Ugh. I just checked out my gig calendar and realized I haven’t played a gig since June 12 and won’t play another until August 14. That’s more than two months without playing.  This ‘Gigging Bass Player’ is NOT gigging right now. Not cool.

Lucky for me, I don’t depend on gigs to make a living. The extra cash is nice, but isn’t enough to make a huge impact on my lifestyle.

Having said that, not gigging for this long certainly has other impacts. My callouses go soft. My chops get a little dull. And I start to lose my mind . . . just a little bit.

Playing live is such a release. It does wonders for my mental health. For bass players like me, who live an otherwise normal lifestyle (e.g. day job, family, etc.), performing is like therapy. No matter what life throws at you, you can forget about everything at the gig and just lose yourself in musical and bass nirvana.

So what is a bass-playin’ dude to do when going through this kind of dry spell? How do I keep my hands loose, chops sharp and sanity intact?

I’ve been giving this some thought over the last day or so and come up with the following list of things to do while waiting for the next gig to roll around.

How NOT to Lose Your Mind Because You Haven’t Played a Gig in Two Months:

Noodle: Yes, noodle, in verb form. Or doodle if you prefer. Noodling refers to what you do when you casually pick up your bass and mess around while doing something else, like watching TV or surfing the web. When I’m gigging regularly, I get my fill of playing and don’t really have any desire to noodle around just for the hell of it. My bass tends to spend most of its time inside the case, only seeing the light of day at gig time. But noodling, while not a very rigorous form of practice, is still helpful in keeping your chops up.

Study: Sometimes I forget how much my playing style was developed based on what I picked up by studying my favourite bass players back in my wood-shed days. It never hurts to go back to the well of inspiration and have a listen to some of the material that provided me with my earliest bass influences. My recent playlist includes old masterpieces such as: Appetite for Destruction (Guns ‘n Roses), Moving Pictures (Rush), Master of Puppets (Metallica) and Operation: Mindcrime (Queensryche).

Practice: Yes, sometimes an intentional practice session is just what the doctor ordered in terms of keeping those four-string skills polished and honed to a fine point. While I’ve never been very disciplined when it comes to structured practice (I’m more of a noodler — see above), I do find there is some advantage to sitting down and working through some area of my playing that’s not entirely up-to-snuff. For example, I alternate between playing with a pick and playing with my fingers. While fairly proficient with both, my finger-playing stamina is not quite what it should be, especially when speed is involved. So my structured practice sessions will focus on various exercises to improve that aspect of my playing.

Forget: Forget what? How about forgetting that you’re a bass player, that you’re in a band and that you’re a performing musician. Sound ridiculous? Maybe. But sometimes just forgetting about it for awhile is what you need to feel fresh and committed once you’re back into a regular playing schedule. As much as I love playing, sometimes it becomes a bit of a grind. When gigs become a little tedious, it’s easy to forget how important music and the bass is to you. A little break can do wonders. And sometimes it doesn’t hurt to remember that there are other things in your life worth spending time on . . .

I’ve been lurking around various bass guitar discussion forums for quite a few years, and one thing is very clear: There’s a whole lotta bass snobbery going on out there.

I don’t know if this kind of snobbishness exists in other circles. But in the bass world, it’s everywhere.

Use a pick? You suck. Play a Squire bass? You suck. Don’t care for Victor Wooten? You double suck!

I wish the snobs would just freakin’ relax and learn to appreciate ALL things bass. But to be fair, some bass players might be unaware that they have snobbish tendencies. So to help, I’ve put together the following top ten list.

If you recognize yourself in any of the following items, well, you just might be a bass snob.

