When NOT to play.

[6stringapprentice]

I've been noticing lately that many younger players don't know not to play. So I thought it would be cool to list some situations when that bassist should lay back. So I'll start with some obvious ones. None of these are absolute so you have to use your judgement on when the exceptions are.

When you've got an experienced organist backing a preacher.

During rhythmless talk music

During a rhythmless solo singer accompaniment ei (I need thee, yes )

Some slower song intro before the beat comes in.

When you don't know another choirs song (lay low until you get the progressions down then you can play out)

Thats all I can think of right now.

[Gibby]

I've been noticing lately that many younger players don't know not to play. So I thought it would be cool to list some situations when that bassist should lay back. So I'll start with some obvious ones. None of these are absolute so you have to use your judgement on when the exceptions are.

When you've got an experienced organist backing a preacher.

During rhythmless talk music

During a rhythmless solo singer accompaniment ei (I need thee, yes )

Some slower song intro before the beat comes in.

When you don't know another choirs song (lay low until you get the progressions down then you can play out)

Thats all I can think of right now.

The only one I can throw in there is when the guitar and keyboard player are playing something soft

[kevmove02]

When a musical rest has a greater impact by creating anticipation for the next bass note, similar to when a poet takes a pause to build tension.

[4hisglory]

"When you don't know the song".

[ddwilkins]

When you don't know how to play.

[under13]

When you've got an experienced organist backing a preacher.

During rhythmless talk music

 cosign.

If you wanna play talk music then play piano or organ. The bass player and drummer should not be doing anything at those times.

As for backing up the preacher, I think its ok at the end  for the whole band to 'go in' if you guys know the organist's style. As an organist, it really limits what you can do when you have everybody trying to play along with you.

I think we should post this in the drum room, as they are the worst when it comes to things like this.

[bradleymoorer]

When you don't know how to play.

Amen!

[Kelz-Da-Basshead]

i dont ike to play behind preacers because i feel like im in the way but at my church they would rather the whole band play for a more full/big sound.  but i try to sit it out as long as i can until somebody directly tells me when to play. 

dont play during times where the pianist is clearly soloing.  if you dont feel a pattern then it aint there. so dont make one. if you dont have a  clue whats coming next fade out.

[floaded27]

I've been noticing lately that many younger players don't know not to play. So I thought it would be cool to list some situations when that bassist should lay back. So I'll start with some obvious ones. None of these are absolute so you have to use your judgement on when the exceptions are.

1. When you've got an experienced organist backing a preacher.
2. During rhythmless talk music
3. During a rhythmless solo singer accompaniment ei (I need thee, yes )
4. Some slower song intro before the beat comes in.
5. When you don't know another choirs song (lay low until you get the progressions down then you can play out)

been in all situations. unfortunately some arent as clear cut as they seem.

1. In my experience i tend to find that its the experienced organists who are COMFORTABLE with a band that actually know how to signal the band and indicate his/her movements.
You can also fill in with minor scale riffs here and there, unless the organist is going so crazy with runs to the point the preacher has to tell the music to stop (seen it happen!)

2. i agree here, but sometimes people who often play together know what patterns this music takes and can play together. rare though.

3. Totally agree here. i usually sit back on these. never really know which person (singer or keys/organ) is actually being featured here. Great time for fingering practice with sound off. lol.

4. unfortunately a lot of people (who arent bass players) DO NOT know what this is!!!! i can count the number of times i intentionally lay back to get that slide on the 1 when the drums pick up,  but the organist/keyboardist just starts going crazy on bass because im not playing those low notes. way to go on ruining the effect!!!

5. cant argue with u here. (although one time i did know the song because i played with that group, and i still was messing up... i was so mad at myself.)

heres some to add

1. During breaks - if you never stop playing ever, technically is NOT a break. that goes for ALL musicians.

2. When service is over - if ur not at ur own church and u brought equipment, when people are leaving, regardless of whether the other guys are jamming, u gotta know when to quit and start packing up. too many times i've seen folks ready to shut the lights out and the drummer just gets up and walks, the organist and keyboardist just gets up and walks, and the bass or guitar guy is "wait, i gotta pack up my stuff." nobody likes that, especially the people trying to lock up.

[berbie]

  (jamming)After service is over (and people are still there doing business or in the process of leaving)

[phbrown]

when your bass is not tuned ....

[Quebass86]

When you only know the "notes" to the song and not the progression and cannot modulate within a song or the MOM decides to do the song in a different key because the regular person who sings the song is not there and the new person cannot sing it in that key......

[mjl422]

when your bass is not tuned ....

Or intonated....

[jeremyr]

When you don't know how to play.

*DEAD* 

[SavnBass]

When you don't know the song and cant hear it either...
When the band leader gives you the look..
When it seems like the rest of the band is going in different directions...
When you are out of tune... (I tuned up my bass one Sunday and didn't realize my tuner was set to 441.. until the service started.. )

[funkStrat_97]

When you are out of tune... (I tuned up my bass one Sunday and didn't realize my tuner was set to 441.. until the service started.. )

Ah-haaa!!!!  So that's what happened that time  .

[browntree]

When you don't know how to play.

That's hilarious! 

Browntree


And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy. I Chronicles 15:16

[Andrzej]

Our Worship leader will normally give us a sign to shut up!  On other occasions when we are free to worship or improvise our own judgement will then come into it.  Quite often the guitar players, acoustic and keys will come up with some beautiful melodies and textures.  In those moments I step out or just maybe them up with some gently plucked chords in the upper octave ranges.

That comes with experience.  Dropping in and out is all about awareness and sensitivity of the moment you are in and with the musicians you playing with.  It's a jazz performance technique that lends itself very well to P&W.

Something which I drill into my students is to keep your head up and watch what's going on...especially on the leader/conductor.  When it comes to performance training I get them into the habit of looking up at the leader/conductor every 6-7 bars of a song.  We chop and change the dynamics and arrangements of the songs whilst we play them, so you need to be on your toes and if you miss a signal to change something or drop out entirely you will have an angry leader/conductor talking to you after the service!