6SN7
445 posts
Aug 03, 2014
5:58 PM
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I recently have been playing with a band whose the bass player sits during the performances. He sits right out front in a chair, taking up a good part of the stage footprint. The gigs are in bar, providing dance music.
I have been approached by several people saying he makes us look like old farts with low energy and should think about using a stool or hanging back with drummer and sit to the side of him. The lead singer is a vivacious female singer who we showcase, and I have told the bassist draws attention away from her and he is too much of a focal point. He is insists that he be front and center.
I am interested in others views on this.
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Frank
5020 posts
Aug 03, 2014
6:10 PM
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Sounds like you guys need a bossman, to hand out pink slips - ? Doubt it's that easy though :)
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davew
14 posts
Aug 03, 2014
6:17 PM
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I play guitar in a New Orleans Jazz band, 3 horns, guitar string bass, drums. We all sit in chairs, except the bass player. This is NOLA tradition, no one says we lack energy. The horn players stand up on the last chorus, that is also traditional.
However, a blues band with a featured female singer, there is no way the damn bass player should be in the front,especially sitting in a chair. He needs to be reminded that he is in the rhythm section. That's my opinion.
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LSC
666 posts
Aug 03, 2014
6:31 PM
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Sack his ass. He has no clue what his role is and is behaving in an unreasonable and unprofessional manner. If you keep him it will only lead to tears.
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LSC
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BronzeWailer
1369 posts
Aug 03, 2014
6:43 PM
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It must be bad if you are getting feedback like that. Seems to have a lack of basic understanding who the drawcard is.
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Last Edited by BronzeWailer on Aug 03, 2014 6:43 PM
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jbone
1720 posts
Aug 03, 2014
7:08 PM
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I don't know the guy's needs or motivation but that's hard to fathom. Is he the leader in any sense? Must he sit for health reasons? Is he having hearing issues and needs to for some reason hear everybody in order to do his job?
Jolene and I sit because she can't wear a guitar strap and it's obvious that if she's sitting I do as well, but we don't have the issue of looking lackluster or unenergetic. Our material and presentation sees to that. Even when we bring a rhythm section is we will sit and invite the drummer and bassist to follow suit.
BEHIND us. The frontman or woman is that for a reason- they front the band and there are very specific and crucial duties a good front person does. Most civilians assume that the front person is the boss, we all know that's not always true. Regardless, a support role has a place on stage, also for a reason, and it's to mesh with the drummer at all times.
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Goldbrick
583 posts
Aug 03, 2014
7:09 PM
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Yep- get him a bar stool and let him sit in the back
We had a bass player who showed up in a basketball jersey and shorts to a gig- we had to set him straight on that, next time he came dressed like an adult
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nacoran
7899 posts
Aug 03, 2014
7:31 PM
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Sitting for health reasons is one thing, and there are venues where sitting is appropriate, but the bass player shouldn't be up in front unless he's singing or got the lead. If it's a matter of hearing what's on stage, there are fixes for that, but it sounds more like he just has an ego problem.
Pink slip him if there are any other bass players available.
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Nate
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6SN7
446 posts
Aug 04, 2014
5:02 AM
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To be fair, he has had shoulder surgery in the past and he tells me his back gets sore from standing. I mentioned using a stool to lean against and he said a chair is more comfortable as he can stretch his legs out. That is a problem, particularly when I have to move to sing backing vocals as he is in the way.
He has no hearing issues and is no leader in any sense (musical director, doesn't count out songs or provides keys.) just a bass player.
Last weekend we had a gig with an extra guitarist (7 total on stage .) At his request, the bassist played thru a small amp that was lined into the PA. As a result, the keyboardist insisted he sit next to him behind the front line, in line with the drummer. The bassist kept saying he wanted to sit between the two guitarist but he finally went in the back.
I can't understand how any harp player can sit while playing. In my case, it restricts my movement and ability to get the most from my diagram. Now, I know AG sits when he plays but he is also playing drums. Plus, I believe Adam's cardio/lungs are "super sized" conditioned with all his long distance running.
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jawbone
552 posts
Aug 04, 2014
5:42 AM
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When I play with a piano player, I always sit. For these reasons - we're at the same height, easier on my legs, doesn't draw attention away from Curley.
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
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TetonJohn
201 posts
Aug 04, 2014
7:52 AM
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Unless this old brain is failing, I think Sonny Terry was sitting down with Brownie whenever I saw them.
(As for me, I usually stand, but sometimes when peforming solo, sitting puts across a certain laid back "back porch" vibe if that is what I want to convey.
Last Edited by TetonJohn on Aug 04, 2014 7:54 AM
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harpletunnel
67 posts
Aug 08, 2014
9:06 AM
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I believe you have some good advice here. If you have a band you have drama. As it was said earlier, some people just need to be told what to do and then they do it. If they don't do it then we have something different of course. Good luck and happy harping.
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keep it in your mouth not your pocket.
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