First time in a band...

[Mr L]

Well, id hope I can keep a beat after 8 years of cello And same thing with hand eye coordination and video games.

Yeah man.

Take it, turn it sideways. Cellooo you got a bass.

Couldn't resist sorry

 

[facepalmmaster]

Yeah man.

Take it, turn it sideways. Cellooo you got a bass.

Couldn't resist sorry

I tried that...

 

[Stumbo]

Don't sweat it dude. Here's everything you need to know:

1. Show up on time
2. Know your part
3. Don't be an @$$hole.

1a. On time being a 1/2 hour early.
2a. Focus on the music. Party later.
3a. Treat everyone respectfully even if they don't. But also, don't be afraid to speak up in a constructive manner about ideas/thoughts/observations that need clarification.
3b. Be wary of illogical responses, power moves and other BS in response to your statements.

Also check out the following:
If I only knew then...
Best musical advice
Every bassist should know...
How to really "learn" a tune"
Save your hearing
Custom ear plug primer

Also check out the >500 TB link in my sig.

Good luck.

 

[hrodbert696]

I'd only been playing for about three or four months when I joined my first band. Can you play along to a CD? Then you can play with other musicians. And it's lots more fun. The worst thing that happens is that you get your first band experience, but if you can't keep up they let you go. Then you go improve your chops so you're ready not to be let go in your second band experience. It's not a life-or-death decision.

 

[nataku333]

There was a guy once who used to play in bands when he was younger but had gotten married, had kids and drifted away from the music scene. One day his oldest boy, now in high school, said to him "Dad, I wanna learn to play an instrument."

Dad replied "That's great, Son, what instrument would you like to learn?"

Son: "I wanna play bass Dad."

Dad: "That's wonderful Son, I think that's a great idea and I will support you in whatever you want to do," while secretly wondering, of course, having some band experience of his own in the past, why his boy would pick the instrument least likely to impress the women folks. Nevertheless, he was a good Dad and was exited that his son wanted to learn to play so he took him out and bought him a bass, an amp, and four weeks of lessons.

The first week, after his boy came home from his lesson he asked him, "Son, what did you learn today?"

"Dad, I learned all the notes on the E string."

Week two after his second lesson Dad asked again, "Son, what did you learn today?"

Son: "I learned all the notes on the A string."

Third week comes around and the kid doesn't come home from his lesson till late night.

Dad says, "Where were you, I called your teacher and he said you didn't show up for your lesson."

Son: "Sorry Dad, I had a gig!"




Moral?: It ain't rocket science. If you can count to four and have decent eye-hand coordination you will do fine,

Go have fun.


PS: If it's "alternative" that means you can slap, pluck, pick or scrape it on a cymbal if you want.

+1

 

[JEBassman]

Lots of wise advice in this thread. I'll add my own comment about seeking out the widest variety of musical styles and types of bands, as you grow and time passes by. You probably won't love every tune that comes along, but that's okay; part of being a successful bassist is learning to adapt to different playing situations, and delivering a solid bassline that fits the song and the ensemble. You'll learn something in each situation, and your playing abilities will grow as you check out new material.

Have fun and listen to other musicians (both their playing and what they say about the music). Welcome to the bass world!

Joel