condemned to not playing bass? i need advice.

[serruto]

I'm a strugling intermediate bass player who is itching to play gigs. I was in a band who spent nine months writing songs, rehearsing and never made it to the stage. (later on I learned that the band leader himself never played a single gig in his life). I live in my uncle's house pay rent, pay for school out of my pocket in addition to personal expenses. Even holding two retail part times can't give the extra cash I need to buy a bass rig. My uncle twists himself in anger every time the UPS man drops something at the door with my name on it, as a result I CANNOT order a descent combo or even a new bass. My skills have improved greatly since I started practicing seriously for more than a year, however I cannot attempt to market myself as a gigging bass player because of my lack of gear. All i have is the bridgecraft bass that served me to learn , a Squier Affinity that I messed up while attempting to turned into a "poor man' s 5 string" (BEAD) and the practice amp that came with the Squier. I feel really frustrared, What I want the most in the world is PLAY GIGS unfortunately my living situation makes it really hard to own a descent rig. I got credit cards but in times like this you know the last thing you need is debt.
However, I don't let this limitations to diminish my desire for playing bass. I was thinking about getting a D.I , but honestly what drives me towards the bass is the gut hitting rumble you can only get from a cab. Maybe a new bass ( the lack of a 5 string prevented me from joining another band last month, they tuned to drop c). I live in New Jersey and I don't know if there is places that rent bass rigs especially in the New York area).
Any suggestion or advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[kurtwash]

Your uncle is making you pay rent and still trying to hold you back from buying what you want? Sounds like a pretty silly thing to do.

I'd move out. You're already paying rent anyways.

 

[Stumbo]

Are you late on the rent or something? Can't pay your bills on time. What's up with your Uncle? Why is he charging you rent, anyway? Why does he get angry when stuff is delivered to you? Must be something.

I would stay off the Credit Cards. If you don't get gigs, how will you pay off the balance?
If you don't have the extra cash, then I suggest you wait until you do.

Btw, if you don't have a rig, what were you going to use to join the drop C band?

 

[quigg]

He's probably paying less rent than he would with roommates. So why does your uncle get pissed when you spend your money on things? Don't use credit cards to buy what you want, unless you can pay them off at the end of the month. I remember when I was living on my own with 4 other roommates in a 2 bedroom apartment, I worked a full-time job and I still couldn't afford to buy a lot of things, even with saving (plus we ate ramen noodles or spaghetti all of the time, corndogs were a luxury item). Imagine trying to bring a girl home when you know there is going to be at least 3 other dudes in your tiny apartment that reeks of stale beer and ramen noodles (I miss that smell) chicks don't dig that usually.

 

[lindseyp]

Serruto--

1. Have you tried playing for free at a local church of your choice? Some of them may have a bass and amp on hand, just need a player. Others may front the amp if you bring the bass (I have seen both situations, it's all good).
2. Also offer your services, again free for now, to sit in with local musicians or singers to get yourself noticed.
3. What campus doesn't have a battle of the bands? Find out who the other musicians are at your school and just hang out and jam. Again, this will help get you noticed.
4. Speaking of getting noticed, do you have a web page? You can set it up at school (hint, hint). Talking to a lady almost half my age (I'm almost 50), she hinted I needed to update my Facebook page. I had forgotten about that page until she asked me "do you play guitar?" She saw my photos while updating her own site.
5. Music instrument stores post want ads for musicians; check them out.
6. Don't stop playing!

 

[Stumbo]

6. Don't stop playing!

+100

 

[jezzamac]

Open mic/jam nights are good if you have a group to practise with - sometimes you can just sit in on simple stuff. Keep on playing. Shame about the squier ( I remember hacking up a bass when I was young and have regretted it ever since even though it wasn't anything impressive).

 

[contakt321]

Not sure where you live in Jersey, but almost all NYC practice spaces have amps. You could at least get together with folks and practice.

 

[drboyd]

Well, if you want a monster rig and fame and glory as a bass player, the most important thing you can do is to stay in school.

Playing bass for a living is like playing Major League Baseball for a living - nice work if you can get it, but the chances ara somewhere between miniscule and zero.

You're anxious to get out and strut your stuff, and there's been some great advice offered above (Church +1000), but trust me - there will come a time when you get out of school and have the money to buy your rig.

The second best thing you can do is to not even think about using your credit cards.

The very best thing you can do is to practice your @$$ off so that you can transition from an intermediate bass player to an advanced bass player - that way, when you do show up to try out for a band, they'll be like tripping all over themselves to get you on board.

 

[Jim Carr]

Good Lord, people...a usable used rig can be had for a couple of hundred off craigslist.
New Jersey is overflowing with used gear.
Save $10 a week for 6 months. You'll get your rig. Stick with the 4 string for now.