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Post subject: How do you get others focused?
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:05 pm
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About 2 years ago my roommate began playing guitar. On a whim, I began to play bass. We have kind of been learning at the same pace, and basically having jam sessions a lot. Over this time we have come up with a lot of song ideas, but never have truly worked on completing a song. We have had others come to our jam sessions, and there is always the talk of "We need to make some songs out of all of this!" It never happens. I have spent most of my two years learning to play based off of theory, and have not learned any music of any bands.

Now I know that I either need to start learning others songs, and find others to play with. Otherwise I need to find a way to motivate my roommate, and others to actually sit down. Pick out what we like, and make some music. I feel I have reached a wall in advancing further until I approach one of these options. How do I motivate people? Are their others like me? Are their people out there looking for an amateur bass player and have the patience for me to learn the songs they already know? One of the guys who jams with us, does play in a band is an awesome keyboardist.

I am not trying to become a rock star here. I just want to be able to play out with people at parties, or whatever. A few finished songs from our compilation of jam sessions. OR to be able to build an arsenal of songs that I can jam with other people with.

Which brings on another topic. How many songs should someone know how to play for the type of music they are into. I know there are musicians out there with very large libraries in their head. But they are probably professional musicians who have been playing for many years.

Thanks for reading!

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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:09 pm
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If the others are not motivated there is not much you can do to force them to play. You can have "the talk" and ask what everyone wants out of this band. Some people just get stuck in a rut, others just develop slower.

To answer the 2nd thing: You should be able to play at least an hour's worth of music if you are going to play gigs. You may want to learn some covers, just to get the audience started then work in your stuff here and there.

Hope this helps a little. I do know how it is when the others in the band get stuck. Time to move on or just find others to play with.

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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:11 pm
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record is my best guess. that will motivate them some... maybe :)
somebody else might have the answer to the other question.


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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:21 pm
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We have lots of jams recorded. We have cut out pieces of some of the sessions that we like. Just have not taken any of this and put it into a song.
It really is a shame though not being able to at least get my roommate motivated to arrange some of this stuff, and transpose. I really believe we have a few song ideas that people would enjoy. Also that I would enjoy. I am sure it is really satisfying to have songs finished that you have made.


Thanks for the input.

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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:41 pm
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Check around the local music shops and see if any have open mic night at ther store. I don't do it as much now but still a few times a year there is nothing better then getting around a number of other Musiciains that you are not familiar with and watching them and talk with and even jam some.

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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:05 pm
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cvilleira wrote:
Check around the local music shops and see if any have open mic night at ther store. I don't do it as much now but still a few times a year there is nothing better then getting around a number of other Musiciains that you are not familiar with and watching them and talk with and even jam some.


I agree with cvilleira...

For that matter and depending on your age, also check local bars where there is a open mic night. some do cater to a genre of music (blues, jazz, bluegrass, etc...), so make sure it is your cup of tea.

Either way, any open mic is a great place to meet in person other musicians. It doesn't mean you have to cut the ties with who your jamming with now, it just gives other options.

Also, if you are a bassist, as you refine your skills, you will be in demand. It would not be a bad idea to become verse in as many styles of music that you like and are comfortable with. It doesn't mean you to learn many hours of music, actually if you are verse in the genre, it will be very easy to pick up the tunes you need because you will be familiar with the styles formula.

Worst case, the other styles of music will give you a bigger vocabulary to work with your own music, regardless of the genre.


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Post subject: Re: How do you get others focused?
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:41 am
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MTMindsBass wrote:
I have spent most of my two years learning to play based off of theory ... How many songs should someone know how to play for the type of music they are into?


I think you're going about this the wrong way. :) The way I see it, that's why theory is important. When you understand keys, scales, and chord changes, you don't need to "know" the songs (for jamming or startup purposes). It's easy to hear what others are playing and then know what to anticipate based on the theory. That's how it works for me - I can hear a song and pretty much figure it out - "oh yeah, it starts on a C, goes to Am, then an F, then that's G7 ...". I suspect most musicians operate the same way - they don't really have this huge "library" in their heads, they are just solid on theory and are skilled enough to improvise.

MTMindsBass wrote:
... I need to find a way to motivate my roommate, and others to actually sit down ... How do I motivate people?


Great question. I have always found that if these people are not motivated from within then it's not going to work. You need to find people that want you!

MTMindsBass wrote:
Are their others like me? Are their people out there looking for an amateur bass player and have the patience for me to learn the songs they already know?


Absolutely! Check out the local sections of craigslist for musicians. Guitar Center also has a musician finder link off its web site. Post your own ad and let people know who you are and what you're looking for.

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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:22 pm
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Playing with your friends is the most fun you'll have with music, specialy while your young and everyone is at the same stage of learning. Playing with musicians you don't really know, but share the same passion for music as you do, may be the most rewarding experience you'll have. Answer some ads, and bug some "Old Guys" (or "Old Gals") to let you jam with them. Open Mic nites are good, too.

This is just my opinion, and it may seem a little negative, but you'll never get someone else focused on your goals, all you can do is search for players who share you musical ideals and are willing to focus on a common goal, then give your all and don't let them down.

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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:43 pm
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Trying to drive along unenthusiastic fellow players is one of the most thankless tasks you could take on, and usually just a good way to fall out with friends.

If these guys are not giving you what you want then it is time to move on. Sounds like you've outgrown them. Find other people to play with - hopefully a bit better than yourself, but not so much so that it is you holding them back.

You never know, when your current friends see you moving ahead it may give them a kick up the whatsit to go for it a bit more themselves. If not, there's nothing you can do about it.

As to material, by all means write your own. Ultimately, if you wrote a song by yourself then you don't have to share the royalties.

But in the meantime it is also a very good idea to learn as many songs as possible, ideally from different styles. Listen very closely and learn the lines correctly note for note off tracks you like. That discipline is a good way of really learning some stuff - no short cuts.

A bass player who can hack it when someone asks for a reggae feel, or a rock groove, or a walking bass line, or whatever - that's someone who is always in demand. You won't be short of people to play with for long!

Good luck - C


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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:14 am
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Post subject: How do you get others focused?

I bitch-slap 'em.


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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 12:32 pm
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Sounds like you need a good manager. I'm available @30%


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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:01 pm
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Pictures of naked women focus attention very well

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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:39 pm
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I've been playing with someone for the last four years. He's a fantastic lead guitar player, and we actually sound great together. He's told me over this time period that he wants to play gigs and such. I've told him to contact potential bass players as well as a drummer.

He keeps telling me over and over that he has a bass player (that I've never met), who wants to play with us. Also..a few potential drummers. He lives about 150 miles from me, and on several occasions, had me drive to his location, so that we could play with this bass player. Three times, in fact. When I drive up there......nothing happens.

In the last month he's called me to head up to his location to play with this bass player, and now I just refuse to go, until I'm in the area, the next time. Maybe he'll get the hint. Anyway...seems like this problem is not unusual.

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