Double Bass Noob Meets Bluegrass Jam Night

[i_bass_bass]

I'm 17 and have been playing bass guitar for a little bit over a year. I began renting an upright bass about a month ago and started taking lessons. My teacher thinks that I'm very good and that I should go to a bluegrass jam hosted at a restaurant on Sundays. I've been practicing the G, C, and A scales along with some improvising. I think that I'm probably decent enough to join the jam, but I'm still nervous because I'm new at this instrument and have rarely ever played with other people.
Do you guys have any advice? Pointers? Tips? All would be appreciated

 

[bassgrass]

I would take something to write down the songs that they do so you can listen to them before the next jam.

Keep it simple. Root-fifth on the chords will be great.

If you don't know yet, learn the basic cowboy guitar chord shapes (A, C, D, E, F, G, B7, Em, Am, Bm), learn what a capo does, and watch the left hand of the most competent-appearing guitar player if you get lost. Most common bluegrass keys are G, A, B-flat, B, C, D, and E, but many of these are played with capos by the guitars and banjos. Every once in a while there might be tune in F.

If you have access to a music streaming service look for a playlist of common bluegrass jam songs and listen to familiarize yourself with them.

 

[bassgrass]

Oh yeah, have fun! If there's not a bass there already you'll be welcomed with open arms. Many is the jam that's been saved by the presence of the bass.

 

[turf3]

Starting out? PLAY IN TWO. Just for now, eschew all the walk-ups, walk-downs, triplets, pull-offs, hammer-ons, rakes, slides, and African polyrhythms. Play TWO notes per bar (unless it's a waltz in which case play ONE note per bar) and let the first of your two notes be the root of the chord. Playing the right note at the right time will win you fans. The right note at the wrong time, is a wrong note.

 

[i_bass_bass]

I would take something to write down the songs that they do so you can listen to them before the next jam.

Keep it simple. Root-fifth on the chords will be great.

If you don't know yet, learn the basic cowboy guitar chord shapes (A, C, D, E, F, G, B7, Em, Am, Bm), learn what a capo does, and watch the left hand of the most competent-appearing guitar player if you get lost. Most common bluegrass keys are G, A, B-flat, B, C, D, and E, but many of these are played with capos by the guitars and banjos. Every once in a while there might be tune in F.

If you have access to a music streaming service look for a playlist of common bluegrass jam songs and listen to familiarize yourself with them.

Ah yes, very good ideas.
I do play a little bit of guitar. Although I mostly read tabs, I can recognize some chords. Capo is easy too, just gotta move down the fingerboard a bit

Oh yeah, have fun! If there's not a bass there already you'll be welcomed with open arms. Many is the jam that's been saved by the presence of the bass.

Aha, I will absolutely have fun! Just gotta stay calm and not overthink or overdo it. But I have a feeling that this will be a positive experience

 

[i_bass_bass]

Starting out? PLAY IN TWO. Just for now, eschew all the walk-ups, walk-downs, triplets, pull-offs, hammer-ons, rakes, slides, and African polyrhythms. Play TWO notes per bar (unless it's a waltz in which case play ONE note per bar) and let the first of your two notes be the root of the chord. Playing the right note at the right time will win you fans. The right note at the wrong time, is a wrong note.

Got it, I am not an upright Cliff Burton
That probably is my biggest weakness though. I like to spice things up when I'm not skilled enough to do it smoothly (or at all xD). I'll try to keep it simple for now and just vibe with the music

 

[Stuart.C]

every blue grass jam I have been to has been super open and supportive it will be fun, don't be afraid to ask for the key, or some chords, or even pointers, people just want to make good music and have fun, it's not Carnegie hall

Avoid pain and injuries.
If something hurts take a break. drink water.

play open strings as much as possible.
3 reasons: always in tune, gives a full big easy sound, gives your left hand break, pumping 1,5's for hours at a jam can hurt

entire songs in D can be played open.

You bass is loud enough, people can hear/feel the bass even if you think your not loud enough.
over playing with right hand, can lead to blisters, even injury.

 

[Don Hergert]

... I've been practicing the G, C, and A scales along with some improvising. ...

For a double bassist in a bluegrass jam, knowing how to read the guitar chords as someone might be playing them is extremely valuable. Knowing Nashville notation and hand symbols also helps. And being able to play and improvise by ear in bluegrass jams are essential skills... But these are all apex skills that can take some time to learn. Initially going to a few bluegrass jams without an instrument and just watching and listening to the double bassist is extremely helpful. Joining a "slow jam" or early beginner's jam at first would probably be the easiest way to start out.

