First Jam Session tonight...getting nervous

streetknight · #1 10-13-2011, 07:36 AM

Been playing only a few months now, my former guitar teacher asked if I wanted to sit in on bass at rehearsal tonight. May lead to a new project he said. We've been planning it for a while and something always comes up. Now its supposed to happen tonight. Only doing 2 songs, but I'm in the middle of an incoming divorce and haven't picked up my bass in 2 weeks. My mind just hasn't been into it. Don't know whether to try to go have fun or put them off.

lfmn16 · #2 10-13-2011, 07:38 AM

Go and have fun. It is VERY bad form to cancel at the last minute. Especially as a bass player. Guitarists are a dime a dozen, but it's frequently hard to locate a bass player at the last minute.

turbo chicken · #3 10-13-2011, 08:38 AM

just go do it... if you were asked ... someone thinks you can hang.

If you get lost just ask questions like the chords they are using ... that will get you to the root. Another musician would rather help you out during a jam than have it sound like a mess.

nogoodwithnames · #4 10-13-2011, 08:39 AM

Definitely do it. If nothing else you'll learn something and have fun. What better way to get your mind off the divorce? Been there, anything that provides a break is a must do.

good luck to ya.

punkinfantry · #5 10-13-2011, 08:43 AM

having fun is the most important skill you will ever develop as a musician, and as a human being.

dane22 · #6 10-13-2011, 08:47 AM

DO IT!!!!!!!

streetknight · #7 10-13-2011, 10:07 AM

Thanks everyone! Gonna give it a whirl

cableguy · #8 10-13-2011, 10:17 AM

Divorce sucks. Been there done that. Music is a great excape. While playing just clear you mind and have fun. If you mess up, so what, have fun. Don't be afaid to ask about changes, chords, timing, etc. And have some fun.

turbo chicken · #9 10-13-2011, 11:09 AM

I'll reiterate... don't be afraid to ask questions...

Waterpilot · #10 10-13-2011, 11:44 AM

I would assume everyone knows you're still fairly new to playing and if they cared, wouldn't have wanted to do it in the first place. It actually sounds like a great situation for you. Be warned... It's usually so much fun you won't want to stop.

In short. DO IT!!

streetknight · #11 10-13-2011, 09:27 PM

Thanks guys, everything went great. I was told we were gonna work on 1 maybe 2 songs, ended up being 5. I had a blast and everyone was nice. The drummer said I laid down a solid groove

Stumbo · #12 10-14-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetknight

Thanks guys, everything went great. I was told we were gonna work on 1 maybe 2 songs, ended up being 5. I had a blast and everyone was nice. The drummer said I laid down a solid groove

Congrats on the jam session!

If you haven't already, let them know you'll be available in the future. A couple weeks notice, if possible.

streetknight · #13 10-14-2011, 06:07 PM

Yeah man, they already said they wanna get together every other Monday, I'm stoked

Tupac · #14 10-14-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetknight

Thanks guys, everything went great. I was told we were gonna work on 1 maybe 2 songs, ended up being 5. I had a blast and everyone was nice. The drummer said I laid down a solid groove

See? Not as bad as you thought

carlthegroover · #15 10-14-2011, 11:17 PM

My two cents. I wouldn't cancel it. First off, they might know or suspect you are going through something stressful right now, so they might understand you're not in a 100% right now... as long as you show them you have commitment and motivation to stay, practice and try to mesh with them.

Yeah, go have fun too! I've also been through my first jam session (I mean, real session with a full band), and I left my expectations at the door, and it was incredible! I say you should give it a shot.

carlthegroover · #16 10-14-2011, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetknight

Thanks guys, everything went great. I was told we were gonna work on 1 maybe 2 songs, ended up being 5. I had a blast and everyone was nice. The drummer said I laid down a solid groove

Oh, ok. Looks like you did. If I came earlier to this thread, I would have said now: "I told you so." My first jam was similar: they gave me 5 songs to work on, but when I got there they probably expected me to have worked on only 2 or 3 songs, and were pleasantly surprised I did work on all five. First good thing. Second, I came with an open-minded, friendly disposition. Third, they also told me I laid a nice groove and that I just "jumped right in". And I'm not even that experienced in bass/ music.

Good to know other people are having similarly fun experiences with first jams.