Well I've been playing around with the material I found and goddamn if I didnt already know 90% of the answer. Never would have got the rest of it if I havent of asked a fairly stupid question.
Stupid questions rock!
BD, simple is what I'm all about. Im the singer/bass player in my rock band, so I dont play anything too unmanagable. But Ive found any time I dont like the rhythm in a song we play, I'll take notes out of the bassline before ill ever add notes in. You are dead on with the balance thing.
Ray, good to have you in here. All that theory kinda stings your ears when its spoken by people who know too much of it eh? I got lots of folk musicians who are friends who are 'dot players', guys who know tons of theory. I know a little, but those guys make me dizzy with the stuff they come out with.