You're soon going to want to be able to play in more keys than G, C and A on double bass. In beginner+ to intermediate to high level bluegrass jams it's not at all unusual to need to play in A, Bb, B, C, D, E, F and G. I'd suggest being able to provide simple and comfortable double bass accompaniment at least for the 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 chords in each of these keys, plus in their relative minor keys. Knowing the same fundamentals for every single key is a good thing, but may not be immediately required in bluegrass jams. Just like in a band, the vocalists in a jam have the right to name the keys for the songs they lead sing in, so that can happen in literally any key.

Big practice on intonation and rhythm fundamentals is important. Bowing really helps improve intonation, but if you're listening carefully, pizz will also help. Regarding rhythm, keep in mind, if you're the bassist in a jam, you're the person who experienced people will depend on to support the tempo and meter, so it's really important. Practicing with a metronome and/or a backing track program (like Strum Machine for bluegrass) can dramatically help improve rhythm.

Generally, as has been mentioned, don't get too fancy with playing, especially until your fundamental skills are sufficient for jamming. But don't hold yourself back to a point where you get bored, either...

When you can do them well, walks in explicitly the right places are often ok, but it takes time to learn where those right places are, so be very lean and gentle with them -- as has been expressed earlier in this thread, even when you're doing walks tastefully and skillfully, some jams may be more "walk tolerant" than others.

Similarly, you might also want to pick up some simple slap technique, it's often appreciated and can help tastefully reinforce rhythm -- in some bluegrass jams.

Also, work toward being able to take a solo double bass break when asked to, but don't expect to be asked to take a break all the time, or even sometimes in some bluegrass jams.

Lastly, keep in mind that most bluegrass jams have only one double bassist at any given time. You'll have to be capable of the job, plus, you'll have to wait for your turn to play.

This all sounds pretty complicated, and really, bluegrass jams actually are pretty complicated. But bluegrass jams are lots of fun too, so be relaxed, listen and learn, and enjoy your participation in them.

 

[turf3]

Thing about walk-ups/downs, is that most people overdo them. Then it's like constantly shouting "CHORD CHANGE NOW!!!' and everyone already KNOWS there's a chord change. Plus a lot of guitar players do those on their bass strings so now youv'e got two people doing kind of the same thing except it's not exactly the same.

Keep in mind that a large fraction of people in bluegrass have at least rudimentary bass skills, so if you start to poop out, there'll often be someone on hand to give you a break even if it seems like you're the only bass player. Most grassers play multiple instruments at a serviceable level.

And whatever you do, keep the beat going. Your one top priority is to play on the correct beats at the correct time. You can blow clams, be out of tune, but damn you'd better play ONE on ONE and THREE on THREE. Not "three-and-a-quarter".

 

[i_bass_bass]

Ok, I am DEFINITELY not ready for this. My rhythm sucks and my musical knowledge sucks and I will ruin this jam. I should just take the day to learn a bunch of bluegrass songs

 

[Ed S]

Will be interesting to hear how it goes. I suspect your enjoyment may be affected by whether or not there is another bassist, the size/general ability of the pickers, and whether there is a mando or someone else who is holding down the offbeat.

My rhythm sucks

How can you have been playing slab for a year and say this? Yout metronome is your friend. And the progressions don't change depending on the key. If you know a major and minor scale, you can play in any key, no?

IMO, the worst transgression by a jam newbie of modest ability is for them to take center stage immediately, as tho the jam is all about them. Find a very modest role you have a chance of holding down, work on becoming solid there, and only then gradually expand. A good goal is to work on learning 1 new song every week, so each week you will suck a little less than the week before. You'll also want to learn a couple of songs you can lead and maybe sing. It quickly gets old, everytime it comes to you, to say, "Can someone lead xyz?"

 

[Stuart.C]

@i_bass_bass just go you won't regret it.
You'll learn a lot more by going than not going

If you can tap your foot along with a tune, you can handle the rhythm at a BG jam

It really isn't that complicated, it's just a bunch of folks who want to have fun, no one is expecting Edgar Meyer chops, I guarantee you will not ruin the jam, folks will be happy to help, and happy you came.

Larger jams have a 'slow jam', this is specifically for people learning

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Ok, I am DEFINITELY not ready for this. My rhythm sucks and my musical knowledge sucks and I will ruin this jam. I should just take the day to learn a bunch of bluegrass songs

If your teacher thinks you're ready, trust them and go for it.

 

[Don Hergert]

Ok, I am DEFINITELY not ready for this. My rhythm sucks and my musical knowledge sucks and I will ruin this jam. I should just take the day to learn a bunch of bluegrass songs

True, there's a lot to learn.

But I'd still urge you to go, with a notepad and open eyes and ears. Watch and listen to the bassists intently because that's what you'll be doing.

Listen to the songs done, jot down the names of songs and keys.

Watch and listen to the other instrumentalists and note how they play together with each other and with the bassists.

