To make a living off playing bass..

LarkinLondon · #1 07-01-2010, 08:35 PM

What do I have to know?
What abilities do I have to have to become a studio musician for a living, and/or get to play with a bigger band?

Nashville Numbers? Sight Reading? Every scale imaginable?

I've been playing for 6ish years, completely self taught; and I know it's a little late in my game but I'd like to really go for this as a profession.
I'd like to know what I need to know so I can start taking some lessons and you know, actually start a career at this. Or at least give it my best shot.

MNAirHead · #2 07-01-2010, 08:50 PM

There are other folks on this board who went farther than I did (worked full time on the road 364 days a year for 5 years).. I've been blessed to hear myself on the radio, play to a sea of people etc.

Opinions
-Focus on Selling
-Get a Great Stellar PR Kit
-Sing

I spent 4 hours a day on the phone with agents/recruiters.. 2 hours lifting weights.. 6 hours playing and 2 hours with friends... took me 5 years of doing this...

I was young enough that my parents were supporting me through it... paid off.. but then again I'm the fool who made thousands of calls and lived through the rejection.

Glad I did it -- paid off... not sure I'd do it again.

Overall.. Sales trumps chops.

analog_freak · #3 07-01-2010, 08:51 PM

For studio work, sight reading is a must. You'd be playing written bass lines at times, and you'd be expected to create poppin' bass parts of your own to written chord changes. You'll have to develop the intuition to make smooth ways of connecting the chords. Be well versed at writing and reading music (be able to quickly write parts out, unless your memory is outstanding and you can recall the parts and chord changes that are thrown at you).

You likely won't make a living doing studio work alone, at least not at first. You'll need to rely on gigs, including parties, weddings, etc., so it's also important to know as many of the standards as possible so that you'll get more calls.

It's never too late in the game. I'm 50 and I've freelanced part-time as a bassist for a couple decades while being a full-time college professor (social sciences), but I'm exploring how to reverse the order of things (more full-time music, and only part-time college teaching). I never really considered doing music full time, but I've noticed lately that audiences young and old seem to appreciate my bass approach compared to the blandness that's out there, and all the time people tell me I should be doing this stuff full time. IOW, age is irrelevant.

HeadyVan Halen · #4 07-01-2010, 08:55 PM

Practice. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 hours a day for the next 5 years and then.... maybe. Oh, yeah. And develop your own recognizable style. I'm sure your a good player, but to get on a level of Schmidt, Miller, Wooten, Lee, Jackson, etc, it takes major, major work. That ain't all God-given talent.

Now, if you didn't mean the virtuoso route, it still takes a bunch of practice and networking. Not getting 'type-cast' to 1 style of music. There's alot of dudes who can play blues. Lot of dudes who can play metal, Jazz, Afro-cuban, Country, Hip-hop...etc

But not many who can play them ALL REALLY well and with little 'learning curve' time. Once you do it for real, it has all the trappins of a regular job.

John Wentzien · #5 07-01-2010, 09:01 PM

It took me only 35+ years of living at (or below) poverty-level...constant touring..practicing...

But...I'm up for Grammy this year!.....Don't quit!

Ask yourself if you "want" to be a musician...or "have-to-be" a musician...The answer will come real quick!!!

MNAirHead · #6 07-01-2010, 09:04 PM

Did I mention selling

John Wentzien · #7 07-01-2010, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Did I mention selling

Got to!

LotusCarsLtd52 · #8 07-01-2010, 09:07 PM

What if you're like me starting a band with close friends who already have a pretty good idea of what kind of music we're doing? How do we do it? I feel a lot of it is being different and unique, not like all the bland stuff you encounter out there today.

OnThaCouch · #9 07-01-2010, 09:07 PM

OnThaCouch · #10 07-01-2010, 09:09 PM

Hello Larkin--
I am not sure how much exposure this thread gets because it is a hidden gem tucked away in the Misc Forum but it has a ton of good stuff from pros.

Hopefully some of the answers you are looking for are in there.

Good luck on your journey. Be patient, work hard and have fun.
Tom

Advice for aspiring Studio Players or anyone that wants to "Go Pro"

Ric5 · #11 07-01-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarkinLondon

What do I have to know?
What abilities do I have to have to become a studio musician for a living, and/or get to play with a bigger band?

Nashville Numbers? Sight Reading? Every scale imaginable?

I've been playing for 6ish years, completely self taught; and I know it's a little late in my game but I'd like to really go for this as a profession.
I'd like to know what I need to know so I can start taking some lessons and you know, actually start a career at this. Or at least give it my best shot.

The music business is not a business that rewards talent and hard work. My advice is get a good day job so you can afford lots of bass toys.

John Wentzien · #12 07-01-2010, 09:24 PM

If you DIE ...it helps a LOT!

billoetjen · #13 07-01-2010, 09:33 PM

Let's see.... what skills and knowledge do you need to make a living off of playing bass...

