Becoming a studio musician and teaching.

[Allmanfan456]

Hey Talk Bass! It's been a couple years since I've written on these forums so it's good to be back.

So I'm a 20 year old bassist I've been playing for about eight years or so and have been playing in bands regularly, I think I'm decent. I have good chops, can play to a click track well, have good timing and good rhythm. However I can't read music. ( I did for a week or so but got discouraged because I got rejected from a school) I know little theory (A few scales, I can arpeggiate chords, and I know the notes on the fret board)

I know making it as a session musician is a long shot and I want you guys to be straight with me. What does one have to do in order to become a session musician? For any styles I love all genres of music. I'm more than willing to learn what it takes to become a studio musician.

Something more realistic though is something my dad keeps telling me to do, which is teaching. My cousin picked up bass recently and wants lessons from someone (He got some basic ones to start him off see if he likes it and he loves it) and my parents recommended me. I'm no teacher but I want to help him. What should I teach him? I have no idea where to start. My dad also recommends giving bass lessons in general but I don't know if I'd be good for it since I don't know where to start with teaching.

Sorry for the essay but I'm trying to figure out what I want to do with my life and I would greatly appreciate advice on these.

[fmoore200]

I don't know about session work, but to be a teacher you need to know your scales and theory in general.

[funkybass]

No offense, but if you are asking us what to teach him you probably shouldn't be teaching.JMHO.

[lfmn16]

I don't know how you would teach or be a studio musician if you can't read music. Also, many people find that it takes more than a week to become proficient at reading music.

As far as the student - do him a favor and send him to a real teacher.

If you are serious about being a studio musician or teacher, you have some years of really hard work ahead of you.

[Snarf]

Originally Posted by Allmanfan456

Hey Talk Bass! It's been a couple years since I've written on these forums so it's good to be back.

So I'm a 20 year old bassist I've been playing for about eight years or so and have been playing in bands regularly, I think I'm decent. I have good chops, can play to a click track well, have good timing and good rhythm. However I can't read music. ( I did for a week or so but got discouraged because I got rejected from a school) I know little theory (A few scales, I can arpeggiate chords, and I know the notes on the fret board)

I know making it as a session musician is a long shot and I want you guys to be straight with me. What does one have to do in order to become a session musician? For any styles I love all genres of music. I'm more than willing to learn what it takes to become a studio musician.

Something more realistic though is something my dad keeps telling me to do, which is teaching. My cousin picked up bass recently and wants lessons from someone (He got some basic ones to start him off see if he likes it and he loves it) and my parents recommended me. I'm no teacher but I want to help him. What should I teach him? I have no idea where to start. My dad also recommends giving bass lessons in general but I don't know if I'd be good for it since I don't know where to start with teaching.

Sorry for the essay but I'm trying to figure out what I want to do with my life and I would greatly appreciate advice on these.

There are maybe 20 guys (could be less at this point) that make decent livings playing bass in the studio. That is VERY difficult work to get. You need a combination of skill and luck. Also, you need to be in a location where work exists. The bulk of studio work gets done in LA and Nashville. NYC to a lesser extent, but it does exist, from what I understand. This is not a career that you can just study for and apply to it like a job. Years of networking and practice and experience go into it. And if what you described is the extent of your knowledge, you've got a long way to go. And as far as teaching, you might not want to go there just yet. I mean, you quit trying to sight read after you got rejected from music school. I'm sorry, but that's not exactly a recipe for success there.

You need to have a GREAT ear and be able to read chord charts. Standard notation is a little less common to see, but you NEED to learn it anyway, because you may some day find yourself in a position where you didn't know it was a reading gig and you're unprepared. Versatility is key.

So ear, charts, standard notation. Also you should have your tone and your gear squared away. Don't bring an Ibanez or anything like that to a session unless you're also bringing your jazz and your precision. Wouldn't hurt to have a Stingray either. The more versatile you can be tonally, the more marketable you are.

I should mention that most of my own experience has been in student projects for pop music and film scoring (bowing on double bass, where reading REALLY comes in). Most of my time in professional studios outside of school has been as a band leader and producer.

You would do well to take a look at the Ask A Pro sections. I know Adam Nitti has addressed this topic.

edit: Also seek out info and videos about guys like Nathan East, Pino Palladino, Abe Laboriel, Michael Rhodes, Tony Levin, Neil Steubenhaus, Lee Sklar, Will Lee, etc. Those guys are some of the MAJOR players in the world today.

edit2: Dude, where in CT are you from?

