playing bass with a drummer

[woz81565]

i have been playing bass for about two years now and have never played with another instrument before and i have the opportunity to play with my cousin who plays the drums and has played in bands and is about 15 years older than i am what can i play with him anad not look stupid or should i let him guide me he mainly like to play blues style music any sugesstions

[woz81565]

hello

[Chronicle]

Wrong forum section.

[meev992]

start learning drums, it's how I learned how to play bass with the drums.

[smurfco]

Just go have fun.

[woodenskillet]

Wrong forum. Just play. You either got rhythm or you don't....

[mordechai]

i can see being nervous about something like this, lord knows i was. all i can say is, dont sweat it. you are gonna have a blast. he wouldnt have agreed to play with you if he didnt want to, and people that have been playing for a long time are generally very open to new-comers and love to play with them and help them along. you're gonna have a great time, seriously.

-mordechai

[Mark Wilson]

Don't sweat it man. Drummers are nice people.
I live with one. haha

But honestly. Try to surround yourself with the kind of music. Listen to a ton of Blues. Whatever you guys are gonna play.

If you can't hear it, you can't play it.

Listen to what he's playing on the kick drum (ask him if you could play something simple and groovy to start), and try to stay on the beat. More importantly though, have fun!

Oh, and learn how to use punctuation marks. They're great.

[Coeball]

just keep your notes in time with his and you will sound good.

[karamusic]

Hmm I don't undestand...
You are playing bass for 2 years, how did you practise? Whitout any rythm device, or did you play on top of existing music (CD's or records) ?
Main issue about playing bass is having a correct rythm.
If you practised with a metronome, there is not a big difference with playing with a drummer.
Start with something simple, ask him to play a slow blues shuffle, start by listening and play root on the beat (kick) then listen to his rythm and improve your groove, don't forget that root-5th-octave are your best friends
You'll get in the groove pretty fast.
Next play a 60ish beat, the typical 8 beat bass rock pattern
Example in E

-----------------
----2-2-0-0------
-------------2-2-
0-0--------------

Before you'll know you will play together, and the rest is just practising together

k

[honeyboy]

I learned how to play blues style by listening to the bass players on blues albums, such as on Albert and BB King records. There are some recognizeable bass lines you should learn. You can also get a book by Mel Bay Publications on blues bass lines. Once you feel comfortable with playing along in a non threatening environment, playing with your cousin will be easy and fun.

[mynan]

Originally Posted by woz81565

i have been playing bass for about two years now and have never played with another instrument before

That's gotta be some kind of record. Two years with no other instruments? Not even with a CD or some other form of recorded music?

[duff84]

you could also get a good bass teacher, when i first started playing bass along while ago, i thought i could just pick it up immediatly. After trying to learn a few rush songs, i knew i needed some direction so i found a teacher, one of the best in winnipeg. He taught me alot of things in only a few months. have fun jamming with the drummer man, ive jammed, played in bands with a few in my day.