I've been learning bass for almost 3 weeks now and I've had 3 separate guitarist friends ask me multiple times to jam with them soon, they've all got at least 3 years of consistent playing experience under their belts meanwhile this is the first time I've touched an instrument (used to play violin) in 4 years. Bassists are in short supply in the scene so I know they're all waiting for the moment they can snatch me up into their bands. The idea of trying to play in front of any of them, let alone play a good bassline, is extremely daunting. I just don't feel like I have enough skill developed yet.
What kind of stuff should I be doing to get myself to be jam ready besides learning scales and learning to identify pitches by ear?
Also, at what point in playing bass did you feel comfortable with the idea of playing alongside others?
After violin, you’ll have a great ear for scales and musicality? Don’t stop using it.
I think the two main things i would have told myself three weeks in are:
-Rhythm.
You have to learn to gauge this, and if the other players aren’t offering it: Provide it.
-Listen:
I can’t overstate the importance of this.
“Hear” what you are playing as it sounds within the context of the other instruments you are playing with.
As a new player (you are probably more experienced in music than you credit yourself) I personally had a bad habit of riffing on ideas i wanted to emulate, but darned if i was listening to what everyone else was doing and if my playing “fit”.
This also clicks in with “rhythm”.
if you get the feeling the other players are taking the music or the rhythm away from what you thought was correct,
they are most likely the ones in charge and you need to adjust your playing to lock in with them.
(Coming from the perspective of someone of with less experience being asked to jam by more experienced musicians)
Unless you are trying to clash with the tonality or, are noodling over a decent track, rhythm will save you.
Stick to root notes, perfect intervals. Or percussive playing.
It’s ok to stop playing and listen for a few reps if you’re not sure if you’re playing right.
IMO playing notes to try and find where you are tonally and rhythmically is a sin compared to sparsity, rests and breaks.
playing with others, being heard by others improves your playing doubly compared to practice alone.
technical issues aside, the bass is a not a loner. It’s a social instrument which enjoys working with and coordinating groups of instruments and percussive objects
