Is bass a pointless thing to play if you don't 'know anyone'

[DontKnowSlap]

yeah, so I'm kinda admitting I'm a loner. Great. But, with that said, I got into bass cause a potential friend was drumming, and it was looking like we'd make a 2 man band, but they flaked out, like all friends do, so now I'm left as a solo intermediate bassist.

I don't know how much value that title has these days??

[Muaguana]

Depends on the scope of your goals. If you're looking for a career in music, then you won't get anywhere by not going out and making connections (been there, done that.) If you're doing it because you love doing it, then it absolutely has a point, if only for the sake of your own enjoyment.

[XigXag]

Do you enjoy playing your bass? It has exactly that much point.

In certain ways it can be beneficial, and liberating. You now dont have to worry about stepping on your guitar players toes. Stretch out, and use All of that space.
I played solo for good chunks of time. Write songs specificly for a solo bass. Show up at open mics, and show guitar players *** is up.

Do you enjoy playing your bass? It has exactly that much point.

[DontKnowSlap]

I absolutely love and will keep playing for life probably, but I feel like the whole point is to eventually be jamming w/ fellow musicians, and for me to do that means I got to jump in the deep end and just go look on classifieds, etc.

But honestly, I see myself more like an okay player who just got in because his friends started some band and needed a bass player and asked me can I play and I say uh sorta, then there you go.

But I can't see myself actually going to audition, it just seems silly, like someone w/ no hs diploma applying for a job at NASA.

[Muaguana]

Originally Posted by DontKnowSlap

I absolutely love and will keep playing for life probably, but I feel like the whole point is to eventually be jamming w/ fellow musicians, and for me to do that means I got to jump in the deep end and just go look on classifieds, etc.

But honestly, I see myself more like an okay player who just got in because his friends started some band and needed a bass player and asked me can I play and I say uh sorta, then there you go.

But I can't see myself actually going to audition, it just seems silly, like someone w/ no hs diploma applying for a job at NASA.

When did you start playing?

[paganjack]

There will be other opportunities to play with groups if you want there to be. You will have to put in effort to find a band, but that's just how it is.

If you enjoy playing, then do it! I enjoy playing some solo stuff from time to time, but I've never really performed it in public.

[younggun]

I personally started playing bass for myself with some very vague aspirations of playing with a band sometime, but mostly just because I enjoy playing and the challenge of getting better at something over time. I'm a music lover and would often go out to see local bands play. I ended up meeting and then getting invited to play with some really fantastic musicians regularly, and then finding a masterful instructor through the simple act of enjoying live bands. It wasn't planned but it just worked out that way. The point for me was (and still is) just to work at getting better on my instrument and enjoy music, the rest just ended up working itself out.
Don't know if that answers your question, but I don't think you really need any other motivation to learn and get better on an instrument other than the fact that you love it.

[pnut166]

Originally Posted by DontKnowSlap

yeah, so I'm kinda admitting I'm a loner. Great. But, with that said, I got into bass cause a potential friend was drumming, and it was looking like we'd make a 2 man band, but they flaked out, like all friends do, so now I'm left as a solo intermediate bassist.

I don't know how much value that title has these days??

It has as much value as you want it to. And if all of your "potential friend(s) flake out", maybe you need to find new social circles, or maybe you`re "loner" thing interferes. Just sayin. But if you want to join a band, being a loner isn`t really compatible with a collborative, team-effort kinda thing like a band. But if you haven`t already, check your local Craigslist - most cities have plenty of ads looking for bassists. Good luck !

[BigTuna]

I started playing bass because my friends wanted to start a band. Like you, I too fell in love with playing. My look on it is I bring what they need to the table, and in my spare time I enjoy learning how to do whatever I want with the instrument. My advice would be to just do what you want with it and people to play with will come along. The drummer in my band played alone for five years before ever having anyone to play with. Now he's in three bands, one that he and I started together, another thats a local rock band, and a punk band that just toured around the east coast last week.

So to answer your question, no it isn't useless to play if you don't "know anyone"

- 2cents -

[XigXag]

Originally Posted by DontKnowSlap

But honestly, I see myself more like an okay player who just got in because his friends started some band and needed a bass player and asked me can I play and I say uh sorta, then there you go.

You started out pretty much the same way I did then. Im really an oil painter, my HS friends had a band w/no bass player. They had they ax, and said you're an artist, you've got soul, put this thing around your neck. These are the root note to this song, stay in time with the drummer. ~20 yrs later I still play, I enjoy myself, I write songs, I still in fact Jam w one of those friends.

You'll meet other friends who play and want to play the same style you do.
I Do recommend writing some things JUST FOR THE BASS, take those songs to an open mic night(not an open jam). You just might meet some people there.

[bassybill]

I woud strongly advise you to try to find a band - musically and socially, it could be something really worthwhile. But don't stress about it at all. Just enjoy your music and find someone to play with in your own time (or a bit faster than your own time in the case of 99% of drummers ).

First bit was serious, last bit was joking, by the way.

[Caca de Kick]

It sounds to me like you really want to be playing in a band situation, but maybe you are shy about it??? The main thing is...don't worry about your playing level! There are always people and bands running ads looking for similar level/minded players. It seems you're assuming a "band" is an established record-label backed hit machine that only take seasoned vets, and that simply is not true. Everyone started out inexperienced, you just gotta get out and break the ice with complete stangers. Garage bands are stepping stones, don't be affraid to jump in to get going, and don't ever be affraid to leave one to find something better. And your playing and comfort level, and eventually business sense, is going to get more advanced playing with other people.

