am i in over my head? - Page 2

-Kramer- · #21 08-20-2006, 01:25 PM

Playing with an experienced drummer will be one of the best things that you can do, go for it.

Martybass · #22 08-20-2006, 02:29 PM

Go for it, have some fun!

Marty.

Baryonyx · #23 08-20-2006, 04:03 PM

Just go for it! I'm sure they'll appreciate your efforts!

ryco · #24 08-20-2006, 04:07 PM

Get in there and dig! You'll be glad you did!

cb56 · #25 08-20-2006, 04:30 PM

I say go for it. After playing trombone for 18 years I decided to learn how to play bass. 6 weeks later I was playing bass in a band. I sure was nervous on my first gig and maybe a little over my head but 20 some years later I'm still happily gigging on bass while the trombone collects dust. I still get it out every once and awhile. Damn, I'm old.

keltik · #26 08-21-2006, 05:22 PM

Thank you TBer's for your positive support! I had a mini session with them yesterday at the drummers house but it was only the drummer and myself! we meshed pretty well and i got a song list to practice from. afterwards I ran into another guy we work with that used to play with the drummer and he gave me a funny look when I told him what was up. he agreed that everyone had talent but he wasn't sure how reliable they would be. I took the good advice and gave it a shot. now i have to wait and see where it goes. Thank you all again for your support!

kel

dcr · #27 08-21-2006, 07:27 PM

I find that, over time, I've grown the most when I'm in a [band] situation with people that are better than I. And I've been there more than once. Several times, in fact. Three times with bands and once as a sound/light guy. I learned more faster and progressed quicker when I was challenged to perform at a level outside my comfort zone. I think I've enjoyed it more as well.

The opposite is also true. When I've been in situations when I wasn't challenged and was merely going thru the motions, the band wasn't fun, I didn't learn anything, and it really becase choresome. And I hate to think of music as a chore. Unfortunately, I'm in this situation right now.

But that's another thread........

dcr

detracti · #28 08-21-2006, 08:46 PM

Hell no!! That's exactly the same deal w/ the first band I was ever in. It was a group of guys, and gal, that I met through work, to play for fun, and the drummer, guitar and keyboard player all had lots more experience than I did.

It was perfect, because it was laid back, and being around more experienced players really helped.

I don't think you could wish for a better first gig than that.

bassbully43 · #29 08-22-2006, 07:48 AM

My thoughts...go for it. I had not been in a band a real band in 25 years. I played at home and only got into bass 4 years ago got tired of wanting to be in a band and tried out for two landing both gigs. ALL of the players in each band had years of giging and band experience...but some of them were not as good as i thought they would be for all those years they wer playing. I have played guitars for 30 years on and off and felt at times i was as good as a few of the guitar players and i always thought i wasnt so good. So you never know..yes most of them were very good players and i learned so much so quick and am told how much my playing had improved in a short time due to playing with good players...go for it.

Crazyeelboy · #30 08-23-2006, 12:40 PM

Keltic - Stop worrying about it and have some fun. 4 or 5 years is plenty of time playing to perform in a band.

MakiSupaStar · #31 08-28-2006, 12:56 AM

Do it. More than likely they've got some cools stuff worked out. I've been playing with my guitar player for 15+ years. It's gotten to the point that we can cover for each other when one of us flubs. Still new players are always welcome in the mix. New blood no matter where it's coming from is always good. You gotta look at it from their perspective too.

A tip: Don't shoot your wad. Hold root notes at first and just keep a groove going. THEN you can add in a few things from your arsenal. Otherwise you'll find that you want to throw scales and arpeggios everywhere and just generally play way too many notes. Also you'll be thinking about getting another trick out instead of listening. Listening. Listening. Listening.

steveksux · #32 08-28-2006, 07:11 PM

The BEST situation to be in is just a bit over your head. You learn the most, but don't get thrown out in disgrace.

GO FOR IT. Then immediately hit the woodshed and put some effort into it.

The most important thing is to play in time. Don't try to play so fancy you can't keep the beat. Get a metronome. PRactice with it until the metronome stops being out of time...

If you want to impress them, play with lots of feeling, not lots of notes, and play in time with the drummer.

My first bass gig I had been playing bass a couple of years after playing trumpet for like 12 years. I'd been playing weddings (trumpet mainly) for like 5-6 years. I thought I told them all that in the audition.

We rehearse songs the weeks before the gig, finally a few days before the leader says "close enough. If we need to, we can always play songs you're familiar with to get through the night, we can fake anything." " I said, no we can't" "Why not? You've been playing weddings for 5-6 years". " On trumpet, not bass. I usually only play Johnnie be goode and Boogie oogie oogie on bass." Leader says:

She said I had a good feel, lots of energy, but wasn't real polished, or technically fantastic. They were all vastly better than I was. It was terrifying. But I learned a lot. I wish I had listened to her about playing with a metronome. Took me years after that to really knuckle down with one and really work on it. It was frustrating, but was really worth it.

Good meter seperates the men from the boys in this business.
People spend hours practicing fancy licks that that can only play by themselves cause their tempo is so sporadic. All wasted.
Randy

SBassman · #33 08-28-2006, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

The BEST situation to be in is just a bit over your head. You learn the most, but don't get thrown out in disgrace.

GO FOR IT. Then immediately hit the woodshed and put some effort into it.

The most important thing is to play in time. Don't try to play so fancy you can't keep the beat. Get a metronome. PRactice with it until the metronome stops being out of time...

If you want to impress them, play with lots of feeling, not lots of notes, and play in time with the drummer.

My first bass gig I had been playing bass a couple of years after playing trumpet for like 12 years. I'd been playing weddings (trumpet mainly) for like 5-6 years. I thought I told them all that in the audition.

We rehearse songs the weeks before the gig, finally a few days before the leader says "close enough. If we need to, we can always play songs you're familiar with to get through the night, we can fake anything." " I said, no we can't" "Why not? You've been playing weddings for 5-6 years". " On trumpet, not bass. I usually only play Johnnie be goode and Boogie oogie oogie on bass." Leader says:

She said I had a good feel, lots of energy, but wasn't real polished, or technically fantastic. They were all vastly better than I was. It was terrifying. But I learned a lot. I wish I had listened to her about playing with a metronome. Took me years after that to really knuckle down with one and really work on it. It was frustrating, but was really worth it.

Good meter seperates the men from the boys in this business.
People spend hours practicing fancy licks that that can only play by themselves cause their tempo is so sporadic. All wasted.
Randy

Great post.

buzzbass · #34 08-29-2006, 08:29 AM

IMO, I don't want to be in a band where I'm the hottest player in the group. I enjoy the challenge of playing with players better than me.