I got a call back

Lowner · #1 08-10-2006, 10:11 AM

That band I auditioned for gave me a call back. It turns out that I was one of three bass players they were considering and I got a call back. The guy who told me I played bass like a guitar player claims he never said I didn't get the gig. but I am positive he did say i didn't get the gig.
Anyways he, the singer, and and the other guitar player were seated at a table with papers. they were going to rate the three finalist on criteria written on the papaers. Whoever got the highest score would become their new bass player. i was asked to use my Me 50 b as much as i wanted. There were 3 rounds to this audition. In each round there would be a hat to draw a style or famous bass player. I drew" play like Jaco "in the first round. I played my original Jaco piece. The second round I got "do a little John Paul Jones for us" and then I got "Chris Squire Yes, please." I was the stupidest thing I have ever done.
When i finished playing my Chris Squire I unplugged my bass and walked out. As I was putting my bass in the car the singer came out and said that if had not walked out I would have gotten the job. i told him I don't want the gig after all this garbage you put me through.
It was like being on American Idol gone bad or something.

vindy500 · #2 08-10-2006, 10:15 AM

so you didnt like the way they auditioned you? you moan a lot dont you

matrok · #3 08-10-2006, 10:20 AM

I would have walked too, only sooner. They sound like idiots.

tZer · #4 08-10-2006, 10:27 AM

I still say you should punch him in the throat for the 'play bass like a guitar player' comment.

Dirty Dave · #5 08-10-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matrok

I would have walked too, only sooner. They sound like idiots.

+1

I either play with the band I'm auditioning for or not at all.

DaveDeVille · #6 08-10-2006, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindy500

so you didnt like the way they auditioned you?
you moan a lot dont you

are you serious ??

i'd have walked after the first audition ...

tplyons · #7 08-10-2006, 10:45 AM

I wouldn't have gone back after the callback.

Are they looking for a bass player or a dog that does tricks? Seriously.

Naveed Afzal · #8 08-10-2006, 10:46 AM

if u audition, go thru with it, regardless of how its going... just because they are being rude and obnoxious doesnt mean you in turn have to.

AND... i wouldnt have went back for th3 second audition if i didnt like them the first time.

matrok · #9 08-10-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naveed Afzal

if u audition, go thru with it, regardless of how its going... just because they are being rude and obnoxious doesnt mean you in turn have to.

AND... i wouldnt have went back for th3 second audition if i didnt like them the first time.

But he did go through with it. He just didn't wait for them to hold up the score cards. Rudeto just walk out? Perhaps a bit, but I don't think it was really out of line. I would have been really rude and told them where to put the hat before it even got started. And I'm usually a pretty nice guy.

I do agree though that I would not have gone back after the other comment.

markjazzbassist · #10 08-10-2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matrok

I would have walked too, only sooner. They sound like idiots.

+1

who are these idiot bands i keep reading threads on?

stingray69 · #11 08-10-2006, 11:06 AM

What's next? Could you put your right foot in, now could you put your right foot out, please - and now could you shake it all about for us?....well you get the picture. I'd have bailed out way before all that insanity. Do they even intend on playing any Jaco/Zepplin/Yes tunes at all? I'd have played them "Send In The Clowns" and promptly split. Sorry you had to deal with that nightmare they called an "audition".

superbassman2000 · #12 08-10-2006, 11:10 AM

i would never have come back. To me, Music is fun. If i have to jump through hoops to get in, forget it. the only bands i would jump through hoops for are the ones with record deals and touring schedules...if i can be guaruntee'd money, and lots of it. of course those bands know that chromatic scales aren't indications of anything, and they know enough about music that you don't usually write songs "in a jpj style" or "in a jaco" style...

it sounds like these guys are just a few hacks with an ego bigger than their band

guy n. cognito · #13 08-10-2006, 11:19 AM

Lowner:

What kind of band is this? Teenagers in a cover band or a serious, professional touring band?

tZer · #14 08-10-2006, 11:23 AM

Hey, like Chuck Rainey said in a recent clinic - you treat everyone as a professional, no matter what. You want a reputation as someone who is easy to work with and who does not get flustered by attitudes. The more your rep spreads like that, the more gigs you get. Disconnect yourself from the emotional aspects that are naturally attached to being a musician and focus on the gig, period. Some of the most creative people in the world are also the biggest a-holes. If you can let their annoying qualities roll off your back like water from a duck, then you will get lots of gigs and possibly be on some hits.

So, ignore my 'punch him in the throat' comment (I really do not advocate violence in response to comments about bass playing) - Ride the high road as far as it will take you!

But even Chuck acknowledged falling off the high road every so often. He says that sometimes you just can't work with some people - they seem hell-bent on driving you mad over making music... but for the most part, be a pro and not an EMOtional twit - ya know?

Emotions are for people you care about, not people you work with.

MikeBass · #15 08-10-2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

Lowner:

What kind of band is this? Teenagers in a cover band or a serious, professional touring band?

First off, I would have laughed at what they purposed. But I would have done it. (pulled crap out of a hat?!?! And voted on it?!?!?

)
Second, I would have asked them to play in those styles along with me.
If they couldn't, then, again, after my laughing stopped, I would have left.

If they are a serious touring pro band like guy mentioned, then I can maybe see their point.

An audition is as much of an audition of them to you, as it is of you to them.

I approach auditions like that and always will.
If I show up, I expect them to show me what they got as well.

guy n. cognito · #16 08-10-2006, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBass

First off, I would have laughed at what they purposed. But I would have done it.
Second, I would have asked them to play in those styles along with me.
If they couldn't, then, again, after my laughing stopped, I would have left.

If they are a serius touring pro band like guy mentioned, then I can maybe see their point.

An audition is as much of an audition of them to you, as it is of you to them.

I approach auditions like that and always will.
If I show up, I expect them to show me what they got as well.

Good point, Mike. Lowner, have you even seen these guys play? Have they demonstrated their Jaco-compatible chops?

**Kelly Lee** · #17 08-10-2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matrok

But he did go through with it.

BTW, Lowner is a lady, not a guy.

Lowner, I am surprised you went through with it. As soon as they pulled their little "hat trick" I would have laughed and walked.

It is cool that you had the skill to get the job and then just walked out. I bet they didn't see that coming!

These guys are jokers and obviously don't respect bass players. You are better off without them. Good luck on finding a better group of musicians to play with.

txbasschik · #18 08-10-2006, 12:15 PM

Eww! That *does* sound like some sort of Idol tryout. They sound like they are going to be real picky. Maybe this is really not the band for you.

Cherie

matrok · #19 08-10-2006, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Lee

BTW, Lowner is a lady, not a guy.

Doh! Sorry Lowner. *hangs head and slides out door*

BurningSkies · #20 08-10-2006, 12:24 PM

I would have walked without a look back.

I play like I play. I'll play songs of your choosing for an audition. I'll 'fake it' through other songs so you can get a feel for how I play by the seat of my pants.

That's just a ridiculous situation and it would set me up to be not so much into spending lots of time in a practice room or vehicle with those people.

A few weeks ago, I got a call for a gig and I said I'd check out a rehersal...that night. I showed up with a bass and a bottle of iced tea. And proceeded to play their set with them.

Half way through the night they asked me if I could rehearse the next night too. They'd played with a few other players, and I was told, 'oh, but you're a real bass player'.

At no time did I ever get asked to pick a style out of a hat.