So once I finish B2B - coming up on that soon I intend to go back to module 5 and go through again trying to perfect any dodgy workouts and to try really hard to wrap my thick little head around the theory more. But I’m thinking what next? I am considering starting on the Trinity or Rockschool formal grades. Has anyone else done this? And if so how did you get along with the theory? It scares the crap out of me as I was rubbish at reading music at school and I still am now. Has anyone found doing such programmes in conjunction with a tutor helpful?
For context I don’t ever aspire to be a technical whizz but I’d like to become an appealing candidate for bands and as I’m middle aged the entry standard expectation seems to be higher which is fair as I should have been playing for 30 years by now
The topic of post-B2B has been covered across multiple threads, worth searching using the little top right.
Personally, I went down a route of learn lots of songs (200+ covers, lost count), join a band and latterly, I’ve joined eBassGuitar to push my improv capabilities.
Edit: re joining a band, I wouldn’t be too concerned. There’s a joke about a boy coming back home late after his second bass lesson, smelling of the local dive-bar. Having mastered three or four root notes … he told his mum he’d joined a band!
In all seriousness, I formed a band at the 6 months point. We’re now at a point where we charge for a 2hr to 2.5hr gig. I started playing bass less than 3 years ago - B2B 3rd anniversary end Aug - so it can be done. For me, it’s very much been ‘fake it…’. The key to faking it is to agree the songs up front and then learn them. That’s why I’ve done so many covers, I now know how to learn songs pretty quickly. It doesn’t mean in know what I’m doing, but I can stand on a stage a play . Actually, that where the eBassGuitar thing comes in, I know what to know more about what I’m doing…
Just go join (or form) a band. The only way to develop the skills to play with a band, is to play with a band. There is no way to practice those skills on your own.
I’m a long time social dance instructor (swing, blues, tango). Playing with other musicians is like dancing with a partner. You can practice steps and rhythms and movements on your own, but the only way to actually get good dancing with a partner is to dance with a partner.
The only way to get good enough at playing with other musicians to be in a band, is to join a band and play with other musicians.
If you completed B2B getting the final exercises on slow, you have the playing skills you need.
Every musician has been where you are now. They will understand. Just be honest and willing to practice and improve.
Stop “Studying” and start playing songs, you’ll end up learning 4 times more at this point. You should be stacking up songs after songs with or without tabs or notation sheets. Pick a few of your favorite songs and learn how to transcribe them.
Your first try will be difficult and it may take a little while to get it done but if you have a healthy dose of “Can Do” attitude you’ll get through it. Then the next one will be much easier, and so on. It’s a must have skill if you want to be in a band.
Then another important thing to do is to post a few covers here. This is big as it puts you in front of Audiences. I gotta admit, it makes me nervous than performing live. A few times a year I play in a big venue with a few thousands in the audience, I don’t remember being as nervous because performing live it’s in the moment, once it passes it’s done.
I know @sunDOG already know this by now that he could count in his hand how many people in the crowd can even tell what, when, and how he messed up. If they can identify what instrument he’s playing in the first place,
This is absolutely true. You know when you screw up, your bandmates might know (but more often than not, they are too focused on what they are doing, also trying not to screw up ), but the majority in the audience don’t. Ok, there can be some songs where it’s obvious - a duff note in the middle of Seven Nation Army, anyone? Yep, been there - but you just style it out, the moment passes and you carry on. The key, the key, is not to stop, and to keep the groove going
Here’s Josh’s opinion on joining a band:
Spoiler alert, and I directly quote Josh on this, “I’m just going to tell you to xxxxing join a band, no matter what!”
Got it guys, thanks for the tips. Am going to start building my full song repertoire, with songs I like because that’s motivating, I’ll rewatch ‘This is Spinal Tap’ for refresher and go find some other old farts like me . Bugger the book stuff!
Funny you mention this. I play drum open handed, or at least I try. I love Simon Phillip so I really try to play that style. I don’t have the finesse of Simon so most of the time I look very much Ike Clover’s playing.
Yup. Had my first gig on Saturday. We all took turns screwing up. Sometimes we all screwed up together.
Afterwards we agreed that all of the screw ups were things that the audience probably never noticed.
Heck, I started in on the wrong song. Then realized I was still in drop-D. The audience probably only noticed because I paused a bit in the lyrics I was singing while flipping the lever on my hipshot back into place.
Yup. It feels like an infinite span of time, but you realize it was like… 3 seconds.
Not so much here in the Queen City of the Plains. I’ve been trying to sell myself on Bandmix, craigslist, reddit, and Instagram for over a year and you see bassist looking for X waaaay more than anything else. Weirdly, the second most common here seems to be drummer looking for ads. I’m going to start hitting open mic nights this week. I found one at a dive har that seems to cater to the punk and goth scenes.
Well, hook up with one of those drummers and you are three quarters toward a band. You know the saying, “a rock band is a drummer, a bass player and assorted novelty acts.” As a vocalist as well as a bassist, I’m a little irked by that saying . . . But it ain’t wrong.
Fantastic advice. I’m already an introvert, bordering on being a hermit. This whole pick up an instrument and join a band was already me trying come out of my shell a little. Not sure if I’m ready, or the person that should be the focal point for herding cats.
That is what I did. Connected with a drummer. We started off just playing along with running moises for the melody instruments. Then quickly added other instruments.
Once you’ve got a drummer, “Bass and drums looking for guitar to play [genre(s) of music]…” is easy to fill.
top right.
. Actually, that where the eBassGuitar thing comes in, I know what to know more about what I’m doing…
A few times a year I play in a big venue with a few thousands in the audience, I don’t remember being as nervous because performing live it’s in the moment, once it passes it’s done.
), but the majority in the audience don’t. Ok, there can be some songs where it’s obvious - a duff note in the middle of Seven Nation Army, anyone? Yep, been there - but you just style it out, the moment passes and you carry on. The key, the key, is not to stop, and to keep the groove going 
. Bugger the book stuff!
