5 Non-Musical Skills All Bassists Need To Have

May 30, 2019

Hey bass players! Thanks for dropping by. It’s hard to believe this blog has been up and running for over a year and a half!

Many of you are familiar with the type of content that gets posted on this blog… but for you new visitors, whether it’s gear or ear training, so far I’ve focused on topics to help and inspire you musically. Learning about notes, intervals, and scales is incredibly valuable to any musician, but being a bass player goes beyond just playing the bass guitar.

Let’s take a break from the music theory stuff and focus on some non-musical skills to help you market yourself, improve your reputation, and increase your knowledge as a bassist.

5 Non-Musical Skills All Bass Players Need To Have

Marketing
Communication
A Good Attitude
Preparation
Self Education

1. Marketing

Making yourself known looks different now than it did 15 years ago. There are multiple ways, both online and offline, to establish yourself and connect with others.

Online

I hate to break it to you… but your MySpace page from 2004 isn’t going to cut it. Luckily, creating a website nowadays has never been easier. WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix are all popular content management systems.

I launched this blog myself with WordPress and very minimal tech knowledge – if I can do it, anyone can! Websites are great for musicians. You can introduce yourself, showcase your musical experience via photos and videos, let people know when your next gig is, and give them a way to contact you for booking or private lessons.

Check out Evan Marien’s website. It’s clean, minimal, and it has everything you need to know about upcoming performances, projects he’s worked on, and Evan himself. Heck, he’s even got transcriptions available so you can shred along with his tracks!

Also, notice he’s got links to all of his social channels. Having a social media presence is crucial for you as a musician in today’s digital age. The keyword here is “social.” While these channels are great for posting videos to show off your chops, don’t forget to engage your followers and those you follow. Be encouraging. Offer your advice and experience. Give more than you take.

For Facebook, here are some groups I’m currently involved in:

Notice that some of these are broad while others are oriented around a specific topic. Try searching for groups based on what bass you have, your musical taste, and where you live.

For Instagram, here are some helpful hashtags to follow:

Offline

We’ve discussed the importance of having an online presence, but don’t forget about the power of good ol’ face-to-face conversation.

Not all of us are able to attend The NAAM Show, but you can certainly scope out local festivals, concerts, and expos. Hit up your nearest music store or check out upcoming Facebook events to see what’s happening in your area. Use these opportunities to connect with other musicians. Ask them about their background, their favorite instrument, or the craziest thing that’s ever happened to them while touring. You never know when you might meet your future bandmates!

2. Communication

This one is pretty self explanatory. Whether you’re selling a piece of gear via Facebook Marketplace or trying to decide on a time for band practice, be a good communicator.

A few tips:

Respond in a timely manor (calling myself out here!). Don’t wait two days to respond to a text or email.
Be detail oriented. Know the who, what, when, where, and how of the next gig or band meeting.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If your bassline isn’t meshing well with the drummer’s beat, take a few extra minutes and ask questions to solidify the groove.
Be honest. If something isn’t working out for you or if you need to take a break from a musical outlet, let your peers know.

3. A Good Attitude

Nobody likes an mopey musician. Even if you have Flea-level chops, don’t expect a callback with an unenthusiastic attitude.

Treat others with respect. Be social. Be thankful and excited to play – let your stage presence reflect that!

4. Preparation

Dress for the gig. We all like to dress how we want in order to reflect our individuality, but not every performance has a “be yourself” policy when it comes to attire. Watch out for this especially when it comes to church worship bands. If the congregation is more traditional, you’re probably better off sticking with slacks and a collared shirt – leave the ripped skinny jeans at home! If you’re unsure, ask your worship leader. Same with weddings – you’ll often get told what to wear, but when in doubt always ask the band leader, wedding coordinator, or someone in the wedding party. Don’t upset the bride on her wedding day! Bottom line: don’t let your appearance on stage distract the crowd from those sick basslines you’re laying down.
Be on time. Got an early morning sound check? Set multiple alarms on multiple devices. Map out your route so you know what time you need to leave. And I don’t mean to sound like your mother, but get plenty of sleep the night before!
Make sure your car is road trip-ready if it’s gonna be a long drive. Knowing your tunes is one thing, but what good will that do if you can’t make it to the gig because of a bad battery? Be sure to check your oil, brakes, and coolant – and don’t forget to bring items like jumper cables and a tire jack before hitting the road.
Bring more music gear than you think you need. Instrument cables, tuners, basses, 9V batteries, charts – bring extra of everything!

5. Self Education

Many of the Facebook groups, Instagram hashtags, and events I mentioned in #1 can not only help you make yourself known – they’re also great resources for learning about famous bass players, gear, and what’s happening in the world of bass.

In addition, here are a few of my favorite websites for keeping up with bass news:

TalkBass. If you’ve ever used Google to find answers to bass-related questions, odds are you’ve seen TalkBass in the search results. It’s a massive bass-focused forum that seems like it’s been around since the dawn of the internet, and it will likely have the answer you’re looking for. It also has a news feed, and if you’re in the market for a new piece of gear it even has a classifieds section.
No Treble. Columns, news, and lessons all about bass… what more could you want? Visiting No Treble a few times a week (even for just five minutes) has significantly boosted my music theory knowledge and technique, and it’s given me great insight as to what’s currently going on in the bass community.

If you’re into podcasts, check out this blog post for some great musically-themed conversations.

There you have it! That’s only scratching the surface… I know there’s a lot I didn’t mention, so drop a comment below if you have any tips or resources that have guided you in your musical journey. Thanks for reading!