An audition requires you to play with a pick. Why?

JaneBass1 · #1 08-12-2008, 12:46 PM

I was replying to an ad and it says something like "if you don't play with a pick don't reply".

What the heck. I never really was interested on playing with a pick as I think it was too bright. Besides If I want to sound bright I can change the tone and play with the bridge PU. Kind of like Jaco.

This might go in that sticky pick or no pick thread.

But c'mon a requirement to be "must use pick" is ridiculous.

frankenp · #2 08-12-2008, 12:49 PM

Reminds me of a band I was in when I was 15. I used to play until my fingers bleed all over the place and they used to yell at me to use a pick. I always refused.

Mushroo · #3 08-12-2008, 01:06 PM

Why? Because they are being specific about what they're looking for in a bass player. Clearly, since you are upset by it, it is not the right band for you. Don't waste your time.

It's like if you were replying to a personal ad that said "must have a _____" and you said "well I don't have a _____ but I can solo the bridge pickup."

BassOverdrive · #4 08-12-2008, 01:18 PM

Some people are like that lol. Pick and fingers have a different tone and someone will complain about fingers muting or the percussive noise of a pick hitting a string. I use picks, fingers, and thumb picks myself

Ric5 · #5 08-12-2008, 01:24 PM

The issue is before you even join the band they already want to dictate to you how to play your bass ... I don't put up with that at all.

I once had an audition where they said no pick players allowed. I told them off.

I think a good bass player should learn picks, fingers, slapping, and any other method to play the bass, and then use what is best for the song.

Simon Langley · #6 08-12-2008, 01:29 PM

*I recently auditioned for a band where the songwriter/singer/guitarist requested that I use a pick. I'm normally not a pick player so you know what I did... I used a pick. You know what else I found out... I'm lousy with a pick. Definitely a weak point in my playing. I liked the music and they liked me so now I am in the band, and playing with a pick and you know what else... as a result I'm getting better with a pick.

*Put the ego aside and remember: In most cases the bass is a support instrument. This is not your band and you need to be flexible enough to play however they want. When you start your own band you can make the rules. And if you think playing with a pick makes you less of a player then check out Bobby Vega's pick playing on www.bassplayer.tv.

rappa29 · #7 08-12-2008, 01:31 PM

Well, it's their band and that's the sound they want, good or bad.

It's the same as a band who posts, "fretless only" or "looking for double bass player". I don't play fretless or double bass, but I'm not offended that they're looking for specifically that.

I wouldn't sweat it. There are plenty of other "bass player" wanted ads.

"I think a good bass player should learn picks, fingers, slapping, and any other method to play the bass, and then use what is best for the song."

I agree. That gives you the tools for ANY gig, band or session.

How many of us have placed "wanted" ads for players and stating specifically what we want? I know I have because I don't want Steve Vai wannabe showing up to play Motown covers or George Benson clone showing up to play AC\DC.

Quite frankly, it's their band and they can dictate whatever they want. Not a big deal.

It's not that they're telling you how to play your bass. They're trying to find some one to play bass the way they want to hear it. If you show up and audition and kick ass playing with a pick and they say, "You should play 8ths notes during that part. You should rest during that part. Don't play any riffs. Just play whole notes." THAT's telling you how to play your bass.

Mushroo · #8 08-12-2008, 01:37 PM

Do you have preferences in what you look for in a guitar player? I personally prefer Les Paul tone to Strats, don't like guitarists who detune, don't think 2-handed tapping fits my songs, and I have a specific idea about how the guitar should be EQ'd. I would not hesitate to mention any of these things in a guitarist-wanted ad, and certainly would not feel like I was being a jerk or "dictating how to play the guitar."

wazzel · #9 08-12-2008, 01:45 PM

I would skip it. I will play what is needed for a song wether it be finger, pick, slap, etc. If an adution says must need a pick I think sitting on roots driving eigth notes which is not something I would be happy doing.

Baird6869 · #10 08-12-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankenp

Reminds me of a band I was in when I was 15.

+1.

