Old musician, New bass player... HELP!

[Psycho Ward]

Here’s my brief story… I’m trained as a sax player, took up keyboards early on because there was more demand, toured for 22 years, and came off the road a few years ago to raise my kids and be a house husband. I have a studio at home and still play gigs locally as a keys/wind controller player… life is good.

But I’ve always loved the bass guitar and the bass is about as far from computerized keyboards as you can get… I find that very refreshing! So I bought a bass a little over a year ago and I’ve had a blast. I took a few lessons and have been going to the local jam sessions. I’ve acquired 11 basses over the months and now have a lefty SR5, which has become THE bass!

Anyway, I met an old friend at the jam the other night that was desperately in need of a bass player. The gig is sort of a “Grand Old Opry” show, no booze, family oriented, country music gig every Saturday night from 7 to 9. (The hours are great since my keyboard gigs usually start at 10:00, I can do both!) I told him I could give it a shot and now I have my first gig as the bass guy! (… OK, a guy with a bass….)

I have many concerns though and I openly seek the guidance and advice from the membership here. You guys and girls seem to be a helpful, fun loving bunch and I would truly appreciate any help you could give me in becoming a working bassist.

Thanks,

Psycho

 

[oddjob]

First, you've done the most important thing... bought a EB/MM! Everything else is simply a matter of knowing your material and having fun (without getting burnt out). Just make sure you lock on the beat and let it fly.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Thanks oddjob. Yes, with a SR5 I don't have to worry about the bass.

Psycho

 

[bovinehost]

Questionable Bovine Advice:

1. Country? Buy flatwounds!

2. Listen to the drummer's right foot unless he sucks. If he sucks, make them fire him and get a good one.

3. Don't play four notes if one does the job.

4. Buy a cowboy hat and some boots.

5. Always keep fresh batteries and spare cables in your gig-bag.

6. Smile.

7. Don't sleep with anyone's wife/girlfriend.

 

[MingusBASS]

It seems to me you know music and you are familiar with the language of music ,being that you're an experienced sax player/keyboardist. What you have to do is transfer that knowledge and mold it to being a better bassist. I think what you should do is work on your technique, getting your physical skills up to par with your musical knowledge- Learn your modes and arpeggios in all positions. You probably know how to read music but you should be able to apply it to the bass. As long as you pay attention to the groove and the spirit of the song, you'll be well on your way.

Andrew

 

[Psycho Ward]

@ Bovine

Flats… I don’t know, the band was very impressed with the SR5 (which still has the original strings, I just bought it a few weeks ago). One of my basses has a set of flats on it now; I’ll bring it along as a back up.

Cowboy hat and boots… I’m in good shape there, I use to tour with the Bellamy Brothers and we had a Justin boot endorsement, I’ve got a closet full!

Sleeping with wives… No problem there, with the early hours I hope my wife and kids will come to some of the gigs. Plus I’m the most married man alive!


@ MingusBASS

You’re absolutely right, I didn’t have to learn music all over again, just how to play another instrument. I’ve played in trios before and had to turn my left hand into the bass player, I have some understanding of the function of the bass. But, since playing the “real” bass, my keyboard bass playing improved ten fold!


Great advice guys and it’s quite a boost to my confidence level.

Thanks!!!


Psycho

 

[JB1]

All I can add is enjoy yourself man & welcome to the forum & the best gig in a band!

Have fun.

 

[Moondog]

8. Don't drink too much!

This is particularly hard for me

 

[Dees]

Those justin boots looks nice, they have a nice collection (and I'm aware of the fact I sound like a woman now). Which reminds I want some boots too, but they're hard to find here in Belgium, a friend of mine gets his boots an france!
If ou need a hat, I can advice a Stetson, how I love my hat

 

[Psycho Ward]

@ JB1…. Thanks!

@ Moondog… I’m a light drinker; I drink till it gets light outside. I only drink when I’m alone or with somebody. This particular gig is alcohol free but it does bring up an interesting point, a Hammond B3 can hold over a case of beer (trust me), but I’d be afraid to put a beer on top of my Ashdown for fear of it vibrating off!

@ Dees… I agree, a Stetson is one fine hat indeed!


Thanks guys,

Psycho

 

[Mobay45]

Hey! I'm an old musician too! Welcome to the EB forum. We look forward to your input on all matters musical.