TOP 10 SIGNS YOU MIGHT BE A BASS SNOB

1. You wear your bass chest-high and spend a lot of time looking at your fretboard instead of the audience.
2. You carry a Sharpie around for the sole purpose of blacking out the word ‘plectrum’ from every dictionary you come across.
3. You worship Jaco Pastorius. No, really . . . you literally WORSHIP Jaco. You have a creepy shrine set up in your bedroom with candles, pictures and a roach clip he allegedly left behind in a dressing room after a Joni Mitchell concert in 1977.
4. You still can’t believe Flea sold out and started playing all those ridiculously melodic and tasteful bass lines.
5. You’re annoyed with the oak tree in your front yard, because it “just kinda sticks to the root.”
6. You haven’t had a paid gig in seven years, but you’re the KING of open-mic jam nights.
7. You hate your drummer because his hi-hat, kick and snare drum interfere with your free-form improvisational jazz techniques.
8. A Fender Precision plugged directly into an Ampeg SVT is an affront to your delicate sensibilities.
9. You believe your custom-built six-string fretless boutique bass is perfectly suitable for that classic rock cover gig you just landed.
10. You HATE this post!

I launched The Gigging Bass Player a few months ago, and I’ll admit that I haven’t posted here nearly as much as I had planned. However, the slow trickle of new readers and comments has inspired me to get back to it.

I just want to make sure everyone (ok, all seven of you) knows my irregular and infrequent posting schedule has nothing to do with a lack of interest or commitment to maintaining this site. It’s just that I hesitate to post unless I have something REALLY compelling to say.  I think I just need to learn how to balance being regular and being perfect. But enough with the excuses . . .

I’m discovering that there’s an audience of bass players out there who are interested in more than just the usual shop-talk about their favorite gear and favorite players. That’s good, because gear-talk bores me, and there’s really only a handful of favorite bass players that I’m interested in discussing.

The bass guitar is a powerful instrument which stirs powerful emotions. And we bass players are passionate about our instruments and our craft. That’s what I’m hearing from those who’ve posted comments, and that’s what inspires me.

After all these years, I still can’t wait to get up on that stage and make everything shake with my low-frequency assault.  Freakin’ love that shit. I think you all feel the same way.

Thanks to everyone who’s stopped by to check out The Gigging Bass Player. And thanks especially to those who’ve commented. As I said before, your thoughts, opinions and experiences are vital to this blog. So don’t be shy. Speak up and tell me about yourself. Or tell me what you’re interested in reading about.  And I’ll do my best to deliver.

Looking for bass-related web sites? There are surprisingly few cool places for bass players to hang out at, or find information from, on the web.

The following list of online bass guitar resources is a great place to start, whether you’re looking for information, or simply a place to chat and talk shop with other bass players:

1. TalkBass
A moderated forum with tons of active members discussing everything from pickups and strings, to playing technique, to gigs and band management issues. A great place for both beginners and experienced bass players.

2. alt.guitar.bass
This forum also has lots of great discussion going on, but it’s unmoderated, so be prepared for some off-topic posting and the odd flame-war.

3. ActiveBass
This online community is packed with great content for bass players, including lessons, tabs, articles, product reviews and more.

4. BassPlayer.com
The online home of Bass Player magazine.  Great place to find interviews with famous bass players.

5. Bass Player TV
Part of Bass Player magazine’s online presence, this site is an excellent source for lessons, artist features and other great videos.

6. The Bass Guitar Blog
I haven’t found many decent bass guitar blogs, which is one of the reasons I started The Gigging Bass Player.  However, The Bass Guitar Blog has been around for a couple years and has lots of informative posts from Benjamin, the owner of the blog, and other guest posters.

Are there any other good sites for bass players?  Let’s hear about them.

OK . . . this is going to piss off a few bass players, but I’m just going to say it:

Bass is easy to learn.

Come on bass players, let’s just admit it to ourselves and everyone else. The bass guitar really wasn’t that difficult to figure out, was it?

Unlike guitar players, who had to figure out chords, scales, leads and solos, or drummers who had to figure out how to make their four limbs work together and separately at the same time, we had it pretty easy.

If you could afford a couple quick lessons or had a decent ear, you were off to the races, thump-thumping to your heart’s content.

At its most basic level, bass is a pretty simple instrument. Unless you’re into some weird, freaky-ass jazz fusion kinda shit, you can get away with banging out root eighth notes most of the time. Learn to play the right notes, more or less in time, and you pretty much have a gig for life.

And there’s the problem — so many bass players learn to get by on so little skill because their services are so in demand.

Let’s face it, we all get lazy. Especially when no one is pushing us to get better.

So here’s my challenge to you: Is your playing sub-par? Get better. Already pretty good? There’s always room for improvement.

