Sonicdubster
(London)
Saturday 2 Nov 2024, 7:15am
Hi Dan,
I am responding to your ad of 21 Oct. for a bass player.
I have been playing bass (and guitar) for many years, since my teens, and have played in various bands over the years. I have plenty of experience playing live in different venues: music venues, bars, parties, weddings etc.
My strongest suit, I would say, is that I can make a piece groove. I can hold, vary and come up with new bass grooves. That is my favourite part of bass playing I must say and that is really why am attracted to the music you are playing – I love the genres you mentioned. I have good equipment. I play a Dingwall Combustion 5-string bass (active/passive). I can certainly follow a lead sheet / chart. I’m working on my note reading. I can sing and can do backing vocals. I have sung solo live myself, but I am not going to be doing lead vocals in a band anytime soon!
I’m currently playing bass in the backing band of a guitarist/singer/songwriter who is on his third album on Spotify/Apple Music/Amazon etc. This is a trio (vocalist/guitarist, bass, drums). We rehearse on average about once a month on weekday evenings, more frequently when a gig is coming up. We gig about once a quarter on week nights. The rehearsal and gigging schedule seems similar to your band, but during the week. We are currently playing at Bar Love (cocktail bar) in Notting Hill; we’ll probably do bigger venues next year. It is a mix of styles and it’s all about serving the song and making the singer’s vision for the song come alive on stage.
Combining this schedule with your band should be fine, particularly since you rehearse and play at the weekends. (A third band for me would not be possible – I want to commit to two only.)
I live in Wimbledon, Southwest London and have my own transport. I work in central London.
I am an amateur. I have a full-time job. I am 55. I am not looking to turn pro. I’m not looking to be paid. I like what you said about taking it seriously and putting on a good show. That is my philosophy: be an amateur but approach it professionally – an amateur band owes it to itself and to its audience to do that.
If the above is of interest, please let me know.
All the best,
Simon.