I need help!!!

[bigswifty1]

the first thing i noticed that would be a no-contact for me is this "I recently changed my playstyle from punk to post-hardcore/metalcore. I've had a lot of influence from these genres so I'm settling on this as what I want to play..."

i find this very offputting and wouldn't call a musician who put this in their ad. the rest of the bandmix stuff seems pointless to me. the list of gear, the frequency you practice? i don't care and don't want to hear about it, but i realize that's a bandmix thing.

Totally agree with pcake.

I may be wrong but I don't think anyone around here putting that kind of stipulation would have a lot of trouble finding a gig, and really, *any* sort of stipulation on your CV is generally enough for a BL to shrug and scroll right along. When I was gigless and desperate I would have a go at *anything* if it got me out, playing, meeting people. And if it made me look stupid and inadequate well it's all grist to the mill. And I would all that again if I was looking for a gig.

I'd also suggest to the OP, find some local jam nights and rock along, cap in hand and humble. If you find that they are populated by old farts (quite often the case, I am one of them) and you decide that plunking along 12 bars at a time while guitarists make cow eyes at each other is beneath you, then I think you have your answer. And it's back to the Big Gig in the bedroom

Mike

 

[JRA]

i'm with pcake and joe nerve --- nothing to add, but i'd emphasize this: add some other styles into your practice/study regimen. being familiar with a little bit of funk, motown, classic rock, pop, country, and even some jazz (standards) will immediately broaden your horizons and give you a leg up on those cats in your area who aren't willing to do the same! good luck!

 

[two fingers]

First off, I think I missed you when you joined. Welcome to TalkBass!!!

Yep to what some others have said.

You need to mess up your hair a little. You've got good looking Virginia farm boy written all over you. Now don't go getting a tattoo on your face or anything. But a little edge wouldn't hurt. Then take some pics notnin your bedroom.

Also, and this isn't personal either, the real world can suck. Your amp is a keyboard combo unless I'm remembering incorrectly. Unfortunately, gear matters to many bands. If it's not in your budget to go out and get a louder rig, sell off a few basses and that keyboard amp and go get a louder rig anyway. Rock bands come with LOUD guitar players. You gotta compete with not only the volume, but the PERCEPTION of owning "rock gear". Wear earplugs! Take it from someone with a little tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Thirty years from now you'll thank me.

And, as others have said, be a little less specific about the kinds of music you are into. Your current list is made up of bands most of us never heard of. That's not your fault. But if you are into a very narrow genre of music, the list of bands in your area looking for a bass player will be ridiculously short.

Get out and network! Is there even a scene for the kind of music you want to play? If so, (mess up your hair first) and go get out in it. Go to the places where this music is played. Heck, go to the places near you where ANY music is played. Get out in the scene and make yourself available to it.

Craigslist ads will work better than that site as well.

No scene in your area? Eventually, you'll have to move to one.

 

[pcake]

AustinRanger101, JoeNerve has a very good point about your photo. you don't look hardcore in your pic. if the styles you list are the only ones you'd consider playing, i suggest a tougher look.

 

[Bander]

Just to add:

1) there are tons more folks on Bandmix looking for bands, than bands looking for musicians.
2) you're bass looks more traditional, in contrast to your musical preference. Conflicting messages.
3) You're musical preference is very limiting.

I gig extensively. I've gotten a couple gigs thru Bandmix - a couple. Maybe six contacts in several years, lol. I think Bandmix has been a big disappointment. Bandmix has turned into a fantasy football for musicians.

 

[And I]

Craigslist > bandmix
Going to open mics > craigslist
Going to open mics + craigslist + being nice + being more open minded about what style of music you will play = finding a band.

 

[Diamond_Dave]

The Rolling Stones didn’t form by putting an ad in the paper. Keith and Mick were in the clubs every night.

I refuse to do that and that’s why I’m a dedicated basement player.

 

[cchorney]

If I was looking to join a band the first place I'd look is the musician's community in my local Craigslist. Do a search on "bass". Like this.

That is also where's I'd advertise to start a project or a jam.

I'd also advertise on bulletin boards at the guitar shop, and as others have said, you have to network, so go to live music events and become a friendly familiar face. Maybe talk gear with the bass players there if they are into that.

Here's the big thing - learn to play other styles. I know you just switched from style 1 to style 2, but get familiar with the riffs and tropes of styles 3, 4, 5 and 6 (whatever they may be). If there are open mics or jams definitely go to those and play - I can't tell you how often bands try to recruit me at jams. That sounds like a brag but honestly it's the only place I hang out with musicians and jam and it's effectively an audition whether you realize it or not and that's the point I'm trying to make. If you're nervous about tanking, go without your bass the first time and write down every song played at that jam and then later familiarize yourself with the structure of those songs and how to play them.

Finally, be prepared to get into a band that plays something that isn't your final destination. I like being in a band that plays dance music, since my "happy place" is playing live while people dance, but I've played in blues bands, 70's rock bands, second wave bands, and a band that didn't really have a style but went for near perfect accuracy in how the original recordings were played. All the bands grew me as a musician, that last band taught me musical discipline and made me a much better player and band mate. None of the bands were my destination but they are were necessary stops along the way. Oh I almost forgot, I played in a church band too for one summer. That's not too exceptional except I'm not Christian, but they didn't have a problem with that and neither did I.

