I gotta say, that's probably the best advice so far.
Everyone in a band needs a bass player. Every. One. Around here, bass players are in demand.
1. One of the bands I play with went through probably almost a half dozen bass players this year.
- First guy: Sucked. Overplayed. Made it through two rehearsals.
- Second guy: Made it through one rehearsal. Creeped us all out. Had "crazy eyes." I know that "don't judge" and all, but I didn't want to be stuck in a hotel room with this guy when we go on the road.
- Third guy: Lasted a while. Killer bass player, but a total flake. If his other band gets a booking and we've already secured the date, the goes with the other band because they pay a little more.
- Fourth guy: He's actually a guitar player in the band. Does a great job, but he prefers playing guitar.
- Fifth guy: He filled in on one show. I loved this dude. One of the other guitar players didn't like him, so he's gone.
- Sixth guy: A great player, but he overplayed. Not that I care about stage presence too much, but this guy was flat-out awkward. He's gone.
- Went back to the fourth guy for a few months.
- Ended up back with Third guy...for now. We will see how long it lasts.
I promise y'all that the band isn't that hard to get along with. I wouldn't be there if it was remotely difficult.
2. Another guy I play with does a ton of shows each year, and he has a pool of 11-12 different musicians he uses from time to time. Number of bass players he has in this pool? One.
3. Another guy I filled in with one show last year has a bass player. Who does he use? He uses "First guy" from the first list.
4. Another band I play with used two different bass players depending on the gig and availability. One of the bass players is a great player and singer, but he hates the fact that I'm even there (we play traditional music that doesn't normally have percussion). Another bass player with this band is pretty good, but he over plays and his tone is always 100% "fart-box."
5. Another band I used to play with every season had a bass player who has played for probably longer than I've been alive. This person is STILL struggling with playing.
In my small town, right here are FIVE different opportunities for a great bass player to step in and shine like the sun and gig 'til the cows come home. Once again, I'd tell my old self to just concentrate on the bass, be nice, learn a bunch of different types of music, don't overplay, and once again, be nice. You'll be able to play with anyone you want.