Tuba vs. Bass Guitar

[Aardvark892]

Am I being vain when I say I hate having a bass guitar in our band? I feel like it makes the tuba section unnecessary. I wish I had a bell mic. In 1983, my band director actually put a bass guitar on the field with us during our half-time show. I nearly quit; I mean, what's the point of having tubas when that darn amplified guitar drowns us out with the same type of music? And now, in my 40's, my director has added a bass guitar. Crap!

Sorry for ranting.

[The Jackson]

In my opinion, a bass guitar is nothing more than another musical instrument and can add it's own color to an ensemble. It's a very different instrument and can, in no way, replace a tuba section in the same way that a tuba can't replace a bass guitar. The decision to use an electric instrument, though, prompts the questions of how to approach amplification. There are many options with an amplifier and I would also be upset if the player was blowing us out of the water because he was turned up to eleven. If that's the issue, I would bring it up with the director or with the player.

[Outawind]

To answer your question directly, no you're not being vain - placing an amplified instrument in an acoustical ensemble makes no sense, particularly when there are other instruments filling the role as designed by the wind band gods. Taken to its illogical conclusion then, why use 12 clarinets in the band??? Get rid of nine of them and use one amplified clarinet on each part.

It's disappointing that your director either does not understand this or does not have the fortitude to ask the bass guitarist to take up the mellophone.

Any other bands in your area that need tuba players?

Good luck!

[The Jackson]

Just like when we play string bass parts or any transcriptions, it all takes discretion and thought (more than usual). Playing the tuba ink straightly might not be the best musical decision, but reinforcement at other moments could really add something awesome to the music. That kind of musicianship takes a helluva player, though.

[GC]

If a bass guitar part is written, play it. If the part's not written for bass guitar, don't play it on bass guitar. A part not specifically written for it usually sticks out like a sore thumb, and most of the time it's played much too loud. Much of the level of tolerability depends on musicianship of the player and the director; I've seen directors demand that the bass player turn up to ridiculous volumes when the player wanted to keep it down and in the background.

Even playing string bass parts on bass guitar doesn't work well unless it's jazz or pop (again depending on the level of musicianship of the player and director). I've played bass guitar with concert bands when requested and if the music calls for it. No way would I ask to play it any other time. You might as well have a violin sitting in and playing oboe and flute parts.

Have you considered asking the director why he added it?

[Dan Schultz]

I place using a bass guitar or keyboard to mimic tuba parts into the same classification as using a drum set instead of a percussion section. All it takes is a glance to the upper left corner of the music to determine what instrument the part was written for.

[istandalone]

If you were here in Oklahoma, I'd let you borrow my MIM P Bass, but you could not borrow my 5 string USA Jazz.

Bass is a different sound, but it can be too much if the Bass player is an a** or too loud for the mix.

[The Jackson]

All it takes is a glance to the upper left corner of the music to determine what instrument the part was written for.

Shouldn't a bass guitar then be fine if the part says "basses"?

[Dan Schultz]

All it takes is a glance to the upper left corner of the music to determine what instrument the part was written for.

Shouldn't a bass guitar then be fine if the part says "basses"?

Without getting into a pissin' match.... It's my opinion that it would depend on the octave range. It's not difficult to spot a string bass or bass guitar part.

[bearphonium]

I kinda like bloke's response...do you want tubas, or bass guitars? And with my RUDIMENTARY guitar skills, I can play most of the lines that are written for tuba on bass guitar. Then see. The bass drummer in our marching band keeps bringing his bass guitar to rehearsals in hopes of playing it...we'll see...

[The Jackson]

All it takes is a glance to the upper left corner of the music to determine what instrument the part was written for.

Shouldn't a bass guitar then be fine if the part says "basses"?

Without getting into a pissin' match.... It's my opinion that it would depend on the octave range. It's not difficult to spot a string bass or bass guitar part.

It's actually not that big of a problem if you tune your bass guitar to a discrete logarithmic scale...

[fairweathertuba]

If the part doesn't come with "Bass Guitar" stamped on it, I'd seriously consider starting my own band. This is because it's hard to fight stupid decisions made by conductors. Actually, if I were you I would fight it with whatever powers that be within the band framework. If I lost I'd lay low for a couple months and take up Bloke's suggestion, bring a bunch of bass guitars in and just have at it. Then, after making a dramatic statment I'd leave and start up one of the following.