[Allmanfan456]

Originally Posted by funkybass

No offense, but if you are asking us what to teach him you probably shouldn't be teaching.JMHO.

I asked that so I could help give him pointers and point him in the right direction. I'm not looking to go full on scales and stuff with him. Just some beginner stuff, easy songs maybe some patterns you know? No offense taken I know I'm not exactly a good teacher.

Originally Posted by lfmn16

I don't know how you would teach or be a studio musician if you can't read music. Also, many people find that it takes more than a week to become proficient at reading music.

As far as the student - do him a favor and send him to a real teacher.

If you are serious about being a studio musician or teacher, you have some years of really hard work ahead of you.

I would be doing simple beginner lessons but I'm skeptical of the idea since my knowledge is slim. But I agree he should go to a qualified teacher. I asked just for some basic beginner stuff I could show him. Just get him started.

I know it would be a hard road but I'd be motivated to give it a go.

[sammyp]

Session players.....successful ones, are either pretty awesome at many styles or at least the absolute best in town at a couple styles.

They collect lot's of gear to cover much tonal ground and usually always respect and can deliver classic tones and style.....p bass, j bass.
..that sort of thing.

Not sure how notation studio bassists would read these days but they definately know the nashville number system and all the theory behind building lines from chord charts.

Lastly, studio players end up with a career in the studio because their playing and tone in local live venues is just so damn good people start asking to record them.

It's very clique oriented....in country music there are many many tracks cut by a surprising few.

[Allmanfan456]

Originally Posted by Snarf

There are maybe 20 guys (could be less at this point) that make decent livings playing bass in the studio. That is VERY difficult work to get. You need a combination of skill and luck. Also, you need to be in a location where work exists. The bulk of studio work gets done in LA and Nashville. NYC to a lesser extent, but it does exist, from what I understand. This is not a career that you can just study for and apply to it like a job. Years of networking and practice and experience go into it. And if what you described is the extent of your knowledge, you've got a long way to go. And as far as teaching, you might not want to go there just yet. I mean, you quit trying to sight read after you got rejected from music school. I'm sorry, but that's not exactly a recipe for success there.

You need to have a GREAT ear and be able to read chord charts. Standard notation is a little less common to see, but you NEED to learn it anyway, because you may some day find yourself in a position where you didn't know it was a reading gig and you're unprepared. Versatility is key.

So ear, charts, standard notation. Also you should have your tone and your gear squared away. Don't bring an Ibanez or anything like that to a session unless you're also bringing your jazz and your precision. Wouldn't hurt to have a Stingray either. The more versatile you can be tonally, the more marketable you are.

I should mention that most of my own experience has been in student projects for pop music and film scoring (bowing on double bass, where reading REALLY comes in). Most of my time in professional studios outside of school has been as a band leader and producer.

You would do well to take a look at the Ask A Pro sections. I know Adam Nitti has addressed this topic.

edit: Also seek out info and videos about guys like Nathan East, Pino Palladino, Abe Laboriel, Michael Rhodes, Tony Levin, Neil Steubenhaus, Lee Sklar, Will Lee, etc. Those guys are some of the MAJOR players in the world today.

edit2: Dude, where in CT are you from?

That's the first thing I realized about wanting to become a studio musician. It's very difficult. I know me stopping reading standard notation was bad but at that time I had done a week of solid practice. I got decent but I was just fried on learning it. It lost it's appeal. I didn't expect to get this idea again.

I'm going back to Community college soon and after I get enough credits to transfer to another school I'll transfer to a college with a good music program. (Western is the main one I'm looking at)

Thanks for your great post though I appreciate you and everyone elses feedback. I'm just somebody who'd love to make it as a playing musician. So I'm just asking for some pointers to help me out.

I'll be sure to check out those players. I'm already a fan of Nathan East, Lee Skylar (I love his work with Phil Collins), and Tony Levin. I'm not that far from New York. I'm an hour and a half away from there via train ride. I'm getting my license soon. Money's been an issue lately. But anyway I'll also check out the ask a Pro section. I know I have a long way to go but I'm willing to try it.

[Allmanfan456]

Originally Posted by sammyp

Session players.....successful ones, are either pretty awesome at many styles or at least the absolute best in town at a couple styles.

They collect lot's of gear to cover much tonal ground and usually always respect and can deliver classic tones and style.....p bass, j bass.
..that sort of thing.

Not sure how notation studio bassists would read these days but they definately know the nashville number system and all the theory behind building lines from chord charts.

Lastly, studio players end up with a career in the studio because their playing and tone in local live venues is just so damn good people start asking to record them.