Here are 7 ways to improve your playing:

1. Play with musicians who are better than you.

Nothing will motivate you to get better as much as the prospect of being a band’s weak link. Nobody wants to be the guy that can’t keep up. So seek out opportunities to play with musicians who are more accomplished than you are — and then work your ass off so you don’t embarrass yourself.

2. Explore different genres.

I’ve always been a rock guy. But a few years ago I spent some time with a band that did some country music. I HATE country music, but it was a great learning experience — especially in the art of walking bass lines. I later put those skills to use in an original hard rock project.

3. Play only with the best drummers you can find.

Everyone knows that drums and bass go hand in hand in creating a band’s foundation. A great drummer will elevate your bass playing to new heights. A shitty drummer will drag you (and the rest of the band) down into a pit of mediocrity. The drummer needs to be the most accomplished member of the band. He’s the quarterback of the team.  And it doesn’t matter how strong the offensive line is, if the quarterback gets sacked, or fumbles the ball, the play is over. So if your drummer sucks, get rid of him — even if he’s your buddy.

4. Think like a drummer.

Better yet, think like YOUR drummer. Your job as a bass player is to lock in with the drums. Period. You need to tune into your drummer on a much deeper level than other members of the band. This takes time, but you can speed up the process by studying your drummer’s playing. Watch his kick drum foot. Pay attention to how and when he plays cymbal accents and fills. Over time, your playing will begin to take on some of your drummer’s characteristics. This is when you know you’ve found your groove as a rhythm section.

5. Find a bass guitar that you’re comfortable with.

Don’t play a bass just because you think it looks cool or because your favorite bass player plays it. A bass has to fit you and your playing style. Basses come in a variety of styles and shapes. There are different neck sizes, pick-up configurations and on-board electronics. Even a bass’ inherent tonal qualities will affect your playing ability. A bass that doesn’t feel or sound the way you want it too will impair your playing ability and negatively affect your playing enjoyment. Try different basses until you find the one that feels right. Experiment with different price points.  Don’t assume that a higher-priced bass is the answer. That $3,000 boutique bass may feel like the worst piece of crap you’ve ever played, while the $400 Squire Precision fits like a glove. Be open minded and don’t worry about what other people think about what you’re playing.

6. Practice with a metronome.

To get the most out of your practice time, make sure you’re using a metronome. A metronome keeps you focused on what’s most important to your role as a bass player — rhythm and timing. Start at about 100 beats-per-minute and work on playing nice steady quarter and eighth notes. Every few minutes, bump up the beats-per-minute so that you’re spreading your practice across a range of tempos. Do this for 30-45 minutes every day and watch your chops improve dramatically.

7. Ask your band mates for feedback.

Finally, no one knows your playing better than the musicians who play with you all the time. So don’t be afraid to ask them for some constructive feedback. They may be able to point out things about your playing that you are completely unaware of. As musicians and performers, we tend to be a little sensitive and resistant to criticism, but a little feedback can go a long way in motivating you to get better at your craft. Your band mates rely on you to be the steady, driving force that keeps things nice and tight — so give ‘em what they want and everyone will be happy!

Hey you! Bass player! Yeah, you in the cover band. Do you realize you’re playing everything wrong? Do you even care? You’re getting paid, right? Would playing the songs correctly be too much to ask?

It’s not that hard, really. Just spend some time listening to the bass part. Then copy it on your bass. Now do that 5 or 6 times in a row until you’ve memorized the song.

Never bothered to properly develop your ear? Then find the tabs. It won’t take long to get them. They’re all over the internet. Sometimes they’re wrong, but they’re probably more right than you are.

Maybe you took up the bass because you figured it would be easy. So you ignored the basic musical principles of practice and dedication right from the beginning. After all, there were more important things to worry about, like chicks and beer, right?

And don’t dismiss your lack of commitment to your craft with some shitty excuse like, “It’s only a bass part, no one cares”, or, “I like to play things my own way.” That’s just code for, “I don’t care enough to learn the songs properly and I’m pretty sure most people won’t notice.”

Your lazy attitude pisses me off.

I love the bass. I’ve been faithful to it for almost 25 years. It’s my outlet. My joy. I live for it.

