1 minute audition

[bassjamm]

Hi Janek,

Really looking forward to the new album, listened to the clips the other...some cool stuff there!

I was just wondering if i can please ask you for some advice with regards to auditions...and of course, anyone else who can offer any words of wisdom.

I've just found out about an audition that will be taking place next week for a lesser known pop-star who is forming her own band with management, tour dates and promotional teams already in place.

The criteria for the audition is that the bassist must be funky, the sample tunes are pretty much what you'd expect of a pop artist, some deep grooves, with the occassional slap/pop etc.

The audition itself...i have to play 1 minute, un-accompanied, and it can be whatever i want.

Now i obviously want to display my abilities to the full, but 1 minute isn't a great deal of time...but it's better than nothing! So what would you suggest i focus on?

I was thinking of taking a groove that i'm comfortable with, something pretty steady but that gets the foot tapping, and something that i know i can improvise with comfortably...is this a wise decision?

I've never attended an audition of this nature, it's always been to replace a bassist and i've been given a number of tracks to choose from. The only thing like it was when i auditioned for the Institute over here in the UK and i just had to prepare something to play, similar but there was other opportunities to display technique in the process...this audition is literally 60 seconds...

So, any help will be welcomed...whether it be advice on what to play, what to expect, the things to look out for...questions to ask!!! Anything would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Jamie

[Mikey D]

First of all, I saw this advertised and was interested...but studies are more important at the moment for me.

Secondly, go in there, be yourself, lay it down like you do, get into it, see what happens...*

Finally, good luck mate.

*Note: I have no formal experience of 60 second auditions, but this is what I would likely do.

[janekbass]

be cool when you arrive, like you've been in a thousand situations like this one. Have yourself together, relaxed, bass in working order. Take your time and get the right sound from the amp you'll use there. I don't want to hear "but the sound sucked, and there was no time..." afterwards, cos there's always time to get that straight before you play.

If it's a pop act then they're going on looks in a big way. So dress accordingly. If you dance when you play so much the better. or at least just moving slightly and feeling the pocket. Play something grooving based around one of the tunes they've given you to learn, and just have fun.

If you're not having fun they'll know, you can't fake that. If you want the gig, act like you're already doing the gig. Confidence is everything, make them want you.

Easy,

Janek

[bassjamm]

Thanks for that guys...thought you might have spotted it Mikey

As for the tunes...they've basically just said you have 1 minute to play whatever, so no limitations, no tunes to choose from!!! I'm definately thinking of just playing something that i know gets peoples heads moving...but how far do i take it...do i show i can slap, do i show i do solid 16th grooves, or do i just sit back, keep it tight and solid, groovin' and through in a few runs?

As for the image thing Janek...what is a pop image, just a cool presentable look? I do tend to move quite a lot whilst playing, and have some 'strange' facial expressions, kind of similar to how you seem to get when i saw you at the 606, the whole face telling the story thing, and showing the feeling etc. Should i stand up then?

Thanks again, really appreciate it!

J

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by bassjamm

Should i stand up then?

I'm as far out of this loop as possible - but even I am suprised that anyone would consider playing sitting down for a pop band audition!!!

[bassjamm]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

I'm as far out of this loop as possible - but even I am suprised that anyone would consider playing sitting down for a pop band audition!!!

That's why i'm asking...

[Bruce Lindfield]

Well - to be honest, my personal opinion would be that if you have to ask this question, you have failed the audition already!!

I am a boring old fart who would never get this job in a million years, but I wouldn't have even considered sitting down !!

[bassjamm]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Well - to be honest, my personal opinion would be that if you have to ask this question, you have failed the audition already!!

I am a boring old fart who would never get this job in a million years, but I wouldn't have even considered sitting down !!

With the greatest of respect, i'm not looking for negative comments such as the ones you're offering sir.

I'm obviously still learning, hence why i've opened this up for discussion! I hope you can appreciate that, and if you have nothing constructive to add, then hopefully you too can learn from the guidance offered on here by those who have the experience and knowledge to impart.

Simply asking about sitting down is not a daft question, considering that i've already mentioned i've no experience of auditions of this nature.

Thank you to those who have offered help and guidance, and if you have any other tips Janek, i would be very appreciative to hear them!

[Bruce Lindfield]

Well if you're talking about experience - I was in rock/pop bands for about 10-15 years and I was in a band who got a recording contract with EMI - I would be grateful for any comments you can get and in the "real world" - they are likely to be far more "negative" than that!

I think you had better get used to it - and quick!!

[janekbass]

okay,

no need to put any negative comments up when someone is opening up and asking for advice. I won't stand for it in here. I don't care if you play bass for Eric Clapton, you can approach giving advice with a little more restraint. It's about helping someone else when they ask for advice, not about sounding bitter about the industry. And why, when you claim to be an old fart who wouldn't get the gig in a million years, would you think someone would want to listen to the advice you have to give? it's hardly an encouraging statement to start your post with.

Jamie:

you should stand, yes. Check out the artist online and see what the look is. Or check out similar artists and see what they're wearing, and what the bands are wearing. There are enough youtube videos of any artist you can imagine to check out.

Easy,

Janek

[Bruce Lindfield]

Sorry - I was just trying to emphasise that if you are putting yourself up for public auditions - then you are going to need to be pretty thick-skinned and that a big part of that will be getting some negative comments.

I was also trying to be somewhat humerous and self-deprecating - guess I failed on that one, huh!

[Bruce Lindfield]

On a more serious note - to Janek :

How much do you think that success at auditions is to do with inherent self-confidence, over actual talent?

So if you can appear convincing and instill confidence - is this worth more than any amount of theoretical knowledge/skill?

[bassjamm]

Thanks for that Janek...i've got the artists myspace address and can listen to some of their songs. It's an audition for one of the original members of the Spice Girls (as in, before they made it big time), and she's got management and tours set-up...so i have quite a bit of info to go by there.

Thanks again for your advice and always, for taking the time to help others out.

J

[zac2944]

Sound like a great gig. Good luck and let us know how it works out.

[bassrique]

Interesting.

I've never auditioned for a world touring pop band.

I found the Divinity clinic [touching on the subject] worth watching. She has the spirit.

[nortonrider]

How about picking 4 different grooves and playing 15 seconds of each. Maybe 2 that are popular so they can see your ability to sound familiar and 2 that will show off your technical chops / personality.
I would think that with only giving you a minute to show what you got, they are looking for a certain image first, then if you fit that bill, they will be more seriously looking at your skills.

[janekbass]

don't do anything flashy. you don't need to display chops or technical ability, just play the bass.

Easy,

Janek

[bassjamm]

Thanks Janek, appreciate the advice!

Jamie

[bassjamm]

Hi guys...well the audition is tomorrow...just found out that it's now a 3 minute audition, so a bit less of a worry, can settle down, chill out and groove a bit more....

Any last minute words of wisdom, questions to ask, financial issues to clear up...?

Thanks again for your help people.

J

[kobass]

Best of luck, J!


Cheers,
Kevin