Diary of a Bassist #13: Wait, are we a real band?!

[Anjohl]

Hey folks, for those new to the diary, I am a middle aged musician enjoying a bit of a musical renaissance, including finally picking up the bass as a secondary instrument. I am learning *pretty* much on the fly, generally gigging either in a duo/trio, and am documenting my gigs with brief writeups. I have links to past entries below!

We were back to our trio from two weeks ago, and things just had this more "professional" vibe tonight. We did better on song starts and endings, and *definitely* locked in better. I took a few lead/co-lead vocals, along with lots of backing vocals, including some harmonies. An odd thing happened during an improv jam on Nirvana's "Something in the Way" of all things. Since it's only two chords, I kept things kindof simple, but we ended up doing multiple songs lyrically (I can't recall what that's called) over the same melody, with myself and the lead singer "bouncing" songs back and forth like two players trading solos. Honestly, I think the small audience there got a treat on that one, as I think some magic happened (I know, way to pat myself on the back eh?!).

I found it was much easier to sing and play if I was playing with a pick, which is making me look at adding a few hard rock songs for me to sing to our list. Also, and please don't mock me for this, I found it *much* easier to lock in if I kindof bopped my whole body to the beat. I was seated for most of the night, but when I really wanted to dig in, I would stand up, and sometimes assume a Steve Harris-esque pose with a foot on the monitor, and i'll be damned if we didn't end up locking in something savage during those times, lol.

I played the same rig again, Fender Mustang PJ => Boss Tuner pedal => Boss Bass Cube. I don't think I used any effects, though I might have had a hint of chorus on. I honestly love this rig. I have the footswitch for it now as well, so I can configure some presets. I am sure I will constantly lust for other basses, but beyond that, this rig feels very compete. The tone is massive, it's ultra convenient, and it's all paid for!

Technique wise, I recovered from mistakes quicker, worked on some picking/plucking dynamics, to level my attack off, and tended to stick to more conservative lines that locked the groove it, rather than going for fancier patterns. I did do two solos of dubious quality, but they mostly worked, lol. I learned to take some breaks this time too, after wearing myself out the past two weeks. We took a break after an hour, and I made a point to relax and stretch between songs. Hopefully I notice a difference when I wake up tomorrow!

Loads of fun being had over here. I am loving my two musical hats, being the bassist/co-vocalist with one hat, and a solo singer/guitarist with the other! Until next time!

1st entry: Bass Players | Played my first bass gig tonight | Facebook
2nd entry: Bass Players | First off, Merry Christmas | Facebook
3rd entry: Bass Players | Third bass gig tonight | Facebook
4th entry: Bass Players | Another gig tonight | Facebook
5th entry: Bass Players | Another entry in my running gig diary | Facebook
6th entry: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/diary-of-a-bassist-6.1645734/#post-28323213
7th entry: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/diary-of-a-bassist-7-or-along-came-a-drummer.1646312/
8th entry: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/diary-of-a-bassist-8-there-goes-the-drummer.1649424/#post-28411461
9th entry: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/diary-of-a-bassist-9-drummer-redux.1650998/
10th entry: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/diary-of-a-bassist-10-the-takeover-jam.1653436/
11th entry: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/diary-of-a-bassist-11-back-to-the-future.1655395/#post-28540235
12th entry: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/diary-of-a-bassist-12-welcome-to-the-machine.1656230/

 

[Bassdirty]

Well, ya got me. I went back and read them all (except the FB entries, as my work blocks FB).

The only thing I would ask for is the song Titles. You mention "reggae tunes" or what have you, but never say which songs. Just curious I suppose.

Ok, i'll go back to work now. (after a quick break).


T$

 

[2thAche]

Interesting for me to read cause I've had a similar path last few years. Stopped gigging after grad school, never sang. Started back 4 years ago, went from singing one lead to doing a third of them and harmonies. What a learning curve.

Agreed on the pick being easier and having to move/ groove to keep things together. Now that we're progressing I'm finding that sometimes finger style is easier for certain things. I swear it's like different parts of the brain are being used for pick vs 2 fingers.

We're a 3 piece. At the start it was all about keeping things going if someone screws up, and not getting derailed. Now I've noticed I'm getting more critical about being polished. I'd love to finish a show without making even small mistakes, but TBH I'm still far from that. We keep adding new material which makes things fun, but puts more pressure on before gigs, and makes me more likely to forget something on a song we had down, because we haven't played it in a while.

Good read, glad you're having fun like I am.

 

[Anjohl]

Well, ya got me. I went back and read them all (except the FB entries, as my work blocks FB).

Thanks for following along! I try to keep them brief, just a quick write up. It's as much for me to reflect on the gig, as it is for you guys to read! But if you like them too, bonus!

The only thing I would ask for is the song Titles. You mention "reggae tunes" or what have you, but never say which songs. Just curious I suppose.

Fair point. I am not gonna get obsessed with recording what we play, but I will post what I can remember. We often do:

Roots, Rock, Reggae
Get Up, Stand Up
Jamming
Mr. Bobby
Simple Man (our version starts straight, then changes to reggae before the first chorus)

Interesting for me to read cause I've had a similar path last few years. Stopped gigging after grad school, never sang. Started back 4 years ago, went from singing one lead to doing a third of them and harmonies. What a learning curve.

Kinda sortof the same for me. I was all about music in high school, and for most of my 20's to my early 40's, I neglected it, just noodling an an acoustic here and there, and doing karaoke.

Agreed on the pick being easier and having to move/ groove to keep things together. I swear it's like different parts of the brain are being used for pick vs 2 fingers.

Absolutely. I love just digging in and playing some root notes with a fill here and there, but I also like the "moody bassist" mode of hanging off the end of the stage playing fingerstyle, lol. I feel like my inner ideal bassist is equal parts Gene Simmons, Ben Sheppard, Glenn Hughes, and Sting!

We're a 3 piece(...) I've noticed I'm getting more critical about being polished. I'd love to finish a show without making even small mistakes, but TBH I'm still far from that. We keep adding new material which makes things fun, but puts more pressure on before gigs, and makes me more likely to forget something on a song we had down, because we haven't played it in a while.

I am pretty pragmatic about it. I am focused on the song in the moment, and in entertaining. The latter part comes naturally to me, despite my body issues (I am overweight). I got to the stage via solo acoustic/vocals, and i've taken enough lumps that I feel I can entertainment a room full of drunks for a few hours anywhere in the Western world. I thought about making that my business card slogan, lol. "Good enough to entertain a room full of drunks for a few hours"!

Good read, glad you're having fun like I am.

Thanks, appreciate the support! Definitely having a blast. I'm surprised that I am not gravitating more to a "frontman" role in this project, but I think we're going to end up at a "KISS/Beatles/Alice in Chains/CSN" deal, where we have all members doing lead and harmony vocals. It's going to be a lot of work, but the best part is, the work is also the fun, so if it leads nowhere, life was still a journey, not the destination!