dclaassen Posted February 22, 2022 Posted February 22, 2022 I’m a 60-something bassist with 41 years in music education, a Masters from the University of North Texas, ands loads of experience playing country, rock, and jazz. I read really well, and have a great work ethic. I even take regular showers and, unlike here, try to keep my opinions to myself. All of my experience, however, is with American groups. I have no idea how things work for us semi-pro, weekend warrior types here in the U.K., and, more specifically, in East Anglia. I would love to get on folks’ radar like I was in the Midwestern U.S., but where to start? I’m playing with a band right now that may or may not get out of the practice room. I’d like to get around folks that are a bit more experienced. Any thoughts? 4 Quote
Guest Posted February 22, 2022 Posted February 22, 2022 1 hour ago, dclaassen said: I even take regular showers... You're not Norman Bates by any chance? 🤣 Are you signed up to Facebook? Theres bound to be some group pages, musicians wanted pages, that type of thing for your area. I don't do Facebook myself but got my current band because Mrs Bassfinger spotted a "bassist wanted" post on FB. Quote
Mrbigstuff Posted February 22, 2022 Posted February 22, 2022 1 hour ago, dclaassen said: I’m a 60-something bassist with 41 years in music education, a Masters from the University of North Texas, ands loads of experience playing country, rock, and jazz. I read really well, and have a great work ethic. I even take regular showers and, unlike here, try to keep my opinions to myself. All of my experience, however, is with American groups. I have no idea how things work for us semi-pro, weekend warrior types here in the U.K., and, more specifically, in East Anglia. I would love to get on folks’ radar like I was in the Midwestern U.S., but where to start? I’m playing with a band right now that may or may not get out of the practice room. I’d like to get around folks that are a bit more experienced. Any thoughts? Jam nights at local pubs might be of use for building the local network. Quote
Woodwind Posted February 22, 2022 Posted February 22, 2022 Have you recently moved to the UK? EastAnglia in American terms is absolutely tiny, but in UK terms covers quite a large breadth of towns. Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge being the big and busiest, but the coastal towns like Kings Lynn, Lowestoft etc etc will have "lots" going on and then all the other towns across the counties. Between all these hubs there will be a fair bit of variety, but I can't say how much to keep a pro going. It will be a bit of a slow slog to begin with getting your name around and into a position where you can pick up dep gigs. Facebook as has already been said may be of use. Do you have an online presence outside of social media? Your own website for example? It may be worth investing in one of a reasonable quality if not. Good luck! Quote
peteb Posted February 22, 2022 Posted February 22, 2022 1 hour ago, dclaassen said: I’m a 60-something bassist with 41 years in music education, a Masters from the University of North Texas, ands loads of experience playing country, rock, and jazz. I read really well, and have a great work ethic. I even take regular showers and, unlike here, try to keep my opinions to myself. All of my experience, however, is with American groups. I have no idea how things work for us semi-pro, weekend warrior types here in the U.K., and, more specifically, in East Anglia. I would love to get on folks’ radar like I was in the Midwestern U.S., but where to start? I’m playing with a band right now that may or may not get out of the practice room. I’d like to get around folks that are a bit more experienced. Any thoughts? Where in East Anglia are you? Not exactly the rock and roll centre of the UK, but a (very good) drummer of my acquaintance does run a jam night in Ipswich on Thursdays (https://www.facebook.com/Webbys.Jam/) Quote
dclaassen Posted February 22, 2022 Author Posted February 22, 2022 10 minutes ago, Bassfinger said: You're not Norman Bates by any chance? 🤣 Are you signed up to Facebook? Theres bound to be some group pages, musicians wanted pages, that type of thing for your area. I don't do Facebook myself but got my current band because Mrs Bassfinger spotted a "bassist wanted" post on FB. Not Norman…sorry. I am on a dep musicians page and join my band. Good thought though…thanks! Quote
