Learning to play out as an adult

[BassUrges]

I'm an old beginner--set the bass aside for 20 years while life happened. I was never very good as a teenager--couldn't afford lessons, didn't have the internet (just the Hal Leonard books by Dan Dean and my parents' turntable), didn't have a band, only played in public a couple times for school. A year into my renewed bass journey and I want to get on a stage.

The thing is, I can't just put together a garage band and play awful hacky punk in the driveway for the girls from down the street like I should have done back in the day. Any band I might audition for is going to expect someone more like most of TB--has been playing for 40 years and can knock out 3 hours of classic rock covers while passed out. I'm at a teenager level of experience but without the excuse of being a teenager. (I can read better than I could back then, I have a much better understanding of theory, and I'm working on transcription skills). Oh, and I don't really know any songs, and I've been hesitant to devote time to learning them without knowing what my hypothetical future band will play.

So I'm asking for advice on getting myself ready to play in a real band. I'm up for dive-bar covers or snooty jazz festivals or disco revival or even hacky driveway punk. I'll even play Mustang Sally and have fun doing it.

One option is a "School of Rock" type thing--there are several near me, including actual School of Rock locations and Swallowhill Music--and I'm also curious if anyone has any experience with that sort of thing. It might be a way to get experience that I could use in future auditions. Another is trying to find bedroom guitarists my age--I know a couple. Not sure what we'd do for a drummer, or whether those guy would be willing to devote the necessary time, or be interested in actual gigs.

 

[PillO]

I'm an old beginner--set the bass aside for 20 years while life happened. I was never very good as a teenager--couldn't afford lessons, didn't have the internet (just the Hal Leonard books by Dan Dean and my parents' turntable), didn't have a band, only played in public a couple times for school. A year into my renewed bass journey and I want to get on a stage.

The thing is, I can't just put together a garage band and play awful hacky punk in the driveway for the girls from down the street like I should have done back in the day. Any band I might audition for is going to expect someone more like most of TB--has been playing for 40 years and can knock out 3 hours of classic rock covers while passed out. I'm at a teenager level of experience but without the excuse of being a teenager. (I can read better than I could back then, I have a much better understanding of theory, and I'm working on transcription skills). Oh, and I don't really know any songs, and I've been hesitant to devote time to learning them without knowing what my hypothetical future band will play.

So I'm asking for advice on getting myself ready to play in a real band. I'm up for dive-bar covers or snooty jazz festivals or disco revival or even hacky driveway punk. I'll even play Mustang Sally and have fun doing it.

One option is a "School of Rock" type thing--there are several near me, including actual School of Rock locations and Swallowhill Music--and I'm also curious if anyone has any experience with that sort of thing. It might be a way to get experience that I could use in future auditions. Another is trying to find bedroom guitarists my age--I know a couple. Not sure what we'd do for a drummer, or whether those guy would be willing to devote the necessary time, or be interested in actual gigs.

I have you beat. I never played any musical instrument as a teenager. But as an adult, I have more than enough disposable income to invest in gear and lessons. I also have the inclination and discipline to study both theory and practical in ways that a teenager simply wouldn't. I also have friends and a brother that are interested in just getting together to make some noise. We are learning songs to play together with no specific plan of if/where/when we might ever play them. It is all just for fun. If it stops being fun, the music will stop.

 

[BassUrges]

That may be the path for me. My kids are getting into music, too. But I'd love to get out there for real. Goal: make enough money to pay for my gear.

 

[Spin Doctor]

Just take some lessons and learn to play first. Worry about the band stuff after you have decided if you really even want to dedicate the time and energy. 'Cause believe me, it's all time and energy...

Gonna be hard for you to get into a band if you've never bothered to learn even one single song... Learning songs is probably the most important aspect of playing. It doesn't matter if your future band will play them or not.

You casually toss out playing jazz festivals... A worthy goal, I guess - that has an almost mind bendingly vast amount of work that will lead up to being able to do that...

Having said all that, I never even owned a bass till I was almost 50 and 6 months later, played my first blues gig for my 50th birthday party at a local bar with a bunch of guys I found on line. They were/are awesome and I was lucky to have had a fantastic drummer. But at the time, I was taking lessons from a really great teacher so that saved a lot of guesswork. Since then, 6 years later, I've played festivals, weddings, (what feels like) zillions of bar gigs playing rock, blues, disco, jazz funk etc.

You get out what you put in and there's always something else to learn or get better at.

 

[BassUrges]

Oh, I'm nowhere near good enough to play jazz for real (that was what we played in school, but we weren't very good). Just willing to go that way--not picky about genre, although I suppose "Old guy with buzz cut" isn't going to be getting many metal gigs.

