Learning pathways for jamming?

[DaddyLongLegs]

Hi! A little background, I’m a guitarist with about 20years of playing experience.. I really love the instrument and I LOVE hearing my fellow guitarists but it just feels weird playing with them.. a strange game of trying to be polite and taking turns etc.. I recently started exercising the idea of getting a bass and I realized there is a potential to actually play WITH my buddies instead of just in the same room.. I realize that likely reflects negatively on me and that’s my own flaw but I am really pumped at the idea of exploring new sonic territory with musicians I admire so I think it’s time to try a new path. I would love to hear some opinions on learning paths you would take if you were wanting to learn some fundamentals while venturing into the improvisational space.

 

[Bass]

"The Improvisor's Bass Method" by Chuck Sher.

 

[mambo4]

there's always the how to get started sticky thread

jamming requires you to explicitly or intuitively know the chords being played and how to play bass lines which support the chords. Some guitarists know all the notes of the chords they play, some don't.

Explicitly knowing the chords comes from chord charts, research.
Implicitly knowing the chords comes form long experience in the style involved.

Bass is 85%+ supporting the chords using a stylistically appropriate rhythm.
"supporting the chords" is essentially theory and often means simply playing the root.
how you get from root to root will imply the style.
"stylistically appropriate rhythm" results form learning lots of songs and basslines.

 

[HelpImaRock]

Learn the basslines to the songs you want to play with them. That will give you the framework for further exploration.

 

[Dadum]

Or learn drums

(actually this is helpful if you are weak on timing, subdividing, etc ).