How to become a pro bassist?

[funkymonk13]

I do tend to pick up bass lines but ear and play with them on their radio now for the reading music part I plan on doing that before the summer is out

I also think music school would be a good idea if you want to become a professional musician. You don't have to do berklee or some private school. I think you'd get a lot from the classical/jazz program at any university. Some public universities/colleges even have contemporary music programs if that's your thing. Look around, and try to look at their teachers; try to find someone you'd like to learn from.
If you don't go to school for it, find yourself a good teacher and set goals. Even though you "could" learn everything on your own I think having a mentor is going to be a HUGE help to your development as a musician.


Also, I didn't read the whole thread but since I'm sure it was said....don't let anyone tell you that you can't be a pro, or that it's not worth it. That's for you to decide. There's no reason you can't become a professional musician and make GOOD money from it. The whole idea of committing to a life of poverty if you choose to be a musician is ridiculous.

The only concern about being a pro is understanding what it entails and making sure it's what you want. They may overlap but There's a big difference from having a creative vision/making your own music and wanting to play music professionally.

 

[Russell L]

Been there, done it, and now at age 67 I just wanna retire from the biz. Been playing a bit, though, just for fun, but calls keep coming and it's hard to say no. As for wondering how to become a pro, it's like asking how to get into the Olympics. Hard, hard work. Basically, you need to be obsessed with playing. Otherwise, you'll never put in enough time or suffer all the misery that you must suffer without giving up. And when I say obsessed, I mean OBSESSED.

 

[gjohnson441496]

I am going to disagree with your post - but only slightly. I began playing in the middle 60s. Back then, I learned all the songs we were to play (I was 15) by ear and we played every weekend - usually Friday and Saturday. We had FUN! Rehearsals were usually a mangled mess, but we eventually got there.

I made (usually) between 50-70 bucks a night although some nights were paid for in hamburgers. So, basically $130 bucks per weekend. Now, in the middle 60s, that was decent change. Hell, a lot of folks back in those days made $150 A WEEK!

Fast forward to today. I NOW make $75-100 bucks per weekend night. Some weekends are better than others - but rarely. So, calling myself a "Pro" is sort of a misnomer...my day job (my REAL job) paid me $1500-1700 a week and allowed me to raise a family until I retired. So, the idea that a Bass Player who makes 100-200 a weekend, while technically a pro, hardly qualifies....if you know what I mean. It's rather hard to live on that....

I guess what I'm saying is that I have always believed that if a band, or a band leader demands THAT much from a bass player - he (they) had better have a damn fine bank account to pay me a decent salary.

Of course, if they are gigging as a "Wedding band" or doing Corporate gigs - then of course the money is much better..but let's face it....the days of A&R guys walking into a club and signing your band to a record deal and offering the "world" is all but gone - forever.

I never mentioned money in my post. Can you clarify your disagreement, or do you disagree with the all of it? Disagreements don't bother me, but I never mentioned anything about money (although, I do believe that if you make money doing a job, you are considered a professional)

 

[MultiScaleMale]

To me, a "Pro" means that this is your primary means of income. You pass the cheese pizza test - a cheese pizza can feed a family of four.

 

[Buster Brown]

I never mentioned money in my post. Can you clarify your disagreement, or do you disagree with the all of it? Disagreements don't bother me, but I never mentioned anything about money (although, I do believe that if you make money doing a job, you are considered a professional)

Did you notice the part where I said "slightly"? Geezzz.....

 

[gjohnson441496]

Did you notice the part where I said "slightly"? Geezzz.....

No problem, dude!

 

[mtto]

Frank Zappa's advice to Steve Vai: keep your publishing.

A few points on musicianship and money, the two things you need to make happen to be a pro.
1. Practice a minimum of 3 hours a day. You are young and have the least amount of responsibilities you will have in your whole life, so really more than 3 hours a day is ideal. Take lots of breaks and spread the time throughout the day - some before school, some after, some before bed. Organize your practice time into different topics: improvising, metronome, reading, ear training, theory/harmony, different feels. Summertime, when you're not in school, go crazy with the practicing, and maybe go to a music camp if you can.
2. It's been mentioned a few times on this thread, but I'll say it again. Learn double bass.
3. Learn to compose and arrange. This will probably be where the money is.
4. Go to some sort of music school. Could be 2 years of community college, does not need to be expensive or prestigious.
5. My advice to any young bass player, straight out of school with no gigs, is to get a job on a cruise ship, don't drink, practice a lot, and put all of your money in the bank. Not a good move long term, because you need to network on land at some point, but it is nice to have zero expenses and come home with a savings account.
6. Say yes to every gig until you can afford to say no. Eventually you will get a clear idea of your personal career path in the music business. Until that point, when an opportunity presents itself, even if it is something you hadn't considered before, say yes.
7. Forget about style snobbery. Find a way to enjoy whatever gigs come your way.

