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Playing with actual people!

#21
Awesome! This truly is a "milestone." Even though it was about 15 years ago, I clearly remember the first time I played with someone else -- a friend with an acoustic guitar -- not long after I first started teaching myself on a borrowed bass. We both played super-simple stuff, but that didn't matter: That first moment when you realize that the sounds you're making are in synch with the sounds someone else is making.... Well, that's what it's all about, right?
 
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#23
Having fun is, by far, the most important thing this early in the game. Don't have really high expectations that you're going to play perfectly and everyone is going to sound like a pro band. It's going to sound like a casual jam because that's what it is; a little sloppy, some mistakes and a lot of fun. Just listen to what others are playing and how you sound with them (without getting too hung up on how you sound)and prepare to want to do the whole thing again really soon - because you will!

You can spend countless hours reading about gear on TB. Always remember that the most important pieces of gear you have are the ones on the side of your head; if you're a good listener with a good attitude, people will always want to play with you regardless of your skill level - and that's a great thing because playing with others is the way your skill level will climb anyway.

Welcome to the journey! I'm 30 years into it and I still get excited before I play a gig. Even crummy, little bar gigs.
 
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#25
TomB said:
Be aware that your bass sound out in the room will likely be "boomier" than it sounds to you either at home or on stage. Adjust accordingly based on what you want your audience to hear.
Click to expand...

This is very good advice. Adjust your EQ with your ears, not your eyes...

Other that that, listen to your band mates during songs (watch too) , especially noting their timing, and try to compliment it with your playing/timing. ...and congratulations... Have fun ! :)
 
#26
No one listens to the bass so the real key is your "bass face". Do you want to be the serious bassist, the happy bassist, the pissed bassist, or maybe the eye contact bassist? You can work on this ahead of time with the help of a plain mirror. If it looks like you're going public you may need a coach.

Your attire will have to match genre. A serious bass face bassist playing metal will require leather, preferably studded, while the same player playing jazz may need a beret and possibly a sweater. You get the drift. You can also change your choice of face to fit genre if you diversify. I think this quality really defines the best players.

Most of all, be loose. Regardless of genre music should be enjoyed.
 
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#28
Congrats on playing for the first time with actual people. After 38 years of it I now prefer playing with pretend people. They love me and my playing, they buy me drinks in my own living room, they don't notice my mistakes and load my gear in and out.

And, oh yeah, keep the rhythm no matter what. Good luck!, er, break a leg!
 
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#34
LT131 said:
No one listens to the bass so the real key is your "bass face". Do you want to be the serious bassist, the happy bassist, the pissed bassist, or maybe the eye contact bassist? You can work on this ahead of time with the help of a plain mirror. If it looks like you're going public you may need a coach.

Your attire will have to match genre. A serious bass face bassist playing metal will require leather, preferably studded, while the same player playing jazz may need a beret and possibly a sweater. You get the drift. You can also change your choice of face to fit genre if you diversify. I think this quality really defines the best players.
Click to expand...

LOL
 
#36
BazzTard said:
be aware of your volume level with respect to the others.

have fun, and LOOK like you're having fun.

if you forget what to play in a section, don't play at all. Silence is better than wrong notes.

And this piece of advice is the most valuable,gleemed after years of playing:

If you totally forget what to play during a song, turn down the volume knob on your bass,walk over to your amp and start madly adjusting all the knobs,vainly trying to get sound out of this apparently dead amp. Shrug at the band. What can I do? It's the amp's fault. You are welcome :)
Click to expand...

You had me laughing on this one BazzTard!
 
#38
Don't stop playing unless you're completely lost. Depending on the song, half notes on the I and V (playing "footballs") or straight quarters on the I of the chord. Keep your foot going and body moving to keep rhythm. Have fun! The difficult part is integrating into other player's feel of the rhythm, the bass players job is to make it all fit together.
 
#39
Relax, and listen to drummer. You are going to find out, other people have a different sense of time. This will take some time, ( No pun intended )
If you and the drummer lock in, everyone will sound better.
P S Yes, all guitar players are to loud. Have fun.
 
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