So, I've been playing for about 17 months but progress has been slow with 2 young kids and studying part time on top of my job. I'm itching to play with others but not confident I know what I'm doing enough to jam. How did you get started jamming and joining a band? Is there a minimum set of knowledge you think you should have before you're ready?
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Depends what you mean by "jamming" I guess.
For some musicians, "jamming" is synonymous with "improvisation." That definition of "jamming" is dependent on training your ear. A lot of musicians have a great ear at 17 months, but for others, it is slower going. I personally used to be "tone deaf" and it took me a few years before I was comfortable improvising unfamiliar songs on a public stage (not that it ever stopped me from trying in the privacy of the garage or rehearsal studio). For this type of "jamming," it helps to have a good grasp of music theory and to be familiar with popular chord progressions (such as I-IV-V, I-V-vi-IV, 12-bar blues, etc.) in all 12 keys.
Another definition of "jamming" means "getting together in a casual environment with other musicians and playing songs we all know." Assuming that you know some popular songs (or else you know how to learn songs on the spot, for example by hearing the chord progression or sight-reading a chord chart) then there is no reason why you can't "jam" at 17 months. You've been playing for about 70 weeks; about how many songs do you typically learn per week? Even if you learn just one song per week, that is a repertoire of 70 songs. Unless you are studying some obscure and unpopular genre, you ought to be able to find some musician buddies who know 10 or 20 of those same songs and can "jam" (i.e. casual group music-making) with you.
I started playing with other musicians from day one. For me, that is what music is all about. I feel that I progressed much quicker by playing together with other musicians. We learned some very easy songs together (classic rock type stuff), and even wrote a few original songs of our own!
For some musicians, "jamming" is synonymous with "improvisation." That definition of "jamming" is dependent on training your ear. A lot of musicians have a great ear at 17 months, but for others, it is slower going. I personally used to be "tone deaf" and it took me a few years before I was comfortable improvising unfamiliar songs on a public stage (not that it ever stopped me from trying in the privacy of the garage or rehearsal studio). For this type of "jamming," it helps to have a good grasp of music theory and to be familiar with popular chord progressions (such as I-IV-V, I-V-vi-IV, 12-bar blues, etc.) in all 12 keys.
Another definition of "jamming" means "getting together in a casual environment with other musicians and playing songs we all know." Assuming that you know some popular songs (or else you know how to learn songs on the spot, for example by hearing the chord progression or sight-reading a chord chart) then there is no reason why you can't "jam" at 17 months. You've been playing for about 70 weeks; about how many songs do you typically learn per week? Even if you learn just one song per week, that is a repertoire of 70 songs. Unless you are studying some obscure and unpopular genre, you ought to be able to find some musician buddies who know 10 or 20 of those same songs and can "jam" (i.e. casual group music-making) with you.
I started playing with other musicians from day one. For me, that is what music is all about. I feel that I progressed much quicker by playing together with other musicians. We learned some very easy songs together (classic rock type stuff), and even wrote a few original songs of our own!
Me personally? After 2 weeks. No harm in playin with others. Even if you don’t feel you’re up to snuff, still good experience. Go for it!!!
I am a product of a school band environment, so technically, my answer is “since day one, and ever since”. But I am also an instructor, and at some point with my community students, it becomes time for them to start playing with others. For me, I encourage them to do this when they have achieved the following competencies: note location on all strings for first octave, key signatures, chord knowledge, transcription of intermediate bass lines.
In other words, when they reach a point where they can start learning covers on their own.
In other words, when they reach a point where they can start learning covers on their own.
Those are very good starting points.
When you say key signatures, I assume you mean by ear.
Can't crack that nut yet, but I can figure it out from a staff.
Would you recommend the same level of competency or greater for a person who wanted to create original music?
Should everyone start with covers?
After years of playing rhythm guitar a friend ask me to take his bass and back him up while he sang and played rhythm guitar in an up coming gig.
He said just do roots to the beat -- which was not all that hard after my experience on rhythm and we were using the same fake chord sheet music I used while on rhythm. Turned out to be a lot of fun.
I bought my first bass that week-end.
So to the OP's question; when can you start playing with people? If you have not been playing out, well the learning curve will take some time. But, most of this will deal with how to play with others and not how to play your bass. This brings us to your confidence level, more than your skill level, i.e, if you are playing from sheet music, it's not rocket science. You can play in most hobby bands with just a little luck. And that is also the best way to learn how to play with others - playing with others.
So if any of your friends have or are in a band ask to sit in on rehearsals. That is what got me into my first band. Yes you have to take the first step. No one knows you want to hook up until you tell them.
Roots work and if lost the tonic root to the beat will let you get by until you can find your place.
He said just do roots to the beat -- which was not all that hard after my experience on rhythm and we were using the same fake chord sheet music I used while on rhythm. Turned out to be a lot of fun.
I bought my first bass that week-end.
So to the OP's question; when can you start playing with people? If you have not been playing out, well the learning curve will take some time. But, most of this will deal with how to play with others and not how to play your bass. This brings us to your confidence level, more than your skill level, i.e, if you are playing from sheet music, it's not rocket science. You can play in most hobby bands with just a little luck. And that is also the best way to learn how to play with others - playing with others.