Go play and don't be too particular about the style. As long as your playing with other people who are enthusiastic about playing and motivated to play better, you will be on your path!

 

[CalBuzz51]

If there isn’t a scene locally look to see if there are bands/clubs nearby that specialize in your genre. That might mean Bellingham, Seattle, Vancouver in your case. If that’s too far, start there and work backward to see if there is anything happening closer to your location.

 

[Stewie]

Except for the singer(who I knew in high school back in the 1800s) I've met all the guys in my band at jams, and they are all exceptional, and are willing to put up with my mediocrity.
They are always listed as "Blues Jams" That doesn't really mean just blues, a lot of pop music is played as well. The beauty of blues is that everybody knows the chord changes, so you don't stand there with a quizzical look on your face. Every other player is into different stuff, so ask them what they like to play. The guy doing cute little frills to "The Thrill is Gone" might be a gnarly guitar shredder in real life.

Network, network, network..................Good luck......................................and have patience, it can take years to get just the right people together

 

[BassDad1964]

Hello fellow bass players

I've been trying to get into a band for some time now. I have an account on BandMix.com, but I get no takers whatsoever. I've been trying for 2 years to land some auditions or jam sessions but I get no contact from people. Is there something I should be putting in my profile to get people interested? What do you look for when you search for musicians online? What do you avoid? Here's a link to my account, maybe you can help me tweak it.

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Thank you all

Is there a jam session for punk bands in your area? If so go to them and play. Make sure you can hang though. it's basically an audition. Have your hardcore/metalcore standards down. Be able to play and not only keep up but firmly establish the bass part with whoever you are playing with.

I have almost no idea what the hardcore/metalcore standards are...LOL.

 

[Knavery]

Lower your skill from advanced to intermediate. If you haven't been in a band, you're not an advanced player--at least in my opinion. I've played for 30 years and don't consider myself advanced. Also, it's OK to describe the music you like, but say you prefer to play heavier rock than just a specific genre. Not sure about the picture thing, but I guess that could help.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Been reading through the responses here and a few things came to mind...

First, finding ANY people into the music you're looking to play, in your area, in 2020, will be tough. Finding MUSICIANS who want to play it, even tougher. Finding musicians who are LOOKING FOR A BASS PLAYER, you're getting near impossible. And then finding people who will choose you, with your level of experience and niche playing style/band influences - well...

I really think your ONLY shot (at least with that website) is to put up a very generic "Bass Player available for original group" ad, and then taking it from there. I honestly think its the ONLY way you're going to get any hits on your profile page.

The other thing is the idea of open jams and hanging out in clubs. I get that that MIGHT work for some, but it wouldn't ever for me. Especially if I were new in the game. Open jams are intimidating even for some experienced musicians, and jumping on stage with a bunch of strangers in front of crowd - unless you're super confident, I don't' think that would be your best bet. And I wouldn't go beating myself up about it. Same with hanging around clubs. I honestly don't see how that could ever be useful. I've played with 1000s of musicians, and hung out in probably a hundred thousand bars and clubs ... I never met a musician I played with like that. Unless I was on the stage playing.

 

[grinx]

your profile is not bleeding metal enough for me

more black, more leather, more snarling, more dead crows hanging from the ceiling.
get a close-up of you screaming about the dark symphony that is life. in black n white
hurt. anger. METAL.

remove the pics of you simply holding your bass unless there is blood dripping off of it and a slayed orc is at your feet, otherwise, reeks-of-poser

that's all I got.

welcome to TB and GL

 

[3Liter]

I'm not a fan of photos on bandmix. I see three types: like the OPs, douchy overposed shots with anger or attitude (depending on genre, on stage shots from the biggest stage they ever played that are wildly out of date. And the default photos that come with it. I use a number of photos of me on stage where I have cropped out my head...just see the guitars.

I never list gear. .who cares? I have gear.

The experience is a tough one. There's also no listing for "ear". So an advanced player that can nail a rehearsed piece with a beginner ear doesn't make sense.

Maybe the 2020 version of going to clubs is following all the local bands and meeting them when you can. People come and go from bands a the time. You can spot it coming up on Facebook before they post on CL.

Again...jam with all sort of people. I have met a lot of guys on the jam/open mic circuit...some a good at jamming and have a good ear some do not. Including people I thought should be better based on their reputation. Go figure.

 

[AustinRanger101]

Thank you all for the feedback. I've made a couple changes to my profile. I'll make more when I'm not at work hahaha

 

[zon6c-f]

Hello fellow bass players

I've been trying to get into a band for some time now. I have an account on BandMix.com, but I get no takers whatsoever. I've been trying for 2 years to land some auditions or jam sessions but I get no contact from people. Is there something I should be putting in my profile to get people interested? What do you look for when you search for musicians online? What do you avoid? Here's a link to my account, maybe you can help me tweak it.