[Bruce Lindfield]

I tend to agree with most of what has been said and primarily you have to enjoy doing it.

But I don't think anybody has answered your question - bass on it's own, is fairly limited unless you are a genius like Jaco, Victor Wooten - your average music listener does not seek out solo bass records for fun!

People want to hear a bit of tonal variety - percussion sounds, long held sounds etc.

There was a point in my musical life where I was fed up with bands and the music business and just wanted to create music on my own and what I did, was to buy drum machines, keyboards and a simple 4-track home recording setup - I already had bass, guitar and loads of effects.

I created the music myself and it was great to have total control - what I tended to do was make a whole song myself and then maybe involve singers to put down the vocals, occasionally. This was very satisfying and worked for many year for me - but if I had just had a bass - I can't see it would have been fun for as long...?

As it was - after a few years, I wanted to get back into playing with bands and really there is nothing to beat it - if you love playing!

[oerk]

Originally Posted by bassybill

Just enjoy your music and find someone to play with in your own time (or a bit faster than your own time in the case of 99% of drummers ).

Ha! Never heard that one before.

OP, try to find a band. While there's nothing wrong with playing by yourself, you'll gain so much from playing with other people. It's pretty much essential.

I've known several guitarists who had NO sense of timing or changes, simply because they were used to playing by themselves and nobody told them.

[XigXag]

I guess I should clarify myself.
Yes, playing with others will make you a better musician and you will learn more, and faster. That wasnt really how I read the OPs' question. What I read was: "I dont have a band, should I quit?" I'll stand by my answer that playing alone is better than giving up.
YMMV

[JEBassman]

As long as you enjoy music and playing the bass, then you have your reasons to keep on playing. It's true that bass is not usually an instrument for solo performance. Playing on your own at home is fine; I would recommend looking for opportunities to play with other musicians. There are different playing situations; for example, playing in a community band, joining a local church or synagogue's performing group, public jam sessions and getting out and talking with local musicians. Go to local music stores, talk to people there; consider joining your local musician's union and asking about advice & playing opportunities. Classified ads can work both ways: look for "bass player wanted" ads, and consider posting your own ad, "bass player available". There are many ways to get experience. Don't worry about being accepted or rejected for long-term gigs; concentrate on getting experience in different situations.

Do you read music? Being able to read music, both bass clef and treble clef, will open many doors for you musically and will make you more attractive as a well-rounded bassist. The same goes for knowing chords and basic music theory.

Have fun and look for creative ways to connect with playing opportunities Playing music can be intensely rewarding!

Keep playing!!
Joel

[pklima]

Bass is a great way to meet people who need bassists. There are a ton of them. You can find them via ads, open jams... hell, last Friday I walked up to a guy sitting on the sidewalk next to a guitar case and asked him if he's looking for a band. Turns out it was his friend's guitar and he's a drummer - even better!

[Kenny Allyn]

I’m kinda in the same position as the OP but on drums …

Interested in the instrument for years, having played with so many great drummers, last year I decided to take it up as a “bucket” project. I run everyone out of the house when I start banging around, but its fun … still at some point I see myself playing/jamming with other musicians on the instrument. From the dawn of man playing “instruments” has been part of the shared social experience. I would not worry about what level you play, the important thing is to play, and doing so with others is a natural extension of the traditional roll of a bass instrument.

As for the drums I never see my playing reaching the level of my bass playing, as I do that on a professional level, and started on drums at 56 so there is a time issue, but yeah I can see doing the drum thing with a local roots/blues project in the future. As others have stated I believe the OP would be well served jumping into a project, even though the initial one was a non-starter.

Come on in the water is fine.

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by DontKnowSlap

I absolutely love and will keep playing for life probably, but I feel like the whole point is to eventually be jamming w/ fellow musicians, and for me to do that means I got to jump in the deep end and just go look on classifieds, etc.

But honestly, I see myself more like an okay player who just got in because his friends started some band and needed a bass player and asked me can I play and I say uh sorta, then there you go.

But I can't see myself actually going to audition, it just seems silly, like someone w/ no hs diploma applying for a job at NASA.

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&so...=Google+Search

[Already In Use]

Originally Posted by DontKnowSlap

I absolutely love and will keep playing for life probably, but I feel like the whole point is to eventually be jamming w/ fellow musicians, and for me to do that means I got to jump in the deep end and just go look on classifieds, etc.

But honestly, I see myself more like an okay player who just got in because his friends started some band and needed a bass player and asked me can I play and I say uh sorta, then there you go.

But I can't see myself actually going to audition, it just seems silly, like someone w/ no hs diploma applying for a job at NASA.

Dont disregard the audition thought. I have been playing for about 7 months. My daughter brought me and ad for a bass player. I was afraid to call. Ad sat on my desk for a few days. Finally made the call. Went to audition and have been in the band for a bit over 1 month. I consider myself a "uh sorta bass owner".

On the other hand...I really love playing the bass. I have a great time in my practice room, alone, with the door shut, studying and practicing.

Look for open mic events in your town. Another fun way to get out with ya bass and have some fun.