Potential band / going beyond your abilities

Adamixoye · July 17, 2003

I have a problem. I have a friend who wants to start a band, just to do gigs at clubs and stuff. Covers, as far as I know. Anyway, I think he's a talented guy. He's a very good drummer, but he'd actually be playing rhythym guitar and singing. He wants me on bass. He's heard me play before (we play together at church).

It's odd, but I think he thinks that I'm a lot better than I really am. I don't mean any false humility here, but he is always complimenting me on how I'm such an "intuitive" player and if I dedicated myself I could be one of the best players he's ever personally known.

In any case, I feel like if we did this, it would be beyond my abilities. I don't feel ready to just jump into playing clubs after only playing at small churches the last several years. Plus, I don't really know any covers. What should I do? Just jump in, darn the consequences, and learn from it?

Addix Metzatricity · July 17, 2003

Just jump in! That's what I did (a long time ago) and it worked out really well. If you stay in your safe zone, you'll never know your limits... and those limits will never change.

Besides.. he's heard you play. He liked what he heard. He feels that you're a good investment. If you respect his opinion about other things, then trust his judgement with this one.

I hope you decide to do it.

Virtual Jim · July 17, 2003

and drunk people wouldn't know good playing if Jimi or Jaco tapped them on the shoulder. Funniest thing I've seen this summer was a band playing at fair; while doing "old time rock and roll" they had no soul or feel. I found it amusing.

Addix Metzatricity · July 17, 2003

Originally posted by DC_Jim:
and drunk people wouldn't know good playing if Jimi or Jaco tapped them on the shoulder. Funniest thing I've seen this summer was a band playing at fair; while doing "old time rock and roll" they had no soul or feel. I found it amusing.

I don't think that's gonna make him feel much better...

Basshappi · July 17, 2003

Addix is absolutely right, you should go for it. Sit down with this person and talk about the expectations both of you have. Open commmunications are essential to maintain so start making that a habit from the beginning. Get a set list together and get to work!

Have fun and keep us posted!

jeremy c · July 17, 2003

If your friend thinks you can do it, then you probably can. Playing with people who you think are more advanced than you can only help your playing.

And if it turns out (which I'm willing to bet that it won't) that you are in over your head, what do you have to lose? In that (remote) case, you'll know what it is you need to practice to get to the next level.

But what will probably happen is that the demands of this band will cause your playing to improve and meet the next level, maybe even exceed it.

Good luck!

_Sweet Willie_ · July 17, 2003

Originally posted by Adamixoye:
In any case, I feel like if we did this, it would be beyond my abilities. I don't feel ready to just jump into playing clubs after only playing at small churches the last several years.

I played my first club gig as a sophomore in college. I had been playing bass only about four years. I had a blast. I would've played a club gig even earlier had I had the opportunity. If you know the material and you've rehearsed and y'all are tight, then you'll be ready. If you've been playing for several years, you've got enough playing experience!

Originally posted by Adamixoye:
Plus, I don't really know any covers.

Not a problem -- you'll just need to learn the tunes that the band wants to play, and hopefully they'll take your input in terms of what some of those tunes should be. There are always more cover tunes to learn. Think about cover bands that try to keep up with current pop music to play at weddings, bar mitzvahs, anniversaries, birthday parties, corporate functions, etc. They are continually learning more cover tunes.

Originally posted by Adamixoye:
What should I do? Just jump in, darn the consequences, and learn from it?

Yup, you should jump in. You will learn plenty (at the very least a few cover tunes!

). You will become a better player. I have made the biggest strides in my own playing when I've had to play with musicians better than me, especially when they've had some patience and I've rewarded that patience by working hard to keep improving.

Good luck.

MattC · July 17, 2003

I just played a graduation where the graduate's uncle would just call tunes and we'd play them. I didn't know them either but it worked out well- people came up to me and asked where they could see us play!