Invalid Link Removed

Thank you all

For some, band mix works

 

[pcake]

I would go to Berkley. Also, Nashville is the new LA for musicians.

Thank you all for the feedback. I've made a couple changes to my profile. I'll make more when I'm not at work hahaha

i see you left this in your profile " I recently changed my playstyle from punk to post-hardcore/metalcore. ", which was the part that i and others felt was a bad thing to have there. it makes you sound like you're not sure what you play, and that's not a good thing.

and have a white bass on the floor in your pic. with is that a small combo? your ad that says you have pro gear for metal. does the KB12 take an extension speaker? if not, it's not going to be audible with a metal or punk band. and it's definitely not pro gear. i'm not trying to be a jerk, but my 600 watt rig with a 118 wasn't loud enough - i had to upgrade to 1000 watts and add another cab so my bandmates would stop complaining that they couldn't hear me. this was my metal rig

who do you imagine you'd like to play with, and who - from your profile - do you think will find your listing one that will make them want to play with you? will they find the info they need to show you're the bass player they've been looking for? maybe, but i'm not seeing it.

you now have this as genres: METAL, PUNK, COVER/TRIBUTE, ROCK. maybe these are options on bandmix, but a tribute band need player who dress like players from one particular band and know their musical parts and how they act on stage. is that you? can you play note for note most of the songs from a particular band? covers is very generic - what kind of covers do you play? when a band is looking for a bass player, they're going to want one who plays their genre.

a band that plays only '90s metal won't know if you do. heck, we don't know if you do. and it sounds like you'd be a poor fit for classic rock, boogie rock, disco or '80s, which are some common and working genres in l.a.

the bands you list as influences - are there lots of venues where you live that play that kind of music? if not, there aren't going to be many bands with those influences since there won't be places to play. if there are - which would surprise me - get to know the guys in those bands. they may know other bands in the same genres who need bass players or they may form other bands in the future.

 

[AustinRanger101]

i see you left this in your profile " I recently changed my playstyle from punk to post-hardcore/metalcore. ", which was the part that i and others felt was a bad thing to have there. it makes you sound like you're not sure what you play, and that's not a good thing.

and have a white bass on the floor in your pic. with is that a small combo? your ad that says you have pro gear for metal. does the KB12 take an extension speaker? if not, it's not going to be audible with a metal or punk band. and it's definitely not pro gear. i'm not trying to be a jerk, but my 600 watt rig with a 118 wasn't loud enough - i had to upgrade to 10000 watts and add another cab so my bandmates would stop complaining that they couldn't hear me. this was my metal rig

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who do you imagine you'd like to play with, and who - from your profile - do you think will find your listing one that will make them want to play with you? will they find the info they need to show you're the bass player they've been looking for? maybe, but i'm not seeing it.

you now have this as genres: METAL, PUNK, COVER/TRIBUTE, ROCK. maybe these are options on bandmix, but a tribute band need player who dress like players from one particular band and know their musical parts and how they act on stage. is that you? can you play note for note most of the songs from a particular band? covers is very generic - what kind of covers do you play? when a band is looking for a bass player, they're going to want one who plays their genre.

a band that plays only '90s metal won't know if you do. heck, we don't know if you do. and it sounds like you'd be a poor fit for classic rock, boogie rock, disco or '80s, which are some common and working genres in l.a.

the bands you list as influences - are there lots of venues where you live that play that kind of music? if not, there aren't going to be many bands with those influences since there won't be places to play. if there are - which would surprise me - get to know the guys in those bands. they may know other bands in the same genres who need bass players or they may form other bands in the future.

I changed the description in the profile but it must not have saved. It's changed now. The amp isn't pro level, sure. You're right about that. I'm about to get a better amp setup, but what I have now is fine for garage jams, but you're correct, its not pro level. I have Cover/tribute because most of my playing is covers. I'm not a tribute player, this is the closest option bandmix gives me. The options bandmix gives are very generic, I can't help that which is why I put the bands I most closely resemble in playstyle and sound in my description. As for the local metalcore scene.....pretty much non-existent. There is a BIG classic rock, blues and indie scene here and we have a small punk scene. Further south in Seattle there is a little bit of the heavier stuff but not much. I've seen a lot of people saying if there isn't a scene for what I do, I'm pretty much SOL.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[pcake]

How difficult is it to alter the pickup route to install a split P bass pickup? Anyone try this?

my point isn't just that the amp isn't pro gear (although your profile does day "I have my own professional gear and reliable transportation"), but that if you do hear from a metal or punk band, your rig isn't enough amp and cab for you to be heard over the guitar and drums. i've been in that situation years ago, and you literally couldn't hear the bass.

i figured no metalcore there. if you want to play in a band, you may need to pick a couple genres, learn some songs in those genres and go for it.

or try craigslist, where i heard from 82 bands and artists off a single "bass player looking for musicians to jam with or form a band" listing in a week. i have a coworker on bandmix who heard from like 3 bands in 6 months. CL rules. you might even find people who play what you like. why not really figure out what you're looking for and havfe to offer and write a craigslist ad? you might want to record a sample or two of your playing, put it up on youtube or something and link to it.