how good do you...

jIvan · #1 02-28-2007, 02:50 AM

how good do you feel you needed to be when you decided to start auditioning for other bands?

saxnbass · #2 02-28-2007, 02:58 AM

Good enough for the band.

Do you know the story about Nikki Six?

While living in Idaho, Sixx became a teenage vandal, breaking into neighbors' homes, shoplifting and being expelled from school for selling drugs. His grandparents sent him to live with his mother, who had moved to Seattle. He lived there for a short time, and learned how to play the bass guitar after buying his first instrument with money made from selling a guitar he stole from a music store.

I heard that he heard about a band looking for a bass player, so he stole a guitar and showed up to be the bass player. They explained it to him, so he sold the guitar and bought a bass with the money. Not sure of the accuracy of this, but this is what I've heard/read somewhere.

IanStephenson · #3 02-28-2007, 06:48 AM

Get hooked up with a band asap. There are so many things you need to learn about working with a band, and you can only do by playing wth a band. Everyone has horror stories about the guy who'd been playing for 10 years, but never played in a band - impossible to work with, and can't understand why you don't think he's brilliant.

Even as someone who's been round the block, I'd rather help out someone who's been playing 6 months, than the bedroom veteran.

The trick is to find a band thats as good (or bad) as you are. Don't go auditioning for a pro gig, cause you're just wasting their time! Find a couple of friends who are at the same level. Even better if you can find another friend with a bit more experience to lead the project, then go and have fun.

I'd say 1 month playing and you can go out and get a band, 6 months no problem, if you wait over a year you're making problems for yourself.

Ian

QORC · #4 02-28-2007, 07:38 AM

nothing will improve you faster than actually being in a band. there is no substitute for it.

chaosMK · #5 02-28-2007, 10:17 AM

I had been playing for two weeks (but been a musician for years) when I tried out for my first band.

That was the first and last time I'd jammed with them.

The first band I successfully auditioned for... I started looking at adds once I felt like I was pretty good at the style I was going for. Once I got tired of jamming along to Fear Factory, Korn, Metallica albums, I figured I could join a band that had those influences and figure out the rest. That's basically what happened.

badstonebass · #6 02-28-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QORC

nothing will improve you faster than actually being in a band. there is no substitute for it.

This is VERY true.

If you OWN a bass and a decent amp you are good enough. Bands are starving for bassists.

invader3k · #7 02-28-2007, 01:47 PM

It's never too early to join a band. Just be up front with where you are as a player. No one is going to say "you suck" if you tell them you're just starting out. Many musicians are eager to help a new bass player along. Don't get discouraged if it takes a while to find the right project, either.

bentfork · #8 02-28-2007, 04:38 PM

i had been playin for a while and found the best way to hook up with a band and even test myself was to get to an open mic night and see if i could jam with some guys, one night a drummer came up to me said he liked my style and the next thing i knew we had our first practice the followinf weekend. open mic's are a great tool to show your stuff.