Jam Band Audition (Yikes!)

[BigPappa985]

So I've found a rock/jam band that I really enjoy and it turns out that they are looking for a new bass player to tour with. I immediately booked an audition for mid-December since I enjoyed their music so much, but now I'm having serious doubts about my abilities as a bass player as I'm going through the music - all I have are live mp3 files to learn from.

I can hear the bass lines in my head, but I'm having trouble replicating them on my bass. For some reason I seem to be a little off regarding color notes outside of the root. I'm using the Amazing Slow Downer to pick up some of the little things, but due to the quality of the live mp3's, I'm not having the best result. I believe that I'm just not getting the "feel" for some of the music

Brief History: I've been playing for 14 years by EAR. I've been taking lessons for the last 15 months and learned what chord symbols actually mean (i.e. 1,3,5,7; 1,3,5,b7; 1,b3,5,b7; etc.). My weakest attributes are soloing and a slap bass.

Do you guys have any advice for learning how to become a good jam band bassist? Is there something I should be concentrating on? Is there a good website that will comp chords to practice soloing?

[narcopolo]

i would suggest learning some grateful dead songs, some motown (james jamerson), and work on your walking skills.
if they are jamming, i doubt they need an additional noodler. if you can lock in with the drummer in a catchy and danceable groove (ie, motown-style r&b), the lead guys (i'm assuming guitar and keys) will really appreciate the solid foundation over which to improvise. remember that the genre is primarily a dance music. your job is to keep a steady groove: 1.so people can dance and 2. so the soloist can take a leap without worrying about what's happening underneath him.
at the end of the day, all you need to do is lock in with the drummer and make the changes clearly.

[joshmat]

as narcopolo suggests, focus on locking in with the drummer (key for all bassists IME). be sure you can hang enough with the changes so that guitar/keys can hear where things are going. i've always found that a tight groove and good setup for dynamics is key to a groovey/jammey experience. also, be prepared for improvisation, so you're playing by EAR is actually a big plus in that category.

as far as slap and solos go, just keep practicing. technique and icing aren't necessary for a jam band (can add to it though). main focus should be along the lines of tight and solid. without that your noodling hoola-hooping crowd will resort to rollling another and not dancing for ya!

i'd suggest grabbing some cd's by the meters (can you say george porter jr? )/galactic/sci/phish ... this list could go on and on. basically, study up on how jam bands tend to work. pay attention to how a song is different on a live track vs the studio version as you'll find that many jam bands go with the dynamic flow when it comes to performing. the key is sounding like everyone's rehearsed when they haven't. e.g. ... all of those live recordings of the dead are where you can really hear how phil/jerry and the others interacted with each other.

good luck and have fun!

[scottbass]

Originally Posted by BigPappa985

For some reason I seem to be a little off regarding color notes outside of the root.

That's called "style". If they expect their new bassist to play with the same exact style as their previous bassist, they will never find their new bassist.

Play with your own style. Develop and expand your own style by listening to many many many other bassists from all genres and adopting (i.e., copying and adapting) their style into yours. +1 to the other comments about finding a good groove, learning from motown, improving your walking bass technique, etc. But that's just a small part of what goes into each bassist's individual style. The key word here is "individual".

Of all bands, I would think a jam band would most understand - and appreciate, and welcome - the change of style a new bassist can bring to the mix.

My advice is learn the structure, chord changes, and basic grooves of the songs as best your can, but don't obsess about copying the previous bassist's style note-for-note. Perhaps spend a little time thinking about how your style differs from the previous bassist's so you can have a focused discussion about different styles when you go to audition. That will show them that you are more than just a copycat.

Best of luck - it sounds like you really want to play with this band. Make sure you tell them that, too!

[Earthday]

I'll repeat. Nail those changes and keep a solid groove. Don't focus on the other bassist's color notes, add your own. Besides that, bring energy and have fun. If they don't enjoy improvising with you, you're not coming back.

[CharlieDog]

Originally Posted by BigPappa985

My weakest attributes are soloing and a slap bass.

That's completely alright.

[groooooove]

ive been in a jamband since i was 14. my first advice is, dont learn their songs note for note basslines, unless its really signature. a lot of "jamming" is somewhere between grooving and walking bass- a moving groove, if you will? anyway, to start off, lots of pentatonics will usually do you just fine...

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by Earthday

I'll repeat. Nail those changes and keep a solid groove. Don't focus on the other bassist's color notes, add your own. Besides that, bring energy and have fun. If they don't enjoy improvising with you, you're not coming back.

+1

[dalconthenovice]

work on your voicing with the instrument not so much on learning to copy the former bass player
"if you can hum it, you can play bass to it" is some advice i got once

this works especially well with jam bands

try this on for size:


listen to some of those tracks, don't play bass but hum it, and then play what you hum, when you get comfortable with the track "solo" hum" and then play to that

this is just some advice for when you want to improvise and the like and when your put in a spot where your not comfortable

but everyone here omho had something better to say than i lol