When Should I Start?

[xxpigxx]

I have been playing consistently for a little over a month. I seem to have picked up the bass fairly quickly. God has blessed me.

I can read tabs, but prefer the music that has chords over the lyrics (so I get to learn what notes are on what string/fret and what notes are in chords). I have picked this up fairly well too. I need to learn to read sheet music now . I am also learning scales, slowly.

I finger play, but want to get a little pick play in as well, just in case.

I practice everyday for at least an hour or two.

I also play every Sunday morning in our start-up church worship team (who are all beginners as well lol).

My questions:

1.) Seeing as how I am still n00b, when should I start looking for a band to play with in places other than church? I want to play at bars, clubs, etc.

2.) When should I up my equipment? I have a Fender P-Bass and a no-name 150 watt amp. It sounds good to me, but I am n00b and biased

3.) If I do need to up my equipment, what should I get?

4.) What age grop should I look for, if any? I am 29 years old (and barely starting out )

5.) Any pointers or suggestions?

 

[Chickencha]

I have been playing consistently for a little over a month. I seem to have picked up the bass fairly quickly. God has blessed me.

I can read tabs, but prefer the music that has chords over the lyrics (so I get to learn what notes are on what string/fret and what notes are in chords). I have picked this up fairly well too. I need to learn to read sheet music now . I am also learning scales, slowly.

I finger play, but want to get a little pick play in as well, just in case.

I practice everyday for at least an hour or two.

I also play every Sunday morning in our start-up church worship team (who are all beginners as well lol).

Sounds like you're off to a good start. Keep it up!

1.) Seeing as how I am still n00b, when should I start looking for a band to play with in places other than church? I want to play at bars, clubs, etc.

Any time you feel like you're ready is a good time. It may be difficult for you to find a band that fits at this stage, but that shouldn't stop you from trying. Be up front about your abilities and experience, but don't sell yourself short either.

2.) When should I up my equipment? I have a Fender P-Bass and a no-name 150 watt amp. It sounds good to me, but I am n00b and biased

Your P-Bass should serve you well for as long as you're happy with it. 150 watts might do for practice or a small gig, but it really depends on how everything's set up. If you're going through a PA, you may just use a DI and call it a day. Who knows? It will be better to assess this once you've joined a band and you have an idea of what you'll be doing.

Ultimately, if you feel that some of your equipment is holding you back, upgrade it if you can. Your equipment should never be an excuse. That said, it can be easy to convince yourself that your shortcomings are all due to your equipment. That's basically never the case. Just about anything can play well and sound good in the right hands. If you're unable to be heard, though, that's another story.

3.) If I do need to up my equipment, what should I get?

Replace whatever's holding you back and choose something according to your needs. I can't tell you what your needs are and you may not even know yet yourself.

4.) What age grop should I look for, if any? I am 29 years old (and barely starting out )

That's totally up to you. If you want to play with people close to your age, then that's what you should do. If you're okay playing with older or younger guys, then keep your options open. Consider that people closer to your age are probably more likely to share your musical interests.

5.) Any pointers or suggestions?

Get out on Craigslist or another classified site. Talk to the other guys in your worship team to see if they have bands outside of church or know of any that need a bassist.

 

[xxpigxx]

Thanks for the response. I put an ad on craigslist. See where that goes. I guess I will check out the local music stores after work today . . . see if they have any wanted ads there.

 

[Stumbo]

You might want to check out the link in my sig. below. There's some info that may help you out.

 

[xxpigxx]

err . . . that is alot of links

 

[Stumbo]

err . . . that is alot of links

Those are (IMO) some of the best threads out of the thousands that I've read over that past year. There's hundreds of years of experience contained in those links. Something that none of us will ever have. Taking a few hours (or many hours) to read/study them will pay many future dividends and help guide you past many common mistakes. It's a wise investment of your time.

I suggest reading the ones that seem to directly apply to your situation and go from there.

Good luck.

 

[two fingers]

Um....Chickencha nailed it. Good advice.

