SplitNick Posted May 15, 2003 Share Posted May 15, 2003 To all that may have the knowledge. I have been playing electric bass for about 10-11 years, have been with gigging bands for about 4 years, and have been focusing a lot on orchestal double bass for about a year. I am very interested in playing as a studio musician. I am not the best bassist in the world but can hold my own in many genres. If anyone has any pointers about getting into the business, please let me know. I currently live in Huntsville, AL which is close to both Nashville and Muscle Shoals. Thanks for your advice. We must accept the consequences of being ourselves-Sojourn of Arjuna Music at www.moporoco.com/nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addix Metzatricity Posted May 15, 2003 Share Posted May 15, 2003 Get business cards made and start meeting people. "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fig Posted May 15, 2003 Share Posted May 15, 2003 I don't do studio stuff anymore, but I got introduced into the studio scene when I went to a jam session and met a steel guitar player who did local studio work. That led to working at three studios on occasion. I liked doing that stuff. So getting out to local jam sessions did it for me. I wish you well. It's chocked full of goodness. Bassplayers aren't paid to play fast, they're paid to listen fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Martin Posted May 15, 2003 Share Posted May 15, 2003 If I were you, I'd start by developing yourself into the first call bassist for all the studios in the Huntville area - I know that there are some, after all, and in Athens. (I think that Mick Chapman, the bassist on all the Garth Brooks records, grew up in Athens, and drove over to Muschle Shoals to work before he moved up here to Nashville). Find out who has a studio, call them and see if you can get work in Alabama. Learn how to sight read any kind of chart - Jazz notation, nashville number charts, sheet music (bother bass and trable clef), even the way that they teach Bach theory with figured bass - I used to work at a studio that used that kind of notation. Have the equipment to get a great sound - not necessarily EVERY sound, but those that work - a P bass sound, a Jazz sound, something with a low B and maybe a fretless. You don't need a big rack (though I like having something to use in small studios without decent DI's - an Avalon U5, an Eclair Engineering Evil Twin, or something like that. Be confident that your tuning is good on the fretless and on the acoustic bass. And develop a great attitude; that will get you more work (and more repeat work) than anything else. When you show up at the studio, be there to work, be there to support the artist's vision (whatever that is), and don't cause any problems for anyone. Dave Martin Java Jive Studio Nashville, TN www.javajivestudio.com Cuppa Joe Records www.cuppajoerecords.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fig Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Dave Martin said: "And develop a great attitude; that will get you more work (and more repeat work) than anything else. When you show up at the studio, be there to work, be there to support the artist's vision (whatever that is), and don't cause any problems for anyone." I really have to second that one. It's paid off for me in the past so many times, and is paying off for the fill in gig I'm doing while my band is on break. Attitude is a huge factor. When I went to audition for my current rock band, I walked into the studio as the bassist before me was packing up, and in my best british accent asked, "Right. Is this the audition for the reggae Burl Ives tribute?" They picked me that day, and told me that question put me to the top immediately. Of course, it helped I could actually play, too. Again, good luck to you. Bassplayers aren't paid to play fast, they're paid to listen fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SplitNick Posted May 16, 2003 Author Share Posted May 16, 2003 I appreciate all the advice. I guess the main thing is just not sitting around. I think I hav most everything else covered (not completely, but sufficiently). We must accept the consequences of being ourselves-Sojourn of Arjuna Music at www.moporoco.com/nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 ...and always, always be on time. You will not get called back if you are late, even if you are the baddest cat around. Remember: To be early is to be on time To be on time is to be late To be late is to be left... or not called back in this situation. I had this embedded into my brain during my time in marching band at college. Out director was ruthless when people were late. We lived in healthy fear and respect of being on time (ie -early). I still live by this motto, for everything in my life, not just music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groovyjazzyfunky Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 Originally posted by Bumpcity: To be early is to be on time To be on time is to be late To be late is to be left... or not called back in this situation. I had this embedded into my brain during my time in marching band at college. Out director was ruthless when people were late.Hmmmmmm. . . I wonder if we had the same band director, or if that's just a common saying among band directors. Mine was in high school, and his name was Mr. Immel. All your bass are belong to us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted May 18, 2003 Share Posted May 18, 2003 As far as I am concerned: When the leader begins to sweat... You are late. The amount of minutes ahead of the downbeat when this occurs varies from leader to leader. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted May 19, 2003 Share Posted May 19, 2003 Originally posted by GrooveMouse: Originally posted by Bumpcity: To be early is to be on time To be on time is to be late To be late is to be left... or not called back in this situation. I had this embedded into my brain during my time in marching band at college. Out director was ruthless when people were late.Hmmmmmm. . . I wonder if we had the same band director, or if that's just a common saying among band directors. Mine was in high school, and his name was Mr. Immel.Nope... however, if he (Mr. Immel) went to the University of Washington and was in marching band, he got it from the same guy I did (Bill Bissell). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SplitNick Posted May 29, 2003 Author Share Posted May 29, 2003 Again, Thanks for all the advise...I did get business cards made and on Tuesday went in to a music store I used to work at to record some bass/drum tracks on ADAT...Today I took the CD's that were a product of this jam to Nashville...Tomorrow or Friday I am going to the Shoals to drop off some more CD's...I will also be making some special deliveries to studios around here...My CD included a R&B/Finger Funk Jam, a standard I-IV-V walking jazz with a VI-II-V-I turn-around and a persistent bass solo, a I-IV-V country swing, and a bass/drum improv slap track...Hopefully, I'll gat some calls...Oh, and by the way...almost everyone I spoke with in Nashville was extremely friendly (even at the big dogs like MCA, EMI, and Sony). Thanks for all the good advise. We must accept the consequences of being ourselves-Sojourn of Arjuna Music at www.moporoco.com/nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fig Posted May 29, 2003 Share Posted May 29, 2003 Woohoo! Wish ya loads of luck! Bassplayers aren't paid to play fast, they're paid to listen fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SplitNick Posted May 29, 2003 Author Share Posted May 29, 2003 Went to Shoals today...Dropped a CD off at Fame Studios...I think I may get a call from this one for some Upright Country Bass...To everyone that feels that they are ready...Take a step and see what happens...You'll never know if you never try. We must accept the consequences of being ourselves-Sojourn of Arjuna Music at www.moporoco.com/nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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