I'm a beginner bassist . Been handling the bass from about 2 months now , and been on TalkBass from the start of it , learning and playing . Anyways , I've had this question in my mind from a while , so I thought I'd put it up , and let it mull around the forums a bit .

I dont want to brag , but I could say that for a beginner I'm doing pretty good . I can read (not sight-read mind , but READ.....gimme sheet and 15 mins , and I'll be able to get the main section of the song set.....) , know how to do about 5 types of scales , through out the fretboard if I have to (Major , Minor , Pentatonic , Blues ) , How to form some decent basslines , whether it be formed around chords or whether it'd be melodic bass . I am pretty tight with the timing when I'm working with a metronome , so setting up a decent time isnt an issue . I improvise a lot , and in my daily practice schedule I get out a **** load of melodic bass progressions , and riffs , which would make any Symphony X fan proud .

Thats about it . I reiterate , I AM NOT TRYING TO BRAG . I'm just telling you guys the fact . Band people whome I've talked to are kinda suprised when I tell them that i've just handled it for about a couple of months and their like "......dude , that the playing of someone whose been into it for about a year atleast....."...but moving onto the issue...

1 I dont play any songs . None whatsoever . I sit and practice transcribing a bit just to keep my ear-training in shape . I can play the basslines of some simple songs , like Alter Rock kinda stuff , which is not great , but it's ok I guess . I'm starting to wonder now that whether this is really starting to become an issue . I'm more of an OC guy , and I want to come up with my own stuff which I do from time to time , but thats related to the second issue.....

2 Band . I have no idea how the hell I can join a band in my general vicinity . The problem in this issue is that most of the bands here are Thrash-heads . They do Metallica and Megadeth and some other stuff which I keep at a large distance away from my preference of music (Alter Rock , German Hard Rock , Power Metal and some Punk ) . Also , usually such bands tend to be egotists and pricks , who'd really cramp up when I'd say something like "How about we try out this song I made..." , at which the reply would be....."shut up and play the basslines for Fade to Black..." . I have a drummer friend , but his case is shot up till about a few months from now , and even then , I take the issue as very tentative . So I'm pretty much by myself .

So the Question is.....how the hell do I move on from here . I'm not at the stage of burnout or whatever yet . I still do good bass regularly , loads of improv. and all that crap , but I'm starting to realize that this is gonna start harming in the future , because uptill now as far as playing and learning the bass goes , I've been pretty disciplined and rigid with myself , and learnt a lot of theory and regularly practiced technique to keep my fingers in shape , but I'm starting to see the ceiling of following my routine , and unless I start finding the actual Fun factor in playing , then I fear I might turn out to be another hopeless shredder with no audience . How do I get out of this rut . Do I suck up and make a list of songs that I should learn up , and learn the basslines for that , (kinda like building a musician portfolio) , or should I focus on my own OC's , and start composing the parts myself , and maybe try to make songs by multi-tracking my old Acoustic Guitar and Bass , with a drum track , or what...

..any solution is appreciated . My apologies to anyone who think I'm acting arrogant , I just want to get the right idea out . Cheers .

I'd say you answered your own question... You need to start transcribing and learning tunes. If you feel ready to play in a band then do it. So what if it isn't your type of music being a bedroom musician and a player is two different things get out and play with others.

Start networking. Go to shows of bands who play the type of music you want to play and start asking around if anybody is in need of a bassist.

Classified ads work, too. If there's something like craigslist for where you're at, put up an ad saying what you're looking for. Bare minimum, there should be a local newspaper or something you could put an ad in.

I suppose learning songs could keep you busy in the meantime. It would also open up the option of joining a cover band, which would at least get you out and playing.

There is nothing like playing with other musicians to boost your overall muscianship. It challanges you to learn new and different material, and to pay attention to things like tone, dynamics, how to fit into the music, etc....

Like TSWD said, try the classifieds, Craigslist, or your local music store. Bass players tend to be in demand, so you shouldn't have a problem finding some sort of gig. The 1st few you come across may not be your ideal situation, but it is good to give them a try. If it doesn't work out, you can move on. But in the meantime you will gain valuable experience in playing in a group setting.

I agree with the others...you need to start playing with an ensemble. Don't wait for the ideal band in order to get started.

+1 to getting a band to play with.

I'd also suggest letting yourself be open to more genres of music. The list (Alter Rock , German Hard Rock , Power Metal and some Punk) seems to me a pretty narrow bandwidth of what the bass can do for you.

Even if you don't care for r&b, blues, jazz, reggae, latin or whatever, there are still valuable stylistic ideas that you can at least bring back to your chosen style. I have found that exploring "boring" styles can reveal unexpected hidden depths that broaden me as a player (and a person)

also, knowing more styles = more bands that will want you.

You can always work on "OC" on your own while continuing to grow as a functional, flexible sideman.

The problem in this issue is that most of the bands here are Thrash-heads . They do Metallica and Megadeth and some other stuff which I keep at a large distance away from my preference of music (Alter Rock , German Hard Rock , Power Metal and some Punk ) . Also , usually such bands tend to be egotists and pricks , who'd really cramp up when I'd say something like "How about we try out this song I made..." , at which the reply would be....."shut up and play the basslines for Fade to Black..." .

Do you always stereotype heavy metal bands? I know you're "NOT TRYING TO BRAG", but it sounds to me like you're giving your own ego a few strokes.

Of course, as always, no offense intended.

Just jam.
you dont need to be "in a band" to play with musicians. Try and find other musos out there who share your mindset, sit down one afternoon with a few beers and have fun playing music. Sometimes it works; sometimes it sounds like sh!t. Nevermind.

Seems like you have a real good attitude towards it- people will come to you for your skills before long. Good bass players are a pretty rare breed and are never short on gigs.

Wayne m'man, I was not stereotyping Metal bands at all . I am specifically talking about the people in this area to give you guys an idea about the situation I face here . I live over in Mumbai (Bombay) , India . Forget the fact that I might be able to find good serious musicians here , it's difficult to find Rhythm Guitarists who know more than the standard open Chords . Great musicians are an impossibility , and my bar for decent musicians is limited to Rhythm'ers who can play a decent chord progression , with no fancy right hand strumming , just play it in 4/4 time , and drummers who actually own a drum kit , and dont bang sticks on tables for practice sessions . Thats how bad it is here . And the other half of it are the guys I told you about , the Thrash-heads , who own all of their own stuff , can do pretty well , but are arrogant as hell , regardless of their skill . I dont mind giving up my music for the song if the song needs it......I dont want to show off as long as I can make good music , but these guys wanna work in Mike Portnoy Drum solo's into frikkin' Summer of '69 man , it's frikkin insane !!

I'm just searching for a way to get a decent Alternative / Ind. Rock thing going , and I dont think the guys who listen to Metallica 24/7 will even accept that . I've had people tell me that I could apply for a Heavy Metal band right now for my skill level , but it really doesnt work out for me , because it's still not that popular , it's not that acceptable for crowds , and *surprise surprise !!* I'm not that fond of it....

Anyways , whats I've figured out which seems to be the most apt thing to do is that I'll be getting my Rhythm guitar skills back in shape , and start programming a bit of drums , and start recording a few OC's that I've got right now , put them up and then start marketting myself a bit untill I get other members set . Any good websites for learning drums people ??