 

[xxpigxx]

Okay . . .So I went on Craig's list, put an ad:

Link Removed

I have two responses:

hey man im 23 and looking to start a rock band. i want to play new rock we can do originals and covers. Anything that is rock and roll is fine by me i live down in Brownsville so if you wanna get together, jam and see what we can do from there shoot me an email at ***@hotmail.com
talk to you later

and

whats up I am looking for a bassist to form a band to play originals and covers. If you are willing to play we are willing to have you in the band. we have plenty of originals and some covers that we have in mind to play. call me and we can meet up or something. **Phone numbers**

I am thinking of trying the second one first.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

I think playing covers is a great way to learn. You're forced to listen to the original version to pick up the bass part. You may learn to mimic another player's tone when necessary, which gives you versatility training. You can find many potential bandmates who can play covers well. There are few good players of originals, and even fewer established original bands to join.

Playing covers teaches you common song structure. Play enough folk songs and you'll have a good idea of the changes in a folk song. Play some jazz standards and the I-VI-II-V-I pattern becomes familiar. Of course, after a few blues tunes you've got the 12-bar I-IV-V pattern memorized. You'll learn not only the general changes, but the feel of each type of music.

Comfort with the structure and chord changes for popular songs provides a solid foundation for your playing. Someone throws a chord chart in front of you, you work through after a verse or two, and you realize this song is similar to another one you've played. Now you're in business.


Many pop tunes have a signature riff or sound; it's this riff that people identify with the song, even though the singer and instruments may differ from the original version. Learn what riff makes the song sound right. For example, the walking bass part on "Moondance" need not be played note-for-note, but the song needs a walking-bass part.

Playing originals is fine, but you will only play what you need to for the song, in the style the song needs. You may find it difficult to play in a different style.

As for ads trying to form a band, often it's one guy with no bandmates. I don't even consider that a worthwhile situation; you've got nothing to start from. I'd much rather join an established band, or one that's close enough to get going.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

I have [a response to my ad]:

"whats up I am looking for a bassist to form a band to play originals and covers. If you are willing to play we are willing to have you in the band. we have plenty of originals and some covers that we have in mind to play. call me and we can meet up or something."

Sadly, most of these are more properly read like this:

"I am looking for a bassist [and haven't even begun thinking that we actually need more players] to play [and help me finish writing] originals [which I think are great but haven't asked for input] and some covers [that I don't really want to, though otherwise we won't get gigs]...."

Gee, that's sort of the reverse of the old Mad Magazine fold-out gag.

"...we can meet up or something?" How about "Let's spend an hour playing together to see if we've got some chemistry." Not "or something." Sheesh. Oh, but you can't play together if his songs are original, because you won't know them; it'll be an hour of him showing you what he can play.

 

[xxpigxx]

gotta start somewhere, no?

 

[Rick Auricchio]

Yeah, but it's still a lot easier to start with other players, with whom you can spend time playing---and learning---rather than someone who thinks he has some songs.

Even if all you do is get together and "butcher the best songs," you're still learning.

But I agree with you. Jump in somewhere and see how things go. If you don't like the situation, move on. Every note you hear, and every note you play, improves your ability as a musician.

 

[bluewine]

You should do fine, you already have a good start. Just be thankful your not a40 year old veteran bass player,looking for a band at 56.

 

[ChrisB2]

Those ads look suspicious to me. A lot of aspiring guitarist/singer/songwriters are always looking for people to support their original project; drummers, bassists... if you want to do that, fine. I don't but that's just me.

As for your questions,

1) now

2) your bass is fine, the amp will need upgraded.

3) study the Amps board for more info. I recommend a 300+ watt head and 2x12 or 4x10 Avatar cabinet.

4) you're at a good age for almost any group, younger or older than you. The cover band I'm in ranges from 24 to 55. Just find people you like playing music you like.

5) get in a band asap. It's the funnest way to learn music and the only way to learn band membership and live performance skills. Also, get in a covers band. Learning covers is a great way to get exposure to a variety of different bass styles. Learning someone's originals, well... And being in a band forces you to learn material even some you're not crazy about, rather than just noodle around with riffs, scales and stuff you want to learn for your own sake.

Edit: after reading the the replies to your ad again, let me say again-- there's nothing wrong with forming a new band, but be wary of the original project. If you want to play in bars, get gigs, you need to get in or form a cover band. If the replies you're getting are guys who are open to forming a cover band, go for it. But discuss that up front. And know your position; do you want to play bass lines to someone's original music, mostly in the practice room? I've read posts by guys on here whoi have been in an original project for years and never gigged... If you don't want to get involved in original music, make that well known up front so you don't get lured in to someone's personal dream....

Good luck, and keep us posted!!

Edit again: did I say join a band now? Being in a cover band is the most fun I've had since I was a kid, don't wait!!