Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How many here actually play in a band?
- Thread starter Goofball Jones
- Start date
Playing bass alone and excluding other musicians is kind of like having sex with yourself exclusively - sure you can do it, but it's a lot more exciting when you get involved with others. 
I play in several different bands and have never been without some sort of of performing situation since high school - 36 years ago.
I play in several different bands and have never been without some sort of of performing situation since high school - 36 years ago.
Years ago after a divorce, I was looking for a hobby that I could enjoy after getting taken by my ex-wife. I got together with neighborhood friends, and we played the songs of whoever had the loudest amp. Having an old Silvertone Beatle bass and a 50 watt amp, I couldn't hear myself among the 100 watt guitar amps. I went to the neighborhood music store, (C&S Music), where I met the leader of a band, who just happened to be the top Peavey sales man, the guitar teacher for the store was the singer, and guitarist, and his prize student was the lead guitarist. They asked me if I wanted to join their band, and had me gigging within 2 weeks. I now play in 3 bands and enjoy going to jam nights at local clubs. Surround yourself with music friends, and start at a music store. When I went to that music store 30 years ago, all I wanted to do was play to records. HA!
I get together with other musicians on a fairly consistent basis on Friday nights for a jam. There's nothing quite like the dynamics of a full band. There are some lows where it's like, "What the hell was that crap?". But, the majority of the time, it's pure enjoyment. Then there are the jam sections that can be magical. The whole interaction between the individuals and taking the song places is what it's really about for me.
I play in 2 bands and a few smaller side projects. I'm also a public school orchestra director, that's my main gig. 
I direct 3 large string ensembles. Music is pretty much my life.
I direct 3 large string ensembles. Music is pretty much my life.I've played bass for about a year and a half now, and very recently (today actually) decided to form a band with the guys I've jammed with every Saturday.
I've been involved in at least one gigging band, jamband, or band in the making since I started playing bass when I was 15. When I'm away at college, I focus more on jazz because I'm a music minor learning the upright bass.
Playing with others gets you better in a conversational sense, but I think practice is necessary so you can build more ideas and technique to better say your ideas.
The reason I play music is for the chance to make music with others, so I don't think I'll let that go.
Playing with others gets you better in a conversational sense, but I think practice is necessary so you can build more ideas and technique to better say your ideas.
The reason I play music is for the chance to make music with others, so I don't think I'll let that go.
I'm 44... high school teacher, married, 3 kids (16, & 13 year old twins).
Just quit a band I'd been with for almost a year and had done almost 80 gigs with - I'll be back in another band soon.
I do fill in gigs for friends and for church right now. Yes... make a way to get out there and play!
Just quit a band I'd been with for almost a year and had done almost 80 gigs with - I'll be back in another band soon.
I do fill in gigs for friends and for church right now. Yes... make a way to get out there and play!
I am currently in one band and am planning on starting up a second in the next month or two depending on school.
Playing live is why I am willing to put in time for practice and rehearsals.
What are all the P&W bands? A new variation of Country and Western? Punk & Western?
What are all the P&W bands? A new variation of Country and Western? Punk & Western?
I am currently in 2.5 bands.
'Children of the Grave' are a Black Sabbath covers band (not tribute).
'Drench' play pop/rock covers (Green Day, KOL, Foos etc).
3/4 of the sabbath band also go out as 'Drain'... old school punk, where I sing most of the vocals too.
I cannot imagine not playing live. Its such a crack!
For me it also sharpens my playing, makes me economical and smooth. I dont 'wank' much. Some fills where needed, approach notes (solo intro on NIB) etc.
I am married with 3 kids and two jobs! Playing the bass keeps me sane!
'Children of the Grave' are a Black Sabbath covers band (not tribute).
'Drench' play pop/rock covers (Green Day, KOL, Foos etc).
3/4 of the sabbath band also go out as 'Drain'... old school punk, where I sing most of the vocals too.
I cannot imagine not playing live. Its such a crack!