Being a professional musician is tough, but so are other fields these days, and by the time you enter the workforce, who the heck knows? Self-driving cars, 3d printers and AI will completely turn the 20th century economy upside down. Whatever "safe" job you imagine instead of being a pro musician might not exist when you enter the workforce. My brother-in-law is an attorney, and he told me that his job will be replaced by AI in the next 10-15 years, and the AI will do a day's worth of work in seconds, plus won't make the mistakes that a human would.

I make my living primarily as a composer. I make some money playing bass, too. Composing is where the money is because I'm creating pieces of intellectual property that earn money long after I've completed the work. As long as copyright law holds up, this will be a good move for musicians. However, see paragraph above - who the heck knows what the future economy will look like?

 

[Jay boogs]

Frank Zappa's advice to Steve Vai: keep your publishing.

A few points on musicianship and money, the two things you need to make happen to be a pro.
1. Practice a minimum of 3 hours a day. You are young and have the least amount of responsibilities you will have in your whole life, so really more than 3 hours a day is ideal. Take lots of breaks and spread the time throughout the day - some before school, some after, some before bed. Organize your practice time into different topics: improvising, metronome, reading, ear training, theory/harmony, different feels. Summertime, when you're not in school, go crazy with the practicing, and maybe go to a music camp if you can.
2. It's been mentioned a few times on this thread, but I'll say it again. Learn double bass.
3. Learn to compose and arrange. This will probably be where the money is.
4. Go to some sort of music school. Could be 2 years of community college, does not need to be expensive or prestigious.
5. My advice to any young bass player, straight out of school with no gigs, is to get a job on a cruise ship, don't drink, practice a lot, and put all of your money in the bank. Not a good move long term, because you need to network on land at some point, but it is nice to have zero expenses and come home with a savings account.
6. Say yes to every gig until you can afford to say no. Eventually you will get a clear idea of your personal career path in the music business. Until that point, when an opportunity presents itself, even if it is something you hadn't considered before, say yes.
7. Forget about style snobbery. Find a way to enjoy whatever gigs come your way.

Being a professional musician is tough, but so are other fields these days, and by the time you enter the workforce, who the heck knows? Self-driving cars, 3d printers and AI will completely turn the 20th century economy upside down. Whatever "safe" job you imagine instead of being a pro musician might not exist when you enter the workforce. My brother-in-law is an attorney, and he told me that his job will be replaced by AI in the next 10-15 years, and the AI will do a day's worth of work in seconds, plus won't make the mistakes that a human would.

I make my living primarily as a composer. I make some money playing bass, too. Composing is where the money is because I'm creating pieces of intellectual property that earn money long after I've completed the work. As long as copyright law holds up, this will be a good move for musicians. However, see paragraph above - who the heck knows what the future economy will look like?[/

I always wanted to be a composers as well as a pro bassist so I'll look into that too

 

[BassChuck]

Play better and know more music than you did yesterday (this will never end).
Learn every music skill you can find out about. (reading, composing, improvising, arranging, all levels of performing, singing etc)
Live as cheaply as possible.
Learn to get along with everyone you meet.
Make it your job to do everything possible to insure the musicians around you are the best they can be. (always make others sound better)
Realize that you'll always be looking for a gig.
Realize that everyone else is looking for a gig.
Realize there is always going to be someone better at all of the above than you.
Every minute you spend not practicing, someone else is.
Music is always first in your life. (and there is no #2)

 

[bherman]

I do tend to pick up bass lines but ear and play with them on their radio now for the reading music part I plan on doing that before the summer is out

Sorry to be so harsh but you need to grow up and realize what's ahead of you if you really want this. Saying that you are going to "do the reading music part before summer is out" is a bit like me saying that I plan on learning how to speak Spanish fluently by the end of summer. (Reminder - it's already mid-June). Reality check - this is not something you are going to accomplish in a few months.

 

[Jay boogs]

Sorry to be so harsh but you need to grow up and realize what's ahead of you if you really want this. Saying that you are going to "do the reading music part before summer is out" is a bit like me saying that I plan on learning how to speak Spanish fluently by the end of summer. (Reminder - it's already mid-June). Reality check - this is not something you are going to accomplish in a few months.

i just said I plan on starting before the summer is out that why I hate musicians like you and saying I need to grow up like I bet I'm more mature than you at 16 that the issue you are trying to say this isn't for me but watch u buy an album with my bass part but wait I bet you will be too busy breaking young kids hearts you wet towel

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

How don't have all the answers that's the reason why no one makes it because you get mad when someone tries to ask a question

Could you repeat that please? I think I missed something.

