losing battle

He even admits to slowing down sometimes on songs and I notice this as well, so I am wondering if anybody knows of any fixes to this problem that we can try. Thanks in advance.

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91RG350

Maybe try tap his foot in time with the drummer/beat? Its more effective than you'd think...

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chatterbox272

Tapping feet is more often a source of incorrect timing. I'd recommend telling him to go practice with a metronome.

whywefight

Get rid of him. He's a bass player.


Serious answer: Make him play to songs/ with a metronome. Challenge him a tad.

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JAHellraiser

Alternatively, nodding his head to the beat as well.



TS, how much (or little) is your bass player playing? That might be a reason for why he's off. He might be trying to play too much, or he might be playing too little and be getting bored halfway through the songs, thus slowing down.

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Quintex

Do you have a drummer?

Can he hear the drummer?

Is the drummer slowing down as well?

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losing battle

The drummer stays on time with me for the most part i can hear the drummer so I'm assuming he can as well. Moving his head isn't an option because he also does vocals. Strangly he stays on time while singing

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seljer

I can at least verify that it's a bitch to sing while playing bass. I can sing while playing rhythm or even lead guitar without trouble, with bass no effin way I can keep it tight enough on anything other than straight 8th notes (though this may be cause I'm primarily a guitarist)

Dick Foster

Have you tried a whip yet?

Maybe one of these could help make him feel the beat. http://www.petersontuners.com/index.cfm?category=163
The clip removes easily making insertion into various orifices possible if it becomes necessary. If it doesn't work you still have a perfectly functioning metronome.

HotspurJr

Look, the simple truth is that you HAVE to put in the time with a metronome. Guitarists should, too, but often don't. Bassists have no option.

This video should give him some tips for good ways to practice with a metronome.

He can not be a good bassist unless he gets that down. It's impossible. Tell him to get to work.

C0FF1NF33D3R

Metronome or make him wear a shock collar during practice sessions. When he hits an offbeat, make him ride the lightning.

Spaztikko

Ok, the entire point of the drummer is to keep in time. It's not a matter of the drummer keeping in time with the band, it's a matter of them keeping time with drums. Even if the drummer cocks up and slows down, you must always keep in time with the drummer.

The reason I think the bassist is screwing up is because of either:

1. He's either concentrating on his parts too much to listen to the drummer
2. He's incapable, and so rhythmically deaf, or whatever its called.

Either way, since most people aren't completely rhythm ******ed both of these leads to practise. It could also be if he's relatively new to the instrument he could just be relatively uncomfortable with it.

tl;dr: practise, yo.

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Dick Foster

losing battle

It only happens at speeds above 220 bpm, it could also be arm fatigue I might have to write slower parts. To avoid this as well.

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AlanHB

I think this is headed in the right direction, along with the singing/bass comment above.

Firstly, playing with drums is a skill that has to be learned. You play with the drums, not the other way around. You constantly listen to them and make sure your part fits in with them. They are the backbone of the band.

So just to clarify, everyone plays with the drums, not the other way around. So you/he knows which notes to play, next part is clicking them in with the drums. If instead you happen to all be playing at the same time sorta rather than playing with the drums, get back to practice and really listen to yourselves.

Secondly playing bass and singing, especially if the have different rhythms/accents. The only tip I have there is to learn each part separately and bring them together slowly to understand how they work together.

I guess what I'm saying generally is that it's probably not just the bassist falling behind. The fact that TS only notices sometimes means the entire band isn't tight. If they were mistakes would be far more pronounced than "noticing sometimes". I think the whole band should stop and listen to eachother.

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And no, Guitar Hero will not help. Even on expert. Really.

losing battle

It only happens at speeds above 220 bpm, it could also be arm fatigue I might have to write slower parts. To avoid this as well.

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Spaztikko

Possibly. But it can be difficult to play and sing difficult parts.

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Firehawk2410

Tapping his foot may or may not help; it depends on the person. Also, if he can't keep up the pace, it may be because he's too tense and his hands might tire easily. He might be holding a death grip on the strings/neck (and the pick if he uses one), which is something you can't tell by sight or by ear.

amonamarthmetal

turn his amp all the way down. the problem fixes itself.

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