Nine...

woken2reason · #1 11-14-2009, 11:22 PM

Well I have decided to start looking to join a band. But I am questioning my skill level. How do i judge if i am good enough to start applying??

Munjibunga · #2 11-14-2009, 11:36 PM

Play along with CDs of the kind of music you want to play in a band. If you're as good as the guy on the CD, you're good enough.

Cz93 · #3 11-14-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Play along with CDs of the kind of music you want to play in a band. If you're as good as the guy on the CD, you're good enough.

good point. and think about it, if they say no dont let it get u down just forget about it and practice and make that inspire you to get better to go back out there and look for bands.

hope that helped good luck

ByF · #4 11-15-2009, 01:28 AM

I think Munjibunga was kidding.

You shouldn't worry about whether you're as good as the guy on the CD. The guy on the CD recorded lots of takes, and then they edited the part together with ProTools. If you wait until you're as good as that guy, you'll never get out of your bedroom.

Find some friends to jam with. Learn how to play with other people. When you get comfortable working out songs and making music with other players, you'll be ready to join a band. Or form one of your own.

Ed

steveksux · #5 11-15-2009, 12:41 PM

Actually, Munji isn't kidding. That's exactly it. If you can play along with the songs you want to play in a band, go find a band that plays that sort of thing and try out. When they want you to join the band, you're ready. That's how you know you're ready...

The bass lines of most pop music isn't difficult. Some of it is quite difficult, and will take longer to master.

Just hope you don't want to join a Jaco tribute band, that might take a looooong time...

Randy

jtc_hunter · #6 11-15-2009, 11:42 PM

That is what I do. We pick covers to do, i download the mp3. and learn it note for note , the best i can. When I get bored with a cover, i try to improve the bass lines if I can, but it just is improving on someone elses creation.

Munjibunga · #7 11-15-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByF

I think Munjibunga was kidding.

You shouldn't worry about whether you're as good as the guy on the CD. The guy on the CD recorded lots of takes, and then they edited the part together with ProTools. If you wait until you're as good as that guy, you'll never get out of your bedroom.

Find some friends to jam with. Learn how to play with other people. When you get comfortable working out songs and making music with other players, you'll be ready to join a band. Or form one of your own.

Ed

I wasn't kidding.

klokker · #8 11-16-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

Actually, Munji isn't kidding. That's exactly it. If you can play along with the songs you want to play in a band, go find a band that plays that sort of thing and try out.

Go try out. It can't hurt. Every band has a different "competence" level, so there isn't some magic level you can achieve where "you're good enough". I've played in bands where I was way better than everyone else, then joined one where I was way worse............they were playing basically the same stuff.

Go try out.

dmusic148 · #9 11-16-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByF

You shouldn't worry about whether you're as good as the guy on the CD. The guy on the CD recorded lots of takes, and then they edited the part together with ProTools. If you wait until you're as good as that guy, you'll never get out of your bedroom.

Find some friends to jam with. Learn how to play with other people. When you get comfortable working out songs and making music with other players, you'll be ready to join a band. Or form one of your own.

Ed

Hmm. ProTools. Well, the guy on the CD has to get it together at least well enough to play it live, right? So get it at least very, very close, and give it a shot.

The second paragraph I completely agree with.

Crazyeelboy · #10 11-16-2009, 12:41 AM

Woken2Reason: Stop worrying and just get out and play. You have nothing to lose and playing with other musicians is the best way to develop your own playing. Stop fretting (pun intended) and just do it!

bassbully · #11 11-16-2009, 12:47 PM

Like the old saying goes "you wont know till you try" go out and try out...do it...its only music ...not war.

Mo'Phat · #12 11-16-2009, 01:14 PM

I think I'd want to be at least as good at war as the other people in the war.

Being able to play as well as the players who play the same music you want to play is imperative.

I don't want to play avant-jazz-crunkcore, so I don't have to play as good(?) as those guys.

Caveat: Some bands won't care if you're not as good as the bands you're emulating. Originals bands can be much more lenient. However, if you're going to be covering well-known bassists bands (Chili Peppers, Primus, etc.) you MUST be able to pull it off convincingly.

scsm · #13 11-16-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Play along with CDs of the kind of music you want to play in a band. If you're as good as the guy on the CD, you're good enough.

From now on whenever I hear someone ask this question I'm giving this response.

It made sense to me, if you can pound your way through a couple of your favorite songs from start to finish then you are ready to play in a band.

Just hope your favorite band isn't Rush.

BigOldHarry · #14 11-16-2009, 06:33 PM

Start by playing with friends first. You show up to a working-band audition without *knowing* that you can play the music, it will not end well.

jtrow · #15 11-17-2009, 10:55 PM

You're good enough!! Get out there and give it a shot.

I've watched bands whose bass player played quarter notes, on the root, all night long. It didn't matter what the song was: Brown Eyed Girl, Gimmie Three Steps, LaBamba, they all got quarter notes. Maybe not the greatest band in the world, but hey, they were out gigging.

cassanova · #16 11-17-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazyeelboy

Woken2Reason: Stop worrying and just get out and play. You have nothing to lose and playing with other musicians is the best way to develop your own playing. Stop fretting (pun intended) and just do it!

That's not entirely true about having nothing to lose. If he goes out there before he's ready and sucks up the joint he could get a bad reputation which could possibly in turn, cost him auditions down the road.

ByF · #17 11-17-2009, 11:58 PM

Okay, so Munji wasn't kidding.

But I must respectfully disagree.

I've heard it said many times that the best way to improve is to play with people better than you. You can learn more about making music in one hour of playing with other musicians than you would in a month of playing along with CD's.

I think that if the OP feels like he's ready to start playing with a band, there's a band out there that's ready for him.

Just my opinion.

Ed

woken2reason · #18 11-18-2009, 05:13 AM

Thanks for all the great feedback. I like to test myself so I have used all your info and also checked out a few want ads. and i have come up with this:

Learn atleast 45 mins of material and play it to a level that I am satisfied with.

Then play it all togeter with 30sec-1min intervals.

I think that if i can achieve that then I'm ready.

Joe Nerve · #19 11-18-2009, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo'Phat

Being able to play as well as the players who play the same music you want to play is imperative.

I learned and grew the most by playing with people who's playing was light years beyond mine. I disagree completely with the above.

I started out many moons ago playing with friends, so I don't know what it would be like jumping into the game with strangers. If I were to do that though knowing what I know now, I think I'd look for opportunities, learn the songs they were doing till I could play them in my sleep, and then audition and be up front telling them this is my first time out. If you smoke the songs they're doing they'll be happy to know they can only look forward to your getting better.

I also think it's important to just get out there and not wait until you think you're ready. I know countless people who are still sitting in their bedrooms, getting ready. One of them is in his fifties.

phatbass · #20 11-18-2009, 05:47 AM

Just get out and start auditioning. A huge factor in successful auditioning is appearing relaxed and confident (without being an arrogant know-all butt-head). The only way to get this confidence that I know of is to get out, audition a few times, and realise that the worst thing that can happen is you don't get the gig.