THE BLUES JAM SIMULATION!
Hail bassists of BassBuzz!
I’ve had a goal for a long time here at BassBuzz to bring more real-world music-making scenarios to people who maybe don’t have access to clubs/bands/jam sessions. Or, for folks who just want more things to jam with.
If you watched Josh’s most recent video like I did, you are now deep in the land of the blues.
I made this post-video-supplement to give you some live-music scenarios where the video skills will instantly come in handy.
I offer you: THE BLUES JAM SIMULATOR!
Choose your setting:
BEGINNER MODE = You read the prompt, listen to the playalong, check out the chart, look at the sample bass line offered and then listen to the playalong with the sample bass line. Learn that sample bass line. When it feels good, play that line with the playalong. If that feels good, open things up a bit, and see if you can add your own ideas with…
STANDARD MODE = You read the prompt, play the playalong, and check out the chart. Maybe you listen once or twice before you decide to jump in. Take your time, and come in confident with a bass line of your choice.
If that feels easy, maybe you’re ready for…
HARDCORE MODE = You just read the prompt, and then hit play and go. Do your best! Trial by Fire, baby!!
You grab your bass and head down to the local bar, Gio’s All Night Pizza And Coffee Hut, for the weekly blues jam.
Inside it’s packed wall-to-wall with, you guessed it, guitar players wearing banded hats, flowing shirts, and massive necklaces. You’re the only bassist.
In no time at all you’re on stage. You’ve barely plugged in before the keyboard player leans over to you and hisses “shuffle, key of A.”
The drummer counts it off, and you’re on.
THE PLAYALONG:
THE CHART + TIPS
THE SAMPLE TAB + EXPLANATION
You’ve been having a lovely time at the campfire and/or music party.
The people are pleasant and interesting, the people playing music are playing good music, and - most importantly - the food is excellent.
You’ve been chatting with folks all night and in your relaxed and comfortable state, have let it slip that you play the bass.
Suddenly, your name is loudly and authoritatively called. You have been summoned to play bass. (The regular bassist has gotten terribly thirsty, and is getting comfortable over by the kegerator.)
You demure.
You blush. You beg them off, saying you’re not really a bassist, more someone who likes to play the bass in their spare time and -
You are cut off. Eager hands propel you toward the waiting bass. Your cries and excuses fall on deaf ears. These people want music, dammit. They will not let you escape.
And so, there you are. Amongst the musicians. Bass in hands.
The singer, sporting a worn-looking acoustic, leans over and says “we’re gunna do a nice little country blues in G. I call it, I Think I’ll Just End It All Tonight.”
And then he counts it in.
THE PLAYALONG:
THE CHART + TIPS
THE SAMPLE TAB + EXPLANATION
You’re in a room with a bunch of other musicians.
This could have happened any number of ways.
They could be old friends of yours who love to play.
You might have responded to a Craig’s List posting looking for a bassist.
This might be your actual band that you’re in.
However it happened, here you are with a bass, amidst a band’s worth of other players.
And, as tends to happen in these scenarios… there’s a lull.
No one knows what to play next.
The guitarist is noodling. So is the other guitarist. The keyboard player is playing the impressive classical pieces that she knows. You’re tuning up. The drummer is on his phone.
Someone - maybe even you - says ‘what are we gunna play?’
Invariably, someone else says - how ‘bout a blues?
The drummer, who can’t play a shuffle beat to save his life, says “fine - but it has to be funky.”
The guitar players have visions of solos dancing in their heads, drool forming in the corners of their mouths. One of them gasps hungrily: “fine - funky blues. Key of E!”
And before you have a chance to object or escape, the drummer is counting it off:
THE PLAYALONG:
THE CHART + TIPS
THE SAMPLE TAB + EXPLANATION
The forever struggle, that!
