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Looking to play out (again..after 25 years)

B

BassAsAHobby

Mar 18, 2011
89
2
Chicago, IL (NW BURBS)
Disclosures
Space...
#1
Okay...having played and studied bass for nearly 32 years, I am wanting to get back out and play out with "real" musicians, not just drum machines and sequenced patterns...lol. My last real gig was...uh oh, in 1986. I was just out of high school. Our band opened for Three Dog Night. I did play with a few other bands for the next few years but then I worked nighttime hours for the next 10 years, of course killing any chance of playing out anywhere or with any band. Then along came kids...blah, blah...okay.

So here I am now thinking...Do I want to continuously waste 6-8 hours a weekend playing bass to no one other than my kids. Or...do I get out and actually earn some money with my skills on bass. Yes...earn cash!

My question to all who read and want to reply:

Have I been out of the "loop" too long to start out again?
 
#2
I dropped out for over 20 years. Actually I didn't pick up a bass from 1982 - 2002! :eek:
During that time I just strummed my acoustic now and then. When I finally picked up a P-bass in 2002, I was amazed how quick it came back. Getting into a gigging band is another matter. Just take it slow, start jamming and going to open mic type stuff. Be very cautious about which musicians you decide to form a band with. Lots of narcissists, druggies and other weirdos out there. :scowl:

An important questions is - how does your wife feel about this? Mine was not happy and very jealous until it finally sunk in that I just wanted to play music for fun. Now she's helping us book gigs! :cool:
 
#4
All depends on what you want to do and who is available. In my market, there are more musicians (or wannabes), so most of the live music clubs offer a 45 minute spot to your band 'for free'. Turns out that time includes breakdown of the previous band and set up for your group....so, things are different and all the same.

Find some players and get back into feeling the groove....then follow it.
 
#6
BassAsAHobby said:
Do I want to continuously waste 6-8 hours a weekend playing bass to no one other than my kids.

Have I been out of the "loop" too long to start out again?
Click to expand...

Playing for your own enjoyment is not a waste. I've been playing out for years and decided starting this year I am taking a break, playing for church and occasional fill ins but nothing regular. I'm about to spend a chunk on a bass that I will use to play on my basement. Not everyone chooses to or has to gig. If playing - even by yourself - does something for you that's all the reasoning you need.

It's never too late to start.
 
#7
I haven't played for 44 years and now playing with a country band and a rock band.... Of course I cant play as well as I did when I was in my 20's ... but I do remember how to "Fake it".
When your self taught, that's the first thing you learn.
 
#11
My story is similar to yours.....bla bla bla long story short. Got the itch again and started doing the band thing about 3 years ago after sticking my axes in the closet for 15 years. Chops came back pretty quickly and have been gigging a few time a month with various projects in local clubs. Lots of fun but do it cause you love it ......your a music "lifer." Just is heads up ......money just is not as good as it use to be back in the day.....clubs are competing with DJ's and Karaoke operators. Still you can make some beer money pocket change and have a great time. Good Luck

On a side note......one of my neighbors is in his 60's and decided to learn to play rock drums. Was his dream since high school to play drums. He is taking lessons and recently bought his first drum set. He has been coming over to my garage and we've been doing some horrible noise jams to old rock songs. Lots of fun and jamming with him just for grins is making me feel like 16 year kid again.
 
#12
mboogiemanusa said:
My story is similar to yours.....bla bla bla long story short. Got the itch again and started doing the band thing about 3 years ago after sticking my axes in the closet for 15 years. Chops came back pretty quickly and have been gigging a few time a month with various projects in local clubs. Lots of fun but do it cause you love it ......your a music "lifer." Just is heads up ......money just is not as good as it use to be back in the day.....clubs are competing with DJ's and Karaoke operators. Still you can make some beer money pocket change and have a great time. Good Luck

On a side note......one of my neighbors is in his 60's and decided to learn to play rock drums. Was his dream since high school to play drums. He is taking lessons and recently bought his first drum set. He has been coming over to my garage and we've been doing some horrible noise jams to old rock songs. Lots of fun and jamming with him just for grins is making me feel like 16 year kid again.
Click to expand...

Another great response...thanks!
 
#13
I've been playing since 69. In my view things have changed a lot since 86. More and more players are competing for fewer and fewer gig opportunities at fewer and fewer venues. Younger guys are getting in faster than older guys are getting out. Supply has exceeded demand in most commercial markets. Of course this may vary quite a bit depending on location. For reference, I'm in the Baltimore, MD area. My best advice is to find a musical situation that you really enjoy and do it no matter what the money (unless that's just not financially realistic).
 
#14
no, not too late. I also sat out like 23 years while raising three kids. The same week the youngest left the house for college I was back in a band. And I play multiple projects, both on upright and bass guitar.

I get paid ... not enough to live on, so I've kept my day job, but it's still a source of satisfaction. Playing music is more fun than anything else that doesn't directly involve my wife or kids.

:bassist:
 
#16
BassAsAHobby said:
Have I been out of the "loop" too long to start out again?
Click to expand...

My answer is no its not too long.

The last band I was in was in 1972 when I finished my high school music career at our Senior Talent show with a bunch of friends. Then off to college and life.

About a year ago, we all got the itch to play together again and set up a jam session. A couple of us kept playing through it all, and the others, including Moi.. just played to the dog. We sounded pretty good, so good in fact that we decided to do the band thing again. One of the guys was committed in another band, another had committments where he couldn't play regularly but we picked up a couple of great guys to replace them and off we went. We now have gigs an average of one per month through the summer and are working on booking fall gigs now.

And 1972 until now is 40 years.

As Nike says - just do it!:bassist:
 
#19
Similar story here : out since "93,last new year's resolution brought me back,with a vengeance.
Bought some gear,and started looking in Craigslist,found a gig,played about 6 shows in January and February,then found a band in March also,Playing shows most every week,some studio recording coming,and moving and thinking forward,re-learning old stuff,learning many new things.
I can't be happier.
If you decide to come back,do it with the right attitude: seriously,professionally.
There is people looking for bass players that want us to be hooked to what we do.
Not sure how much cash is out there in this music market for those of us that come back,and wouldn't advice that to be the sole purpose of your return,but you must try and see if it works out for you.
 
#20
BassAsAHobby said:
Okay...having played and studied bass for nearly 32 years, I am wanting to get back out and play out with "real" musicians, not just drum machines and sequenced patterns...lol. My last real gig was...uh oh, in 1986. I was just out of high school. Our band opened for Three Dog Night. I did play with a few other bands for the next few years but then I worked nighttime hours for the next 10 years, of course killing any chance of playing out anywhere or with any band. Then along came kids...blah, blah...okay.

So here I am now thinking...Do I want to continuously waste 6-8 hours a weekend playing bass to no one other than my kids. Or...do I get out and actually earn some money with my skills on bass. Yes...earn cash!

My question to all who read and want to reply:

Have I been out of the "loop" too long to start out again?
Click to expand...

I was out of the loop from around 81-82 till 2001.. I had to relearn everything because I really didn't know much when I stopped.. I started playing again in church and have been doing so ever since.. I play & rehearse with the church team every other week.. and rehearse with another band once a week. Much of what I learned about the current state of affairs in bassland I learned here on TB.. I'd say go for it.. The thing is to just find other musicians .. the rest will fall into place. As for wasting your time playing bass to your kids.. consider than an investment in them.. you never know.. ;) .. but just get out there. Church may not be for you (yet..')) but there is a place for you out there guaranteed.. go float that boat.
 

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