It's very clique oriented....in country music there are many many tracks cut by a surprising few.

What is the Nashville number system? I've seen it mentioned on Talkbass before but not 100% sure on what it is. Tone wise I think I'd be okay. I have a Geddy Lee jazz bass with dimarzios installed, and soon I'm going to have a P/J bass.

Having a good live band would probably help?

[Snarf]

Originally Posted by Allmanfan456

That's the first thing I realized about wanting to become a studio musician. It's very difficult. I know me stopping reading standard notation was bad but at that time I had done a week of solid practice. I got decent but I was just fried on learning it. It lost it's appeal. I didn't expect to get this idea again.

I'm going back to Community college soon and after I get enough credits to transfer to another school I'll transfer to a college with a good music program. (Western is the main one I'm looking at)

Thanks for your great post though I appreciate you and everyone elses feedback. I'm just somebody who'd love to make it as a playing musician. So I'm just asking for some pointers to help me out.

I'll be sure to check out those players. I'm already a fan of Nathan East, Lee Skylar (I love his work with Phil Collins), and Tony Levin. I'm not that far from New York. I'm an hour and a half away from there via train ride. I'm getting my license soon. Money's been an issue lately. But anyway I'll also check out the ask a Pro section. I know I have a long way to go but I'm willing to try it.

I know a couple really good players from Wesconn. But only a couple. Instead of blowing a bunch of money on a music program now, you should take a couple years to shed HARD, THEN think about music school. At school it's all about networking, and the better you are going in, the more you'll get out of it. If you go too soon, you could end up with a bunch of debt and not a whole lot to show for it. Once you're good enough, consider auditioning in NYC. Danbury just isn't going to compare. At all.

[Allmanfan456]

Originally Posted by Snarf

I know a couple really good players from Wesconn. But only a couple. Instead of blowing a bunch of money on a music program now, you should take a couple years to shed HARD, THEN think about music school. At school it's all about networking, and the better you are going in, the more you'll get out of it. If you go too soon, you could end up with a bunch of debt and not a whole lot to show for it. Once you're good enough, consider auditioning in NYC. Danbury just isn't going to compare. At all.

I like that idea actually. It would probably be a year or so before I transfer. The new semesters just started up and I'm going back next semester. So figure a year, maybe a year and a half from now I'd be in another school depending. If I start working hard now I may be able to do that. Maybe after I get my credits to transfer I can take another semester off to make sure I know enough.

EDIT: I probably should go to New York. I'll look up a few music schools in New York.

[miltslackford]

[quote="Allmanfan456"] What does one have to do in order to become a session musician? /QUOTE]

I would try and find a session musician who is earning a living from it and ask them. There aren't as many now as there used to be. Session musicians are an expensive luxury and the industry doesn't have much money because of downloads. Add to this the fact that everybody wants to be a session musician. In the uk it's very nepotistic and it's definitely a who you know thing. The same band that plays for will young will play for Ozzy. There's so little work a couple of agencies have it sewn up. Don't know about the us. I've met a lot of people who used to be session musicians but the only active session players I've met who are earning a stable living were playing for old school acts rather than up and coming artists. I think probably location, networking, and being in the top 1 percent or better skill wise is going to give you a chance. But I think it's crucial to try and find out where the work is and who hires who rather than just try and be really good and think that will get you somewhere. Teaching is a different kettle of fish you could probably start now because teaching is like the opposite way round- it's about being able to help people learn who find it difficult, rather than being an elite player.

[mcblahflooper94]

You really should learn theory... not just for your cousin, but for yourself. It helps put music *together*, like learning a language. It also seems to make you magically better, ehe.

If you're 20, you should find lessons from someone ELSE. Learning theory, like I said, makes you magically better (it makes you faster, more accurate, have a better ear). Since I've been learning theory and taking lessons, just for two months I have became so much better. My understanding of music is no longer a void, it is now more of a blurry image .

For example, since last week, I wasn't able to play Rope by Foo Fighters using my fingers, I had to flamenco strum. Now I can use fingers.