Get a feel for the whole experience.

By attending, watching, listening and taking notes, you'll learn more than any of us can try to describe.

Restaurant bluegrass jams are extremely friendly experiences. You'll have fun being there. Your fingers will itch, wanting to play.

You'll always be welcomed there. Maybe next time or the time after, bring your double bass.

 

[turf3]

I tell you what, before the bass player gets there, it just sounds like a bunch of high pitched stringy stuff; then the bass player starts playing and it's like you pushed the "mono/stereo" button and the whole sound just opens up and becomes something altogether different. THIS is why, when a bunch of bluegrassers without a bass see you humping that big SOB up toward the jam, they're so friendly.

 

[CallMeAl]

Ok, I am DEFINITELY not ready for this. My rhythm sucks and my musical knowledge sucks and I will ruin this jam. I should just take the day to learn a bunch of bluegrass songs

Tons of great advice I have nothing to add, other than you’ll learn a lot just by going and watching how it all works. Especially taking notes of what songs they play.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Got it, I am not an upright Cliff Burton
That probably is my biggest weakness though. I like to spice things up when I'm not skilled enough to do it smoothly (or at all xD). I'll try to keep it simple for now and just vibe with the music

Ok. No spicing it up. Zero spice! Hahaha.
For now simplify everything to it bare minimum and try to get the feel and the basic role of the bass. Definitely go to the jam. Not going ensures you’ll never get it. Go! But you don’t have to even play if you don’t feel it. But go watch and listen. Be a kid and don’t over think it like an adult would. Listen to Ricky Skaggs “Bluegrass Rules” as much as you can before going. That’s it, just listen to this record. Identify what the bass is doing. Listen to it, a lot. That’s my buddy Mark Fain playing perfect time. Get that in your headphones, walk around your life with that in your ears. Walk down the street and match the rhythm with your stride. See how much lift you feel in your step, that’s a groove. The bass line will gently push you along as you walk. That’s your goal. BOOM-boom, BOOM-boom, BOOM-boom, BOOM-boom…. Strive to be even but it’s fine to accent the first beat a little. Notice the guitar is accenting the beat you don’t play on. That’s your partner, you play opposite each other, like pistons in and engine, or a seesaw. You are ready to learn bluegrass, don’t worry about it. It’s not rocket science. Tell the players you’re new to the music. They will likely pick a nice one or two chord tune for you to play. If you find yourself lost just don’t play and listen. Just cause you’re there doesn’t mean you have to play every tune. Ask them the key before the song starts, that’s your starting note. Don’t be afraid. Everyone starts somewhere. All those players were you at one time. They get it. Feel free to play a few and then put the bass down. Take a break. There may be a bass player amount them that can play a little and show you some tips.

 

[Sam Sherry]

You are ready to learn bluegrass, don’t worry about it.

@i_bass_bass, you'd do well to keep coming back to Jason's post -- it is densely packed with years of work and wisdom.

These words from a master jazz guitarist also come to mind:

Don't just do something, sit there!

 

[Ed S]

Ok. No spicing it up. Zero spice! Hahaha.
For now simplify everything to it bare minimum

Every once in a while, I spend part of my regular jam intentionally playing AS LITTLE AS I POSSIBLY CAN. As little as one root note on the first beat of a measure. Sometimes even less. It is REALLY HARD to play TOO LITTLE. Almost every time I do that I realize that the less I play, the better the music is. Which means a large part of what I play beyond the barest basics is for my entertainment, rather than to make the music better.

(That idea changes somewhat when playing regularly with a limited group of pickers as opposed to a jam - such that you can play interesting things off of each other, but the preference for simplicity still applies.)

Lately, I've been preferring playing with no more than 2-3 other pickers. Sure, that frees me up to do some neat things at discrete points, but my main contribution is creating a solid framework from which they can hang all their pretty stuff. Spare does not mean boring and need not lack tension.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Every once in a while, I spend part of my regular jam intentionally playing AS LITTLE AS I POSSIBLY CAN. As little as one root note on the first beat of a measure. Sometimes even less. It is REALLY HARD to play TOO LITTLE. Almost every time I do that I realize that the less I play, the better the music is. Which means a large part of what I play beyond the barest basics is for my entertainment, rather than to make the music better.

(That idea changes somewhat when playing regularly with a limited group of pickers as opposed to a jam - such that you can play interesting things off of each other, but the preference for simplicity still applies.)

Lately, I've been preferring playing with no more than 2-3 other pickers. Sure, that frees me up to do some neat things at discrete points, but my main contribution is creating a solid framework from which they can hang all their pretty stuff. Spare does not mean boring and need not lack tension.

Occasionally I revert to the “Open String Grandma” maneuver. Only open strings and muting. Always kicks the jam into a good place.