session bassist

[pandaman37]

ok so ive been thinking lately about my future (having just graduated high school) and as a possible long term goal, id love to become a session bassist. im not saying, oh im not going to college and im gonna put all my money on making it in the music business, but like, im going to keep practicing and playing and hopefully get my name at least somewhat known as a solid player.

what im really asking is, how do you become a session bassist? like, i know what they do, but i dont understand the process. there must be some sort of application or something... :P

[Funky Ghost]

Read music, be able to listen to the other musicians ( playing ), follow directions, have very thick skin and have a good catalog of chops to pull from.

Do freebies and be honest about what you can do and what you know.

I'm not sure if this belongs in this thread btw

[animvl]

College of Music? I didn't go to one but the people who did seem to be a tight knit group, they appear on each others projects and recommend each other. If you have just finished high school then that is a reasonable option.

Session musicians seem to do best just by knowing people. I don't have any experience of this, it's just how it seems to me.

...Or you could pioneer a style, so when anyone wants that sound, you're the first person they think of...

[smeet]

Originally Posted by animvl

College of Music? I didn't go to one but the people who did seem to be a tight knit group, they appear on each others projects and recommend each other. If you have just finished high school then that is a reasonable option.

Session musicians seem to do best just by knowing people. I don't have any experience of this, it's just how it seems to me.

...Or you could pioneer a style, so when anyone wants that sound, you're the first person they think of...

+1
The school idea is a good one. You're in CA, so check into Musician's Institute in LA. A lot of people go to music schools mainly to make contacts. While you're there, as a side benefit you can buckle down, practice and get better.

But if you go that route (going to school to make contacts), make sure you are already pretty darn good before you get there. First impressions are important, and if you want your teachers or fellow students to call you for gigs, you should already have a good ear, good feel in a variety of styles, and be able to read music well.

[pandaman37]

yeahhhh i have a base understanding of theory, but i really need to learn how to read music.

so i guess being a session musician is just about contacts and skill. like everything else in life haha.

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by pandaman37

ok so ive been thinking lately about my future (having just graduated high school) and as a possible long term goal, id love to become a session bassist. im not saying, oh im not going to college and im gonna put all my money on making it in the music business, but like, im going to keep practicing and playing and hopefully get my name at least somewhat known as a solid player.

what im really asking is, how do you become a session bassist? like, i know what they do, but i dont understand the process. there must be some sort of application or something... :P

be easy to get along with.
Read music r at least chord charts/lead sheets.
Be on time.
get out there and play with as many people as you get the chance to.
Be easy to get along with.

Get a P bass :-)
NOOOOO chance without a P bass.

[colcifer]

Read the sticky...

[cnltb]

what sticky?

[pandaman37]

oh wow. that pretty much explained everything i needed to know.

[colcifer]

That's what it's there for .