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overwhelmed with new band

#62
outlet3000 said:
Hey guys sorry if this is a weird post.

I've been playing bass for around 3\4 years now - just simple songs or making my own stuff up so decided to post an ad looking for other hobby musicians who where bord of playing to CD's.
Withing a week I was asked to join this band. We've had one practice session, playing the singers own songs (nothing complex)

My problem is I'm feeling pretty useless - Bass has always been a small hobby and these guys are so far ahead of me, I even explained this to them and think they only picked me up due to the lack of bass players in the area.
Am I just overthinking this and trying too hard ? I'm a shy guy with low self esteem and often put up with panic attacks. can you guys give me some advise, talk me down or examples from your own experience of your first band?

Should i give up and go back to hitting things with sticks ? (Drummer joke:D)
Click to expand...

If you are the worst player in the room then you are in the right room.
 
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#64
outlet3000 said:
Hey guys sorry if this is a weird post.

I've been playing bass for around 3\4 years now - just simple songs or making my own stuff up so decided to post an ad looking for other hobby musicians who where bord of playing to CD's.
Withing a week I was asked to join this band. We've had one practice session, playing the singers own songs (nothing complex)

My problem is I'm feeling pretty useless - Bass has always been a small hobby and these guys are so far ahead of me, I even explained this to them and think they only picked me up due to the lack of bass players in the area.
Am I just overthinking this and trying too hard ? I'm a shy guy with low self esteem and often put up with panic attacks. can you guys give me some advise, talk me down or examples from your own experience of your first band?

Should i give up and go back to hitting things with sticks ? (Drummer joke:D)
Click to expand...
If the band keeps you...YOU ARE VERY LUCKY as you said (these guys are so far ahead of me.)THE ONLY WAY TO GROW IS TO PLAY IN A BAND THAT WILL MAKE YOU GROW TO BE A BETTER PLAYER.
So feeling pretty useless is not the way to think of this....FEELING BLESS IS THE WAY TO THINK.
 
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#66
smeet said:
OP, you (like many of us) are suffering from impostor syndrome. It's a pretty common thing actually. Look, the band thinks you are good enough. Therefore, you are. Don't overthink it. Eventually you will either be exposed as a pathetic fraud (unlikely), or you will realize you're not so bad after all (very very likely).
Click to expand...
I still think i Will be discovered as a pathetic fraud any day now.
 
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#67
Not going to lie, reading through there was some very manly tears - thanks guys.
Was not expecting this level of response, guessing alot of you had flash backs (PTSD) from your first bands :banghead:

Can't reply to all your posts so you get a like and you get a like - even the trolls get a like :thumbsup: Sorry if I'm leaving you out, I've read all comments (it feels more like the silly Olympics :rolleyes:)

@smeet Found the link on Imposter syndrome intresting. Going by the profile pic you look like someone I can trust :p Thank you.

Also @Gasman I can't read your post without Archers voice :roflmao:
 
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#74
Stop worrying and play your bass.

I'm now working in a duo with a jazz guitarist. The stuff he plays is a bit far afield of what I've been playing for the last umteenthousandbagillion years. It was a bit daunting at first having only a week to learn 40 new songs in a somewhat unfamiliar genre so at rehearsals I use my phone to video him playing new songs and work on them at home. Recently I had to learn his arrangements of 10 holiday songs quickly and the phone recordings helped a lot.
 
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#75
best place to learn: play in a band with better musicians. My first band was just like this, all veteran players. The bass lines in their mostly hard rock and early metal songs were easy enough for me to play in the beginning. And I learned so so much from them.

So by all means take this opportunity, learn as much as you can. It doesn't matter - at all - why they want to play with you. Up your game between every rehearsal, they will notice. You will become a better player very fast now.
 
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#76
outlet3000 said:
Hey guys sorry if this is a weird post.

I've been playing bass for around 3\4 years now - just simple songs or making my own stuff up so decided to post an ad looking for other hobby musicians who where bord of playing to CD's.
Withing a week I was asked to join this band. We've had one practice session, playing the singers own songs (nothing complex)

My problem is I'm feeling pretty useless - Bass has always been a small hobby and these guys are so far ahead of me, I even explained this to them and think they only picked me up due to the lack of bass players in the area.
Am I just overthinking this and trying too hard ? I'm a shy guy with low self esteem and often put up with panic attacks. can you guys give me some advise, talk me down or examples from your own experience of your first band?

Should i give up and go back to hitting things with sticks ? (Drummer joke:D)
Click to expand...

Go for it. If you feel being pushed out of your comfort zone and they still keep you ;) that's a good thing: you will progress and get better faster.

One of my first bands on bass was a RHCP tribute band. I could barely slap and I thought that would push me a bit :-D
I got it in no time, purely because I had some pressure to be able to do it.

So, go for it if you like the music and the people you're with, and don't be afraid about your ability. You'll improve faster if there is a little pressure, which in turn probably will give you confidence as you realise how much you progressed.
 
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#78
I was on the same situation a year ago. I was hired as a rhythm guitarist on a good band. The drummer and bassist are crazy good. The lead guitarist can really shred. Our vocalist is also great. Everyone was pretty much experts except me.

I was evolving pretty fast with them. I'm exerting time and effort to learn the songs. Let them teach you. You are part of the rhythm section so listen to the drummer and rhythm guitarist (and the band leader too)..

Don't quit because of pressure. Hehe I just quitted that band because I met my girlfriend and pretty much most of my free time with her. I wish we can have 30hrs a day. Haisst.
 
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