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Double Bass Opinions needed for "Jam Etiquette" question

#41
This week at jam there was a guy (not on bass) who led a few songs that no one else knew. It must be incredibly liberating to go through life unencumbered by the need for tempo or rhythm, but he ended up being unencumbered by about half of the rest of the jam. It was just impossible to stay with him, and he wasn't about to follow anyone else. I tried to put out a beat that would hold people together, but I don't think he was listening to anything. I just stopped playing and shrugged.

It's really obvious when the bass suddenly stops.
 
#42
Check out the gig before going in with your ax.
Anyone should be allowed to play at a jam.
The host should take care of fitting you in .
The last jam I was at had 4 bass players show up. Yeoow!
I played 3 tunes after waiting for 3 hours.
Every Jam should be used as a learning area.
 
#43
Luckily, most of the jams I go to I'm the only bass player. The few times I encountered others I was usually the better player. The few times I wasn't, I was very inferior!

That being said, I always offer my bass to the lesser player in trade, offer to alternate songs, and either try to learn something from the other player or offer advice (if asked). By doing this I have played some astoundingly good and bad basses. I have also gained some friends!

If you feel you are being avoided, assert yourself. If the group is too snobby to let you in, find another group because there are underground bluegrass jams everywhere, even in sparsely populated areas like where I live.
 
#45
Coming from being a house bass player at 3 different jams, I have to say that two basses isn't really an option for most people. There was one time a bass player came in and just took his bass out and started playing, and instead of telling him to shut up, that's when I just decided to play fiddle parts on the bass. Whenever anyone asks to play I let them, unless it's a total stranger and they want to play on my only instrument. But it's a jam, there's always a hierarchy of pros, semi pros, hobbyists and complete failures, and nobody cares. If they cared about having to play with people on other levels, they wouldn't be there. It's a place where everyone can get together and have a good time, and the fact that that bass player encouraged you to play on his instrument was a sign that it was okay to play. Don't be nervous!!!

And don't hurt yourself!
 
#46
I would have gotten to know the bass player. Could learn a few things from him instead of hiding with your tail tucked in your legs. Just be straight up "hey man I'm really impressed, you are super good I feel bad playing right after you." He sounds like a guy that woulda just encouraged you even more. Who knows, maybe he wanted to sit and have a drink or two for a little bit.

Surely you've got things you are super good at within your skill set. Milk the crap out of what you know you are good at. Even if it's not as advanced as the other guys nobody will care if you do what you know well.
 
#47
playing with fellow jammers or people who you know are good, and are much better than you, is a GOOD thing... it really lets you hear, how bad the less experienced players really are.e.c.t... even if they happen to be friends or strangers... playing with quality musicians ( can be intimidating!) like when you have to play a song you have never heard of... but if you can pick it up as fast as you can, with out a complete train wreck.. you may get invited to play with them again.. which will make you better in time...

the 2 bass thing is kind of strange.. people always ask about why cant there be 2...... i personally dont mind when another bass pops up.. i prefere to do the 3-5 song swap, but (most (bassist) like to hog the jam). probably more like a territory thing?????

but sometimes its fun to hear someone play your bass at times.. ( to actually hear what your bass is sounding like, being away from it....

ive had a local kid play mine one jam night.. and i knew who he was and i know he was way better than me for sure!!! even though i had never actually met him before. and he didnt have his bass with him.. so i asked if he wanted to thump a bit... he didnt want to at first.. so i told him i had to piss!!! (lol) i was satisfied to watch him rip it good..... and he gave me a big thanx for the time.... its all good usually!!!!! most people are cool one way or another... but some aren't... its life..
 
#48
For what it's worth:
Go the the drbanjo.com web site and download Pete's jam rules - suggestions. I use this approach so that the rules of jamming don't become an ego clash. I simply present to our jammers the rules as they are on his site. Even though I lead the jam I can't make and won't even try to make the participants conform to the rules and elucidated by Dr Banjo. They are guidelines for people to follow to respect themselves and fellow jammers.
Some times they pay attention and at other times they bury thier heads in their song books. :hmm:
Terry Treppa
 

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