Failed an audition today :)

NickInMesa · #1 05-30-2009, 07:03 PM

Completely out of the blue, that guy calls me after seeing my ad for a bass teacher, since my previous one decided to retire.

So on the phone I tell the guy "You know, I have been playing for 5 months, after a 15+ years interruption." He says he is ready to give me time to progress and show me what to play.

So we play the same song three times, very basic, open on low E (very relaxing for the left hand) then 1 bar D, 1 bar A, 2 bars E.

I tried to keep it simple, and I thought it sounded fine. The singer says it sounded pretty good, liked some of my ideas. The drummer says I can keep time and I am right on the beat, and in the pocket. Guitarists says I was following right, but was a bit all over the place at times, so on the third time, I kept it very very basic.

Then I was told I was not good enough for them, which is fine. Whatever. The singer had that look on his face:

I packed up and left and that was it.

Anyway, I just think it did not click, that's all, they were boozing and smoking, I'm probably too much of a geek for them, simply did not fit in, that was probably reason #1.

Reason #2 can't be my level, because I clearly told them I am coming back. On top of that they tell me that, for playing 5 months, and a big break, I was better than 90% of the bassists they met and on top of that had a great attitude.

I'm a bit surprised, but anyway, I did not like the band myself and maybe that showed. Their lyrics were downright dumb. It was good rock, pretty fun to play, but I did not feel like hanging out with these guys, for some reason.

He also brought up something called "Fretboard Logic", that it is the method he uses and that I should learn. Something about the "C.A.G.E.D." music system, that I should learn as well.

Anyway, this was my first band lineup after 15+ years, even if it was for 3 songs, that felt pretty good, actually, and I did not mind being told "no".

I'm just going to keep practicing and look around for a band.

And next time I'll try to look less like a geek, not shave that day, put on a skull bandana with makeup, or whatever.

MNAirHead · #2 05-30-2009, 09:30 PM

Nick...

It's good practice to go out and test bands for what you do/don't like... really helps write the ads.

When you click with guys - it's super fun and easy - otherwise it just doesnt' click.

I pick acts on if I'd like hanging out with the guys - not if we're all playing on the same level.

Tim

NickInMesa · #3 05-30-2009, 09:35 PM

I think the drummer is also a guitarist and the guitarist and him have been playing together for a long time using that CAGED method thing, and when they asked me to play an A chord, I played around the ACE chord and they both agreed I was playing the "E Form" instead ?!?

So I looked up online and it's all about playing the C, A, G, E and D chords on top of the neck, it's seriously stubborn and dumb.

Also I don't mind the beer drinking and the smoking but when guys stop every 3 songs to chug a beer down you know they're not coming out of their basement.

3 bassists, none stayed, the last one supposedly for personal issues, puh-leez, it's obvious that if they clash with real world music theory, it's not going anywhere.

I don't mind failing. I realized too I showed up dressed like a geek, with a red stripe polo, beige shorts and my New Balances

NickInMesa · #4 05-30-2009, 09:40 PM

Tim, guess which bass I took today to the audition. They totally digged it.

The Powerblock did its job but it did not sound too good, though, I guess I need something a bit better :0

Febs · #5 05-31-2009, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

I think the drummer is also a guitarist and the guitarist and him have been playing together for a long time using that CAGED method thing, and when they asked me to play an A chord, I played around the ACE chord and they both agreed I was playing the "E Form" instead ?!?

What does this mean?

Quote:

So I looked up online and it's all about playing the C, A, G, E and D chords on top of the neck, it's seriously stubborn and dumb.

There's a bit more to it than that, but regardless, I don't see what application it has to playing bass.

NickInMesa · #6 05-31-2009, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Febs

What does this mean?

There's a bit more to it than that, but regardless, I don't see what application it has to playing bass.

Root A, 3rd and 5th, simple as that, nothing too complicated.

I don't mind failing an audition, I won't join a band if it does not click.

Febs · #7 05-31-2009, 05:03 AM

The third of an A chord is a C#, not a C.

Jimmy Bones · #8 05-31-2009, 05:04 AM

Heh.

Sure are plugging Alex's teaching methods aren't you? :P

NickInMesa · #9 05-31-2009, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Febs

The third of an A chord is a C#, not a C.

Yes, that's what I played, C#, you're right, and no big deal.

Febs · #10 05-31-2009, 05:30 AM

Gotcha. I was hoping it was just a typo.

phxlbrmpf · #11 05-31-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Febs

What does this mean?

There's a bit more to it than that, but regardless, I don't see what application it has to playing bass.

Yeah, upon looking it up, I realized that I've pretty much done this for ages on guitar, it's a pretty simple way of moving chord shapes up and down the neck to make rhythm guitar parts more interesting and less repetitive. Of course this can also be applied to bass to some extent, but they weren't expecting you to be chording all the time, were they? I wouldn't worry about it, my guess is that you simply didn't "click" with the band.

NickInMesa · #12 05-31-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phxlbrmpf

Yeah, upon looking it up, I realized that I've pretty much done this for ages on guitar, it's a pretty simple way of moving chord shapes up and down the neck to make rhythm guitar parts more interesting and less repetitive. Of course this can also be applied to bass to some extent, but they weren't expecting you to be chording all the time, were they? I wouldn't worry about it, my guess is that you simply didn't "click" with the band.

Same thing here, when I want to give people the illusion that I can play guitar for 2 minutes, I pop a succession of these same chords.

Anyhow, that was an interesting experience, now I want to try more bands

illmusician · #13 06-01-2009, 11:51 AM

Dude everyone who has made it into a working band hasn't made it into a working band. We all seem to take it personally when we don't fit in. As long as you have auditioned again or are going to then you have what it takes. They could been more professional but try not to go on the offensive, you didn't click, cool leave it there. Make up, and bandana's are never a deal breaker. Unless they specifically said we want to see what you look like to fit an established image, If they said show up in just that... then I would be concerned.

NickInMesa · #14 06-01-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illmusician

Dude everyone who has made it into a working band hasn't made it into a working band. We all seem to take it personally when we don't fit in. As long as you have auditioned again or are going to then you have what it takes. They could been more professional but try not to go on the offensive, you didn't click, cool leave it there. Make up, and bandana's are never a deal breaker. Unless they specifically said we want to see what you look like to fit an established image, If they said show up in just that... then I would be concerned.

Thanks. I totally took it positively.

It would not have worked anyway, I could tell it right away when we were playing.

It's also who you want to hang out with. Your sound could be the perfect fit for their sound, but if they are hardcore type (as they were) and you are the geek type (as I am), it ain't going to click.

fretlessguy · #15 06-01-2009, 03:58 PM

Some things are not meant to be. I have learned to live with it, although it still doesn't make feel good to be rejected. But, I find it preposterous for a guitarist to tell a bassist how to play ato a certain method or style.

NickInMesa · #16 06-01-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessguy

Some things are not meant to be. I have learned to live with it, although it still doesn't make feel good to be rejected. But, I find it preposterous for a guitarist to tell a bassist how to play ato a certain method or style.

True and when I told him to tell me the root notes and chords, I was told that's not how they do music.