Hey everyone I’m 36 been playing now a little over 2 years. I’ve followed the BassBuzz course and can now play about 30 of the 50 First Songs. Josh says I’m ready to join a band… but I still don’t feel like I’m there yet.
I’ve recorded and posted several covers publicly and can hear the improvement—but mentally, I still feel stuck in practice mode. I’m confident with structure, tone, and timing, but haven’t taken the leap to play live or with others.
I’ve considered programs like School of Rock, but hesitant to pay just to find people to jam with.
So I’m wondering:
• How did you know when you were no longer a beginner?
• What helped you transition out of solo practice into group playing?
• Any low-cost ways to get that real-world experience without joining a formal program?
Appreciate any honest feedback—on the mindset, the music, or the next step.
1b. You will always be learning and improving. That process should never stop.
Playing with other people is it’s own skill. No amount of practicing on your own can fully prepare you to play in a band. The only way to learn how to do it, is to do it. It’s like… trying to learn how to do a partner dance like swing, or waltz, or salsa by only dancing by yourself.
Lots. Get out there. Lots of groups for connecting with other musicians. I put together my band through a FB page. Craigslist also works.
There are lots of open mics and jam groups.
Also look at the music programs of your local colleges. Lots have band programs ranging from symphonic/concert, to jazz, to even pop/rock. Even big universities often have community bands that you don’t need to be a full time student to take part in. I think most around here are like $100 for a semester.
The college approach is a good idea I hadn’t given a thought.I’m definitely going to check it out.
When it comes to jamming, I’m not worried about holding a groove or keeping time. If it’s something I’ve practiced, I can lock in and sound solid. The hesitation comes more from not knowing every chord name on sight and still feeling shaky when it comes to improvisation. That’s the part I’m working on. The perfectionist in me keeps saying I should keep practicing before stepping out, but deep down I know live reps are what’s really going to push me forward.
But I figured out you never stop being a beginner because there is always something new to learn. What’s funny is the same goes for everyone else in the band. Whether it’s a new song or a new technique, you can always learn something new, and that is good because that is the fun part! So put yourself out there, make an ad in a local Facebook group for musicians or something like that. Be honest about what you know and what you want, and you will be playing in a band shortly. You are definitely good enough; I watched your videos and you rock!
Just listened to your Bruno Mars cover and you could totally take my place in our band.
We have a 30 song set and the vast majority of it is root or root/fifth stuff. My job is to keep the groove and outline the chords.
A few of us on here have gone down the route of posting our covers on social media platforms and saying "This is me, if you like what you see I’d love to come and play with you’
That’s it. You are 100% ready to join a band, if that’s what you want to do.
Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and play with other people as that is part of the learning process. If you can play 30 songs what’s the difference swapping a backing track for actual people? In the UK I joined something similar called Rock Project. At the start of term we pick 2 songs each. The tutors pick one song for us to play the following week and we have 45mins lesson/practice and then play it together along with songs from previous weeks. There is a whole mix of playing standards and plenty of mistakes even by the experienced players. By the end of term we have a set and do a gig somewhere with plenty of friends and family in the crowd. There is no on the spot pressure like a jam.
If you’ve taken B2B and you’ve tackled 30 of the 50 songs, kid say that you’re absolutely ready to take the next step.
My route, as I’ve posted elsewhere, was to start a band, rather than join one. I thought this a less stressful route as the band could select songs, rather than me joining an established band and simply being presented with a list of 30 or 40 songs to learn for next week…
As a band, we’ve had some ups and downs - now on third guitarist and second vocalist - but the current lineup seems to be gelling.
From my perspective, the key has been to pick songs that are both fairly easy to play, but also kick ass! Our vocalist is really into swing local cover bands, and comes back with all sorts of suggestions regarding what works, and more importantly, what doesn’t. Equally, we all have the power of veto - can’t or won’t play a particular song. In fact, we were discussing this’s in WhatsApp last night. One of the songs we’re have selected is very easy on bass, but a real challenge for our guitarist. “You have the power of veto…”, he was told by two of us!
Now go join a group and discover what happens when other people need to lock in ON YOU.
Neither of which are things you really need to know.
What’s really useful is, if someone gives you a key, you should be able to know where that is within a couple seconds. And then be able to understand the changes if someone tells you in either Nashville numbers or note names. E.g. “It’s a 1, 4, 5, 4 progression in B-minor”, or “It goes D, A, C, E”.
Your job is not to do wild improvisation. Dressing things up and serving the song is usually a matter of playing with rhythms and adding in a couple leading tones. most of the time, all you need is the root, 5, and 7.
Really appreciate you taking the time to watch and drop those kind words — means a lot! I’ve gotta remind myself that comparison is the thief of joy. Just trying to stay in the groove and keep learning.
Wow, that really means a lot. I appreciate you taking the time to listen and share some encouragement. I like how you framed it. Just focus on holding the groove and outlining the chords. That takes a lot of the pressure off.
Quick question. Have you mastered the full fretboard yet? That still trips me up. I feel solid in the first few positions, but past the 5th fret I start second guessing myself.
Right this was my motivation around school of rock - there is a new location opening near me in fall - i may join. They play live bars etc - I like context of everyone being in the learning beginner phase. I thought once i got to a place of feeling like ok im not a “beginner” im now intermediate id feel ready - problem is not sure if i feel intermediate yet - even though according to Josh’s checklist i am right there
as someone who makes things i have yet to find a more concise, “on point” explanation of how to grow as a creative person:
yes this is amusing, but it is also incredibly valid. i show this video in almost every art & design class i teach — in my opinion, this is literally the job description of a creative practitioner.
If you want to play in a band - go do it. You’re more ready than you think.
I started SoR band after playing for 2 months. I realized I was a better bass player than the guitarist who’d been roped into playing bass. I realized I was learning more from playing in a band with a LIVE DRUMMER, than I was taking the lessons.
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