 

[PillO]

Oh, I'm nowhere near good enough to play jazz for real (that was what we played in school, but we weren't very good). Just willing to go that way--not picky about genre, although I suppose "Old guy with buzz cut" isn't going to be getting many metal gigs.

Wigs can be purchased...

But, you will then have to decide which bass is best for metal.

 

[viper4000]

I recommend the option of merely finding like-minded folks to just jam with. Whether a full band or not, merely playing with a guitarist will give you things to work on very quickly. That's how I made my transition from the bedroom to the stage. You'll probably find a lot of players in your age range that don't have the time for a full gigging band, but do want to get together routinely just to make noise. This is also how I fill my needs to play when I am in between gigging bands. Jammed with a group last night, and have another jam with just a guitarist tonight.

Good luck OP!

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Finding a band is not something that happens over night. You have to ask around, seek out jamming circles, volunteer to play Praise at your church. Call the local nursing homes; ask for the activities director, and see who plays for them, then call that director and see if they need someone to sub, or sit in.

After church service one Sunday I asked our Praise band director if he ever needed a sub to call when someone could not make it. I'd like to offer my services. He asked the following;

"What instrument do you play?' I said rhythm guitar and electric bass" He said; "Can you play bass from fake chord sheet music?" I said; "Yes I can. He said; "We practice Wednesday night at 7:00 PM. Bring your stuff and lets see if it can work." I did and it did.​

You gotta ask.

Now learning how to play out, as an adult.

Friend and I play in a band that covers the nursing homes in our area, he on Bass and I'm on rhythm guitar. One day he said to me; "I'm going to start singing and accompany my vocals on rhythm guitar, take my bass and back me up. Here I'll teach you. Take our fake chord sheet music. Put the I chord's root on the 3rd string. The IV will be up a string same fret and the V will be down a string same fret. Instead of strumming play those root notes to the beat of the song. It'll be a piece of cake." I did and it was.

Get some fake chord sheet music and pound out roots and fives. It's not rocket science, and will come flowing back with just a little effort.

Good luck.

 

[dave64o]

Sounds like my situation is similar to yours. I learned enough guitar when I was in college to be able to strum chords or bang out power chords and somehow developed to nerve to sing and so I got to play with a band that played on campus. I was clearly the weak link in group (all of the other guys played in the school jazz band), but I did enough to get by and I had a blast. Then I did hardly anything at all while life happened. Then years later I eventually bought my first bass and just messed with it around in my basement for several years, but that did teach me that I really liked bass and I hardly touched my guitar after that.

Then about 5 years ago, at age 47, I started taking bass lessons. I had no time to put into playing with a band so I figured lessons would be something I could do until my son got older and started college. That would be a way for me to make some progress until my situation changed and I get some more free time.

Before my son graduated high school last year, I placed an ad on BandMix.com and was contacted by a group of guys who needed a bass player. They all played for a living years ago when they were young but eventually life, jobs, and families happened for them, too, and several years earlier they started getting together once in a while for jam sessions. Now they were actually trying to learn material and play it well, not necessarily to play out by a given date, but to work toward it and see what happens over time. When I spoke to the drummer, who called me, I was very clear about my level, ability, and background. He said that didn't matter and just to come out and see how it goes, no pressure. That sounded like a great way for me to get myself started and I've learned loads from playing with them. I'm clearly the weak link in this group as well, but having a bass player and someone who can at least split vocals with one of the guitar players makes our sessions possible, so it's win/win for all of us.

It might be hard to stumble into a regular jam session with experienced players like I did, but placing an ad will at least give you a way to make contact with others and see what you find. Even if it's not a full band, even a keys or guitar player would be a great way to get started.

Good luck!

 

[Grumry]

I suppose "Old guy with buzz cut" isn't going to be getting many metal gigs.

Dying Fetus would like a word with you

 

[dgrizzly]

Open Mic Denver

 

[tgriley62]

I also stopped playing after HS in '81. I also never leaned to play back the. Found the internet to be full of great information and bought another bass in 2010. I placed an add on Craig's list just looking for some guys to jam with and get experience. It was a off and on thing. Finally found a rhythm guitarist two years ago & a drummer last year. Played my first "gig" last year for mostly friends and family at a decent venue. The owner gave us 40% of the concession take. Again it was mostly friends and family in attendance so I made a big $10 for my "stage debut" as a 52 yr old musician. We have only played two other gigs since then But, the last one put $100 in my pocket (so glad I am not counting on this for full time income)

 

[BassUrges]

So just go out and find people despite the lack of talent and experience? That sounds a bit nuts but hey, I can give it a try. I can hit roots and fifths all day, although I'd like to at least get close to the original in a cover context.

