Tonight was my first rehersal ever playing with others as a newly selected bassist for a band at the music school in town! I didn’t know what to expect. We had two instructors; one on drums and one on guitar. They helped me get set up, did intros, etc. Two other guitarist students were there, and one woman keyboardist sitting in to see if that band might be a good fit. The other two students have been in this band for 3 years. That’s a long as I’ve been playing!
We dove right in.
A week ago, the instructor sent me the 3 songs we were going to start with, and i found the tabs and chords on ultimate guitar. One was “Free Fallin” by Mr. Petty (that’s what i always call him). The other two songs were “Colors” by Black Pumas, and “Far from Any Road” by The Husbands which i had never heard.
I practiced hard all week but wasn’t really good at any of them (I always try to get a close to the sheet music as i can-- prob need to drop that idea). But i could get by with root note “on the one” when i got lost.
The instructor sent me a wrong song. Mr. Petty’s song should have been “Learning to Fly”, so i had play a brand new song. They gave me a sheet w/ lyrics and chords ( i forget what they called it–some kind of sheet). Fortunately, that song is super easy for the bassist. I totally nailed that one and even tried changing octaves to add some variety. I’m calling that one a WIN.
I did ok on “Far from any road”. I couldn’t remember the walkups/walkdowns from one chord to another at times, but hit the root on one again and muddled through.
Same with “Colors”. The basslines on that song are so awesome, but i was practicing all week at a much slower tempo. I couldn’t keep up. So, i hit the root on one again and tried to get something in between. I think i need to ramp up my tempo in practice at least a day b4 rehersal so i at least have a feel for how i can simplify.
I did get some advice to study up on the pentatonic scale and that makes a lot of sense. It’s been a while since I’ve done any scales. Might be a good way to warm up for a song.
I must say, that i even talked about this forum and BassBuzz. I can’t even remember what i said… Josh, you’ve clearly had some influence on me!
Overall, i did ok and didn’t totally embarrass myself. The instructor seemed a bit frazzled, but i hope it’s because it’s the start of a new semester. They’re probably short staffed like everyone else.
I think I’m going to learn a lot fast, but right now, i feel like i have to think about everything a little longer than event else. But it’s all new to me, so i should give myself more credit. I PLAYED WITH OTHER PEOPLE FOR REALZ!! And i survived and had fun.
Oh and they want me to sing at some point. Shit, i am a decent singer, but doing that, and playing bass together right now will make my head explode. One thing at a time please! I’m drinking from a fire hose right now.
I’ll keep you posted. Reflecting on the session and the things i learned well help me remember what i need to work on.
Janis like Joplin