Help me get into a band!

i think that if music is going to be a life long passion for you, then this is a golden opportunity. there are things you can control and things you can't. how you handle yourself will determine your reputation, which is a big factor in one's musical success. like it or not, you can't (well shouldn't, in my opinion) "will yourself" into this band. are you considering the perspective of this other bass player or the drummer? to me, your post sounds like you wanna get what you want at any cost. but what if you do get rid of the other bass player? you say that the drummer (and his home) is a key to this band, but how is the drummer gonna feel about having you? it could be a very awkward situation, and that can quickly ruin a good band. it may not feel so good to get in to the band and have it be full of weird politics.

i think it is important to practice being an open, honest, and fair guy as much as it is to practice your bass. my suggestion is you tell the other guys in the band that you think they are great and you would love to be their bass player IF the opportunity arises (and you are happy to sub). be respectful of the band, and all its current members. and then leave it at that. its up to them, not you.

consider: 1) band members change over time, be patient even though its hard. 2) be considerate of the other bass player's position for, someday, that might be you.

good luck

 

Just find people in your area and start a new band. You gotta consider the bassist position amongst his friends. Although he might not be good, the people in the band are his friends, right?

 

I say wait it out...maybe do a side project in the meantime. That might light a fire under their butts. Forcing yourself in there may cause problems down the road.

 

I agree with the above posts. There's more to being in a band than being the best available bassist. I wouldn't like my 'membership' in the band to rely on the absence of a better bassist.

 

+1

 

+1

Don't forget, there's always a better bass player around. I sure would hate to feel that I could be replaced the minute a better bass player asked to take my spot. What if you got replaced by an even better bass player?

Let the pieces fall into place naturally.

 

If you push too hard you'll look like a creep.

 

Agreed. Keep being patient, and available to fill in as needed. Work on the side when you can. Things will fall into place.

 

I went through this exact same thing back when I was about 19 or 20 (im 37 now). I met some guys at a large music store...I was there with a guitarist buddy of mine and while he was looking at gear, I grabbed a bass and started jamming quietly (YYZ funny enough) They came up to me and were looking to *possibly* replace their bassist and we swapped contact info.

I went and jammed with them, subbed a couple times and they were tight (the drummer was downright awesome) and we clicked right away. But, they couldlnt bring themselves to bounce this original bassist completely out of the picture. So, it turned into a couple of years of BS of me working with them off and on and trying to get in to play full time with them. Total waste of my time.

I look at it like they are a hot girl that already has a boyfriend, and shes not entirely happy with him but cant bring herself to dump him (been there way too many times too!). Bottom line...if this hot girl really wanted to be with you, she would be. And there are plenty of other hot girls out there that you wont need to go through this BS for.

 

This.

I fully admit that I may not be the best bassist in the world, but I have been working with my band for some time now, even writing full songs and helping bandmates out with personal stuff. We've been through a fair amount. If some random joe schmoe who had been playing longer than I had walked up and they said "Sorry mate, but this guy is a bit better than you you gotta go" I... well, I honestly don't know what I'd do. Most people won't pull the trigger like that on someone they've been playing with for a while... so while they may think that you're great, unless the current bassist REALLY screws up they may just keep you on the side. I'd start up your own project and still play with them when they need you.