General Music Chat

...And it's starting to depress us.

I search daily here. I put up weekly CL ads. I put up ads in ALL music stores in a 30 mile radius.

I search and post in various web forums all over.

WTF?

And as usual, nobody I contact through Bmix mail EVER bothers to respond (and I only contact "active within 1 week" members now...

This is really starting to affect us morally... the last couple of practices have been morbid. We talked and wont give up, but at the same time, it's hard to hide the disappointment and keep our heads up high.

That sucks man. I'd play with ya but the commute would be a killer.

Seems to be either feast or famine with bass players. Around here you can't throw a stick without hitting a bass player.

Never Ever EVER QUIT!!! I always liked two cartoons. One was a crane with a frog in his mouth, the frog had the crane by the throat.
The other was the mouse flipping off an eagle that was swooping in for the kill. You could throw in the two vultures on a limb, one saying to the other "patience my ass I'm going to kill something".
(insert blood curdling scream here)

No way, we ain't quitting.. we're just really frustrated.

I freakin hear you. My musical frustration stems from the fact that our bands original song list, and musical complexity has out grown the talent and ability of our guitar player (oh sh*t thats ME). I am really going to have to get my lead playing poop in a group.

Hey brother! I'd gladly give you my bass player in a heart beat. He probably has the talent to do what I ask of him, but he'd rather be a dead beat loser and never practice, never come up with an idea of his own, never try to better himself (which he needs to do soooooo badly), and lastly but not least, never even work on anything that the drummer and I have already recorded for him to make it even easier. Around here it's pretty dry as far as drummers and bass players go so I understand your frustration. If you want him I'll kick his ass all the way across the state so you can have him man . My frustration upon moving back here made me quit playing for 8 years and I just picked up an axe a little under 2 years ago again just to find the same frustration coming on again, but I WON'T QUIT THIS TIME!!!!!!!!!

Oh its time for a brag. Our bassist Eric gave us some lyrics he'd written back in the 70's. Ray took it home, week later bataboom two new original songs. Got to Love it.

It's too bad I can't clone myself and send me to help you guys out. Here's some other ways to look for bass players. Tell everyone you know and even strangers you meet what you're looking for. You might be pleasantly surprised how many people know musicians. Go and see bands who play the kind of music you like. Talk to their bass players between sets or after the show and tell them you're looking for someone like them. Some of those people may have time to also play with you or might be unhappy with the bands they're in and join you. Also they might know of other bass players. Also contact guitar players and tell them you need a bass player. Some of the guitar players who are not currently with a band might be happy to switch to bass to keep active. Put very small and inexpensive ads in the miscellaneous section of the classified newspapers in your area. Thousands of people read through those rags and there's a decent chance one of them is a bass player. Don't give up. Be a little more creative in your marketing and get a little busier in your pursuits. Get everyone involved in your band and ask friends to help. The more people who search for something the better the chance you'll find it. DON'T GIVE UP. Later...

It's too bad I can't clone myself and send me to help you guys out. Here's some other ways to look for bass players. Tell everyone you know and even strangers you meet what you're looking for. You might be pleasantly surprised how many people know musicians. Go and see bands who play the kind of music you like. Talk to their bass players between sets or after the show and tell them you're looking for someone like them. Some of those people may have time to also play with you or might be unhappy with the bands they're in and join you. Also they might know of other bass players. Also contact guitar players and tell them you need a bass player. Some of the guitar players who are not currently with a band might be happy to switch to bass to keep active. Put very small and inexpensive ads in the miscellaneous section of the classified newspapers in your area. Thousands of people read through those rags and there's a decent chance one of them is a bass player. Don't give up. Be a little more creative in your marketing and get a little busier in your pursuits. Get everyone involved in your band and ask friends to help. The more people who search for something the better the chance you'll find it. DON'T GIVE UP. Later...

Kramer, have you considered the "keyboard compromise?"

I've seen quite a few bands just using the keyboardist's skills on the low tones instead of having a bass player - look at the Doors.

Yeah, as a bass player, I think it's not the best solution...LOL...but in lots of cases it DOES work. Plus, you get the other associated input of piano, organ, & synth stuff, too!

Just something to cogitate on while you're waiting to hunt that perfect player down like a deer, or have him drop out of the sky.

I'd be putting that on my ads, as well, if I needed it that badly.

Here's another thought: When you look for a specific position (bass player), you are asking for someone who is established not only in their instrument of choice, but also their genre of music and playing style.
Why not seek out a less experienced musician (maybe a guitarist), and toss them on the bass? Often, I've played with novice musicians who are willing to practice 5-6 days a week and TRY different things, when the established "guitarist" only wants to play on his or her terms. The less experienced musician is looking for experience and open to possibilities, as well as exploring their musical passion. They may very well be willing to fill the bass spot in order to have an oppurtunity to play. You may have to teach them a little, but their personal drive should take over, and they'll learn the spot on their own.
It's just an idea, and hell, if you are running out of options, what do you have to lose?

Here's another thought: When you look for a specific position (bass player), you are asking for someone who is established not only in their instrument of choice, but also their genre of music and playing style.
Why not seek out a less experienced musician (maybe a guitarist), and toss them on the bass? Often, I've played with novice musicians who are willing to practice 5-6 days a week and TRY different things, when the established "guitarist" only wants to play on his or her terms. The less experienced musician is looking for experience and open to possibilities, as well as exploring their musical passion. They may very well be willing to fill the bass spot in order to have an oppurtunity to play. You may have to teach them a little, but their personal drive should take over, and they'll learn the spot on their own.
It's just an idea, and hell, if you are running out of options, what do you have to lose?

We had another guitarist, and originally I was going to fill 80%of the bass with him on the other 20%.

He couldn't get the songlist down on guitar (was really sloppy), so it ended up with him playing 90% on bass... he's the one I was pissed about a couple of weeks ago for bailing out of the band on the day of a show.

Other than that, we have been doing the 'word of mouth' thing, and talking to local music store teachers looking for decent students.. still nada.

As far as seeking out other bands, it seems a bit unethical to be trying to steal a bass player from another band... I wouldn't want them to be doing it to me down the road.

Any bass player that you could "steal" wouldn't be worth the trouble.

Any bass player that you could "steal" wouldn't be worth the trouble.

Thats not true. There are a lot of "underemployed" musicians out there.
Its not bad form to go to bars and give your card to people who's talent you like and simply offer them a rotational position. For example...offer to book your band around his bands schedule. At the very least you'll buy time and make some new connections.

Good Luck!

B)

Two things.

1. Yeah that's true, there are plenty players underemployed, some may be willing to rotate, some may be already looking for another project. Always worth checking out, try to make sure they don't plan to burn a lot of bridges leaving another band...it can come back in your face, as well as theirs.

2. Guitar players flip flopped to bass usually tend to overplay, only the ones who want to learn bass as a seperate, distinct instrument for their own musical expansion make good bass players. Frustrated guitar players who take up bass because they can't cut it on guitar are usualy the worst bass players, sometimes almost trying to play lead but on bass...



Until waiting fills...