All good advice. I would add: Be prepared (equipment) and be nice to work with.

If a bass player is doing his job, nobody will notice him/her. But if you're not, everybody will notice, and nobody will call you back again. Yes, our main job is to make the band sound better, and there's usually not much "glory" in that. If you get your 8 measures to solo, great! Be prepared! If not, just keep the groove and stay in sync with the drummer. Bass players are the unsung heroes of the session!

If a vocalist told me to drop the key from F to E, I'd say okay and then play it in Eb. 🙂

Playing Synthesizer bass can open up a lot opportunities in modern music

So true

Totally agree.
I’ve also added Ubass and it’s been great for theatre gigs.

I’d also add that knowing one’s way around a chord chard and a fully notated part as well as being able to lift tunes by ear is part of being flexible and ready for whatever comes your way.

I had a bit of a different operating environment when I played pit orchestra gigs for 25-ish years.  The main things that kept phone calls coming in regularly were being reliable and on time EVERY time, being easy to get along with, being able to sight-read and transpose well (we usually got the books when we arrived for the rehearsal before opening the next night), and always paying attention and being able to take things in stride and make it sound like nothing was amiss if things went sideways on stage (singers getting lost, vamping while tech issues got fixed, etc.), but I guess that falls under "be adaptable".  Bonus points (and pay) if you could double on other instruments.

Good video!  I would also add:  be able to sing.  A bass player that can sing quality backing vocals, and even some lead vocals becomes even more employable!

I think the club is fairly small of players who can play classical, electric, 4/5 string, fretless.

Greeeeaaaattttt..... Where am I going to store this upright bass?

Dude this was so good humble yourself and make people around sound better that will preach 🙌

Follow this advice or learn the hard way. These concepts are gold. I would add being able to compose on the fly which you kind of allude to. Serve the song!! Jeff Berlin has consistently emphasized learning the neck by practicing exercises in all keys. That way when something gets called in C# you’ll sail through.

You forgot a paramount aspect of our job, Pal: Be nice, be a guy with whom it's easy to get along. I play from the Alembic with 30/90 strings, Mark King style, to the Doublebass, passing through fretless, Jazz, Precision, 5 and six string basses but, if you are a nasty fellow, nobody will have anyhing to do with you for a second time. All in all, however, a good set of advices! Thank You! Good playing Pal!❤

Hireability = Skills x Discipline x Character x Availability

Great information, and great speaking voice.
But...the background music is just far (far) too loud.  It is very distracting.

I take onboard what you say, I play both four and five string electric and upright and you’re right it’s good for the mind and developing your skills.

Self giving, not self seeking. Bring the chops and musical knowledge, but put it at the service of the song. Question... Can I hire you to play stand up bass as a session player?

1000% agreed. From a guy who does mostly sub gigs, learning the Nashville number system was a game changer. Brings theory down to earth for mere mortals, easier to spot repeating patterns, makes charting easier, and helps me switch to any key. Worth the coupla weeks of effort. Five stars, would recommend.

Great vid! 🫵