Going bandless AND Introducing Yourself for a public jam

[jarrhead]

Alright this is going to be long.


I just left my current band of a year for some musical differences and chemistry issues. Nothing special.

But there was also a nationally "touring" band, you could say, that offered me a spot. Quotes on the touring because it's just bars and openings, no headlines.

So they're opening for Akon, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and some other band over the summer and they offered me a spot.

After a heated discussion on another thread and some emailing with a local music vet, I turned them down.

I honestly find it pretty pathetic I can think ahead further than they can. Liabilities and shows and the like.

I'm gonna start looking to see if I can get into the local jams with these guys that he was talking about.

Anyways, here's some insight from the local vet on the jams.

Hello Jared.
Sounds like you've got something special going on there. I can tell this by your thirst for knowledge. What type of bass do you have and what do you play through.

Let me give you a small amount of advice that should carry you a long way.

Playing a good solid bass is great, but there are other things to consider, like looking the part. Stand in front of a mirror while you're rehearsing and experiment with different moves, facial expressions, steps, etc... Learn to look out towards the imaginary crowd as much as possible, making eye contact with whoever you can, especially the ladies. Look at your bass as little as possible, unless it's for effect. Make faces, do anything that would separate you from other musicians. It's not just about playing good. It's about looking good too.
Remember, when you're on stage, you're mostly playing pre-rehearsed stuff, so you already know you're going to sound good. The real trick is to make it look good. Accomplish this, and you'll have crowds eating out of the palm of your hands. This is the greatest thing that separates the pros from the joes. The joes just want to stand still looking at their instrument while showing everybody how good they sound. The pros interact visually with the crowd and get them involved with the event. The fans become a part of the electricity flowing during your performance.

Remember, you can be a musician, or you can be a musical entertainer.

Keep practicing your licks as that will only get better with age. Keep thirsting for knowledge, not just musical but visual also.

And try your best to stay away from serious relationships. I've seen it make many a talented musician disappear from the scene. At least, try to keep the damage to a minimum, before some girl gets preggers and changes your life. I've seen it happen too many times.

Same goes for drugs and booze. It'll only slow you down in the long run.

The young guys I was referencing earlier usually play at blues jams or other public venues due to their age. Get a copy of Up and Coming magazine so you can keep up with these guys, go out to support them, make friends with them and eventually gig with some of them.
Put yourself out there, as much as you can.

The rest of the pieces will fall in place, I guarantee it.

Rick

How would you suggest I introduce myself when I get the chance to go see these guys? I'm sure I can meet up with Rick and talk to him and maybe that will help. I'm just a shy person really.

Now, back to the other band. I liked a few of their songs. Inconsistent but it seemed like they had something going.
Until they said "We can get away without a bassist live."

I was talking to Rick about joining up with these guys and here was his reply. I sent one and then I sent another after I changed my mind with some insight from the other thread.

Here's my changed mind reply:

My last email I just sent, was a bit early on.

That being said, I don't like the sound of this band. But I may have to suck it up and do the summer tour if I'd like to get some gig experience. Their band is not near demanding enough, and I don't want to slam nothing but roots and not even be able to hear myself. I got off the phone when them and they said "We can get away without a bassist live.."

I've been looking for a cover band recently. Any originals band would be a pain to schedule if anything happened. Fayetteville is a deadzone for music.

I'm definitely looking to find gigs by the end of the summer, blues/jazz and rock gigs would be great. I've really been thirsting for a public jam session though. Do you have any contact info for these people?


Jared

Then he replied with:

Jared,
I debated on how to respond to your first "oakcrest" email before you sent the last one.
As tempting as it might be to want to jump right into a band, sometimes you can get into a situation that you would later regret. I really don't think those guys want someone who aspires to be a great musician. They're just looking for a party animal who can make lots of noise on a bass guitar. They need a bassist really badly, but they could care less about taking it to the next level musically. My personal opinion is that you could do more damage than good in a band like that. If you aspire to get laid, party and turn the volume up to 10 to hide your lack of musical ability, then those guys are for you. Otherwise, you'd do good to pass on this one. They really talk the talk, but are nowhere close to being able to walk the walk.
Besides, you have to keep in mind that your age factor alone would stop a lot of bands from being able to play in nightclubs, and that's how those guys make what little money they get. You have to be patient and keep honing your skills. Your day will come, guaranteed.
Pick up each issue of "Up and Coming" magazine. You can find them free at most any dine in restaurant. Check out the musical section to find out about the local scene including all the young, gifted musicians in the area. It'll give you a heads up about who is playing where and when. It will help you familiarize yourself with the local scene. Then when the opportunity presents itself, go out and introduce yourself. Also, there are quite a few blues festivals around that would be more than happy to have you come up and do a few songs. That's how you get your feet wet.
You're right to a degree about Fayetteville, but if you're serious about your craft and make wise decisions, Fayetteville couldn't even begin to hold you back. I started my musical career in Fayetteville when I was 15, and ended up making a good living doing it for over 20 years, albeit away from town. I came to a point in my life that I was tired of all the traveling, so I got a day job and settled down. I'm now retired, so I can focus on my music once again, but I do it now just for fun, not to survive like before.
My advice to you is to concentrate on bettering yourself musically while getting through school. There's nothing wrong with jamming with anyone you can find, as long as it doesn't interfere with getting an education first. No matter how good you get to be musically, just about any seasoned musician will tell you of the importance of getting your education first.
You always need a plan "B", just in case plan "A" falls through. An education gives you that option.
Besides, it'll also help you to afford the latest "toys" like new guitars, amps and effects that every musician craves, haha.
I look forward to meeting you one day in the flesh. Are you on Facebook?

