How good do you have to be to be in a band?????

[bongo499]

I was talking to a friend whome started the bass about 6 months ago but has been taken it seriously and wants to start a band but he doesnt know if he is good enough... he doesnt reeally know any theory exept the names on the neck. Im takin opinions on how good you have to be to be in a decent band that plays covers. I told him that he should start a band because thats the best way to learn but please list your opinion.

[Eric Moesle]

The answer is "just good enough".

It depends on the demands of the material, and the caliber of the other musicians. If he can do it, if he can get the others to have him in the band, then go for it.

Playing in a band is an excellent way to learn your instrument and improve your playing.

[The Golden Boy]

I think you only need be vaguely competent to play in a band. Practicing and playing with other people is what makes you good.

However, wait with playing out until you get somewhat competent.

[Against Will]

I concur with the the two posts above. It doesn't really matter how good you are now, once you start up a band and begin rehearsing together, you'll get much much better.

[superbassman2000]

has he heard pop-punk-rock music?
he should know by now, you don't need a lot of talent to suceed in a band...look at blink 182

[fatdawg]

Plus I think that it stinks when bands play other people songs trying to do it exaclty like they did it on the recording. Original spices are what make the recipe nice to listen to.

I agree that you only have to be as good as the music demands of you. Playing with other people is a major boost to a young players learning curve. Playing with as many people as possible is what makes even the best, better.

Just tell your friend to hook up and throw down as hard as he can. Only good things can come of that. Maybe not for the band, but at least for his playing.

F

[Minger]

I'm decent, but I've had a relaly long time to learn my theory and stuff...

And I mean, I can get my own little rhythem going to what my friends are playing and well, the root note always works when all else fails

[DigMe]

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

I think you only need be vaguely competent to play in a band. Practicing and playing with other people is what makes you good.

Bingo! This foo has it.

You don't have to be good at all. I decided to start playing bass so my friends and I could get a band together when I was 16. We all sucked and at first I didn't even know what notes were made when I fretted where and whatnot. However, we all learned and improved together as a band. It was a lot of fun and we eventually played a few parties and a talent show. It was a small town so we were pretty much the only rock band in our school.

brad cook

[SexyBlueBass]

I agree, Blink 182 is a great example of not needing much musical talent to be in a band. The true answer is, when you feel you're ready. If you are content with your skill...you're ready. But like the others have said, playing with others helps a lot.

[mike_v_s]

I'll add to the pile. He only needs to be able to keep up at this point. Once there, he should get better exponentially (at least that's my experience).

Mike

[driver800]

if you do a search you'll find that question was answered...

...sometime around 1977-1978.

But seriously, for me it WAS answered around then by these guys:




you don't have to be a virtuoso to be in a band. just have something to say, play within your abilities (most of the time) and make it sound good.

[retitled]

i suck and i was asked to be in 3 bands before jsut because they needed the low end and i was recently asked to be in 2 bands.. so in total iv been asked to be in 5 bands even thoug i suck :-p

[jive1]

I'll illustrate with a joke.

A kid begs his dad to buy him a bass. The dad agrees, as long as the kid takes lessons.

The kid takes his first lesson, and when he comes home his dad asks him what he learned. He replied, "I learned the notes on the first five frets on the E string". The dad nods in approval.

The following week, the kid takes his next lesson and when he comes back, his dad asks what he learned this week. The kid replied, "I learned the notes on the first five frets on the A string". The dad nods in approval once again.

The next week, the kid comes home late reaking of booze and cigarette smoke. The dad looks at him suspiciously, and asks "Why are you home late? Did you even go to your lesson?" The kid replies "I couldn't make the lesson today. I had a gig"

[flatwounds]

You don't have to be that good. Tell him to look at the Ramones. They weren't the best musicians, but they rocked. I Just saw the documentary 'End of the Century: the Story of the Ramones' - excellent movie. Dee Dee was a riot.
Johnny has a good quote about not playing difficult/challenging music or extended guitar solos because to do so would mean that he would have to practice.

HEY HO! LET'S GO!

[JimK]

You can shed all day...take lessons 'til the cows come home, etc

IMO, the best lessons learned are on the bandstand playing with those who are 'better' than you.
So, if one doesn't have an ego, one can soak up a bunch of information for free.

Back in my day, it was..."Keller's got a bass, he's in".
Trust me, I couldn't play, couldn't tune, didn't know songs, etc.
Swim or drown.

[IvanMike]

Originally Posted by jive1

I'll illustrate with a joke.

A kid begs his dad to buy him a bass. The dad agrees, as long as the kid takes lessons.

The kid takes his first lesson, and when he comes home his dad asks him what he learned. He replied, "I learned the notes on the first five frets on the E string". The dad nods in approval.

The following week, the kid takes his next lesson and when he comes back, his dad asks what he learned this week. The kid replied, "I learned the notes on the first five frets on the A string". The dad nods in approval once again.

The next week, the kid comes home late reaking of booze and cigarette smoke. The dad looks at him suspiciously, and asks "Why are you home late? Did you even go to your lesson?" The kid replies "I couldn't make the lesson today. I had a gig"

+1000

that's the best story ever

well my 1st gig was a few months after starting lessons..........

best thing i ever did was start playing with other people from day #1. i was also fortunate enough that the second band i was in was with players waaaaaay above my level. i still owe todd and bob big time for giving me a education a la "trial by fire"

in fact this year we are having the "Uncle John's Jug Band Reunification Tour" a 20 year reunion.

[khay0s]

I have similar stories to those above. Except that I also played with guys in genres that I wasn't a fan of just so I could get practise with more experienced musicians. I haven't touched punk or anything like it since, but I just got my first bass, I wrote a few songs with guitarist friend and eventhough it was so simple, it did help my timing immensely playing that music.

Then another of my friends started playing guitar soon after. He and I then went on to learn a lot together, through his musical knowledge from other instruments and my experience of playing with others we put together quite a lot of really decent music and are now both quite talented (but unfortunately too lazy to go beyond playing together).

Whether its a band or otherwise, playing with someone else is also going to speed up your learning.

Leigh

[GrooveWarrior]

Originally Posted by bongo499

How good do you have to be to be in a band?

HAVE YOU HEARD SOME OF THE BANDS ON THE RADIO??? NOT VERY GOOD. I THINK THE "JUST GOOD ENOUGH" IS ABOUT RIGHT.

[brianrost]

The Ramones comment is right on.

DeeDee always claimed that in the early days Johnny had to tune his bass AND show him where to put his fingers.

[RAM]

All great advice!

I'd only add to it by saying you should try to get something out of playing with other musicians. You'll learn to listen to the other instruments, and most importantly, the interaction with the drummer.