Practical advice needed

[tgriley62]

Here goes. I have just started to lean the bass, been playing for about 8 months now. I would like to get a band up in about another year. The city I live in is rural (less than 5,000 pop) & the bands around here are well established & play mostly southern/country rock or newer alternitive styles . My idea is to cover classic rock that is not heard much, if at all, (Pink Floyd, Headeast, Neil Young, Foghat to name a few). I work full time so this would be more of a hobby & not a doing it to make a lot of money type setup. In fact just making enough to cover basic expenses would be fine. The biggest problem that I see is that I am 48 and a begining bass player. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[Waffles and Scotch]

Practice. A lot. Good luck!

[Spinal Tapper]

It's tricky because of the small-town thing...you may have to go a little outside of your own town to find something...

First, I'd check the local Craigslist ads for "Bassist Wanted for Cover band" or similar listings. This will get your foot in the door with a cover band of a similar genre you're looking for. Usually the cover bands looking for bassist will list their influences or even some of the artists they already cover. They also could be expecting someone ready to knock out the songs, so mention up front what your main focus and experience is right off the bat.

It might not be EXACTLY what you're looking for, but you're new to the bass and right now it's more about experience/networking/playing with other musicians than starting your dream band right away.

Do you know any musicians from work or the local area? Knowing friends who play is a great way to get a laid-back thing started. Just go jam with some buddys. Hang out at the local music store and get talking with the owners and see if anyone is looking for a bassist.

You could also go to open jam nights and bring your bass. Maybe a song you are familiar with will come your way. This will get your experience points up REAL FAST.

You could always post a Craigslist ad searching for other members, but remember in this case, they'd be looking at you as the experienced one, so make sure you already know the songs you'd ideally want to cover.

[gnjpowell]

Get started now with any band you can get in with and then seek more optimal opportunities over time. It will be a huge advantage to be gigging already when you eventually find or create your own band match-made-in-heaven.

[Jim11895]

I played a little in high school, then didn't take up the bass again until I was 50. Essentially I was a complete newbie. I started taking lessons and practiced on my own and learned some songs for fun for about 6 months or so. Then I put an ad in Craigslist. I was totally honest about my skill (or lack thereof) level, and hooked up with some guys and spent about 6 months playing with them. Learned a bunch of songs and had a lot of fun. I'm now on my second band (also found via CL) and we've been together for about 24 months, and gigging for fun (and $$) on weekends for about 18 months now. In both bands, I was/am the weakest link, but a good attitude and enthusiasm count for a lot. I have no illusions of stardom, it's just a really fun hobby. If I can do it, anyone can. Go for it and have some fun. It's really a blast playing front of a crowd, or even just practicing with the guys in the basement.

Peace,
Jim

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by tgriley62

Here goes. I have just started to lean the bass, been playing for about 8 months now. I would like to get a band up in about another year. The city I live in is rural (less than 5,000 pop) & the bands around here are well established & play mostly southern/country rock or newer alternitive styles . My idea is to cover classic rock that is not heard much, if at all, (Pink Floyd, Headeast, Neil Young, Foghat to name a few). I work full time so this would be more of a hobby & not a doing it to make a lot of money type setup. In fact just making enough to cover basic expenses would be fine. The biggest problem that I see is that I am 48 and a begining bass player. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

I am really sorry, but IMO your coming into this way to late. I think keeping strictly at the hobby level is a good idea.

[AfroCubanFunkMa]

My first piece of advice is to disregard any advice from bluewine.. After that, listen to what Spinal Tapper and Jim11895 are saying. One thing I'll add.. Learn as many songs as you can and then learn some more.. Also talk in-person to any bass players you admire in local bands.. You'll be surprised how generous people can be with information and tips to help you along your new path. Best... Mik

PS.. At 48, there are quite a few folks your age who would enjoy playing the songs you want to play.. Go find em..

[gnjpowell]

You can use your "advanced age" to your benefit! You are more likely to be reliable, on time, practice a lot and in general take it more seriously than the teenagers and twentysomethings... BTDT at 50+ Tips: 1, Be PASSIONATE with your playing and feel and 2, practice A-lot!

[Stev187]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I am really sorry, but IMO your coming into this way to late. I think keeping strictly at the hobby level is a good idea.

Baloney. Suggested reading: John Holt's Never Too Late: My Musical Life Story, Noah Adams' Piano Lessons: Music, Love and True Adventures and Shinichi Suzuki's Nurtured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education.