So if any of your friends have or are in a band ask to sit in on rehearsals. That is what got me into my first band. Yes you have to take the first step. No one knows you want to hook up until you tell them.
Roots work and if lost the tonic root to the beat will let you get by until you can find your place.
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I meant theoretically. As in “the key of A major has F#, C#, and G#”.
That’s a good question. On the one hand, none of the competencies I mentioned are required to begin composing, but on the other hand, a good knowledge of additional competencies, like chord progressions, analysis, composition, and even arranging, will take your composing to a professional level.
I was lucky. My instructor, a guitar player and singer, ran an open mic and told me after four months of lessons that I was ready for open mic night. I didn't believe him but went and was more nervous than I was on my wedding day. We played four songs as I recall and I was hooked after the first couple of measures. A year or so after that I became his first-call bass player.
Is there an open mic near you? I've gone to several and found that nearly everyone is patient and encouraging. It's a low stress situation where your mistakes just make you a member of the club. You're ready. You just don't realize it. Go and have fun!
Is there an open mic near you? I've gone to several and found that nearly everyone is patient and encouraging. It's a low stress situation where your mistakes just make you a member of the club. You're ready. You just don't realize it. Go and have fun!
When I got my first bass, ( 1972 age 13), it was with the specific intention of being
IN A BAND. That was all I could think about.
I had already lined up guitarists and a drummer. You might say I was already in a band even before I had the bass!
I started taking lessons AND plunking around with those guys in a garage simultaneously. It caused me to power-learn
how to play.
17 months?.... you should already be in your 3rd band!
Stop worrying about being perfect, find some friends, a garage, and start having fun!
IN A BAND. That was all I could think about.
I had already lined up guitarists and a drummer. You might say I was already in a band even before I had the bass!
I started taking lessons AND plunking around with those guys in a garage simultaneously. It caused me to power-learn
how to play.
17 months?.... you should already be in your 3rd band!
Stop worrying about being perfect, find some friends, a garage, and start having fun!
Unless you're some kind of prodigy, the first few times of jamming are awkward at best. Jamming is learned through jamming and nothing else. I know very good musicians that play very complex songs with ease, but when you call a jam, they struggle and give up. I also know very mediocre players that really light up in a jam.
That said, my first time playing with others was on the day I got my first bass. I bought it to play with others and that's what I did. The best way to learn fast is to surround you with musicians that are ahead of you. When you practice every spare moment to keep up with their pace because you don't want to slow down the entire band with your inabilities is the fastest way to become a good bass player.
That said, my first time playing with others was on the day I got my first bass. I bought it to play with others and that's what I did. The best way to learn fast is to surround you with musicians that are ahead of you. When you practice every spare moment to keep up with their pace because you don't want to slow down the entire band with your inabilities is the fastest way to become a good bass player.
I got out there playing with others as soon as I knew where the notes were and could hold down a I-IV-V progression.
Solo practice will teach you how to play your instrument. Playing with others will teach you how to play music.
IMO the sooner you start playing with others, no matter the level of your own playing ability, the better.
Solo practice will teach you how to play your instrument. Playing with others will teach you how to play music.
IMO the sooner you start playing with others, no matter the level of your own playing ability, the better.
Just like anything. Working with people who are more knowledgeable and patient in any field
Of study will almost always yield a faster progression. If you put in the time and practice the more advanced crew you are rocking with will be excited
For your progress. If they aren’t, find a new crew to jam with
Of study will almost always yield a faster progression. If you put in the time and practice the more advanced crew you are rocking with will be excited
For your progress. If they aren’t, find a new crew to jam with
Run a craigslist ad that is honest about your skill level and goals. There are always beginners of all ages looking for a chance to jump in.
Find people of similar skill level, set goals, and work towards them together. Nothing beats playing bass in a group.
Find people of similar skill level, set goals, and work towards them together. Nothing beats playing bass in a group.
Roots are your friends, the fills just start appearing as you progress. I'm playing stuff I couldn't ever imagine in the beginning.
I started creating a giant racket with a bunch of my friends almost immediately upon the purchase of my first bass. I'd say that within a year we had pared it down to the three most serious dudes and started calling ourselves a "band." Even if you feel sheepish about putting yourself out there, collaborating with other players will push you to develop exponentially.
I learned to play with others while taking group violin lessons when I was a wee sprout. Put another way, I learned to listen to others while playing; a skill that paid off later in life.
Regarding knowledge of the instrument and playing: I once played guitar and sang in a band with a bassist who had no musical training of any kind. If we wanted him to play F#, we'd say "Fat string second fret." If we wanted him to play C, we'd say "next to the fat string third fret." Etc. He was one of the bandleaders, so there was nothing to do about it. Except find another bassist, and steal the rest of his band out from under him, which is what two of us did.
Regarding knowledge of the instrument and playing: I once played guitar and sang in a band with a bassist who had no musical training of any kind. If we wanted him to play F#, we'd say "Fat string second fret." If we wanted him to play C, we'd say "next to the fat string third fret." Etc. He was one of the bandleaders, so there was nothing to do about it. Except find another bassist, and steal the rest of his band out from under him, which is what two of us did.