I think the most important question here is "do you want to take that gig?" Personally, while I'd do it on a financial basis, playing tunes in a cover band (rock covers, anyway), is not exactly my first musical choice. If it is your thing, and I've worked with many people who'd rather do nothing else, then more power to you. If you want to do it, then do it and you'll make it work. Besides, never turn down the chance to play with good musicians.

fig · July 17, 2003

Yeppers, jump in feet first. As the others have said, you'll learn. Being around musicians who you feel are better than you is always the way to go. It pushes you, makes you want to learn more. And if it doesn't work out, you'll definetely know what you need to do before trying it again. It's a win-win situation.

I've tried out or auditioned for stuff over my head before, and ya know what? It happens, and life is still good.

Go for the gold, man! WooHoo!

martianrebel · July 17, 2003

Dude....

Jump in, both feet.

I have been playing bass for 3 years now and had the first gig with my band 2 weekends ago. We were surprised how positive the response was!

I agree that the best thing to do is talk it over and maybe set a realistic expectation as to when you can start gigging. I find that setting a date for a gig is great motivation to everyone in the band to learn the songs! Then it's just a matter of practice, practice!

Performance is 60% balls and 40% talent anyway in my opinion! You can be the greatest, most polished player in the world, but it means squat if nobody ever hears you!

Good luck and have fun!

... · July 17, 2003

Go. For. It.

The opportunity to play with people that are better than you is the *best* learning experience; it also should inspire you to practice more and get better. If you get in way too far over your head and you're not able to keep up, your friend will let you know. Biggest thing is to not worry about it or think about it, just play with confidence and conviction and you'll do fine.

Adamixoye · July 17, 2003

Originally posted by Addix Metzatricity:
If you respect his opinion about other things, then trust his judgement with this one.

Do you have any friends that, though you are good friends with them, you DON'T trust their opinions about a lot of things? I am like that with him. That might be overstating it. I don't think it's the kind of gap that would case problems in a band. As I said, he is one of a few rotating leaders at church, so I already know how to work with him. But all this is to say that my reasons for thinking he overrates my abilities are deeper than just not being able to take a compliment.

In any case, that's for all the advice so far, I welcome more of it. The details are far from worked out, the chances of it becoming reality are a coin flip at this point. But if it all works out, I'm leaning towards doing it, just to do something. In my current situation, it was inevitable that this type of band would be easier to hook up with than my dream of a broadly influenced but mainly aggressive post-hardcore band. And I think it will still hold my interest...I do like playing, that's for sure.

Addix Metzatricity · July 17, 2003

That about sums it up for me, right now...

I just need something to do! I'll even play country. Somebody just give this poor starving bassist a job!

DanYmaL X · July 17, 2003

I say go for it. Make it happen. I've been playing bass seriously (sort of) for only a little under a year (Sept 2002)... and now I'm in a band with a new CD... I was nervous as 'a cat at a dogsled race'(quote from a co-worker) at first, and I had no doubt that I was at a level far below that of the rest of the group... and I still am but as was said before, you just have to keep practicing and make the best of it.

As far as covers go, get a list of the ones he knows, and start listening to them... you'll be alright if you can get the main changes down, and go from there...

Good luck...

DX

BenLoy · July 17, 2003

Sink or swim, baby!

tnb · July 17, 2003

You're kidding, right? Are you just hanging out here for the fun of it?

Don't make us swim to shore and throw you a** into the water.

BenLoy · July 17, 2003

You're kidding, right? Are you just hanging out here for the fun of it?

Don't make us swim to shore and throw you a** into the water.

Hendmik · July 17, 2003

You may be surprised to find that his overestimation of your abilities is about the same as your overestimation of his. You know?

MasteroftheGfithfretDstrin · July 17, 2003

In any case, I feel like if we did this, it would be beyond my abilities. I don't feel ready to just jump into playing clubs after only playing at small churches the last several years.

Do not worry! I had my first gig in front of about 2000 people in the audience.. After playing bass for 2 months, so you shold be able to do it

Adamixoye · July 17, 2003

Originally posted by Mike Henderson:
You may be surprised to find that his overestimation of your abilities is about the same as your overestimation of his. You know?

That's a good point--that's possible.

Adamixoye · July 17, 2003

Originally posted by tnb:
You're kidding, right? Are you just hanging out here for the fun of it?

Don't make us swim to shore and throw you a** into the water.

