Well, exactly 6 months ago on the date, I decided to stop starring at my bass being a literal dust collector on a decorative stand next to my wall, because that’s what it was. I never really played it, but instead watched millions of videos contemplating about “this could be me” and bitching about why I didn’t start at age 10 like so many others (34 now) womp womp…
So, I’ve picked up the “Beginner to Badass” Course from BassBuzz in October and crunched through it in 4 weeks.
Why am I telling all this? Fast forward to last friday, I finally received the necessary a$$ kicking from some good friends, to leave my comfort zone and actually play with actual real people, in front of a real crowd at an Open Mic event in a local Pub.
Well, Jesus I was nervous as hell, had to improvise a lot and go by ear to figure out the chord progression - and the couple of ciders before definitely showed lol! But boy I can tell you, it was the weirdest and most amazing F*CKING feeling ever, once it clicked.
I can only recommend what everyone else kept telling me for months: DO NOT try to be perfectionistic! Go out, find a local Jam or Pub Session and friggin’ play! You will be scared. You will doubt everything. But after 20 seconds, it pays off.
I don’t know you, but I can tell right away that you’re having a blast! You sound great! I hope that feeling never leaves. In my opinion it gets better as you get more confident and comfortable. Eventually you will have time to look at the crowd shaking their @$$es and know you’re responsible.
Congratulations! Goal unlocked. I’ve jammed with other people but haven’t played a gig yet. The group I jam with is going to perform a 4 song set for a gig, and I’m both really excited and really nervous.
Thanks man! Yeah, like you’ve said, for me it was once I looked over to the drummer (a local legend here) and saw his head nodding so hard in rhythm the whole scary part just vanished lol!
That’s awesome man! I’m sure it will be a blast! I guess the nervousness is a part of it, you’ll lose it like 10 seconds in, trust me! A few pints of cider or beer will help too lol!
While it’s not my thread, I feel compelled to respond to this for those whose day is yet to come…
You’re gonna be nervous and you’re gonna make little mistakes but make sure to take a moment for yourself while on the stage. Look around - at your bandmates, at the crowd, etc. - and remember the feeling. The glances and smiles I exchanged during that moment are permanent memories.
Congrats, man. Playing in a band is fun as hell. But performing with a band for an audience is a heady experience everyone should try at least once. It’s some of the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
The best part is you’ll always have the butterflies in your stomach regardless of how many times you perform. The perk is as you get more comfortable on the stage the musical communication to your band mates gets better and more importantly you start to listen to them more and get this, start to interact with it.
When you perform enough in front of people the “secret” will be revealed. I’m not supposed to share this because it’s a big huge secret. When you messed up on stage, messed up on the fills, finger slips, heck playing in the wrong key. It’s the end of the world, right? Well, I hate to break it to you, NO body knows, not even your band mates know unless you freeze up and stop playing. At best 2 out of 100 will be bass players and even they can’t tell. I’m famous for butchering a 2 bar fills and what stuck in people’s mind was this amazing counter melody, I just thew it out. I stopped worrying about it long time ago and just have fun, hence this sage advice
Yes, thats right. No rehearsal, never played with those guys before. All spontaneous. It was an “Open Mic” kinda jam session, where usually singers come up front but the house band remains.
After my buddy (the singer in the first vid) pushed me to play with him (I died inside lol), I asked the bass player if we can switch for one or two songs… the rest is history.
Yes so he is mine ! I met Nathan and his Son two weeks ago after his “Father and Son” concert here in Germany. Can’t tell you how crazy it was having him stand an arms length in front of you, when all you’ve seen of him all your life was only through a TV and Computer screen lol.
I even brought my bass all the way with me and guess what - he signed it.
Mine too, it was 2006, he brought the bass for me. I’m sure my ex-boss arranged that BBNE2 ain’t cheap even in 2006, I didn’t play much of it and try to preserve it. Last year? I gave in and bought another one so I can play it.
hence this sage advice