 

[gjohnson441496]

i just said I plan on starting before the summer is out that why I hate musicians like you and saying I need to grow up like I bet I'm more mature than you at 16 that the issue you are trying to say this isn't for me but watch u buy an album with my bass part but wait I bet you will be too busy breaking young kids hearts you wet towel

Being professional also entails self control. If someone says or does something to offend you, retaliation doesn't help. It's best to let it go and move on. If you know what you're going to do... just do it. You'll find that on internet forums you'll get various responses based on various experiences. Just take what you need and leave the rest. Negativity stunts progress. Live a positive life.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

i just said I plan on starting before the summer is out that why I hate musicians like you and saying I need to grow up like I bet I'm more mature than you at 16 that the issue you are trying to say this isn't for me but watch u buy an album with my bass part but wait I bet you will be too busy breaking young kids hearts you wet towel

No sir, you did not say "start". I was going to respond to your end of summer comment by asking you if you meant you were going to start learning to read music by the end of summer or be proficient at it by the end of summer. Someone else got there first.

The sure sign of immaturity is someone who snipes at sound advice by claiming to be more mature at age 16 than the adult giving the advice.

Here's a fact son. At age 16, your brain has not yet even finished developing. It's not a slam against you personally, it is just the way the brain develops in humans.

That is the number one reason kids your age make bad choices about everything from crazy driving to alcohol to drugs and many more things. You owe behrman an apology. Doing that would be a sign of maturity. I do not care what you say to me or think about me. But you were, and have been disrespectful to others during this conversation and those people were just trying to help you avoid some of the same mistakes they made when they were your age.

People here have been trying to be nice to you. Some I'd guess have held back on what they really think about your plans. And when someone tells you something you don't like, you lash out. That is a good definition of immaturity. If you plan to sit at the grown up table, you need to learn how to behave when your're at the grown up table. You are welcome to be here, but you need to be considerate of the other people who are here as well.

My advice, from here on out. Spend more time just being a 16 year old. That can include having dreams and it very well should. Go have fun with your band. Start learning to read music this summer if that is a goal that motivates you. At the risk of sounding like mom and dad, someday you will understand the things people are telling you now. And someday you will be giving the same good, and realistic advice to some 16 year old, because you don't want to see them make the same mistakes as you. That's what mature people do.

 

[Jay boogs]

No sir, you did not say "start". I was going to respond to your end of summer comment by asking you if you meant you were going to start learning to read music by the end of summer or be proficient at it by the end of summer. Someone else got there first.

The sure sign of immaturity is someone who snipes at sound advice by claiming to be more mature at age 16 than the adult giving the advice.

Here's a fact son. At age 16, your brain has not yet even finished developing. It's not a slam against you personally, it is just the way the brain develops in humans.

That is the number one reason kids your age make bad choices about everything from crazy driving to alcohol to drugs and many more things. You owe behrman an apology. Doing that would be a sign of maturity. I do not care what you say to me or think about me. But you were, and have been disrespectful to others during this conversation and those people were just trying to help you avoid some of the same mistakes they made when they were your age.

People here have been trying to be nice to you. Some I'd guess have held back on what they really think about your plans. And when someone tells you something you don't like, you lash out. That is a good definition of immaturity. If you plan to sit at the grown up table, you need to learn how to behave when your're at the grown up table. You are welcome to be here, but you need to be considerate of the other people who are here as well.

My advice, from here on out. Spend more time just being a 16 year old. That can include having dreams and it very well should. Go have fun with your band. Start learning to read music this summer if that is a goal that motivates you. At the risk of sounding like mom and dad, someday you will understand the things people are telling you now. And someday you will be giving the same good, and realistic advice to some 16 year old, because you don't want to see them make the same mistakes as you. That's what mature people do.

Thanks but you can't assume that kids my age make bad choices because we also make slot of good ones but anyways thanks for understanding what I meant about the reading thing however I am not disrespecting anyone in this chat I'm just keeping it all real but I apologize if anyone felt disrespected now for here on out do not sugar code what y'all think I should do

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Thanks but you can't assume that kids my age make bad choices because we also make slot of good ones but anyways thanks for understanding what I meant about the reading thing however I am not disrespecting anyone in this chat I'm just keeping it all real but I apologize if anyone felt disrespected now for here on out do not sugar code what y'all think I should do

You did very well there kiddo.

I work with young people not much older than you. And you are right, many of you do make good decisions. I see it all the time.

As for myself, I was in a band at 15. We were gigging. Not every weekend and sometimes not even once a month. But we did play the occasional paying party or sock hop (eh- school dance) and held our own when playing along side other bands. For me, that lasted about two years and then I lost interest and was off to other things. I did start to pick up the bass again a couple of years ago. I don't aspire to play in a band again, just a hobby for retirement, soon on the horizon. I do regret not sticking with it all of those years.
It's not my place to decide who sits at the grownup table, but if it comes to a vote, you get my Okie dokie. You really stepped up to set things right.

