Beginner - how to find others to play with?

DrVenkman · #1 04-05-2010, 11:24 AM

Some background:

I'm 45 and have ben playing the bass for all of about one month. I know the fretboard up to the 7th fret (still working on the rest), so if you give me the chord progression for a song I can at least hit the roots. Maybe throw in a 5th or 3rd or something too, as long as the song isn't moving too fast, but I'm still learning what sounds good and what doesn't.

I can read music, but frankly can't sight read quickly enough to do that live. I'm working on that, too. Given a song ahead of time and the music for it I could learn it. Right now, for instance, as part of my practice I'm learning the songs from "A Hard Day's Night" both because I like it and because I have music for it.

So what's the best way to find others to play with? I'm not ready for a band audition - I'd just like to find a like-minded group of people that enjoy getting together to play that could live with a currently pretty bad (but I plan to be really, really mediocre with some practice) bass player. How do I find them?

ColinGWood · #2 04-05-2010, 11:33 AM

Maybe there's jams at a local church or something? Don't know if you're religous, I'm not, but I've always kept my eye open for something like that around here. Just seems like a fun, new environment to jam and learn in

LAPetrarca · #3 04-05-2010, 11:38 AM

Not sure about your area but there's TONS of Open Mic nights around here......this is a good way to meet some local musicians and strikeup some new friendships.

You could also post a notice at your local music store advertising for folks to jam with.....there's always Craigslist too!

MalcolmAmos · #4 04-05-2010, 04:46 PM

Most garage bands, and that's what I think you are looking for, are friends that decided to start practicing / jamming together.

Word of mouth, friend of a friend recommending you is going to be your best route, IMHO. So spread the word you are available.

Zooberwerx · #5 04-05-2010, 05:05 PM

Heckfire, if you can play root-V, you're already light years beyond some bassists who are involved in active band projects. Show up on time, old enough to buy beer....I'd hire you in a minute. Only know the fretboard up to the 7th fret? Congrats!....you've discovered the money notes. Nothing worth playing any higher than that unless you're Jaco Wooten.

Two words: post & network. Place an ad...an honest ad...on CL, cards on the bulletin board at local music stores, bug sales associates, etc. You'll be surprised at the responses you receive. Last but not least....don't be afraid to hook up with more advanced musicians.

Riis

LAPetrarca · #6 04-06-2010, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

.........Last but not least....don't be afraid to hook up with more advanced musicians.

VERY good advice here too!

Deluge Of Sound · #7 04-06-2010, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

Heckfire, if you can play root-V, you're already light years beyond some bassists who are involved in active band projects. Show up on time, old enough to buy beer....I'd hire you in a minute. Only know the fretboard up to the 7th fret? Congrats!....you've discovered the money notes. Nothing worth playing any higher than that unless you're Jaco Wooten.

Two words: post & network. Place an ad...an honest ad...on CL, cards on the bulletin board at local music stores, bug sales associates, etc. You'll be surprised at the responses you receive. Last but not least....don't be afraid to hook up with more advanced musicians.

Riis

Lots of truth here.

Also, are any of your friends/co-workers musically inclined?

DrVenkman · #8 04-06-2010, 10:49 AM

Thanks for the info and support everybody. I guess part of what I needed was some encouragement to just get out there and do it! I've got a few friends (a pretty good piano player that played in some bands back in college, and another friend that plays bass on a semi-pro basis) that I'll call this week to see if they can give me any leads. I could have done that before, I was just too intimidated. Thanks for giving me push I needed.

Zooberwerx · #9 04-06-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrVenkman

Thanks for the info and support everybody. I guess part of what I needed was some encouragement to just get out there and do it! I've got a few friends (a pretty good piano player that played in some bands back in college, and another friend that plays bass on a semi-pro basis) that I'll call this week to see if they can give me any leads. I could have done that before, I was just too intimidated. Thanks for giving me push I needed.

"There's more call for bad bass players than bad guitar players" - Kenny Rogers...I kid you not. He played bass for Kenny Rogers and the First Edition.

Riis

LAPetrarca · #10 04-06-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

"There's more call for bad bass players than bad guitar players" - Kenny Rogers...I kid you not.

WORD!

Don't know what the pool of available bass players is in your area but, around here, if you're a bass player and show up at a jam or an open mic, you can almost be assured of playing a good part of the night, if not the entire night.

If you're a solid bass player, you'll always be working.....if you choose.

HEADLE · #11 04-06-2010, 11:58 AM

I'm with these guys. I posted and ad on Craiglist that basically said mediocre bass player looking for some people to jam with. I got tons of responses. I jammed with several guys and although nothing materialized from that I picked up a bunch of knowledge and about a month later I got a call from a church that was looking for a bassist. I played with them a year and a half then moved on to a regular band that gigs regularly and just released our first cd. The hardest part is putting yourself out there. If you are playing Macartney lines you are on your way!

H

swelltrain · #12 04-06-2010, 12:04 PM

I would also add, while you are practicing and finding other musicians, focus on your timing. Do everything to a metronome. Well, almost everything: you can learn parts out of time (w/o metronome) but then as soon as you can, practice them with a metronome. Clap to a metronome, stomp to a metronome, practice scales to a metronome, etc.

I am still rather new to the bass myself and have just started playing with others. Just like you, I was intimated as hell, but I worked for a year with a metronome. If you just find the root or tonic of a song and play that one note with a strong musical rhythm, you'll be in good standing. Good luck! -s

allTimeFavorite · #13 04-06-2010, 12:09 PM

DrVenkman, you posted exactly what i have been thinking, as I am in the same situation. Thanks. The replies are informative and encouraging. Best of luck to you!!!

BigOldHarry · #14 04-06-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Most garage bands, and that's what I think you are looking for, are friends that decided to start practicing / jamming together.

Word of mouth, friend of a friend recommending you is going to be your best route, IMHO. So spread the word you are available.

Yup. In high school, this was dead easy... in real life?

Try networking at work. I have met a TON of musicians here who would be happy to have a beginning bassist to play with.

benbonewilly · #15 04-06-2010, 12:23 PM

I married my jamming partner! She plays keys and guitar. I play bass and guitar. We both play in the church band.

LAPetrarca · #16 04-07-2010, 05:53 AM

In general, I think you'll find other more experienced players to be happy to share some of their knowledge and experience with you.

Aside from my band, I have a group of about 6 or 7 friends that get together for a jam on occasion. It's always fun when a newbie joins us because it's all low key and there's PLENTY of time for some mini one-on-one mini lessons and most newbies come away feeling much less overwhelmed by it all.