As I said in another thread, I play in an 80's pop band now. We have a synthesizer player who has generally figured out how to duplicate 80's sounds on his Roland synthesizer.

Problem is, he's always playing down in the bass range whenever he feels like it. So, in the course of a song, he will leave me to hold down the lower frequencies, but when it suits him, he will start banging out a synth bass part.

I find this rather annoying because it's kind of like walking into someone's house unannounced, picking up the remote, helping yourself to the fridge, and then sitting with yoru feet up -- all without discussion or collaboration. Comments from anyone who has experienced this? By the way, the guy is kind of arrogant and headstrong, so I don't have a good prognosis when I e eventually talk to him. He's been kind of ignoring and headstrong on other issues -- like song structure, for example.

That's what separates the pros from the amateurs! Nothing worse than a keyboardist with a wandering left hand! Did a sub gig once and this keyboardist's use of his left hand was just criminal. Got so bad I actually stopped playing and picked up some drum sticks and started playing percussion! The guys in my current band do have a tendency to go there but I let them know right away, if they are not playing the same exact notes as I'm playing, they shouldn't be playing left hand bass notes. I'll also play a little louder to remind them that "Hey, I'm here guys! No need to play bass when you have a bassist!"

I'm not even convinced that it's always OK even if you play exactly the same notes. For example, if the keyboard player ends up doubling your bass in the verse, and then drops out in the chorus, it creates a feeling like the bottom has fallen out of the song. It has to be consistent throughout the tune -- the unison playing. And even then -- does unison playing even add to the sound? What do you think?

I don't dig it at all! No sir! The problem with a lot of amateur keyboardists is that they come from a background where they play alone or have classical training and they play unaccompanied! Then they decide they want to be in a band and try to play the same way. NO! Most pros play in the middle of the keyboard using both hands to play 'sweet' chords. No left hand bass! I also play keys and that's how I played in a band context!

On this note, I'm noticing our band has the really ambient undertone to it now becaus the keyboard is always playing my bass line under me, and his keyboard has reverb and other effects.

Ugh! I'd have to speak up or it will get worse!

Given the personalities involved, I'm going to have to wait for the right moment...perhaps next time the Band has a "family meeting". If I mention is casually, it will simply be ignored. He doesn't get it unfortunately. Nice to know a fellow bass player agrees with my assessment though.