"The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people!" --Randy Pausch

--Steve

[tgriley62]

Thanks everybody. I guess I was looking for encouragement from others that have been playing/gigging for years. My 27 year old daughter took my wife & I to see Kansas (my favorite band) last Saturday at an outdoor show. We were 6 rows from the stage, on Billy Greers side. It just blew me away, I cant explain it but it just ignited something in me to want to play in a group. I have no illusions of fame/fortune (unless my powerball numbers hit). Again thanks for the help

Rock on

[GeoffT]

+1 on disregarding blue's advice. If you believe you can't, you have already failed and have no chance of reaching your goal. Fortunately, you can choose what you want to believe.

Find a great teacher, if there aren't any in your area, there are a number of excellent instructors giving lessons via the internet using Skype or similar software. This will save a bunch of time and wasted effort. Play with as many people as possible, in as many styles possible. Don't give up when it gets difficult or when you have setbacks in your plan. Have fun and enjoy making music.

[bassbully]

I got back into playing at 40 and into my first band again at 41 and will be 50 soon. It's never too late. The classic rock guys out there are not 20 year olds for the most part they are over 40 and most in their 50's in my area and are jammin away at local bars making some coin. Practice up, find an experienced group with paying gis and get in. Give it hell and have fun!

[dalahorse]

Originally Posted by Stev187

Baloney.

"The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people!" --Randy Pausch

That's perfect!

Worth mentioning is a blues band I played with. I was the baby of the group in my late 20s. The other musicians were in their 50s and 60s. That was one of the best bands I ever worked with! That was also the only band I ever asked the lead guitarist to turn up his volume. (The guy's amazing slide style really defined our sound.) Our bassist (I was on drums) didn't play anything fancy. If I had to define him in a single word, I'd say "solid."

Unless you're trying out for a glam rock band, age shouldn't matter that much.

As far as advice is concerned... Most of what I'd say has already been covered. I'll throw some emphasis on practicing whenever possible and enjoying yourself. I don't see anything unrealistic with your goal. You, like the rest of us, just have to work at it to make it happen.

[jlane72t]

My grandmother decided, out of the blue, to take up watercolor painting at age 94. No prior artistic aspirations.

Now she's 97 and everyone in the family has her works in their homes. It's beautiful stuff, the painting over my couch gets many complements from visitors without knowing who created it.

You're never too old to become an artist, or just to explore creative interests.

[MNAirHead]

I'd be searching to get with a drumer as fast as you can...

A simple and easy place to start are church worship teams... you would be able to play with others and learn bandmanship.

You're not too old.. if you look at the corporate and other money making bands, commonly you';ll only find tenured players.

[Gaius46]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I am really sorry, but IMO your coming into this way to late. I think keeping strictly at the hobby level is a good idea.

Arrant nonsense.


To the OP - try to find some people to play with as soon as you can. Practicing alone is useful, playing along with recordings can be very helpful but playing with other musicians is a whole 'nother world. Nothing prepares you for working with a live drummer like working with a live drummer.

[dalahorse]

Originally Posted by Gaius46

Nothing prepares you for working with a live drummer like working with a live drummer.

As both a bassist and drummer, I agree 100% with this!

[bradjonesbass]

Big plus 1 to finding a good teacher. Preferably one who is also a gigging player. I've hooked a few of my students up with bands when I decided they were ready. Mostly, people call me because they want me to play, and if I don't want the gig and feel a student is a good fit, I'll hook them up. I've also had people call asking if I had a student that could do it. Incidentally, I found my band's drummer that way too. Called up a drummer I know who is one of the top teachers around and asked if he had a former student he'd recommend for what we were doing. We ended up going with him over a very well established drummer who can really play. Just felt like a better fit.

[Jason P Bass]

Originally Posted by tgriley62

The city I live in is rural (less than 5,000 pop) & the bands around here are well established & play mostly southern/country rock or newer alternitive styles . My idea is to cover classic rock that is not heard much, if at all, (Pink Floyd, Headeast, Neil Young, Foghat to name a few).

These two sentences seal your fate. By all means, feel free to do whatever you like. But when you want to find success:

Step 1) Identify what your local market wants.
Step 2) Deliver what your local market wants.

If you're not motivated by success (which is perfectly respectable - many people want to follow their hearts) then you just need to find like minded people who share your vision. Good luck.

If you want to find success, you need to provide what the audience wants, regardless of what your heart wants.

[Jason P Bass]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I am really sorry, but IMO your coming into this way to late. I think keeping strictly at the hobby level is a good idea.

Project much?

OP: Ignore this guy.