Oh yeah, and I'm just as confused about this one as BenLoy.

ibescotty · July 17, 2003

Hey go get you some!! If your always thinking that your not good enough then you'll never get out there and try. I've seen some pretty bad bands out there making money so if you care and work hard at it you'll be a cut above what's probably already out there.

DigiVoices · July 17, 2003

Originally posted by Adamixoye:

Originally posted by tnb:
You're kidding, right? Are you just hanging out here for the fun of it?

Don't make us swim to shore and throw you a** into the water.
Oh yeah, and I'm just as confused about this one as BenLoy.

Damn I can't believe no one got this? That was a good line tnb.

I think he was playing off of what BenLoy was saying, jump right in .. (the proverbial water). Go for it, play in front of some people. Or those of us who are giggin' will swim back and toss your ass in!

btw... I am in the same situation with the guitarist that I play with. He wants to play some local bars. I think we both need some more practice.

Tom Capasso · July 17, 2003

The question I'd ask of yourself is if you have the time to learn, rehearse and play. You don't want to say yes and have to back out 3-4 weeks later.

That's the only thing that I'd consider. Everything else is GO!

I know my bass limitations, but I have also been considered a good player by bandmates. Everyone's evaluation is subjective based on who they've seen and what they expect.

Originally posted by Adamixoye:
... In my current situation, it was inevitable that this type of band would be easier to hook up with than my dream of a broadly influenced but mainly aggressive post-hardcore band.....

Whoa - hold on there. What are you doing to make this dream happen? Are you talking up every musician you know? Every one that you see (meaning do you go up to the bandstand during breaks and talk to the band about your idea?)? You have to work to make this happen.

I wanted to form a band at my job - there seemed to be many merits to this idea. It took many years of talking to people, nagging people, etc. It didn't work out completely like I'd planned, but my current rock band Sashi Tewari is made up of people I met at a job (OK - one guy is a twin brother, but I'm not counting that).

Join your friend's cover thing. Then make him the first recruit of your dream band....

Tom

Adamixoye · July 17, 2003

The "dream band" comment was fairly off-the-cuff. I like music, I like playing, but as of now...well, I haven't done the things you've suggested because it hasn't been that high of a priority to me. Should it be? I dunno.

Oh, and as for the "don't make us swim to shore" comment, I got the joke all along of that line, it was the "are you kidding" line that make me think the whole thing was less than jovial. But rereading it, I see that it was never intended antagonistically, as far as I can tell...

Talisman · July 17, 2003

I know exactly what you're talking about, Adamixoye. I've had people come up to me on a break or after a gig and tell me I'm the best bassist they've ever seen. What??????? Have you ever heard ANYONE play bass before???? Have you lost you MIND?????? I suck. Well, I don't suck, but I'm nowhere near being "The Best". Not even near being "One of the Better". Heck, I just started working on my sight-reading skills yesterday. There are songs in our catalogue that I've left parts out of (played simpler parts) because I just couldn't make it work.

My point is, don't let humility get in your way. I'm not that good of a bassist, but I get out there and give it hell. One of these days, I'll add in those missing parts to those songs. One of these days, I'll be able to sight-read seamlessly. For now, I'm satisfied with giving it what I've got. For me, it's the most fun I could have with my clothes on.

Oh, yeah. Practice will build your chops, but for building real skills there is no substitute for live performance.

tnb · July 17, 2003

Thanks, Digivoices.

eberrong · July 17, 2003

We started our band about 4 months ago. I was the only member with any previous band experience and we started with no set list what-so-ever. We now have a 16 cover song set list and 1 original. We are infinitely better than when we started. All of the members have improved big time due to the pressure of improving the band's sound. We played one gig at a party at my house and that stepped up the pressure (in a good way) even more. It was a lot of hard work and we are not great, but we are getting there.

Cup · July 18, 2003

Faking it is making it!

Cup

jeremy c · July 18, 2003

My wife and I have often have students ask,

"how do I become a professional musician?"

(my wife teaches vocals)

The answer is simple,

"Get someone to hire you."

Congratulations on your new status as a professional musician, Adamixoye!

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Potential band / going beyond your abilities

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