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Scared Bassist?

#21
puddin tame said:
You aren't going to jump right into a great band. There are plenty of bands for people like you who are still figuring most things out. If you want to play with others I'd suggest getting your girlfriend to help you a bit more and then make a Craigslist ad saying you have never played in a band and are looking for other beginners to jam with
Click to expand...

This was my thought.

And start really simple. I mean SIMPLE simple. Have your GF just strum a G chord or something and you just pump out G. No chord changes, no other notes. Just play that G till you can feel you're in a groove with each other. Then go to another chord, a D or C or something. Pump that 2nd chord forever until you're feeling the groove - and then you can start alternating a bar of G, bar of D, bar of G, etc. From there you can go on to super simple songs - "Good" by Better than Ezra, "With or Without You" by U2. Take your time and work into it slow and easy. Don't worry about doing anything more complicated till that gets boring and you're itching for more.

Then, yeah - craigslist ad, "beginning bassist looking to jam." Take it from there.

If you make a mistake, doesn't matter - the instant you make it, it's already gone and in the past. Let it go. Play in the now.
 
#22
Jump in the pool. Find a group of people in a low-key setting and go. I'm glad I've been playing in a band as I've learned the bass. Locking in with a real drummer and hearing how everything meshes together is so much more exciting than playing along with a metronome! We make up originals and work on some covers and it is fun to mess around with your bass lines, apply what you've learned and learn what works and what doesn't in a live setting.
 
#26
Play to a drumbeat instead of a click. Play a line or two you are comfortable with and have your girlfriend or partner play along to you. Or have yourself and a musician that is close to the same level of experience as you both learn the same song of a favorite artist and then try to play the song together.
 
#27
I think the idea of going slow playing along to your girlfriend's guitar playing would work. At some point it will all fall in place and you'll forget about confidence and whatever and just be playing music.

One of the advantages of forming a band with a lot of other beginners as occurs in cycles in certain ages is nobody much knows anything and you all move ahead together. The disadvantage is with a lot of beginners is that can take a long time and different people have different level of commitment and some pick things up faster than others. And then you're stuck with all the personal politics of being in a band of beginners.
It's always better if at all possible to join a band that has key players better than you and willing to take you on. That requires some confidence that you'll be able to grow and learn and fit in.

good luck
 
#28
Here's what you do. I'm serious (and don't call me Shirley).

You put up a CraigsList ad that reads something like this.

"I am an awful beginner bass player. Currently I stink. But I love doing it and would like to get better. If you are equally as awful, or better than me and would like to have a good laugh while helping a guy out, please get up with me. I'm only talking about informal jamming. We could pick a few songs and I can run them by my teacher (as I am taking lessons) and go from there. If you are a beginner to and just want to have some fun and learn together, hit me up. I am (fill in the blank) years old and have a day job. I am not looking to (fill in the blank), but just have some fun and get better. Thanks!"

All of us started somewhere. All of us really stunk. I actually started on upright bass (for a short while). I was taking lessons from a guy who lived behind me growing up. He took me to one of his jazz/wedding band practices and let me try my hand at a piece with the band. I stunk so bad that at 14 years old I literally cried in front of all those guys. (A 14 year old DUDE crying in front of grown men????? Yep. It was horrible.) They were good to me though. They spent the rest of their rehearsal building me up and helping me get through the tune. At that moment I broke through the fear wall and began to challenge myself and take some risks on the bass. Shortly thereafter my band director hit me up to play electric bass in the jazz band. The rest is history.

The point is, we all stunk. We all totally embarrassed ourselves in front of better players at some point early on. And we all made it through enough to continue playing.

As far as the girlfriend goes, check this out. NOTHING is more sexy to a woman than a vulnerable man. Simply ask her to help you figure out what you are doing wrong. Tell her how amazing she is and thank her for helping you. It will lead to hot sex every single time. Then you will get your ego back. (If this all works as planned, simply donate $20 to your favorite charity in the name of Two Fingers and call it a day. You're welcome.) But seriously, it could lead to you guys bonding on a musical level and having something really strong in common.
 
#29
hrodbert696 said:
This was my thought.

And start really simple. I mean SIMPLE simple. Have your GF just strum a G chord or something and you just pump out G. No chord changes, no other notes. Just play that G till you can feel you're in a groove with each other. Then go to another chord, a D or C or something. Pump that 2nd chord forever until you're feeling the groove - and then you can start alternating a bar of G, bar of D, bar of G, etc. From there you can go on to super simple songs - "Good" by Better than Ezra, "With or Without You" by U2. Take your time and work into it slow and easy. Don't worry about doing anything more complicated till that gets boring and you're itching for more.

Then, yeah - craigslist ad, "beginning bassist looking to jam." Take it from there.

If you make a mistake, doesn't matter - the instant you make it, it's already gone and in the past. Let it go. Play in the now.
Click to expand...

This is a great idea. I'd add possibly moving to outlining the chords when you get ultra comfy with grooving on that root note too. Baby steps.
 
#30
I know what you saying and there is some good advice on here. I have recently met up with new musicians and trying out for various bands. I used to be really nervous, worry about what they think and go all clammy and drop notes everywhere. I also used to down a load of booze to loosen up but I wouldn't advise that at all because you can look like someone you don't want to be!

The only way to gain is to chill, learn your songs, be yourself, add a few fills where appropriate to take a few small risks to take your mind off things and play easy. Playing with other people is far more beneficial to your playing than anything else in my opinion.

I also like to put on music tv channels like chart music or other stuff your familiar with, but not totally comfortable with and try to play along as if your jamming with the band. Not playing note for note but this helps with changes and timing and playing by ear. You can sort of apply this to when playing with new people.
 
#32
GusTheBassDog said:
A bit of an update. I came across an ad looking for a rookie bassist. Basically, a songwriter wants a bassist to his guitar parts, but one that will be happy playing simple lines and not trying to improv or go wild. Sounds perfect to get some experience.
Click to expand...

Very cool! Good luck and have fun!
 

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