What not to do

[Nev375]

God hates a coward????

I dunno where you guys get some of these sayings....

[Bert Slide]

Originally Posted by Nev375

God hates a coward????

I dunno where you guys get some of these sayings....

That line made me do a doubletake too. Who is your God? Ares or Mars?

[Calaverasgrande]

don't be a doormat.
don't be a jerk.
to further expand on that,
don't feel like you have to accomodate everyone else because you are new, or just because you are "in the rhythm section".
Conversely, don't turn up so loud that folks get mad. Don't fall into the trap of taking people for granted. It's easy to do.

The real tough stuff is writing music as a group. People get invested in parts of songs, or lyrics, and it can get emotional when it is time to make that mess into something you would play in public.

[bigsnaketex]

Make sure you know the material. Make cheat sheets the first time if you need too (just hide them).

Don't just get a set list, ask them what key they are playing the songs in. My band changes every song we play to suit the key that best fits whoever is singing it - so don't assume its in "G" because that's what David Allen Coe sings it in!! They should provide you with that info - but if not, be sure and ask.

Don't think you need to play like John Entwistle either. Root notes and 5th's. And use the pentatonic scale as if it were a goodess and you are a mere mortal. In other words, worship it!!

It's OK to be scared. Nervous. Excited. But at some point, it needs to feel like you belong there. Something should click and you should go, "oh yea, now I get it".

If you can't get there, be patient with yourself but above all else, be HONEST with yourself. Work on the things you need to fix - and only you will know what those are.

And did I mention for you to have fun? HAVE FUN!! Being on stage is the best high there is.

[Bassamatic]

As mentioned above - listen to the drummer! Play a note on each beat of the kick drum and you can't go wrong. After you are comfortable, you can start playing in between.

Yes - it is important to get a list of a few songs before you see them and at least get comfortable with them - it doesn't need to be perfect.

Have fun - when you get too serious it will cease to be fun and you will start to screw up.

Sounds like a good gig - hope it works out for you.

[wcnewby]

Nice.... I have a song list, going to go over them with my music teacher today, been practicing along with youtube, gonna ask the right questions... I think it will all work out.

God hates a coward... it is what you say when you do something you should be scared to try. It is a term born in the plumbing industry, I was a plumber for a long time... So, you have to cut a sewer pipe that you know is flooded, you call your helper and give him a hammer rather than a saw... don't want him electrocuted or you will have to backfill the hole yourself.

The helper thinks its a bad idea, you tell them god hates a coward...

[One Drop]

In other words, don't wimp out.

Words to live by.

[wcnewby]

Originally Posted by One Drop

In other words, don't wimp out.

Words to live by.

Exactly, it is an excuse to not wimp out. This is a new saying I came up with last night. I made it for my music teacher.


If a grain of sand wants to be a pearl, it needs an oyster to irritate.

Originally,

A clever grain of sand irritates an oyster rather than an asscrack.(a little too mystical)

[wcnewby]

I met with the band today, and I was totally nervous. BUT, I remembered things, and I did F up, and I didn't stop, and a couple of times I played a wrong note, and then did it again like I really meant it... and it worked

Most of all, I had a blast. I think it is quite possibly the most fun thing you could do. (Given that sex is in the enjoy category which is distincly different than fun.) It was super cool and we are getting together again...

Thanks for your support guys/ladies

[walterw]

Originally Posted by wcnewby

I was a plumber for a long time... So, you have to cut a sewer pipe that you know is flooded, you call your helper and give him a hammer rather than a saw... don't want him electrocuted or you will have to backfill the hole yourself.

The helper thinks its a bad idea, you tell them god hates a coward...

awesome! anyway, great advice all around;

all i can add is what i learned at a clinic by styx drummer todd sucherman, who told us that a key to leaning your parts for a song was to not just listen to the music, or even the vocals, but to learn the lyrics.

knowing the words will somehow help you find and remember appropriate musical parts.

i did a fill-in gig on bass with a new country band, so it was a week of learning 40+ songs from scratch (i'm not remotely a country guy, nor much of a "chart" guy), but by following the words as well as the music, the arrangements seemed to tie together much better and i had an easier time remembering where the hell i was supposed to be!

[OnePluck@aTime]

Just Do It!!!! You're going to be nervous, but just use it to your advantage. Don't attempt to show off, lay a good foundation and keep it solid, listen for breaks. If you miss'em the first time catch'em the next time around. DO NOT STOP if you make a mistake. If there's a section of a song that you're not particularly sure of get with another member and go over the part. Go at snail's pace if needed but make sure you nail it!!! This will be much appreciated.

Each posting that I've read is laying a path of good advice for you to follow. All of this will mean not a thing until YOU get out there and make your mistakes. It's going to happen because NOBODY is perfect. Mistakes are what we learn from and experience is the best teacher.
Just Do It!!!! You're going to be nervous, but just use it to your advantage. Don't attempt to show off, lay a good foundation and keep it solid, listen for breaks. If you miss'em the first time catch'em the next time around. DO NOT STOP if you make a mistake. If there's a section of a song that you're not particularly sure of get with another member and go over the part. Go at snail's pace if needed but make sure you nail it!!! This will be much appreciated.

Each posting that I've read is laying a path of good advice for you to follow. All of this will mean not a thing until YOU get out there and make your mistakes. It's going to happen because NOBODY is perfect. Mistakes are what we learn from and experience is the best teacher.
Just Do It!!!! You're going to be nervous, but just use it to your advantage. Don't attempt to show off, lay a good foundation and keep it solid, listen for breaks. If you miss'em the first time catch'em the next time around. DO NOT STOP if you make a mistake. If there's a section of a song that you're not particularly sure of get with another member and go over the part. Go at snail's pace if needed but make sure you nail it!!! This will be much appreciated.

Each posting that I've read is laying a path of good advice for you to follow. All of this will mean not a thing until YOU get out there and make your mistakes. It's going to happen because NOBODY is perfect. Mistakes are what we learn from and experience is the best teacher.

[One Drop]

You're triple plucking there, son.

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by wcnewby

I met with the band today, and I was totally nervous. BUT, I remembered things, and I did F up, and I didn't stop, and a couple of times I played a wrong note, and then did it again like I really meant it... and it worked

Most of all, I had a blast. I think it is quite possibly the most fun thing you could do. (Given that sex is in the enjoy category which is distincly different than fun.) It was super cool and we are getting together again...

Thanks for your support guys/ladies

Sounds great, pal. Glad it's gonna work for you.

As for mistakes, hey, when I played with the Columbia Philharmonic Orchestra I played a note during a "grand pause" (when everyone is supposed to stop and let there be dead silence)---during the concert!! Yep, just me. Solo. The conductor wasn't amused when I tried to make light of it at the break. Nope.

I'm still alive. We all screw up sometimes. Go get 'em, pal, and don't worry about stumbling.

[bigsnaketex]

Again, screwing up is all part of it so like so many have said, learn from that. You really will pick it up quickly.

I'd also suggest that you look for patterns in the song. Those patterns will help you get a grip on the flow of the song which will allow you to anticipate where you're going plus it will give you the framework for your grace notes and walking bass parts! And those "goodies" will help you not only get from point A to point B in the song - but they will allow you to express the bass in the framework of the song. And that's what it's all about.

The bass player IS the melody and carries the beat that all the hot chicks dance too..........don't ever forget that (and I don't care what the guitar player says - it's true)!!