Newbie Needs Advice

[lord toranaga]

I am a newbie bass player with dreams of playing for a living.


when I feel I am ready, how do I find a gig?

[Marcury]

Don't worry about that. Learn how to play and find others to play with. That is how you will get ready and you will find gigs by playing with others and meeting the musicians in your area.

[kerryg]

is to sign up with a lesson or two from the happening pro bassists in town - even if you aren't sure they have much to teach you (although they almost always do).

Sooner or later most pros get called for a gig they've "outgrown", and they often pass those on to one of their most capable students. I inherited many gigs from my teacher, even though that wasn't my motivation; it was only years later that I realized the value of study as networking device.

Of course, it's up to you to work hard to be that "most capable student."

[HaVIC5]

Being a professional musician requires two things. Musical ability, and networking ability. The ability to go out and meet people to play with, coordinate, exchange numbers, do favors, and in general be an outgoing and proactive person in social and professional situations that involve music is extremely important. You rarely, if ever, get the gig on musical merit alone, like for example, an audition or whatever. You'll get the gig if you know somebody. That's how it works.

[tswd]

Whether or not you're ready depends on what music you want to play. Being ready for a jazz band is MUCH different than being ready for a punk band. If you have no experience and can't really play, go for punk.

First step: find a band. Craigslist is a good place to look. Or the classifieds in your local paper.

2nd step: Get about an hour to an hour and a half of music down.

3rd step: Make a demo tape of 1-4 of your best songs.

4th step: Shameless self promotion.

Remember, some of the best musicians around are sleeping on park benches in Nashville. Musical ability alone won't get you very far. People need to know who you are. Period. Nobody's gonna pay much money to see a band they've never heard of.

With any luck, in a couple years, you'll be making about what a fry cook at McDonald's makes. If you find you're not making enough money, repeat step 4 ad infinitum.

Good luck!

[Matthew Bryson]

Originally Posted by kerryg

sign up with a lesson or two from the happening pro bassists in town - even if you aren't sure they have much to teach you (although they almost always do).

Sooner or later most pros get called for a gig they've "outgrown", and they often pass those on to one of their most capable students.

Big +1

I had a similar experience when I was taking lessons.

Also, even if the teacher isn't able to hook you up with a gig, I'm sure he can tell you what type of band situation you are ready for.

[lord toranaga]

thank for all of the advise.

I am not really interested in playing punk, or metal.

I have learned a good deal in the month I have had my bass
2 lessons / week
3 hours of practice /day broken up iinto 20 minute segments.

Fry cook money is OK by me. I sell records on ebay for a living, and only work about 10 hours/ week


I want to play jazz eventually, and salsa
I think I want to do some classical recitals
maybe find a blue grass group, where I could do some simple rhythms