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Double Bass Noob Meets Bluegrass Jam Night
- Thread starter i_bass_bass
- Start date
Nah, you are good, and these jammers NEED you because upright players are hard to come by. I think some of the advice thrown at you in this thread is a bit overboard...don't worry about learning the guitar or being able to visually read what chords a guitarist is playing. That's a dumb thing to focus on for someone just starting.
-Focus on the bare basics of playing open strings and fingered notes in the lowest left hand position on the bass, and pulling a satisfying sound out of the bass with your right hand.
-LISTEN to as much bluegrass as you can and get recommendations of what to listen to from other players. When you know what it is supposed to sound like your body will begin to make it happen, guided by your ear.
-Jam to bluegrass tracks as much as you can to try to figure out how to play along with the recording in a satisfying way, which translates to playing with a live band
-and HAVE FUN! Jams are supposed to be both for fun and to learn, so embrace that and keep on doin it
Use open strings as much as you can, as it fits the song’s key signature. Keeps you in tune, always sounds good. Don’t be afraid to ask for simple info on a song’s chord changes before/as a new song is starting. They’re almost always pretty simple, and not in wierd (#/b) key signatures. A lot of A, G, C, D songs.
At least in our locality, everywhere in California that I've visited, there are a lot of qualified bluegrass double bass players. There would be friendly competition for playing in jams, except that many if not most of us play other instruments too. That's why I mentioned about having to wait one's turn to play double bass in a bluegrass jam.
@i_bass_bass does have something that is desperately wanted though -- he's a young adult... We "NEED" more youth in bluegrass.
Since I was the one who mentioned this, and because it is an "apex" skill which I specifically mentioned will take time, I'll defend it a little.
First off, no one should expect to be able to read chords from another player immediately unless they are already fluent in playing guitar (or any other bluegrass instrument). However, one can read when chords are being changed, and further, can watch picking patterns, to see rhythm and tempo. This is especially handy in big jams and/or in venues that have poor acoustics and the instruments cannot be easily heard.
Second, bluegrass jams are all about watching and playing off each other, about body language, about "literally joining" the jam group in an effort to help everyone else sound good. That concept is important to have at least a hint about from the very beginning.
All of the things I mentioned in the first post are things that newcomers should know something about. Coming into a bluegrass jam with false expectations, and the feeling of being a failure after being there, is one of the most common reasons that people don't come back. It's about managing expectations...
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buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
When you check in with whoever is running it, let him/her know it's your first time and are new to bluegrass. They will keep you away from people with attitudes.
I am in Virginia and i've experienced jams where a bass player might not even show up or it's the same one or two people every time. So you are lucky there.
On reading guitar chords, i think we are on the same page. I just don't think it's worth mentioning to a beginner with a month on the bass, to avoid overwhelming them. Dealing with the technical challenges of the instrument alongside learning the musical style, is overwhelming enough for a motivated beginner. I also kind of think that learning to listen is a little more important than watching each others hands, but to each their own.
Lots of people play guitar first so they might be familiar with the shapes. It can certainly help when you can’t hear so we’ll or keep missing a change. Later I learned to read chord shapes for various tunings such as drop D or DADGAD. Use whatever is available but stay calm and centered. Anxiety makes it seem like everything is coming at you all at once. Calm observation slows things down and helps you organize yourself. Remember, you can always play whole notes on the chords until you understand the sequence. Another trick to learn the tune while making you look like you’re playing a slick arrangement
What you will discover is that you won't need to learn a bunch of songs to be a good bassist. The overwhelming majority of bluegrass tunes follow the same basic chord progression. Once you learn to hear it, you will be able to play along on hundreds of tunes. I'd invest some time into listening to the classic recordings of Flatt and Scruggs because much of their music follows those basic patterns.
My experience as a beginning bass player was that the bluegrass guys were always willing to let you have a go, and when there was another bassist there, he'd usually set down the bass and pick up a guitar or mandolin for a number of tunes. Now that I'm the experienced bassist, I model that behavior as well.
