First Band Advice

Amplexus · #1 11-24-2007, 10:53 PM

First, I want to say that I really enjoy all the advice and stories in this particular forum.

Anyway, what can advice can you give a newer (about 2+ years) bass player for finding and joining their first band.

Thanks in advance!

rokkitt · #2 11-24-2007, 10:59 PM

go on lots of auditions...

and only learn five or six songs for your first time with any band....

if you try to learn too many for the audition, you will mess them all up...

learn 4-6 songs as perfect as you can....thats it!

bassman1185 · #3 11-24-2007, 11:09 PM

Get good gear, a good tuner, and learn how to get good tone.

Do you have any friends who are in bands or who have connections with bands? If you do, look for any opportunities to play with anyone and everyone you can. It's never going to hurt to get experience.

ProgRapture · #4 11-24-2007, 11:17 PM

Well if it's your first band, and if you plan on being in it for the long run, know when to work, and when to have fun. Be sure to be able to stay with the drummer, be creative without being gaudy, find some good tone, and most of all, have fun!

There is no drug on earth that can give you a better high than being on stage and playing music.

johncg · #5 11-24-2007, 11:22 PM

Put yourself in situations where you will be surrounded by musicians. 99% percent of my connections have been made either at school, at jam sessions, on the gig, or at someone else's gig.

Learn how to hang and be a cool guy. "Talking the talk" is at least as important as walking the walk.

Have fun! That's what it's all about. Doors will open for you if have your playing together. Good thing about a being bassist is that there's never enough of us to go around.

meev992 · #6 11-24-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

a good tuner, and learn how to get good tone.

I stress these, because EVERYONE will notice you're out of tune, and that your tone sucks. You flub a note here or there, it's no big deal, but when you have a woofy tone, they'll say "no" so that they won't have to listen to you.

so yes, sit down and figure out your tone, to the dot, and write down everything if you can't commit your setting to memory.

Fretless1! · #7 11-26-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProgRapture

There is no drug on earth that can give you a better high than being on stage and playing music.

+ 1 million

chaosMK · #8 11-26-2007, 03:53 PM

It really helps if everyone has a job.

Dave R · #9 11-26-2007, 04:12 PM

All I've ever done is tell other musicians that I play bass. That seems to do the trick...

However, some other, more conventional things I've seen people do:

-Answer ads in music shops, on their cork boards.

-Put an ad "Bass player seeks band" in cork boards at musioc shops.

-Answer ads, or put an ad, on Craigslist.

Another crazy idea I just had...get some business cards printed. When you see alive band, talk to them on a break. Tell them you're looking for a band and ask if they know anyone you should talk to. Offer to leave a biz card with them.

dman_113 · #10 11-26-2007, 06:20 PM

Make sure your all on the same page. If you want to play around and have more of a casual band thats cool just make sure thats what everyone wants, if your going at it from a more serious stand point be sure everyone understands that too. Being in a band sucks 99% of the time, its expensive, its hard to keep people together, you'll get tired of each other so know when to take a break from it all. Really the only things I really enjoy about being in bands is A) being on stage and B) recording (until you get the bill of course). Anyway good luck man, you'll need it.

bassbully · #11 11-27-2007, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dman_113

Make sure your all on the same page. If you want to play around and have more of a casual band thats cool just make sure thats what everyone wants, if your going at it from a more serious stand point be sure everyone understands that too. Being in a band sucks 99% of the time, its expensive, its hard to keep people together, you'll get tired of each other so know when to take a break from it all. Really the only things I really enjoy about being in bands is A) being on stage and B) recording (until you get the bill of course). Anyway good luck man, you'll need it.

+1 make sure the band is where you want to be musicly and the players are decent. Dont waste time even if you are new with a bunch of beer swiging basement dabblers who will never get out.
Ask to see a setlist and see if the band has gigs booked or have been booked.
Its cool to get into a band getting off the ground but understand it will take more time then an established band who's replacing a lost bassist. Of course it could be tougher to get the established bands job but not always.
I put it on the table with anyone i play with ...what time i can invest,where i expect to be with a band...a timeline and rules i have ...no drugs, heavy drinking etc. Its better to lay it out by phone etc then to show up waste time or the band like you and try to talk you into becoming a member although you know you wont fit...been their done that.