 

[Ant Illington]

I'm an old beginner--set the bass aside for 20 years while life happened. I was never very good as a teenager--couldn't afford lessons, didn't have the internet (just the Hal Leonard books by Dan Dean and my parents' turntable), didn't have a band, only played in public a couple times for school. A year into my renewed bass journey and I want to get on a stage.

The thing is, I can't just put together a garage band and play awful hacky punk in the driveway for the girls from down the street like I should have done back in the day. Any band I might audition for is going to expect someone more like most of TB--has been playing for 40 years and can knock out 3 hours of classic rock covers while passed out. I'm at a teenager level of experience but without the excuse of being a teenager. (I can read better than I could back then, I have a much better understanding of theory, and I'm working on transcription skills). Oh, and I don't really know any songs, and I've been hesitant to devote time to learning them without knowing what my hypothetical future band will play.

So I'm asking for advice on getting myself ready to play in a real band. I'm up for dive-bar covers or snooty jazz festivals or disco revival or even hacky driveway punk. I'll even play Mustang Sally and have fun doing it.

One option is a "School of Rock" type thing--there are several near me, including actual School of Rock locations and Swallowhill Music--and I'm also curious if anyone has any experience with that sort of thing. It might be a way to get experience that I could use in future auditions. Another is trying to find bedroom guitarists my age--I know a couple. Not sure what we'd do for a drummer, or whether those guy would be willing to devote the necessary time, or be interested in actual gigs.

You said you are hesitant to learn songs... while studying music generally, rather than/in conjunction with simply learning songs, is the better way to become a musician, eventually you will have to learn a lot of songs...and play a lot of songs completely, back to back, standing up and you must know them well enough to look comfortable on stage. You might be surprised at the finger and brain endurance it takes to play/learn a gig's worth of material vs learning a bit of a song here, getting frustrated, learning another bit of another song, rewinding, learning another little bit, getting a snack, answering texts, play a little more, get a drink, etc.

I took a decade + long hiatus from playing out, occasionally learning a cool bit of a song here and there. Then when I had to again learn whole songs, not just my favorite bits and pieces, many songs, I again learned just how demanding it is. If you want to play gigs as you described, and play with people who know what they're doing, you have to do a lot of work. Go on cover bands' websites and see their song lists and start learning the songs of the genre you want to play. There is really no other answer.

Again, unless you are gifted with a monster ear, just learning songs is not the best way to become a musician so you are on the right path by learning theory and stuff but you have to learn lots of FULL songs and play them straight thru. The consensus around here recently was 15-20 songs for an hour set. Go learn 15 of the most common cover tunes of your genre and play them back to back, without mistakes, just to get a taste of what you'll have to do. You CAN do it, you just have to want it bad enough. Regardless of whether or not you feel it might be a waste of time, there are 10 other guys who can play those songs and/or who at least have the experience to learn lots of songs quickly (easier contemplated than done) and those guys will get the gig before you. Get on it now.

 

[BassUrges]

My focus for the last year has been on light theory, reading, and ear training--that is, learning how to learn. I get an hour on good days, 15 min on bad days.

I like the idea of trying to play an hour's worth of covers. It will take me at least a month to transcribe that much material (unless I get a lot faster along the way). I will do that.

Probably not next week, I'm doing a lot of clapping and foot tapping for syncopated 16ths.

 

[fretter]

My understanding is that there are two kinds of bands. The ones who play the material more or less perfectly, and the ones who "fake" their way through the songs using the root notes. I would only qualify for the latter, if at all.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I would consider some lessons. Let the teacher know what you want - not to be a virtuoso, but enough so you are more comfortable. Start playing along with and learning some songs you want to do. When you feel up to it, start attending some open micro.

I am very leery of those school of rock things - once you get more comfortable, spend your time and money speaking with other musicians.

Talk to those guitar players you mentioned - get together over a beer or cup of coffee.

 

[tgriley62]

So just go out and find people despite the lack of talent and experience? That sounds a bit nuts but hey, I can give it a try. I can hit roots and fifths all day, although I'd like to at least get close to the original in a cover context.

95% of you audience won't notice that you are not playing note for note, unless the song has a distinctive bass line but, 99% of your audience can tell if you are out of tune or hitting the wrong notes

 

[stigbeve]

I'm 41. Have a buzzcut. Play in a metal band. Gut and all

 

[MrLenny1]

Get 40 tunes together together.
All the regular stuff that comes up.
Go listen to bands you like and get to know them.
Do auditions.