Devon Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Good evening folks, I'm a 40 something bassist who's been playing for around 5 years now. I've a few small gigs under my belt from a spell playing in a local covers band but I was forced to give that up a little while ago due to some personal circumstances. Since then I've tried to keep up with my playing in situations where less commitment is required; pre-lock down I had the opportunity to play on a few occasions with a local Jazz guitarist standing in for his regular bassists and have had semi-regular jam nights with some other musical acquaintances of mine playing a random selection of rock covers. I'm fortunate enough to have a patient and understanding wife who, despite my lack of experience (and natural talent) has allowed me to invest in some good quality gear. Over the past few months during this whole lockdown situation I've barely touched my bass, however, in the past two weeks I've started to pick it up again. The problem is I'm finding myself somewhat directionless with where I want to take my playing. I wonder if any of the kind people here could offer up some thoughts or advice? I'm hoping that my personal situation has improved enough now where I can get back to something with more commitment, perhaps even a gigging band, but I can't figure out what to go after. I seem to bouncing from one thing to another For example funk, fusion jazz, traditional jazz and prog rock are all different phases I've been through recently and enjoyed them all. I also saw a post online this week from a blues band looking for a bassist that I responded too though it is likely they have already filled the position. In an ideal world I'd look to join a couple of bands of varying genres and gain a shed load of experience with them but I work full time and have a young family so I don't get to practice for more than maybe an hour a day. My son has ADHD and I'm sure I share some of the same traits which is why I'm always chasing the next shiny thing and end up not practicing anything at all. I feel like I should set some direction for myself and towards a specific target and dedicate practice time on it. I'd like to build a repertoire of "standards" in said direction and get some audition videos recorded to put me in a better position when responding to musician wanted classifieds - I just can't decide what direction to take and would appreciate some impartial guidance to help me make some decisions, I'm sure I can't be the only one who's felt like this! Anyhow, I look forward to participating in this community as my personal journey continues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky 4000 Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Welcome buddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Good evening, Devon, and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baxlin Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 And it’s a welcome from me too - I’ve recently discovered bass-less backing tracks on YouTube, lots of different music styles to explore and enjoy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Welcome Devon. I think you answered your own question in your second last paragraph. You aren't the only one. Although you ask for guidance, no-one can decide for you. As you know, until you are playing with others, you are at a loose end. The best I can offer is for you to have a go at as many genres as you can comfortably stomach. Playing is a different experience from listening and you may get value from genres that you might otherwise overlook. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 (edited) 13 hours ago, Baxlin said: I’ve recently discovered bass-less backing tracks on YouTube, lots of different music styles to explore and enjoy. Thanks! This is something I want to do a lot more of. Let me know of any particularly good ones you have found. 7 hours ago, SpondonBassed said: think you answered your own question in your second last paragraph. You aren't the only one. Although you ask for guidance, no-one can decide for you. As you know, until you are playing with others, you are at a loose end. The best I can offer is for you to have a go at as many genres as you can comfortably stomach. Playing is a different experience from listening and you may get value from genres that you might otherwise Thanks for the advice. I feel like I'm in a bit chicken and egg situation. To play with others my expectation is you need to demonstrate some reasonable competency and potentially send over an audition demo to then get invited to play at an actual audition probably against some other (potentially more experienced) players. I.e. to play in a Jazz band some competency in walking bass lines would be expected along with being able to read from a real book on the fly. Similarly in a blues band understanding the various forms of blues and having a repertoire of turn arounds, intros and endings to be able to confidently jam in an audition I suspect would be a must. Equally you're not going to get far with a prog band if you can't understand and play in odd time. And from my own experiences todate not knowing a number of the standards within a giving l genre has always let me down a little. Maybe I'm over thinking it all :). Edited July 22, 2020 by Devon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldwinbass Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Hi Devon, and welcome. I note that you have played jazz so, whilst you're at a loose end, why not have a look at Steven Mooney's books (for electric & upright, notation and tab.) on Walking Bass Lines. These offer a thorough grounding in the style, plus there's his website with lessons too. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 2 hours ago, Devon said: Let me know of any particularly good ones you have found. Have you tried doing a search for 'isolated bass'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 9 minutes ago, SpondonBassed said: Have you tried doing a search for 'isolated bass'? I believe that search would yield me the opposite results of bass-less backing tracks that @Baxlinwas suggesting. But yes, if I'm learning a particular song I'd look for an isolated track or at least a good bass cover. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baxlin Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Yes, I just googled ‘bass backing tracks’, particularly enjoyed Sunny and Fly me to the Moon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 2 hours ago, Devon said: I believe that search would yield me the opposite results of bass-less backing tracks that @Baxlinwas suggesting. But yes, if I'm learning a particular song I'd look for an isolated track or at least a good bass cover. It doesn't mean you can't use it over a recorded track with attenuated bass when you've played through a couple of times. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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