[quote name='Barefootbassplayer' timestamp='1357553791' post='1924231']
Pretty much any session work I have done has come from recommendations from people I know. Jam nights are a great source for meeting people and getting your name known, those people know other people and you want to be in a position where if someone is asking around for a bass player your name comes up in the mix. Once you can get in with a producer as his first call you'll find he talks to other guys and your name gets about quicker. The musicial prostitue comment is a great analogy and I have referred to myself as a musical whore for years meet people, don't be afraid to do unpaid work if you have a spare moment as for me those unpaid gigs/bands/sessions have often led to paid work with other people as well as give me a few interesting things to include on showreels/cv.
When you get the call you need reliable gear that works as soon as you plug it in (although more and more often producers just have you use virtual gear in my experience....and dismay!) and a good variety of basses to be able to cover different tones ie jazz, precision, humbucker, soapbar
Probably the biggest thing is being able to communicate effectively about parts. Its very very rare I get called in and presented with a fully scored bass part....usually its a sit down with the track and a chat about what the producer has in his head and being able to give him that.
[/quote]
Pretty much this...^^^ Word for word.