Blugrass isn't jazz. We'll let you play as long as you have a basic conception of what you need to be doing, you're trying, and you don't just totally stink up the joint.
I second, third, and fourth the suggestion to listen to lots of Flatt and Scruggs.
Blugrass isn't jazz. We'll let you play as long as you have a basic conception of what you need to be doing, you're trying, and you don't just totally stink up the joint.
I second, third, and fourth the suggestion to listen to lots of Flatt and Scruggs.
i went, and everyone was super nice. i almost got too nervous and packed up about to leave without playing until the other bass player stopped me and gave me some tips. i definitely made some mistakes, but i probably didn't do too terrible. i'm definitely gonna try to go back next week 
i went, and everyone was super nice. i almost got too nervous and packed up about to leave without playing until the other bass player stopped me and gave me some tips. i definitely made some mistakes, but i probably didn't do too terrible. i'm definitely gonna try to go back next week
Sounds like a good experience and plenty to build on. Just proves what all around great folk we upright players are, no?
Realize that at some point EVERY SINGLE PERSON in that jam was EXACTLY where you are. IME the vast majority of pickers remember that and place encouraging new players and spreading the joy as highly as making the music!
Modesty, respect, and gradualism will take you far. But then, when you feel it right, don't hesitate to step forward - even if it means $hitting the bed! Again - everyone has been there/done that, and knows it is they way you improve!
This is great. You will find yourself in this situation so many times in your life as a bass player. I actually got sort of addicted to this situation, putting myself in places I didn’t belong and challenging myself to sink or swim. The immediacy of the moment can do wonders for your focus and determination. Now go home and listen to bluegrass all week and go back again. Don’t lapse! Returning shows you are serious about learning and the players will respect that. Doesn’t mean play the whole session. Read the room, play some, listen a lot, join the COMMUNITY. Talk to players. Ask them what they are listening to right now. Humility is a superpower.i went, and everyone was super nice. i almost got too nervous and packed up about to leave without playing until the other bass player stopped me and gave me some tips. i definitely made some mistakes, but i probably didn't do too terrible. i'm definitely gonna try to go back next week
^^ this great
@i_bass_bass I predict in a couple months you'll be playing your first gig
@i_bass_bass I predict in a couple months you'll be playing your first gig
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Nice! I'm new to DB as a long time electric player. Great folks in the Bluegrass world. New to me as well. Enjoy the journey .i went, and everyone was super nice. i almost got too nervous and packed up about to leave without playing until the other bass player stopped me and gave me some tips. i definitely made some mistakes, but i probably didn't do too terrible. i'm definitely gonna try to go back next week
Dave
Tomorrow I’m headed out to an all day picking party. It’s a 2x per year big public jam session at an old school that’s been converted to a rural community center.
First time playing bluegrass in over 10 yrs and I’m really looking forward to it.
I woodshedded a bit this morning to the Bluegrass Album Band to make sure
I ain’t forgot. Was a bit worried cause for a while now I’ve been playing G Dead covers in a duo, where I get to really stretch out and play off the guitarist and get away w all kinds of craziness. Wanted to make sure I could still do the fast stuff in time and not wear myself out. But it’s kinda like riding a bicycle once it’s in your blood I guess.
It’s gonna be fun just holdin down the ol bottom end on some good ol hard drivin bluegrass.
First time playing bluegrass in over 10 yrs and I’m really looking forward to it.
I woodshedded a bit this morning to the Bluegrass Album Band to make sure
I ain’t forgot. Was a bit worried cause for a while now I’ve been playing G Dead covers in a duo, where I get to really stretch out and play off the guitarist and get away w all kinds of craziness. Wanted to make sure I could still do the fast stuff in time and not wear myself out. But it’s kinda like riding a bicycle once it’s in your blood I guess.
It’s gonna be fun just holdin down the ol bottom end on some good ol hard drivin bluegrass.
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