New Player..First Band..Advice

[Already In Use]

I'm on my way! Ha! Still consider myself a bass owner. Started playing in Dec 09 after 30 odd years of being away from the bass. Answered an ad for a bass player wanted. Met the keyboard player/singer and got a song list Friday.

Got right into it and I'm learning a few songs for my first GTG with the band on Wednesday. Scared stiff!

I understand that I must do the work and learn songs.

What are reasonable expectations between band members in your opinion? Any good advice? This will be my first band encounter since the viola in elementary school.

Really seeking a Dr Phil moment here! Thanks in advance.

[bassguppy]

make sure the songlist doesn't have songs they haven't performed before. One audition I had years ago they listed songs that they "wanted" to learn. I spent time learning nearly the whole list (I had 2 weeks) and I ended up learning about 10 songs they never played before.

Give a call and ask if there are any songs on the list they no longer do or is everything current. Saves your time and theirs.

Remember, you are auditioning them as well. Not all bands will be an ideal fit but weigh both the positives and negatives.

If by chance you love them and get a good vibe BUT they for whatever reason decide to go with some other bassist don't get too down. It can be a bit of an ego blow, but there can be a dozen reasons why they didn't choose you. Some of which you have no control over.

A little small-talk is great, you get to learn a bit about potential band members not music-related.

[Already In Use]

Thanks! The point regarding the song list is a great point! I may know songs they dont already! I'm hoping for the best. I need to play with others asap.

[Already In Use]

Ha!(DPhil) I spent the last 5 months studying music and working on technique. Its been a tremendous help. This time I am in it for the long haul. If I had to highlight one regret in my life it would be not following thru with music. Thanks.

How'd that happen? I was answering Jeb!

[Jeb]

I was in a similar situation as you once. When most guys my age were in college, I was playing 6 nights a week on the road with a R&R band and sleeping in motels. That was in the 80's and, of course, didn't last for very long and I reverted to being a responsible adult. At Y2K I picked up the bass again. My philosophy is different now, one stanpoint being that I don't "learn songs" as much as I "learn bass." The better you know the bass, the better you can play a song, any song.

That being said, I would definitely be up for this Wednesday and enjoy the experience. As far as "reasonable expectations between band members" I don't know because people are all so different. And Dr. Phil isn't as smart as everyone thinks!

[Stumbo]

You might want to check out the link in my sig. for some great TB info that may help you along the way.

Good luck!

[Already In Use]

Thanks...you have been a great help...appreciate it!

[Already In Use]

Done! Payed with this band for 3 plus hours. PLayed songs from lead sheets I never heard beofre plus quite a few I've heard and never played.

I'm welcomed into the band!

I owe a huge thanks to this site and especially Stumbo for all the help. Stumbo thanks for the links. There is no way I could have gotten this far this quick with out Talk Bass.com.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

I was a motorcycle racer fopr a while. This is equal to the high I would get from racing and a lot more satisfying!

[jmattbassplaya]

Congrats! Welcome back to the world of bass

[bassguppy]

Congrats!!!

It's great being enthusiastic about a new band!

[Stumbo]

Good luck.
Glad we could help you out.
Let us know how it goes.

[hrodbert696]

Congrats! Good to hear about successful player/band linkups.

Your situation is pretty similar to mine a couple of months ago -- long hiatus from the instrument, picked it up again, found a band over craigslist (took me about 3 tries), started playing. The main things that seem to be important are practicing plenty on your own time so you can come to rehearsal ready, communicate as much as possible about everyone's expectations (like "what are we actually practicing next week?"), and also keep learning both new songs as well as technique and theory on your own, whether the band is playing those songs or not -- it's always good to be to say, "hey, how about if we add X to the mix next week?" so you're not just following the others' cues all the time. Not to mention that it will keep you fresh as a musician.

[Already In Use]

Been practicing like a mad man. Cant seem to get enough. Another aspect of this is the advice thats often given here regarding music theory. I'm glad I have been studying that. The comments about being able to "communicate" with other musicians came into to play right off the bat. Thanks!