Doubling at jams

If another bass player shows up (rare) I usually start singing, which encourages the other bass player to let me play my bass so I'll quit ruining each verse and chorus!

 

I play old time, so it's clawhammer banjo for me. But once you start playing bass at a jam, no wants you to stop, so I try to start on banjo and them go to bass once things get hopping.

 

If another bass is already playing when I show up, I usually have a guitar with me and play very quitely on the outskirts, learning what I can from better players. Sometimes at an outdoor jam, we'll have two (or even three) basses playing at once. Typically, I know the other bassists and I play very strict I V stuff so I don't step on anything they're doing (or the other way round).

 

Depending on the size of the jam area, I find if there is another bass player it is pretty easy to go to another area and get a jam circle going, Players will follow you if you have a bass.
If the room is to small to start another jam, I will usually bring my fiddle, maybe my guitar.

 

I brought my ukulele to the last jam of my bluegrass band.

 

Rhythm guitar, a bit of mandolin, and singing. Sometimes I'll just switch off tunes with the other bass player.

 

In all my years of playing, the two bass jam has only worked once. It was a magical bit of communication with the other bassist and I. I don't expect it to happen again in my lifetime.

 

I play dobro and am just starting on bass. At a jam yesterday there were a mando player and a guitarist who both played bass as well (though I was the only one who had brought a bass), so we switched off throughout the afternoon. Worked out great for me, as I desperately needed a rest after playing 45 minutes or so...

 

Bought a Gold Tone Resonator Bass Guitar (looks like a Dobro). I set up opposite side of the jam from the upright Bass player. Figure its a "different instrument" so no conflict. No one has complained thus far, and I'm still playing "Bass".