Best Regards,

Rick

Anyways, point of the thread: there's a bit of valuable insight in here and.. How do I go about introducing myself being the shy person I am?

Also, what do you do when you're bandless, as I currently am?





EDIT & P.S.:

Oh, and it was these guys: http://www.myspace.com/oakcrestband

I figured out why they need a bassist so bad after talking with them. I've seen ads up for three months and another turnoff when I remembered one said "Must have the look of a rocker." I was reminded of this when somebody in the other thread mentioned trying out for Journey and getting rejected for their image.

[guy n. cognito]

So, they offered you the gig? How was the audition?

[jarrhead]

No, they offered me the spot without audition.

Supposed to do it this vet. day but I bailed.

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by jarrhead

No, they offered me the spot without audition.

Supposed to do it this vet. day but I bailed.

So they offered you a spot in their band, without hearing you play???

[jarrhead]

Pretty much. Not directly but they said "I dont think we even need an audition."

They were pretty much a fail, but if you read above, like Rick said, it's tempting to jump in at once.

[bamabass]

Any band that would offer a 14 year old a touring spot has some issues. Please understand that I am not slamming you at all. Just a lot of issues with not just a minor, but someone who is VERY much a minor. A lot of legal ramifications.

One comment I will make though, do not underestimate the value of "slamming root notes". There is a lot of experience to be gained by doing exactly that. It is not always about playing what is "fun", but more about playing what is appropriate. I know when I started playing out at a very young age, I learned more from playing nothing but roots and LISTENING to the experience around me. You may be the next incarnation of Jaco-Wooten-Ox-whoever, but no matter how good you are...you can only gain experience and maturity through time. Good luck in your endeavors!

[jarrhead]

I don't mind slamming roots, as I play what's appropriate. In my current band I JUST left, That's usually all I did but I was able to throw is octaves and a tapping riff.

I just don't want it to get where I'm playing the same thing over and over again and every rehearsal is just to listen to THEM practice.

Hell, if I were going to play shows I wouldn't mind it too much but these guys didn't have the sound that would distract me from my boredom and I can't play in bars anyways..

[guy n. cognito]

So, has this band heard you play before, or they just went on your word that you're that good? Help us understand how a touring band of adults decide to offer a gig to a 14 year old without an audition.

[jarrhead]

Beats me, sound like idiots to me.

I was the "first bassist to know what i'm talking about." apparently.

Either way doesn't matte rnow that i'm not doing it.


PS) Did you even read the whole thread?

[TrevorOfDoom]

get business cards. seriously.

i'm shy and horrible about networking and talking to people. i got business cards. now i feel guilty if i don't talk to people and hand them out because i paid good money for them, and they should be used.
interesting what we'll do to motivate ourselves, no?

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by jarrhead

Beats me, sound like idiots to me.

I was the "first bassist to know what i'm talking about." apparently.

Either way doesn't matte rnow that i'm not doing it.


PS) Did you even read the whole thread?

Yeah, I read it.

Based on what you've said, they certainly do seem like idiots. Hope they don't see this thread....

[jarrhead]

Haha, yeah.

[Skyblue977]

The drummer looks like the chap from Anvil!

[Skyblue977]

And the rest of them look like wankers!

[jarrhead]

They are wankers. haha.

[AltGrendel]

My advice to you is to concentrate on bettering yourself musically while getting through school. There's nothing wrong with jamming with anyone you can find, as long as it doesn't interfere with getting an education first. No matter how good you get to be musically, just about any seasoned musician will tell you of the importance of getting your education first.
You always need a plan "B", just in case plan "A" falls through. An education gives you that option.

That right there, that's the key part.