Playing with others, when is the right time to start.

[lopxtc]

Hey all ...

Ive been actively learning to play bass now for about year, well about as active as I can with a full time job, kids, etc etc etc ...

Im not afraid to admit that I am still just very much a beginner only being able to say that I can play along with maybe a hand full of songs, but Im slowly growing tired of just practicing by myself and doing the basics so to speak.

For those of you that play with others, when is it really the right time to get out there and find others to play with. Im not looking to be full time musician but I do dream of being with a group that gets out a couple times a month being happy just playing the smallest venues in the city.

Would Id be stupid to just start putting my name and information on postings, and setting myself up for disappointment. I know what kind of music I would like to play (blues, and indie-music) but I worry that even if I post as a beginner that people might expect more out of me and I would look a fool showing up.

Just wanted to get some advice on that, and see how you all handled that as a beginner. Im kind of stuck in that co-workers and limited people I know are not music people so trying to form a group with friends wont work ...

Thanks,

Aaron

[mambo4]

Once you can play in time to a metronome, you should get out and play with other as soon as you can.
unlike guitar or piano, bass is (generally) an ensemble instrument: a desirable bassist will be good at playing *with others*, in service of the song and the music.
Find people at a similar level (preferably slightly better than you, so you can learn).

Aside form metronome timing, There's 2 skill paths to playing with others:

1.)Learn how to play chord charts. That is, given a set of chords you can come up with a bassline to fit (even if it's just roots at first)
this will require some theory study to learn what note choices go with what chords
(actually it's a never-ending line of study, but the basic chord tones can be picked up within a reasonable ammount of time)

or

2.) Learn and play covers
probably the most direct route, and eventually the motor skills you pick up will megre with path 1 above

Be up front about your skills, expect to be passed over a few times, but get out there and find others ASAP.

[meev992]

I would try jamming with friends first:

My first time, jamming with other musicians, was when I was at the dorms. It was a humbling experience, as I found out first hand, that I was really, really bad at bass.

It gave me the nudge in the right direction.

You may/may not be dissapointed/let down by the experience, so I suggest playing around people you feel really comfortable with, to start out.

[ksandvik]

Yes, please try to play with others, even more seasoned musicians. It's the best way to measure where you are and what you need to improve.

Playing with other musicians is always an interesting experience, you learn a lot about how to fit in, drive, control, give space, follow pace or lead the pace, and so on. --Kent

[chaunceytoben]

I would say look in the classifieds or CL, and see if you can find anything that looks interesting. If something does, you go out and me the group and jam. Worse that happens, is they say. But, you gain valuable experience playing with others. Of course if they want u too join their band (or just a jam group), then have a good time, and im sure you will pick up some very important knowledge.

[Marcury]

Immediately! Playing with others is what it's all about. As long as you are honest with yourself and others about your ability you should be OK.

[topper]

I think the first time I played bass with a group might have been the first time I played bass... It's been a while, so it's hard to remember.

It's probably easier when you're younger. You don't have as much fear of making a fool of yourself.

Try to let that fear go and just go play with some people. Put an ad up, don't oversell yourself and have fun.

[lopxtc]

Right now my practicing is made up of playing along with songs I know, and then usually firing up garageband and loading up some loops in the music style I like and then trying to come up with a good sounding line. Typically root, 3, 5, 7 ... in various patterns. Sometimes straight 8ths, sometimes swung 8ths, or just plain 1/2 and 1/4 notes just trying to get a good feel for the beat and what sounds good.

My plan was to try and find people to "jam" with that also beginners so that there are not pre-installed expectations for a bass player LOL ...

Aaron

[lopxtc]

Originally Posted by mambo4

1.)Learn how to play chord charts. That is, given a set of chords you can come up with a bassline to fit (even if it's just roots at first)
this will require some theory study to learn what note choices go with what chords
(actually it's a never-ending line of study, but the basic chord tones can be picked up within a reasonable ammount of time)

Along this line ... I was looking at the Blues Fake Book (or was it real book) at Borders. Would something like this be good for learning chord charts. I know its not a real lead sheet, but I figured that it would be a good place to start with following the sheet music and listening along to the music.