 

[pattiejay]

hey Psycho Ward - i was a keyboardist too!! i'd been playing piano for about 15 years, then went to keyboard for my church band, then, after playing some bass lines on the keyboard (don't ask), i picked up a crappy church bass and started playing!

now i got me MM SUB, which serves me fine, and we're rockin!!

i have to say, technical knowledge from playing classical piano really does help...
and also listening lots and LOTS and LOTS of different bass lines for different styles of music...and trying to copy them...

 

[Psycho Ward]

Hey Pattiejay thanks for the advice.

We recently got digital cable here at the house and there are about 30 categorized music channels, this is great resource for me. I can play along for hours, but I’ve been giving the “Classic Country” channel the most attention, with respect to my looming gig Saturday.

Another big help for me was one of Beaver Felton’s educational videos, fretboard theory and just how to hold a bass was new to me. I’ve played keys since 1973 and have encountered just about every problem imaginable, but the bass is a new animal for me and have never had a problem… yet!

I plan to take a spare everything to the gig, an extra bass, cables, tuners, straps, strings, and underwear.

Thanks,

Psycho


p.s. I love your city, I wish I could go down to the “Rocks” and go over to Doyle’s and have a big order of their “Stuffed Shrimp with curry mayo”.

 

[skabassist13]

id say what everybody else has said, have fun and bring spares.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I did this gig for couple of months as the piano player several years ago. Back then they had Bass, Drums, Guitar (that also played banjo, fiddle, steel and a few other instruments), a couple of other guitar guys (husbands of the several female singers) and me on piano and wind controller.

I found out tonight that this Saturday the band will be a trio, just drums, the guitar guy that plays all the other instruments, and ME on bass! (Plus a bunch of singers, at least three female singers and special guest, that I'll have no clue what they are going to do...)

I don't know if this a good thing or not. I haven't been nervous about a performance in 30 years, but I've got butterflys in my stomach. (It's sort of like having a pimple at my advanced of 48 years old, I always feel like a teenager all over again...)

Psycho

 

[pattiejay]

I did this gig for couple of months as the piano player several years ago. Back then they had Bass, Drums, Guitar (that also played banjo, fiddle, steel and a few other instruments), a couple of other guitar guys (husbands of the several female singers) and me on piano and wind controller.

I found out tonight that this Saturday the band will be a trio, just drums, the guitar guy that plays all the other instruments, and ME on bass! (Plus a bunch of singers, at least three female singers and special guest, that I'll have no clue what they are going to do...)

I don't know if this a good thing or not. I haven't been nervous about a performance in 30 years, but I've got butterflys in my stomach. (It's sort of like having a pimple at my advanced of 48 years old, I always feel like a teenager all over again...)

Psycho

lol!! i think thats a good thing psycho!

wat i've realised is that the 'ole butterflies will keep you on ur toes for the first 10 min or so, then voila! they'll be gone and you'll be right at home for the remainder of the gig...

groove on mate!

 

[RothSR5]

Congrats on finally choosing the "right" instrument.
Since you have the musical understanding, gear and wardrobe all set, you just have to go out there and enjoy yourself. I wish you good luck in all your bassin' adventures.

BTW,
nice choice of gear. I also play a trans gold SR5 through an ABM500. What do you think of that amp by the way? I'm loving it...

Thor

 

[AnthonyD]

...I plan to take a spare everything to the gig, an extra bass, cables, tuners, straps, strings, and underwear.

Strings & underwear - what I meant to recommend! Seems you have it covered!

My six-year old can't wait to play keyboards AND "electric bass guitar". Seems the two go hand-in-hand for so many folks.

Grand Ole Oprey? For me it's always been "so long as it's music" - have a blast with whatever it is, so long as it's tight!

 

[Psycho Ward]

Thank guys; your support is very much appreciated!

I think there will be fun had … (probably at my expense ) I’m actually looking forward to the gig, and that’s cool because here lately I’ve started to dread a couple of my keyboard gigs. This will be an interesting change for sure.

@RothSR5

I love my Ashdown ABM 500 C210 and I added one of their 410 cabinets as well. I’ve had this setup for over a year and it’s never left the house except once. One night at the local jam the house bass amp died, I live close by so a couple of us went and got mine. This was great, I got to play thru it and several of the better bassist in town did as well, all agreed, it kicked ass!


Psycho