dclaassen Posted February 22, 2022 Author Posted February 22, 2022 10 minutes ago, OliverBlackman said: Jam nights at local pubs might be of use for building the local network. Yup…now that we are starting to go out, that’s probably a great option…probably Cambridge in this area… Quote
dclaassen Posted February 22, 2022 Author Posted February 22, 2022 5 minutes ago, peteb said: Where in East Anglia are you? Not exactly the rock and roll centre of the UK, but a (very good) drummer of my acquaintance does run a jam night in Ipswich on Thursdays (https://www.facebook.com/Webbys.Jam/) Thanks…I’m in Huntingdon, but would be willing to drive a bit Quote
peteb Posted February 22, 2022 Posted February 22, 2022 3 minutes ago, dclaassen said: Thanks…I’m in Huntingdon, but would be willing to drive a bit So more in Cambridgeshire then and only a half hour drive from Bedford / Luton, etc. Might be more of a scene around there?? Quote
dclaassen Posted February 22, 2022 Author Posted February 22, 2022 51 minutes ago, peteb said: So more in Cambridgeshire then and only a half hour drive from Bedford / Luton, etc. Might be more of a scene around there?? Probably…I have not heard of anything in that area yet. Quote
yorks5stringer Posted February 22, 2022 Posted February 22, 2022 but would you join a band with women in it or even worse, play C&W? Quote
Guest Posted February 23, 2022 Posted February 23, 2022 9 hours ago, peteb said: So more in Cambridgeshire then and only a half hour drive from Bedford / Luton, etc. Might be more of a scene around there?? Luton might be a bit much for even the most streetwise Bronx native. Quote
Bigguy2017 Posted February 23, 2022 Posted February 23, 2022 Are you on Bandcamp? If not put up some tracks of your playing; as much as possible to showcase your chops... Quote
steantval Posted February 23, 2022 Posted February 23, 2022 Cambridge ain’t a brilliant place for live music venues for weekend warriors, considering it’s a major University town, gigging opportunities are pretty poor. Huntingdon had a couple of pubs that put on live bands, they are both what I call very rough places, full of trouble makers and druggies, not sure if they still have live bands at the weekends. Quote
ubit Posted February 23, 2022 Posted February 23, 2022 All I can add is good on ya and good luck. I'm sure if you are willing you will find like minded souls who will be happy to jam. As said, social media is great for getting the word out. Quote
pete.young Posted February 23, 2022 Posted February 23, 2022 I think there's probably more happening in Peterborough than in Cambridge. Quote
dclaassen Posted February 23, 2022 Author Posted February 23, 2022 54 minutes ago, pete.young said: I think there's probably more happening in Peterborough than in Cambridge. Goog to know…thanks! Quote
Nicko Posted February 23, 2022 Posted February 23, 2022 For getting together with a band that might go somewhere I'd start with https://www.joinmyband.co.uk/ You can filter by county. There's an awful lot of rubbish on it but I've managed to get my last three bands from it (joined two, formed one). For getting to know the local venues https://www.lemonrock.com/ is your best bet. Quote
Mykesbass Posted February 23, 2022 Posted February 23, 2022 16 hours ago, dclaassen said: Thanks…I’m in Huntingdon, but would be willing to drive a bit Webby is a good mate of mine (helped him set this jam up when it started in all places in Saxmundham). Useful for getting to know the scene, but a bit of a hike from Huntingdon. 1 Quote
peteb Posted February 23, 2022 Posted February 23, 2022 1 hour ago, Mykesbass said: Webby is a good mate of mine (helped him set this jam up when it started in all places in Saxmundham). Useful for getting to know the scene, but a bit of a hike from Huntingdon. Yea, Webby is a good bloke. I got very drunk with him once at Colne Blues Festival...! 1 Quote
uk_lefty Posted February 23, 2022 Posted February 23, 2022 Round my way there's a good Practice Room run by a guy who runs the stages for large events and so on. Networking and being known by the people in and around there, the people on the desk, booking the gigs and so on is a must if you're looking. Also go around the venue's that put on bands chances are musos hang out there. I know if I was putting a band together and I heard there was a Texan guy who can read music and is an experienced bassist I wouldn't forget that and I'd want to know more. Quote
Mykesbass Posted February 23, 2022 Posted February 23, 2022 2 hours ago, peteb said: Yea, Webby is a good bloke. I got very drunk with him once at Colne Blues Festival...! Guinness? Quote
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