Either a small concert band, a brass quintet, a dixie-land band, a German band, a small brass band. Anything that lets a tuba cover the tuba part. An electric bass is great for a rock or certain jazz bands or any other number of bands, but it's not welcome in a concert band. (any concert band that I would be in at least)

And when the bass player eventually gets tired and quits, and the band director comes begging you back, that's when you kick him in the shins and remind him of the battle you lost, and you tell him you are much happier doing what you're doing now than when you were playing in the community band. However, if the director is a paid director you can ask for a salary that is equivelant to his in order to play electric bass for him.

[Rick Denney]

If the electric bass player can very nearly or exactly match the sound and loudness of a string bass, then give him the string bass parts and give yourself a break when reading those cues. The likelihood of that is even less than your neighbor's neighbor having a bass to loan you. A tasteful bass player might be able to do well enough not to be offensive when there is a string-bass part. It requires a very low amplification and a willingness to use flat-wound strings, neither of which are in the typical bass player's DNA, but there it is.

Rick "noting that some bass players might prefer an upright bass but don't have the scratch" Denney

[Chriss2760]

Um, Walla Walla isn't in Eastern Oregon, Doc.

I was asked, once, when my band would start using an electric bass. My response was, "the day before I quit."

[fairweathertuba]

I'm not in Eastern Oregon either, and man, am I glad. LOL

On a side note...
It would seem to me that anyone who grew up before 1980 knows Walla Walla is in Washington. Especially those who were fans of Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes offerings.

Anyway... Shipping charges would negate me sending anything your way from south Texas. If we were closer to each other, we could have a little fun together with this thing. Certainly we have a brother out there in your area who can help a brother in need...???

No need to buy an expenisive bass, you can snag on off of Craig's list for $100 or less, maybe even with amp included.

[Donn]

I've played string bass a couple of times in a concert band. I'm not sure there was any point in it, but then I was already starting to wonder if there was any point in concert band anyway.

The band I was in at the time played a variety of things, but including a fairly steady diet of pop tunes, show tunes arrangements. I think electric bass in a brass band is cheesy, but I think some bands lean towards a cheesy repertoire, so that might be perfectly OK - maybe the instrumentation is perfectly suited to the repertoire. If you're playing Dello Joio or Holst or something with electric bass, that seems a little crazy.

I can't see the tuba section switching to electric bass in protest, but a more plausible variation on that: get the amps, and microphones, throw the microphones down inside the bell, and spend some time exploring the possibilities. Might be some potential for organized protest if you like, but also skills and equipment you might be able to use later.

[iiipopes]

Parkinson's Disease. A few years ago, a guy came to community band who had the bad luck to suffer from Parkinson's. His embouchure had deteriorated, and he had noticable shakes. Playing any brass instrument was out of the question, despite all of his decades as a trombone player. But he could still anchor both hands on a bass guitar and play the parts. In his case, I am very, very glad that we were all able to work something out, because he was a great musician who was having a hell of a time otherwise coming to terms with his medical condition. With his superior musicality he was able to adapt almost immediately to just the right blend and balance, and really added to the band. It added a definite positive facet to concerts. I sat right beside him; we became good friends; and community band became one of his highlights of the week for the year or so he was able to play with us before moving to another location to be closer to family.

As we all know, most modern concert band charts have a DB part. They're not always just a mirror of the tuba part. So we actually got to hear some of the parts that 99 44/100% of concert bands never get to hear.

[sousaphone68]

My own view would be if the composer arranger has scored for an electric bass then it is needed and welcome. If your band has enough tuba players then a bass guitar should not be playing tuba parts if there is not a bass guitar part called for.
If the bass guitar is drowning out other sections then there are two poor musicians at work the bass guitar and the director.
Only once in 30 years have I been asked to play an electric bass part on the tuba from a wind band arrangement of Fame hot lunch jam it contained a riff that was not in the tuba part and we did not have a bass guitarist. So I don't see why a bass guitar needs to play a tuba part if the player is enjoying playing with your band then maybe encourage him to double on another instrument maybe he plays another band instrument from high school or college.

To echo other posters it's your community band either ask the director to explain his vision/reasons or ask via the management.

[Wyvern]

One of the bands I play with has a bass guitar join us for concert each year where we play with choir and the choral parts include a bass guitar part. He then of course plays everything, tuba parts in other pieces. I hate it! I think it spoils the overall sound and often feel we're being drowned out and no point in there being tubas.

In another band I play, there was a young woman came along and played bass guitar for short while, but thankfully the conductor soon got her to move onto flute

[tubatooter1940]

I have a Fender Precision Bass guitar and a Crate amp but if I have to haul equipment, I'd rather mic my tuba with a SM57 mic on a tripod boom stand through a JBL 300 watt EON with the horn turned down.
I can relax and keep up with an amped guitar. Solos are much more satisfying with a tuba that can play long tones.
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