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Double Bass Multiple Bass Players at a Jam Session

#25
I think it depends on the jam and the musician(s). I have been primarily playing banjo about once a week at different coffee shop and brew pub jams in Colorado for years. I am also the backup bassist when the regular one can't make it. I asked that he text me when he can't make it a few months ago because the quality of the "pick" deteriorates severely without a bass. Many times we will have 3-5 guitarists, a similar amount of mandolins and sometimes 2 dobros. We actually have a couple of guys who bring both guitar and mandolin just so they keep things balanced. If another banjo walks in the stupid banjo jokes go into overdrive and there is much moaning and groaning, usually in good spirit because we are generally pretty friendly (but still). No matter if the other banjo is beginner or pro I generally try to play a different style at a different position. Sometimes I just pluck 1 chord per measure or don't play during parts such as a dobro solo or other banjo solos. A few years ago we had two bassists at least a couple of times a month and they were good musicians and played differently. It was a big enough jam and they were good enough musicians to make it work. Unfortunately we don't see the female bassist much anymore as she is in two bands now. It worked great and most of us love the "Bass in Stereo". Having said all that we had a recent influx of 3 guitar players. One is fairly new to guitar playing and I have actually worked with him on some basic stuff and steered him towards a couple of resources. He doesn't take breaks yet and sometimes if he is over his head he just stops, watches and listens. The other two guys have been obviously playing music for a while but play in a way that often throws off the group or drags down the beat. They generally don't do the "Boom-Chick" and when they sing change the rhythm speed or structure or can't tell when the break is supposed to end. One, I can tell, is a really good guitarist as far as playing a melody by ear but just doesn't interplay well with others. It's hard to describe but I bet you get the idea. Needless to say the humble newbie doesn't throw us off like the more experienced musicians. I would love to trade in some of those guitarists for the extra bass but hopefully we all learn something. I think that what the real challenge of this whole thing is listening to yourself and others and trying to add something "appropriate" (I know this is an endlessly debatable subjective topic). Tone, timing and taste.
 
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