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How many here actually play in a band?

#84
I like to have different approaches to music and not get stale or play with the same people all the time. So I play in three bands in Dallas.
One band is the Sole Poets playing Texas music - bluesy, country originals plus some cover tunes; the second is the Cole Foster trio - originals and oldies in a soul/RnB vein; the third is still in the rehearsal stage playing mostly oldies from the 60s and 70s in a bluesy vein with a couple of originals we're working up.

Dave
 
#85
in two very loose bands one is a sludgey outfit and the other is a power trio esque covers band (led boots - jeff beck) on jsut got the together since starting uni
Bass is very expressive if you ask me, working in a band is alot of fun when you find the right dudes to work with, i.e confident musicians who arent pretensious wankers...
 
#86
Somehow I´m lucky because I´ve been in bands since my beginings with bass...Although I´m not so good, I have much more experience than other guys I know, and they play much better than me. So now I´m in electro/new wave/alternative band and it´s really challenge, I use various effects to fit all that synths and noise:))
But I want to say that playing in band, especially that current, is the best thing to happen in my life so far. All that gigging and touring, all that people at your shows, interviews, when you hear your song in the radio, etc. ,that is something special, you know.
But hey, if you find yourself not be able to be in a band, try making music on your own. The most essential thing in band is rhythm section, so get some drum machine or some program (like Ableton Live for example), learn how to make beats and you have got the basis. Cause it is really very creative to play along with drums. Then pick up from time to time guitar, learn few chords, technique etc. Just to complement your rhythm section. Then learn how to record your ideas (again you can use Ableton or Garage Band) and you´ve got it :) I know, easy said than done :)
 
#87
I don't play bass in any band right now, and I never have. I'm keyboardist in two bands. A original metal band, and a cover band (70's disco - 80's rock), that's it. I play bass at home and record a lot. I'd love to play bass in a band too.
I was thinking about doing a small Rush tribute, since noone else does that where I live. Just for the fun and the practice. Would be fun to do bass, keys and vocals on stage.
 
#92
I'm in one semi-active band right now. Used to be in three highly active bands until I had three highly active kids;). Things are to a point that I'm working to get back to a steady diet of gigging.
 
#94
It's what I do for a living. Currently, I'm filling in on the final legs of a tour, which I start this Friday for a Nashville signed band who's bassist is having heath issues. After that I jam with another country band for 3-6 months. That band's vocalist is currently in Nashville speaking with some exec's, and I'll do that until my main gig goes into the studio to record their 2nd cd. At least that's the schedule at this point. Or I'll stay or go with whomever pays me the most. Gotta pay the bills man.
 
#95
Goofball- I'm in three bands and each one plays music that is very different from the other. I also sub for my bass buddies, who in turn sub for me when I'm out of town.

I would really recommend that you play with other musicians, and search for a group that's a good fit for your style. Maybe just for fun, maybe with the intent of playing out now and then. I find that making live music with other folks is a uniques experience and its own reward.
 
#96
Goofball Jones said:
The reason I ask is, I love the bass. I love playing the bass. But I don't ever see myself ever playing with others in a band due to certain things in my life. Therefore I'm limited to just playing bass at home, alone.

The bass is not really made as a "solo" instrument. Yes, there are individuals out there that use it for solo work as with just about any instrument, but it's generally regarded as an instrument that's part of a group. Not only that, but it seems to be the general consensus of a lot of other bassist that soloing on a bass is "wanking" and is frowned upon (though I can't for the life of me understand why). To listen to some guys, the bass player should ONLY play root notes and if anything extra is played then "he's not doing his part in the band correctly" or again, he's "wanking". :rolleyes:

ANYWAY, back to the topic. How many out there actually play in a band? If not, do you still just play the bass at home? How do you play, solo or do you always just play along with your favorite songs? It's hard for me to justify laying out the cash for a bass, a bass amp and cabs only to just play along to "Ramble On" by Zeppelin (though, it's pretty fun).

I'm stuck at a crossroads, should I instead invest in learning the guitar or piano as their much more expressive. But I'm always drawn back to the sound of the bass. I dig the bass. When listening to music I'm always drawn first to the bass line.
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Surely you can find a jam band that does not make many demands on your time. Or even on open mike open jam at a local bar.

Bass by itself can get lonely.
 
#97
There are many working musicians on here, good ones at that. I, however am not one of them. I was a drummer for many years and picked up bass after acquiring a friend's amp who was a guitar player. We were going to get a local band back together, but it never happened.

Since then I have met other local musicians, I never seem to either like what they're doing enough (and they are good), or just don't have the drive anymore to be part of the scene down here, which I am sort of bored of. I also don't feel like having my time strapped for practice and rehearsals, and having to spend money for gas driving all over the place. You have to really want it, I think. So music and bass playing have become a hobby for me. I jam for fun, meet people, and am still tentatively looking for a new group...
 
#98
TrevorOfDoom said:
i'm just curious as to your reasoning for not wanting to play in a band.

anecdote: my little brother, who's a prog/math/experimental music genius went through a phase of not wanting to play with anyone because he had gotten burned bad a few times with past bands. and he doesn't really need anyone, he knows how to mix, master, distribute his music, he's entirely self-contained. however, when last i spoke with him, he lamented the loss of community, fellowship, and creative associated with his choice to become a one-man band. he's now looking for other musicians.
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The other thing is that it can be nice to have someone else take your music someplace you wouldn't have thought of taking it.

Good luck.

KO
 
#99
TrevorOfDoom said:
i'm in 4 outfits currently.
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Isn't that uncomfortable??? How do you fit in all that clothes???

:hiding:

A further extension of this in my mind, is how many guys who DON'T play in bands and then throw around opinions on gear like they're on tour or seasoned professionals.......

Sure, just playing alone can reap tons of valuable knowledge in regards to gear, but when you start discussing the differences in gear and tone etc....sorry, you should kinda take a step back. Or at least qualify you statement.
I personally know a number of guys on these boards who play maybe 3 gigs a year, but you would swear that they play with everybody almost every night of the week the way they talk.

I play with 3 different bands, as well as three Sundays a month for a very large church.
As well as sub often with others and do some session work (though, I'm more of a "live" guy)
 

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