Usually the requirement isn't playing with a pick but "must have really long hair", "tattoos" etc.

Really immature IMO. I have no time for that crap.

rappa29 · #11 08-12-2008, 01:50 PM

So if Mutt Lange, Quincy Jones, Danial Lanois, Bob Rock, <insert your favorite producer here>, called any of you and asked you to play a session with a pick, you'd turn them down??

salcott · #12 08-12-2008, 01:59 PM

That's not anything at all compared to "must wear bass at knees". If they ask for pick, it's because they want that sound.

Mushroo · #13 08-12-2008, 02:01 PM

I used to get self-righteous when jazz groups turned me down because they wanted an upright bass. "But Jaco played jazz on electric!"

Now that I am older and have perspective, I realize what an obnoxious come-back that was!

von buck · #14 08-12-2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rappa29

So if Mutt Lange, Quincy Jones, Danial Lanois, Bob Rock, <insert your favorite producer here>, called any of you and asked you to play a session with a pick, you'd turn them down??

If any of those guys called and said they needed me to play with a pick, well they have the credentials and if they want a pick then they gets a pick. Some local losers who insist on a pick before even hearing you is a different story.

Andy

Dogbertday · #15 08-12-2008, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneBass1

I was replying to an ad and it says something like "if you don't play with a pick don't reply".

What the heck. I never really was interested on playing with a pick as I think it was too bright. Besides If I want to sound bright I can change the tone and play with the bridge PU. Kind of like Jaco.

This might go in that sticky pick or no pick thread.

But c'mon a requirement to be "must use pick" is ridiculous.

Maybe they've had bad experiences with people who compared themselves to jaco a lot?

HaVIC5 · #16 08-12-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by von buck

If any of those guys called and said they needed me to play with a pick, well they have the credentials and if they want a pick then they gets a pick. Some local losers who insist on a pick before even hearing you is a different story.

Andy

No, incorrect, they want a pick because they want the sound of a bass played with a pick. I don't see why this is even an issue. If a funk band was auditioning a bassist, would anybody call foul if they asked for somebody who would slap/pop a lot? It's part of what the band wants out of a bass player's sound, a solid pickstyle rock bass tone. No matter how soloed the bridge pickup is, it won't equal a pick.

Fenderjazz6823 · #17 08-12-2008, 02:29 PM

Make Your own Band then you can Tell people How to play

I did my
requirements are

Pratice and show up for pratice
cant make pratice Use the phone the object that looks like a box with the button's and talk in to it to let me know you won't be there

That is hard enough to get anybody to
show up and it's even better if they pratice nevermind if they use a pick or not
they will change there requirements after about 6 months of not finding someone to fill the bass spot

bassmonkeee · #18 08-12-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

The issue is before you even join the band they already want to dictate to you how to play your bass ... I don't put up with that at all.

I once had an audition where they said no pick players allowed. I told them off.

I think a good bass player should learn picks, fingers, slapping, and any other method to play the bass, and then use what is best for the song.

You don't put up with it? Sounds like you didn't get any of the gigs, either.

And, as for "telling them off?" You accomplished nothing. You know what they said when you left? "What a dick--NEXT!" Maybe all of their songs sound best with a pick.

Playing by the bridge "a la Jaco" doesn't sound anything like playing with a pick. It sounds like playing by the bridge like Jaco. If they want a pick player, they want a pick player. By putting it in the ad, they are saving you and them wasted time and wasted gas money. That's life--Find something more important to get righteously indignant about.

neuromancer · #19 08-12-2008, 02:36 PM

Some interesting points here....definitely of note that it's probably a good idea to be proficient in several techniques...something I need to work on myself.

Above that, however - I feel the need to say I admire their honesty...which is something I find in short supply these days. I've done auditions, gigs, and several-year stints in bands where I wasn't what they wanted, and was never told up front....

At least in this case they were nice enough not to waste the OP's time.

Marcury · #20 08-12-2008, 02:49 PM

^^

Seems to me they are doing potential applicants a favor. If you don't play with a pick they don't want you. It's their call and they don't have to waste their time OR yours.