My Competency And Confidence Are Lacking!

[JPboles]

I have been playing bass steadily for the last year and a half. I picked it back up when I was asked to join a singer song writer and make a band. Prior to redrafting I hadn't played in 5 years! I'm a month away from 27 and in love with the ability to be expressive while playing!

I have been gigging consistently for the past year, 2+ shows a month. My drummer is phenomenal plays to a click at least half the time live and in rehearsals. Guitar player has good rhythm, and leaves enough space for me to tap slap and basically let me get away with murder!

When we practice and perform I am very seldom comfortable. I have a hard time feeling good about my performances. My expectations are maybe to high, but the material is not complex. I usual construct bass lines with an 8th note feel and a tiny bit of syncopation, or even more linear than that! Tempos vary from 85-165. Alt rock is the style.

When I wood shed alone I practice with drum tracks or a metronome. Usually working on etudes and techniques. I've got more than a few flashy riffs. I almost never learn covers and don't enjoy it. Mostly, learning covers is hard and I hide behind inane technique wood shedding.

How do I become comfortable? What should I practice and learn to become a worthwhile gigging bassist?

[Mirios]

Practice using rests.

[Duckwater]

Ear-Training. Nothing makes me feel more confident than picking up a song in an instant or improvising on the fly (with good results).

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by JPboles

I have been playing bass steadily for the last year and a half. I picked it back up when I was asked to join a singer song writer and make a band. Prior to redrafting I hadn't played in 5 years! I'm a month away from 27 and in love with the ability to be expressive while playing!

I have been gigging consistently for the past year, 2+ shows a month. My drummer is phenomenal plays to a click at least half the time live and in rehearsals. Guitar player has good rhythm, and leaves enough space for me to tap slap and basically let me get away with murder!

When we practice and perform I am very seldom comfortable. I have a hard time feeling good about my performances. My expectations are maybe to high, but the material is not complex. I usual construct bass lines with an 8th note feel and a tiny bit of syncopation, or even more linear than that! Tempos vary from 85-165. Alt rock is the style.

When I wood shed alone I practice with drum tracks or a metronome. Usually working on etudes and techniques. I've got more than a few flashy riffs. I almost never learn covers and don't enjoy it. Mostly, learning covers is hard and I hide behind inane technique wood shedding.

How do I become comfortable? What should I practice and learn to become a worthwhile gigging bassist?

One impression I get from your post is that you MIGHT be focusing on the flashy stuff a little too much.
Does anyone really want to hear that from you?
I would suggest you do learn covers as that may well educate you as to the function of the bass in the musical context. It may be hard at first but it will be worth it I'd think.
You might start playing stuff that other musicians enjoy listening to and what "works"( not saying that they don't enjoy playing with you now)

[IncX]

you are not confident and yet you tap and slap?

you've also been gigging for 2 years and you dont feel like you are a "worthwhile gigging bassist?"

i have a feeling your problem is a lot more esteem related than bass-related...

[Fergie Fulton]

The one thing we cannot deny is our own true feeling of what we do. The doubts players have will betray them in the long run or in a pressure stuation. Regardless of ability, experience, technique, age, equipment, the deep down opinion we hold will betray us.

To fix this a player has to be honest about what they do and be honest about how to fix it and be honest to do it no matter what. Some players when they look at themselves will not like what the see, some will even refuse to believe there is a problem and so not be honest and carry on regardless.

This does not mean we have to find fault, address it, and fix it.
Everyone has a different expectation and reality of situation, so just accepting that, yes i play and it will never amount to anything is as honest as seeing it as, i play and will never amount to anything unless i change. The looking at yourself is about acceptance of responsibility for your situation, mind set, gear, techniques etc is yours, and so your to change if you so desire.

[MalcolmAmos]

Yes to covers. See how others handle a specific song. And yes, I did since in your post a need to be more melodic than is perhaps necessary. Remember you function in the rhythm section - until you get a lead break. Once you are given the lead - then do your stuff. Augment till it's your time to shine.

Remember the old bell curve.

Supply and demand - of the bassists in your area where do you fit on the curve?
In the style of music your band plays where do you see yourself on the curve? I bet you fall in the acceptable part, when compared to your peers. Relax and enjoy it. Twice a month, plus - it's a hobby, treat it as such.

We all want to be better, the band likes what you are doing or they would be looking for a replacement, enjoy what you have now and envision what it can be like when you do get better.

You asked:

How do I become comfortable? What should I practice and learn to become a worthwhile gigging bassist?

I think you will find that in a study of covers. Learn from those that came before you.

Good luck

[Rockmusician]

Even though you don't like it, I would suggest that you learn covers. You can pick up a lot of different techniques by listening to and learning what other bassists have done.