If you are insecure about playing with people, just do it.

I know this is easier said than done.

I've been playing bass on and off for 10+ years, but only recently started focusing on it and trying to get good in the past 2 years. I know a little music theory, but Idk how to apply it in my playing or improvise/play by ear.

I've been hesitant to play with others because I was worried about slowing them down or making a fool of myself. I posted an add about a month ago "beginner bassist looking to jam" and was just looking for someone to casually chill with and play with. A drummer reached out to me and said him and a guitarist would like to chill and jam a little. They told me a few songs and I had a 2 week runway to learn 5 songs before we got together(most of them pretty easy, the hardest one being Californication). I didn't know I could learn so many songs in that time period, but I just dedicated myself to learning Californication first since it was the hardest and the others were pretty quick to learn afterwards.

The casual chill session ended up being more of an audition, but the guys were cool and invited me back. They also got a vocalist the same day they talked to me. We've been playing together for the past 3 weeks now and its been fun as hell. We have just been agreeing on songs to learn, learn them separately, and then get together and kill it. Doing it this way negates my lack of ability to play by ear/on the spot, and they've been patient as hell with me. I'm hoping that playing with others helps me develop that ability to know how songs are played on the spot.

Sorry for the ramble, I'm just stoked and wanted to post something like this in-case someone is in a similar situation and afraid to play with others.