Bass Playing Is The Glue That Holds It All And Tips On Making It As A Bass Player

Picture Of John Entwistle--Bass Player--The Who





By Mark Grove




Bass Players still keep on being just something that plays in the background and is part of the Percussive beat. Hell,the drummer is seen as more a part of the band than the Bass player.

Don't ask we why because even I don't know. The band knows that the bass player is paramount to the rhythmic foundation and even keeping the lead guitar player's tempo from going too far beyond the rest of the band.

That's why it is imperative to play music like blues, and jazz especially to stretch your bottom-feeding prowess and learn how to hold the bottom together and make changes if you're in a band that allows you to.

As well, to be a consummate bottom-feeder you need to work with other musicians at jam sessions, work with other bands on-stage and on demo or album recording. Even if it's for free do it.

It will give you the experience you need so when session work becomes something you would like to do,you'll be ready. Talk to an agent who is affiliated with the American Federation Of Musicians and books bass players into session work.

Learn all you can from said agent, and know how contracts work and become an AFM member. For session work see if each one you can get points, or a piece of an album. Even if it's one percent. You may play on one tune or a whole album, it depends on your skill or what a band wants.

Learn to do vocals,write songs and make sure you learn all you can from the AFM about music publishing, so you get a piece of the sessions you do. And by doing these things you'll be able to write songs and help other bands without having to go on the road.

Think about it, a bass player that makes money without having to trade your time out for money.Royalty income, that's what bass players want. Also, you can write articles on bass playing and reviewing bass guitars,amps and stomp boxes.

You could endorse these products and make videos on a blog or site that teach other bass players and musicians. There are many things you can do to make money and help musicians.

But keep the bottom-feeding together lads.


Mark