The bass makes me happy. The way you neglect it makes me angry. It deserves better than you.

Photo Credit: darpatator (Flickr)

OK, time to get down to business.

If you read the first post of this shiny new web-site, you may be asking yourself a few questions.

Such as:

“Who the hell is the Gigging Bass Player?”

“What’s the point of this site, anyway?”

“Why should I bother coming back?”

“All the bass players I know are inarticulate, mouth-breathing, knuckle-dragging Neanderthals who are incapable of stringing together a coherent sentence, let alone carrying on a semi-intelligent conversation. What the hell makes this jackass so special??”

Umm, who let the guitar player in here?

Hey, guitar player! Be nice or go home!

Is he gone??  Ok, good.

Now, let me do my best to answer the first three questions:

Who the hell is the Gigging Bass Player?

Hi, I’m Paul. I’ve been playing bass for almost 25 years.

That’s a long time.

I’ve played basements, garages, backyards, nightclubs, chicken-wing joints, biker bars, big stages, little stages, outdoor festivals, indoor festivals and too many other places to mention.

I’ve played in original bands and cover bands.

Done some studio work.

I’ve played with some awesome musicians — and some embarrassingly shitty musicians.

When it comes to the bass, I kinda know what I’m talking about.

But I don’t want to bore you with all my personal details. For now, lets just say I’ve been around the block, played in a bunch of bands and played a shit-load of gigs. I’ve developed some ideas, opinions and thoughts along the way, which I plan to share here.

So, I am the Gigging Bass Player.

But this site isn’t just about me. It’s also about you. You are also the Gigging Bass Player.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a full-time pro or a weekend warrior.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been playing for 3 weeks or 30 years. It doesn’t matter whether you play punk, country, metal or jazz.

You have thoughts, ideas and opinions. And I want to hear them. This site will only be a success if you get involved in the conversation.

If I’m the only one that’s talking, well, that’ll just be sad and pathetic.

You have just as much to give as I do. So don’t be shy — leave a comment and tell me what you think.

What’s the point of this site?

As a performing or aspiring bassist, I want you to come here to be informed, entertained and inspired.

Opinions will be shared. Advice will be dispensed. Stories will be told. Rants will be delivered.

Hell, I may even throw in the odd video post and play a little bass for ‘ya.

Beyond that, who knows?  We’ll see where things go . . .

Why should you bother coming back?

If you show up once and never come back, you’ll hurt my feelings.

Seriously.  You’ll give me a complex.

I’m fragile that way.

Also, I plan to post here at least 2-3 times per week, so you’ll want to check back often. Better yet, grab a feed and have all those nuggets of bass wisdom delivered right to your grubby little hands as soon as they become available.

But enough about me and my plans.

What do you want to see on The Gigging Bass Player? Drop in, say hello, and let me know what you want to talk about.

I’ve been playing bass for a long time — since I was 14. I’ve been playing gigs for almost as long. I haven’t kept count, but there have been a lot of them.

Most of those gigs have been OK. Some have been kind of crappy. And some have been downright shitty and made me question why the hell I ever wanted to be a performing musician in the first place.

But every once in a while, one of those gigs comes along where everything just comes together.

You know what kind of gig I’m talking about: The vibe is just right. The sound is literally shaking the stage. The band is firing on all cylinders.  The room energy makes you dizzy. The audience is putting out nothing but love.

And all at once, you realize, “This is it. This is what I live for.”

It doesn’t matter what else is going on in your world. Your chaotic family life, your boring job, your broken down car – all those things are relegated to the “who gives a shit” part of your brain.

At that moment, you’re serving your purpose, and nothing else matters. Your spirit soars and everything is right within your world.

That’s the power of the gig.

I love playing gigs. Nothing else makes me feel more alive, more vital, more relevant.

I also love the bass — the way it sounds, the way it feels, the way it looks. I love the way it makes the stage rumble. I love the way it makes my pant legs flutter when I’m standing in front of my amp.

Playing bass live is the shit, and that’s that.

Why do you play bass?  What is it about that big, unwieldy 4 or 5-string beast that keeps you coming back for more, weekend after weekend?

Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear from you.

Oh, and welcome to the Gigging Bass Player.

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