Aaron

[jerm]

right away, personally I think the bass is a sad instrument without some friends. bass is all about grooving with your friends, doesnt matter if your chops aren't quite honed. 1 hour of playing with people is equivalent to 10 hours noodling around by yourself. thats what its all about, making music

[ryco]

Originally Posted by lopxtc

Right now my practicing is made up of playing along with songs I know, and then usually firing up garageband and loading up some loops in the music style I like and then trying to come up with a good sounding line. Typically root, 3, 5, 7 ... in various patterns. Sometimes straight 8ths, sometimes swung 8ths, or just plain 1/2 and 1/4 notes just trying to get a good feel for the beat and what sounds good.

My plan was to try and find people to "jam" with that also beginners so that there are not pre-installed expectations for a bass player LOL ...

Aaron

Sounds like you're ready to me! Have fun!!

[pretaanluxis]

Originally Posted by ryco

Sounds like you're ready to me! Have fun!!

I agree!

[Valerus]

Originally Posted by jerm

right away, personally I think the bass is a sad instrument without some friends. bass is all about grooving with your friends, doesnt matter if your chops aren't quite honed. 1 hour of playing with people is equivalent to 10 hours noodling around by yourself. thats what its all about, making music

very good advice!

[JeffC]

If you can find some friends or people who are willing to jam with you it is really worth while. I started playing bass this way and the more experienced players have been nothing but helpful in my progression.

[tswd]

Start playing with others as soon as possible. Eventually you'll find a group that you click with. I got booted from one audition because I didn't know the standard blues progressions. It happens, just keep trying. Every time you don't get a gig, listen to why they rejected you and start learning from it.

Don't have an ego about it. If you're told that you're not good enough, or they want someone "with more experience", just ask what they mean by it. After they explain it, just say "OK, thanks" and go home. Then try to figure out why they were looking for what they wanted. It helps if you're also taking lessons so you can go into your teacher and say, "Hey, this band said they're looking for someone who can do X. What is that?"

[pbass2]

The right time is today!

Even if you're not that confident, just jump on out there. Besides, it's like sports--playing with people who are better/more experienced ramps up your progress exponentially.

[mambo4]

Aaron,
judging by your response, seems like you know enough to get going. Go for it!

[nsmar4211]

If you're asking about playing with others, you're past your time .
I do have to say blues is a great way to get feet wet to playing on stage. Espically if you can find a blues jam, learn a few of the standards. What usually happens is you'll end up playing a 1/4/5/4 all frickin night with a few other songs tossed in. You'll get over stage fright, the "stare at fingers" issue, and meet people .

This is experience, my teacher stuck my chicken butt in his spot at a blues jam as soon as he thought I was readywhich was about two months into me learning I highly recommend it . You'll feel dumb the first time but after that it gets easier! And knowing blues progressions not a bad thing at all, got me through a few "hey why don't you sit in?" situations. And once you've got the stage confidence, then go find a band. If you do jams, you'll meet people and that's probably how you would find a band anyway .

And playing with people on your own level is great if you're all growing together, but I highly recommend playing with people above your level because that's who you'll learn the most from

[lopxtc]

Guys thanks for all the advice and suggestions and urging ... Im going to post up at a local guitar store, and see what happens. See if I can find a local jam night at a blues place or what night and while probably not play, see if I can meet people.

Got plenty of gear time to put it to use LOL ...

Aaron

[rwellsinbc]

Aaron--I only skimmed the earlier responses, so maybe this was already mentioned, but you should also check with any local music schools or guitar teachers. You'd be surprised about the number of adult students (I started on bass 3 years ago at age 45) who are all probably in the same boat as you--just learning, balancing family, job, etc--and who would have the same expectations/goals about playing out.

I've jammed several times with some guys from my music school, and a couple of us are going to do some open mic nights locally this year.