For me it also sharpens my playing, makes me economical and smooth. I dont 'wank' much. Some fills where needed, approach notes (solo intro on NIB) etc.
I am married with 3 kids and two jobs! Playing the bass keeps me sane!
I played bass growing up, and played in bands throughout high school and college. I am now a recording engineer and live tech, so most of my work goes into someone else's music, not my own.
After having the chance to work with some really talented musicians, I gave up playing in bands to focus on my career. I probably didn't preform live for a span of 4 or 5 years, only playing at home and doing an occasional recording session.
After coming off a world-tour with some heavy players last summer, I realized I needed to get back into a band if I wanted to progress as a musician. As luck would have it, some friends of mine were re-forming an old band, and had no plans of calling the old bassist. Although it's taken me a while to get my chops back up to where they were when I was younger, my musical maturity is much improved.
I think playing in some sort of ensemble is almost essential to the progressing musician. Learning an instrument is just like learning a language. You can go buy a book, and that's ok...or you can get private lessons, and that's better. But the best way to learn the language is to move to the country that speaks that language. Immerse yourself in it. The same is true of music. The more you immerse yourself, the more you learn.
After having the chance to work with some really talented musicians, I gave up playing in bands to focus on my career. I probably didn't preform live for a span of 4 or 5 years, only playing at home and doing an occasional recording session.
After coming off a world-tour with some heavy players last summer, I realized I needed to get back into a band if I wanted to progress as a musician. As luck would have it, some friends of mine were re-forming an old band, and had no plans of calling the old bassist. Although it's taken me a while to get my chops back up to where they were when I was younger, my musical maturity is much improved.
I think playing in some sort of ensemble is almost essential to the progressing musician. Learning an instrument is just like learning a language. You can go buy a book, and that's ok...or you can get private lessons, and that's better. But the best way to learn the language is to move to the country that speaks that language. Immerse yourself in it. The same is true of music. The more you immerse yourself, the more you learn.
I'm in a jazz trio now. This trio is only together in the summer and fall, so the season is drawing to a close.
All other projects have come to their close.
Not currently in a rock band and have opted out of doing rock 'n roll bar gigs due to low pay, boredom with the material and time/travel. I moved to a very rural area 12 years ago and kinda took myself out of the market by doing so.
I jam with friends occasionally, but really miss being in a creative project. Hopefully something interesting will present itself, but even if it doesn't it's all good.
I practice for a couple of hours everyday mostly playing with Aebersold play alongs and 50s/60s jazz combos. Don't really play along to much rock stuff anymore, although the Ric is still tuned down a half step for playing along with Hendrix.
Maybe I'll nova
All other projects have come to their close.
Not currently in a rock band and have opted out of doing rock 'n roll bar gigs due to low pay, boredom with the material and time/travel. I moved to a very rural area 12 years ago and kinda took myself out of the market by doing so.
I jam with friends occasionally, but really miss being in a creative project. Hopefully something interesting will present itself, but even if it doesn't it's all good.
I practice for a couple of hours everyday mostly playing with Aebersold play alongs and 50s/60s jazz combos. Don't really play along to much rock stuff anymore, although the Ric is still tuned down a half step for playing along with Hendrix.
Maybe I'll nova
stick with bass, man. too many people play guitar and piano. and even if its a hassle, start a band. i have my own little band, which is VERY fun and it motivates me to play more. and also soloing on bass isnt a bad thing. its what keeps me interested in bass. root riding is for people without imagination!(or someone with a bossy guitar player
This part needs some clarification. Why is it that you cannot find a band to play with? Or better yet, if you just can't commit to that sort of thing at this time, why not just go to some open jam nights in town, or find some musician buddies to get together with every now and then?
If there is something more deeply rooted here that is unspoken, then I hope it is something that can be reconciled.
Otherwise, only other advice I can think of would be to get inspired again. You have mentioned that you are contemplating getting into a new instrument--you definitely could do this. Guitar's a nice logical step from the bass guitar, being that they are in the same musical family. Piano is of course very different, but an excellent instrument in its own right of course.
Obviously something to think about it.