Best of luck with your future however music may be involved or not. It's easy to get distracted. Hopefully those distractions don't become regrets.

 

[lfmn16]

i just said I plan on starting before the summer is out that why I hate musicians like you and saying I need to grow up like I bet I'm more mature than you at 16 that the issue you are trying to say this isn't for me but watch u buy an album with my bass part but wait I bet you will be too busy breaking young kids hearts you wet towel

Step one, grow a thicker skin.

 

[bherman]

i just said I plan on starting before the summer is out that why I hate musicians like you and saying I need to grow up like I bet I'm more mature than you at 16 that the issue you are trying to say this isn't for me but watch u buy an album with my bass part but wait I bet you will be too busy breaking young kids hearts you wet towel

Well your response certainly wasn't very mature - I do not mean to offend but you asked for advice, sorry if I was a bit harsh. Simply pointing out that if you want to excel and succeed (at bass or at anything) you have to work your butt off and fully commit.

At 16, I was in my third rock band, and was gigging underage in bars with a guy much older than me (folk-rock stuff). I worked my way through college playing in wedding bands and such - and toured for a few years with a mid-level act. But in my way of thinking, I wasn't a pro, just a halfway decent musician. What is my definition of a pro? I studied double bass for a while with a guy who lived in a building full of musicians. One of the bass players who lived down the hall was a top-tier NYC bass player (Gerry Mulligan, other top jazz players). He practiced all day, and gigged at night. On my last trip to the city, I met a bass player who was playing in a small club one Saturday evening. It was his third gig of the day. And he was still studying music. Played rock, Broadway show stuff, as well as straight-ahead Jazz. Those guys are pros. Most of us older guys on this forum know people who are true working pros, and we have a very good idea of what it takes to get there.

If you want to strive for that level, to be a pro, go for it with all that you have. But don't kid yourself into thinking that it's easy, or that you can make it on YouTube and bypass all of the hard work.

And one more thing - real pros learn to accept criticism gracefully (and gratefully). While I like praise just like everyone else, I'd much rather hear about where I need to improve, and where I screwed up.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Thanks but you can't assume that kids my age make bad choices because we also make slot of good ones but anyways thanks for understanding what I meant about the reading thing however I am not disrespecting anyone in this chat I'm just keeping it all real but I apologize if anyone felt disrespected now for here on out do not sugar code what y'all think I should do

The chances of you making it as a "pro" bassist are immensely small. They are not zero, but they are small. Do not neglect education, that should be your number one focus because you don't get a do-over on that. One time through high school to get a grade and record that will determine your entrance to colleges and one shot at college that will determine a trajectory in the professional world.

My advice, don't be a pro bass player. Write songs, do vocals, play keys and guitar and then play bass. Then you can be in charge of your future. With just bass, you're dependent on being in the right place at the right time to ride along with a successful band. If you're not getting song writing credits, you're just a guy along for the tour.

 

[Jay boogs]

Well your response certainly wasn't very mature - I do not mean to offend but you asked for advice, sorry if I was a bit harsh. Simply pointing out that if you want to excel and succeed (at bass or at anything) you have to work your butt off and fully commit.

At 16, I was in my third rock band, and was gigging underage in bars with a guy much older than me (folk-rock stuff). I worked my way through college playing in wedding bands and such - and toured for a few years with a mid-level act. But in my way of thinking, I wasn't a pro, just a halfway decent musician. What is my definition of a pro? I studied double bass for a while with a guy who lived in a building full of musicians. One of the bass players who lived down the hall was a top-tier NYC bass player (Gerry Mulligan, other top jazz players). He practiced all day, and gigged at night. On my last trip to the city, I met a bass player who was playing in a small club one Saturday evening. It was his third gig of the day. And he was still studying music. Played rock, Broadway show stuff, as well as straight-ahead Jazz. Those guys are pros. Most of us older guys on this forum know people who are true working pros, and we have a very good idea of what it takes to get there.

If you want to strive for that level, to be a pro, go for it with all that you have. But don't kid yourself into thinking that it's easy, or that you can make it on YouTube and bypass all of the hard work.

And one more thing - real pros learn to accept criticism gracefully (and gratefully). While I like praise just like everyone else, I'd much rather hear about where I need to improve, and where I screwed up.

Same here I always love to improve and I do apologize for over reacting. Now YouTube in my eyes is a good way to get yourself out but it's only a small part and that's why I hate it when see singers thinking that YouTube is the limit but anyways thanks