[Allmanfan456]

[quote=miltslackford;12138073]

Originally Posted by Allmanfan456

What does one have to do in order to become a session musician? /QUOTE]

I would try and find a session musician who is earning a living from it and ask them. There aren't as many now as there used to be. Session musicians are an expensive luxury and the industry doesn't have much money because of downloads. Add to this the fact that everybody wants to be a session musician. In the uk it's very nepotistic and it's definitely a who you know thing. The same band that plays for will young will play for Ozzy. There's so little work a couple of agencies have it sewn up. Don't know about the us. I've met a lot of people who used to be session musicians but the only active session players I've met who are earning a stable living were playing for old school acts rather than up and coming artists. I think probably location, networking, and being in the top 1 percent or better skill wise is going to give you a chance. But I think it's crucial to try and find out where the work is and who hires who rather than just try and be really good and think that will get you somewhere. Teaching is a different kettle of fish you could probably start now because teaching is like the opposite way round- it's about being able to help people learn who find it difficult, rather than being an elite player.

Yeah I know what you mean. I know just hoping won't get me places. I know I'll have to network and be proactive not just get good then sit around and stuff. I'm not worrying about teaching. I just wanted to see if anyone could give me some finger exercises that I could show my cousin. Not get payed or anything just kinda jump start him more.

[Allmanfan456]

Originally Posted by mcblahflooper94

You really should learn theory... not just for your cousin, but for yourself. It helps put music *together*, like learning a language. It also seems to make you magically better, ehe.

If you're 20, you should find lessons from someone ELSE. Learning theory, like I said, makes you magically better (it makes you faster, more accurate, have a better ear). Since I've been learning theory and taking lessons, just for two months I have became so much better. My understanding of music is no longer a void, it is now more of a blurry image .

For example, since last week, I wasn't able to play Rope by Foo Fighters using my fingers, I had to flamenco strum. Now I can use fingers.

Theory is definitely on my to do list. I would love to take lessons but money is an issue right now. Any suggestions on where to start? I have the bass grimoire but I don't know where to start.

[mcblahflooper94]

Originally Posted by Allmanfan456

Theory is definitely on my to do list. I would love to take lessons but money is an issue right now. Any suggestions on where to start? I have the bass grimoire but I don't know where to start.

Books never... explained it well enough to me. The only thing I learned (theory wise) is notes on the bass. I'm sure there are some brilliant lessons out there that other TB'ers can recommend, but a book (for me anyways) never clicked.

[Allmanfan456]

Originally Posted by mcblahflooper94

Books never... explained it well enough to me. The only thing I learned (theory wise) is notes on the bass. I'm sure there are some brilliant lessons out there that other TB'ers can recommend, but a book (for me anyways) never clicked.

I feel I'm the same way man. Books aren't doing too much for me. I just can't stand sitting with a book practicing. It's dull. Works for some people though and more power to them.

[Justbleazy]

I've only been playing the bass for 3 years and have been asked if I teach lessons 5+ times. You can teach somebody scales ALL but you have to show them how to apply them. I always recommend aspiring bassists to become familiar with the piano and chord progressions because once they know that, they should be able to pick up the bass guitar much faster (or at least it worked for me).

Bottom, whatever you know is more than what he knows right?

[nitsuj]

Look, you're young (in a good way). You have a long road ahead of you, with a long ways to go. You still have SO much to perfect.--- in other words, set your goals now! learn as much about music, not just bass, as you can! get a cheap guitar and learn some chords; take a piano class at a community college; major in music; etc. you have plenty of time to do all of these things.
Be aware, though the road is long, the trip is short. Don't waste your time with books. Find a good instructor; find a good school; at the very least, teach yourself some basic music reading, learn some easy country bass songs by listening and trying to figure out what is being played (Family Tradition by Hank Wiliams Jr.), figure out how to write it out on sheet music paper and have someone who knows how to read (and listen to) music check it.---- bottom line: get started on the goals you have set.
You might never make it to studio musician, or even a good teacher. If you don't try, you'll never know.
As far as teaching your blood; just get together as often as you can and play some stuff together, even if it's something as simple as setting a click track and alternating notes. Make sure to listen to music together, and find bass parts that you guys like, and listen to those parts over, and over again. Talk about music together, and go try out new gear.---two points: HAVE FUN, and instead of teaching him, make a point of LEARNING WITH HIM.

[Allmanfan456]

Originally Posted by Justbleazy

I've only been playing the bass for 3 years and have been asked if I teach lessons 5+ times. You can teach somebody scales ALL but you have to show them how to apply them. I always recommend aspiring bassists to become familiar with the piano and chord progressions because once they know that, they should be able to pick up the bass guitar much faster (or at least it worked for me).

Bottom, whatever you know is more than what he knows right?

That's an interesting idea. Good way to show the role of bass to beginners. Show him that he has to compliment the melody of a song. I never thought of that before. Chord progressions are helpful too. Once I learned the notes on the neck I started to follow chord charts. That is true I do know more but I'm just stumped on how to help.