Just got a call to audition for the big guys

FishstickFender · #1 04-17-2011, 12:01 PM

I just got a call from one of the main bluegrass acts in town. Great musicians, really fun music, and they pull a crowd pretty much everywhere they play. The band I'm in right now is breaking up in a couple weeks and they are looking for a bass player so I guess they are looking to scoop me up if the fit is right. I've got a rehearsal with them on Thurs and play a show with them Fri. I really want this gig! Any suggestions on things to work on other than learning their material? They've been through a number of bass players, so my goal here is to be solid, unobtrusive, and easy to work with. Any suggestions? Anyone had a similar experience?

Cirk · #2 04-17-2011, 12:05 PM

If they've been through a number of bassists already, maybe they're difficult to work with. Go in with an open mind, and pay close attention to the band chemistry. I reserve the right to be completely wrong about all of this!

Floyd Eye · #3 04-17-2011, 12:10 PM

Learn the material very well. Be pleasant and easy to get along with etc. Be enthusiastic, but don't let on how badly you want to play with them. Remember, they called you, so if you nail the parts and come off as a nice guy, Bob's yer uncle.

BillyIVbass · #4 04-17-2011, 12:17 PM

Be on time, really listen to the songs and be relaxed.

theduke1 · #5 04-17-2011, 12:55 PM

If they have heard you play before, learn their stuff and be yourself!

tomshepp · #6 04-17-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theduke1

If they have heard you play before, learn their stuff and be yourself!

+1

FishstickFender · #7 04-17-2011, 07:17 PM

Thanks guys for the advice and encouragement. I'll let you know how it goes!

bThumper38 · #8 04-17-2011, 07:21 PM

If it's bluegrass, I'd youtube a bunch of david grisman, newgrass revival, and other stuff, and just make sure you're somewhat ready, if you don't already play that kind of stuff

FishstickFender · #9 04-24-2011, 08:40 AM

Again thanks everyone for the encouragement. After a week of shedding and learning songs I had a rehearsal with them followed by two shows; one fully acoustic set in the university area in the afternoon (low pressure, good practice); one at the big bluegrass / americana venue in town in the evening (very high pressure, the real test). I went into the situation very confident in my playing, I've been feeling super confident in general with respect to my playing, and the serious shedding really pushed the confidence over the top. About an hour before we started the main show (the big one) one of the guys asked me if I wanted to go on tour with them... I said yes, trying to hide my excitement. So a week of serious stress followed by straight up euphoria! I'm finally gonna go on tour! Stoked!

Floyd Eye · #10 04-24-2011, 08:41 AM

Congratulations man. I had faith in ya all along.

FishstickFender · #11 04-24-2011, 08:47 AM

btw Floyd: Bob's your uncle is a fixture of my lexicon now thanks to you. Had to look it up cause I'd never heard it before but is definitely one of my favorite expressions now.

Floyd Eye · #12 04-24-2011, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishstickFender

btw Floyd: Bob's your uncle is a fixture of my lexicon now thanks to you. Had to look it up cause I'd never heard it before but is definitely one of my favorite expressions now.

I picked it up from some British guys I know. lol

Congrats again Fishstick. Very cool.

Joe Nerve · #13 04-24-2011, 09:07 AM

Congratulations!!! My expereience has taught me if I want to stay in situations like that, keep my mouth shut and understand that a big part of the job is just smiling and doing whatever it is they want me to do. And if I have a problem with that then I don't belong in the band.

Something else I'm kinda re-learning lately. Things go much better for me in music (and in all of life) when I focus on what I can give to the situation, more than focusing on what I can get.

You're in a great spot. I know the feeling, and I'm happy for ya. Even if I don't know ya.

**nutdog** · #14 04-24-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

if I want to stay in situations like that, keep my mouth shut

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 17:28

Congratulations. Mind if I ask what area you are playing in? Might want to check it out.

Joe Nerve · #15 04-24-2011, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutdog

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 17:28

I'm friends with someone a lot of people here know of, who was fortunate enough to play with a bunch of the biggest rockstars on the planet. His best advice to me was exactly that. He said, "I keep my mouth shut, smile, and say 'sure' to everything." Even had to change the type of bass he played, endorsed, and loved because a friend of the band leader convinced the band leader he should be playing something else. He just went along with it and learned to love a bass he really didn't like. No arguments, no "but you don't understand", just "sure".

Tough stuff (for me) to live by, but a lot easier if I simply accept it as part of the game. And if I don't want to I can always go out and do my own thing, running things exactly the way I want. Which is often a lot tougher.

bass_snake · #16 04-24-2011, 08:44 PM

Pleasure to read this thread. Good luck with the band.

Friedrich

MR PC · #17 04-29-2011, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutdog

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 17:28

The poker players prayer.

FishstickFender · #18 05-03-2011, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutdog

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 17:28

Congratulations. Mind if I ask what area you are playing in? Might want to check it out.

Pacific NW, but will be touring in the UK. Not sure what the itinerary is yet, but should be going all over the place. I can update you if you'd like.