good, & the other band members thanked me (some with big, relieved looks on their faces!). I didn't get to showcase myself "doing my thing," but the music was good & the team succeeded...and that IS the WHOLE POINT, right?

[ClarkW]

One of the best recordings (and best shows) one of my bands ever did was when we sat down in my living room in front of half a dozen friends and family members, sans drummer or lead guitarist, and just the rhythm guitar/singer/songwriter and bass/guitarist/singer went at it, no amplification.

 

I put my portable minidisc player on the floor, plugged in one of those nice mics that Sony makes specifically for portable electronic gear, and hit record. We got a little over an hour on disc. It was raw, and it was beautiful. Oh sure, missed note here and there, restart a song or two because guitars went out of tune, and maybe my backing vocals weren't always spot on, but it was about as "authentic" as you could get, and that's what makes it one of my favorite "albums" to listen to.

 

I'd try for that. Keep it minimal, maybe even opting for a mic on an acoustic bass rather than using the plug if it's acoustic/electric. Mind you we were playing rock music for my own mother in that Living Room Set, and in the absence of distortion or megawattage, she really enjoyed some music that she normally would not have.

 

Good luck to you.

[Iceman Irwin]

Uh, Theodeus?

have you ever tried playing fretless?

if not, i think try having it as another challenge in when playing in an acoustic group...plus you'll even sound closer to the ambience of an upright,...well maybe it may somehow require somethings but you'll stay anyway in its ideal course...

Take care on your new ordeal!

[Father Gino]

Check out real old Hot Tuna. I think it's Hot Tuna anyway. it's just Jack Cassidy on electric bass & Yarma on Acoustic guitar. There's a harp in there on some songs, but mostly it's just the two of them. Sorry I can't remember the name of the album. It's got a mostly blue & red cover if memory serves

[Theodeus]

Wow! Thanks for all the tips!

[Timothy Lyons]

For something like this, I bring my Stingray, a six string acoustic, and a twelve string acoustic to play rhythm. And maybe an acoustic electric bass, but I never really liked playing those things.

[earljam]

Check out Trout Fishing in America to hear a killer duo with guitar and URB. The bass player is jaw dropping good. sit in with the local bluegrassers to get a feel for playing without a drummer- it will be great for your timing and drive.

[Tom Capasso]

I play in a group like this (we have a female singer as well). It can be lots of fun. The "rhythm section" comments are right on.

 

I think if you want to add another instrument to your playing abilities, you should go for it. It's good that you are open-minded about the situation. Keys are an excellent choice for this. Good luck!

 

Tom