buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Sounds like you also might meet a guitarist or drummer who would want to play.
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Should I join my colleges big band or avoid embarrassing myself?
- Thread starter salmon256
- Start date
I can speak from some experience here. There are people who hate to be seen as not good at anything. It's not that they don't want to work, far from it, but that they often have a very high standard for themselves, and don't want to do something that's not at that standard. If that standard was, say, drum captain of a serious (national competition, etc) band, played for a major university, then just banging away on the drum kit just isn't acceptable. They have to be great at it.
Me? My ego doesn't live there, so I'm happy to be not so good, but improving. If the people I play with want a better player, I very much understand, but right now I'm the player they have. My joke is always "Today is the worst I'll ever be." So far that's been true. The improvement I've made at all sorts of things that sound so daunting when you're practicing by yourself has been astonishing.
Heck yeah - Go for it. This is EXACTLY how you learn. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone by trying things and working hard. Always strive to put yourself in situations where you're the low one on the totem pole. Best of luck and keep us posted 
OMG, I was in the same position as you, joined the big band, and really did not like the music very much. But I totally learned how to play bass, and learned to like the music somewhat. Playing any other kind of music after big band was so much fun, and much easier, and I knew what I was doing harmonically etc, and not just memorizing songs.
It sounds like the group is set up for people like you, actually. I've played in a few like that, initially as a student, and later as a mentor. I never felt critical towards those starting out; only supportive. And the first thing you learn is how to stay out of the way when you don't know what's happening. You will get it!
hasbeen
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- Sep 23, 2004
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I hear you 100 percent and that's what I suspect. That's why I told the story of me versus my wife. The OP hasn't "earned the right" to be embarrassed. He's a beginner and should enjoy the freedom of being a new student. He hasn't invested the time to earn being embarrassed. He should just enjoy the experience.
"Respect the craft and enjoy the journey "
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Do it!!! The best way to get better is to get outside your comfort zone with other, hopefully better, musicians.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
Don't even think about it! Do it! It sounds like it will be a situation with a wide range of skills. Getting to play with people who are better than you in a supportive environment is not likely to happen again once you leave college. I took all kinds of chances when I was in college and played with some extraordinary musicians who went on to great things. Of course, there were some cringy moments, like getting grabbed out of the hall "Hey! You're bass player! We need one!" and finding myself the only melanin impaired person playing in a gospel band backing up an amazing choir (God, could they sing!) with William Calhoun in the drum chair. I had just gotten my fretless a week before, so I was doubly out of my league. Or playing in the first funk band at Berklee and having to struggle through charges of Tower of Power and other 70s and 80s jazz funk. Luckily, the drummer grew up in Oakland with those guys and knew all the tunes by heart, so he would tap out the bass rhythms on the side of the snare drum. Many experiences like that raised my abilities exponentially and it was all incredibly inspiring. Don't hesitate.
I want to say this with as much kindness and love as I can -- you need to grow a thicker skin. Going through life in fear of embarrassment is no way to live. Trust me, I hate being embarrassed as much as anyone, but some of the best lessons in life are taught through embarrassment. What's the worst that can happen? You play a gig, and mess something up, and you're embarrassed -- so what? No animals died because of whatever you did, no people died, you just had a rough outing. Next question -- what are you going to do about it? When I'm embarrassed by something I did wrong when I played, my response is to spend a few hours (or more, depending) and get to the point where I don't make that same mistake again. And once I've learned a part after being embarrassed by not playing it well, it stays.Hello all TB peeps,
I have a little dilemma I guess I'm looking for similar stories or some thoughts on it.
My College has a Big Band Club. It is not a class, it does not have auditions, it welcomes all and they said of all skill levels (so they claim so far though). I'm gonna email them soon and get some honest thoughts. I am getting slowly but almost there of getting over my solo driving anxiety so I'm hoping for my last year to have fun in a music club (or do some ballroom dancing!)
I been playing bass roughly for 2 ish years, but let me start by saying I have put it on and off and gain some rust especially with timing which I been practicing a lot recently. I can sight read but it is still very rusty and because of anxiety I'll fumble, I've taken lessons and I really study up theory and chord shapes. But I can take my time and focus very well on sheet music if given. I'm still learning I guess we are all still learning though truthfully. I only played really in two groups that were Blues and honestly they weren't serious. The music the club plays is jazz but mostly easy standards (to me at least) and some pop-funk jazz fusion type songs. Nothing seems complex for bass at least. Though some of the sheet music still kind of scared me but it seems the BL section leaders would never overload they share on public groups and in theory I can play 2 or 3 songs of the 12 on a setlist for example or even none and just rehearse purely for fun.
So my point is, I am not the best sight-reader, I am gonna be upfront to them about that, it seems some people joined the band on guitar or drums with no experience or sight reading abilities even playing abilities so it makes me feel a bit better. I am nervous that it can be a giant embarrassment to myself if I join struggle to sight read, struggle with timing and mess up and fall pressure to playing in a real band for the first time. I am thinking maybe to just keep playing but I feel it is an a chance to play with others in a welcoming environment...
If they are welcoming to new players of my nooby skill should I join or save myself embarrassment? Any similar stories?
I'm sorry if this is a dumb question I'm just kind of nervous about it but don't want to let aniexties ruin fun experience just like my driving one has.
Have an amazing day all, please don't be too hard one me
If they're welcoming of noobs, feel free to jump in. You're probably not going to find a better place to get your feet wet.
Regarding your driving anxiety, I can't relate, but I can sympathize. And there, it pays to be cautious, because cars can and do kill people when misused. That said, don't let the fear control you. Baby steps.
