Feeling Inadequate In New Band?!

[Puarija]

I just hit the jackpot as far as I'm concerned. One of the best bands I've heard in a really long time (with whom I have been friends a while) have just recently released their debut cd, and 2 weeks before a big road gig, they've asked me to join their band, as their bass player dropped the ball by bailing on them for the important gig.

To make a long story short, I've jumped at the chance to join the lineup, but now I'm struck by a feeling of moderate inadequacy, as the band is simply amazing and I've not played bass with any regularity for over a year. I want to live up to whatever it is they're expecting from me and then some. I just really hope I can learn their material well enough to do it justice in Charlottesville.

Basically, I'm not asking for advice about how to overcome the issue, as I will be fine. I'm just kind of curious to hear how many other people have entered into a situation they feel a little overwhelmed by.

What kinds of situations have made you guys feel this way?

[swpyne]

Many situations over the years have made me feel that way but I always step up and manage to get better as a result of the challenge one way or the other.

Even when I didn't get the gig after auditioning because my reading wasn't good enough or when the band decided I wasn't the right guy after all.

It's like playing tennis with someone who is better than you are. You step up and improve your game............

Good luck with the new band!!!!

[Spinal Tapper]

Sounds like a chance to climb that wall!

Practice, practice, practice!

[iggy]

My feelings are if you can learn the material and retain the vast amounts of knowledge of not only learning the notes of a song but the feeling, structure,verse,chorus,breaks,etc.... you should be all right. Remember, the guys in the band have played together for awhile to attain their status as a killer band. That's why it is important for all of us musicians to be prepared for an opportunity such as yours. I say go for it. Practicing and learning new material can be arduous but rewarding. Good luck. Iggy

[Puarija]

Please re-read my original post. I'm not asking for advice. I can handle it. I'm just curious to hear what other situations you guys have been in that maybe made you feel the same way I feel in this situation. Thank you for the replies though fellas, and yeah, I need to practice! hehe

[derrico1]

Originally Posted by Puarija

I just really hope I can learn their material well enough to do it justice in Charlottesville.

Just curious about Charlottesville, Jacob: Virginia or Indiana? If it's VA, let me know the venue and I'll try to get out and support a TBer, if I'm not gigging that night.

[ric1312]

I used to just sing in my band. I took up the bass to keep our band with a solid lineup.

When I started doing both at the same time my bass skills were sorely lacking compared to the other members in the band. I just kind of made sure not to hit bum notes and not overplay so that if I messed up I wouldn't stick out so bad.
Now I can actually fool people into thinking I'm a good bass player.

Luckily bass, in most band settings, isn't the intrument with all the glory and flash. So, as long as I just hold down my end I don't get complaints.

[tmw]

I felt the same way when my percussion teacher in grade school invited me to sit in with his band. Hell, these people were adults, and well it turned out alright. All he said was have fun, and don't break any of my drum heads.

You should do that too!

Congratulations.

[chaosMK]

I wouldnt worry about it. I make my guitarist feel that way all the time. We often argue about it.

[dreadheadbass]

i joined the band i'm in now after a year off took me a good few months to shake the rust off n get my speed n chops back thankfully they waited it out untill i got up to scratch and it turns out i'm better than they were expecting so huzzah for me

[Jazzdogg]

Several years ago (back in '79 IIRC), I had an opportunity to become the bassist for a jazz trio, which was exactly what I'd been dreaming of. I definitely felt a mix of fear and excitement at the prospect of playing with seasoned veterans from whom I could learn a lot - or be kicked to the curb.

My approach was to level with the pianist and drummer about my experience, goals, and trepidations. The pianist, who was probably forty years my senior, exchanged glances with the drummer and, in a reassuring tone of voice said something like, "That's OK. We know you can play, and you can learn. You do your part, and we'll take you to school."

Over the next two years we played together every Friday and Saturday night - I got quite an education from a couple of seasoned pros who decided to take a chance on me - and we all had a boatload of fun in the process!

[buzzbass]

Congrats on the cool gig. Now stop thinking about it and go kick arse.

[mothmonsterman]

I feel that way all the time.
Both my guitarists can play bass to an extent, and while technically I am much better than they are, they are way better at improv.
It just kinda makes you feel like crap.
I'm getting better and i can now lay down a very nice solid improv groove with the drummer (now if only i can get him to learn more beats, and but a metronome i'll be in business).

On the other side i've jammed with alot of people who i thought where good but then you jam with them and realize they really aren't that good.

[Lobster11]

Originally Posted by derrico1

Just curious about Charlottesville, Jacob: Virginia or Indiana? If it's VA, let me know the venue and I'll try to get out and support a TBer, if I'm not gigging that night.

Me too. Depending on the night, I might be able to make it up from Williamsburg. (Not if it's in Indiana, tho....)

[invader3k]

Yeah...I just joined a new cover band a couple months ago, after leaving the cover band I had been playing the same 60 or so cover songs with for about eight years. New band already had three sets of music put together...none of which I had played before! I have had more than a couple weeks to learn the songs, but it's definitely been a challenge at times. Ironically, I'm basically the second most experienced member of the group, other than the guitarist, so sometimes a lot of what I have to do is simply exercise patience with the other members. Our keyboard player is basically still learning his instrument, for example (converted guitarist).

As long as you're honest with the other members about what you can and can't do, and have confidence in yourself, you'll be fine.

[51m0n]

Auditioning for a Bachelors degree did it for me!

Got the place (couldn't fund it in the end but in a way that wasn't the point).

Andd yeah its thing like this tha focus the mind, and once through them give you a tonne of inspiration and confidence t go on to better things.

Best of luck, break a whats-it

[Puarija]

Originally Posted by derrico1

Just curious about Charlottesville, Jacob: Virginia or Indiana? If it's VA, let me know the venue and I'll try to get out and support a TBer, if I'm not gigging that night.

Virginia. R2 at Rapture, April 11th

It would be awesome to see another TBer when I'm away from home!

I don't know anything about the scene there or the venue, but I guess a couple "people" are going to be there to "hear the band" or whatever.

[kesslari]

Look at the Victor Wooten interview in this month's online Bass Musician magazine.
He talks about going through a similar thing (!) when he got the call from Chick Corea.
It's a pretty good read, and very on topic for you.

[Jordan]

I was asked to play some gigs with some of the best musicians I've ever heard in my life. I was given a CD (fortunately) a month in advance, and some of the songs were amazing, yet intimidating at the same time. Various time signatures were sprinkled throughout the songs, as technical musicians love to do. But this album is/was, somehow, as musically interesting to listen to as it was technical. I almost turned down the gig, but then realized I'd be a fool to do so.

So, I woodshedded the living hell out of that CD every day until the gig. We rehearsed one time with everyone in the greenroom before the gig. It seemed ironic to me that the most complex gig I've ever had was also the least rehearsed.

Everything went very well at all the gigs, and if/when more gigs become available, it will only get easier.

Jordan

[Puarija]

Originally Posted by kesslari

Look at the Victor Wooten interview in this month's online Bass Musician magazine.
He talks about going through a similar thing (!) when he got the call from Chick Corea.
It's a pretty good read, and very on topic for you.

Hey thanks! I'll try to find the article!