How about, the art of dumpster-diving?
and maybe finding and maintaining a habitable refrigerator box (never mind keeping your bass gear safe and secure in the street)...

ummm, bumming off of friends and relatives?

Buster Brown · #14 07-01-2010, 09:38 PM

Saw this thread and thought I'd offer my experience (FWIW)

I began playing in 1969...garage bands mostly but fell in love with it and, although nothing (full time) materialized, I always had a great time.

Well, over the years I became good friends with several guys "in the business" like promoters and producers and engineers..you get the idea.

As a result, I was in bands that received more and more exposure and began opening for big timers. Again, had the time of my life!

Moved to LA in 1972 and began working for a label. Hell, I swept floors, cleaned ash trays, was a gopher...it didn't matter to me. I was learning. Got to learn from some of the best, as a matter of fact - John Kay, Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, Dave Kingman, Phil Spector, I could go on and on. Point is - I never quit learning - and playing. Every time some guy said "You are wasting your time", I tried harder.

Got with a group that was touring and went North, South, East and West. Over and over again....again, the time of my life! Finally settled down, Married and raised a family. Never quit playing though...and learning - because technology changes constantly. Keep up or get left behind. Worked as a local studio player. Kept fairly busy with local artists, jingles, commercials and local news spots. Actually got a couple of national comercial jingles. Make no mistake, though. I HAD TO HAVE A REGULAR DAY JOB...which now pays a decent retirement!

Now, some 35 years later, I am back to the West coast studio thing. This time it is in an A&R role. Still do a little studio work from time to time, still meet some great folks. And I meet a boat-load of folks (just like you ) who ask how they can make a career of it.

I always smile when asked - I'm not sure that I EVER made a career of it...but damn, I've been doing it all my life!

Keep pluggin away! You might just surprise yourself!!

MNAirHead · #15 07-01-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LotusCarsLtd52

What if you're like me starting a band with close friends who already have a pretty good idea of what kind of music we're doing? How do we do it? I feel a lot of it is being different and unique, not like all the bland stuff you encounter out there today.

Lotus..

I could be totally wrong for what's happening in today's market.

When I was down this path, it was MUCH easier as a single person.

The reality is my road career was being the jump in guy for a band that had a manager who needed to axe the bassist for some reason.

It's slower to move and be unique in a band..

Timmy

Did I mention selling?

bwoodman · #16 07-01-2010, 09:53 PM

It's all who you know - and the only way to meet the most people is to play out as much as possible no matter what the gig pays or doesn't pay - that's it.

TortillaChip520 · #17 07-01-2010, 10:45 PM

Reading music is very important. If you can read and they don't give you a chart, you're fine. If you can't read and they give you a chart, you're screwed.

Billnc · #18 07-01-2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

It took me only 35+ years of living at (or below) poverty-level...constant touring..practicing...

But...I'm up for Grammy this year!.....Don't quit!

Ask yourself if you "want" to be a musician...or "have-to-be" a musician...The answer will come real quick!!!

You come through again. This is what I do, come hell or high water this is what I will do tomorrow. I'm fifty and twenty years into it.

WORK every day. If I'm off, my 8 hour day is studying music. Be on 24 hour call. I can be a bugger about a rehearsal being a waste of time if not needed (this alludes to be efficient with time), but if you call me I'm there for anything. I gave up music for 5 years to join the army. It was good training for this.

Eat Noodles Ramen for two years, the incentive to never eat Noodles Ramen again is enough to keep you on track. 17 years for me, but next week looks grim.

We struggle, but look how many people do the 'secure' job route and are losing.

Last but not least stay in shape.

Good luck on the Grammy!

LotusCarsLtd52 · #19 07-01-2010, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Lotus..

I could be totally wrong for what's happening in today's market.

When I was down this path, it was MUCH easier as a single person.

As in a bassist hiring myself out?

Quote:

The reality is my road career was being the jump in guy for a band that had a manager who needed to axe the bassist for some reason.

It's slower to move and be unique in a band..

You mean in terms of "getting somewhere"?

Quote:

Timmy

Did I mention selling?

And fancy resumes with nice language

[EDIT] Also keep in mind that for the time being we're doing the "work and do the band as a side project" so I realize that I won't get anywhere anytime fast.

Eminentbass · #20 07-02-2010, 12:20 AM

Being a session player isn't only about skill(still very important though), the one thing that guarantees repeat business is generally your attitude. Be willing to take direction and accept that when you do a session you're not there to leave your mark but provide a service towards enhancing someone else's vision. Most session work I've done has been rather mundane and hasn't required me to haul out my entire range of abilities but the thing that people remember and talk about apart from efficiency in the studio is whether or not you're easy to work with.

As far as technical abilities go, you don't need to be able to shred through every scale imaginable but you do need to be versatile and have the ability to adapt to any style you're called upon to play. Some producers/artists have the entire song plotted out in their heads and can be very specific about what they want but sometimes you'll get to work with someone who is interested in your creative input as well.