I've got a practice session with a 3-piece band next week

[Busker]

This will be my first time playing (or even practicing) with anyone since I started playing the bass.

These guys are verteran classic rock players, looking for a bass player, so I answered the ad, thinking maybe it was some guys forming a new band. But they've been doing this for years in an existing band (classic rock covers), with, I take it, a sort-of flexible lineup. They had to let their permanent bassist go recently. I went to see them tonight and they had a fill-in temporary bass player. Next week they might have another drummer on fill-in duty if the regular guy can't be there (they all have day jobs).

I probably won't get a gig out of it, since they really want a bassist who can sing backup, harmony and even lead on some songs. I can sing a little but... I don't know tons of songs, hardly any lyrics memorized yet. They are of course, hoping for someone as experienced as themselves, who can just step in and do the job with little to no rehearsal time (that's not me, not yet. I need rehearsal time, all I can get). I will have a busy week getting some stuff down, so hopefully I don't make a fool out of myself. But the bassist they had with them tonight didn't know all the songs. He did a good job of learning them on the spot, and/or faking it well enough. I'll probably just be getting some practice in a band setting, which I sorely need. But hey, I'll be glad for whatever I can get. If they like what they hear, maybe they'll be able to use me at least occasionally.

There is some talent there for sure. One guy plays guitar, piano and harmonica and does most of the singing, plus a drummer who is also a good singer, and a bassist.

[dangnewt]

Sounds like an interesting and challenging gig. While they think they may be looking for a more experienced player, they may also decide that it may be worth taking on someone with a good attitude and work ethic.

Don't sell yourself short, you may be exactly what they are looking for. Good luck.

[Busker]

Originally Posted by dangnewt

Sounds like an interesting and challenging gig. While they think they may be looking for a more experienced player, they may also decide that it may be worth taking on someone with a good attitude and work ethic.

Don't sell yourself short, you may be exactly what they are looking for. Good luck.

Challenging, for me.

I'm already nervous about it and it's 6 days away. That's enough time to learn some songs though, which will give me a bit more confidence.

I asked him if he could give me a short list of songs to work on and he said, well, we never know what we're going to play from night to night.

[Alan U]

Try not to worry too much.

What's to lose?
If you're not suitable/compatible with the band, just look at it as good experience. It will show you what areas you might need to brush-up on.

Get in a bit of practice beforehand on the sort of stuff they play and try to stay loose, shake their hands when you meet, and make conversation. You'll thus get a feel of them, and they of you.
They know you'll be nervous, and if they have any maturity at all you will not come away humiliated. They all started somewhere too.

Wishing you good luck, let us know how it goes, eh?

All the best, Alan

ps. I've been in your situation where I've auditioned, and didn't think I'd get it.
Then turned them down.

[Busker]

Originally Posted by Alan U

Try not to worry too much.

What's to lose?
If you're not suitable/compatible with the band, just look at it as good experience. It will show you what areas you might need to brush-up on.

Get in a bit of practice beforehand on the sort of stuff they play and try to stay loose, shake their hands when you meet, and make conversation. You'll thus get a feel of them, and they of you.
They know you'll be nervous, and if they have any maturity at all you will not come away humiliated. They all started somewhere too.

Wishing you good luck, let us know how it goes, eh?

All the best, Alan

ps. I've been in your situation where I've auditioned, and didn't think I'd get it.
Then turned them down.

Thanks for the reply. Good advice.

[gottawalk]

Originally Posted by Alan U

Try not to worry too much.

What's to lose?
If you're not suitable/compatible with the band, just look at it as good experience. It will show you what areas you might need to brush-up on.

Get in a bit of practice beforehand on the sort of stuff they play and try to stay loose, shake their hands when you meet, and make conversation. You'll thus get a feel of them, and they of you.
They know you'll be nervous, and if they have any maturity at all you will not come away humiliated. They all started somewhere too.

Wishing you good luck, let us know how it goes, eh?

All the best, Alan

ps. I've been in your situation where I've auditioned, and didn't think I'd get it.
Then turned them down.

I love this response! +100

You should do as many auditions as you can; it gets you past the "butterflies" and into the music as you progress. The one thing I like is his take on the fact that if they're "mature", then they'll give you the shot without the crap.

The thing you need to remember about playing is that you're style, no matter what you play, is unique to you. EVEYONE is that way, no matter what instrument they play. So therefore, it's not just the notes, but the "chemistry" that will make or break a union with a band. Players may be picked not because they're the best, but because they fit the gig. I'm not by any means a "monster", but I've got a solid groove, know some material, am a quick study, and get along with pretty much anyone I meet. Ever go to jam sessions and watch the players there to see what's out there? Great places to get your talent seen if you sit in! Don't let the other players intimidate you; like I said: each player is his/her own unique sound and style and each band is looking for something different.

Keep "up", and have a good sense of humor about it all. Good luck with the audition and if it works; great! If not, then learn from it and move on to another one! No harm done; you've got plenty of time.

[Busker]

Well, I did it. I spent the last week learning songs, but of course, not nearly enough.

What was to be about a two hour practice session turned out to be nearly 4 hours. Everyone told me I did pretty good. The guitarist said I did better than the guy they tried out last night, so I'm encouraged. We rocked on some songs. Other songs weren't quite as happening, but it was my first time with them. I was playing my Schecter Model T. If there's a next time, i'll try my P bass.

I wouldn't have been so nervous about it if the session were at someone's house where no one else but the band members could hear. But it was in a tavern. Not a big crowd, but a crowd nonetheless.

My first time playing with a drummer, and the drummer was a different guy than they had last week. This guy played electronic drums. He made 'em sound great. The regular drummer plays acoustic drums.

[Johnny Crab]

CONGRATS!

Drums with volume controls AND someone who can "make them sound great" can be your ears best friend. ALWAYS listen to the hi-hat...

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by Busker

Well, I did it. I spent the last week learning songs, but of course, not nearly enough.

What was to be about a two hour practice session turned out to be nearly 4 hours. Everyone told me I did pretty good. The guitarist said I did better than the guy they tried out last night, so I'm encouraged. We rocked on some songs. Other songs weren't quite as happening, but it was my first time with them. I was playing my Schecter Model T. If there's a next time, i'll try my P bass.

I wouldn't have been so nervous about it if the session were at someone's house where no one else but the band members could hear. But it was in a tavern. Not a big crowd, but a crowd nonetheless.

My first time playing with a drummer, and the drummer was a different guy than they had last week. This guy played electronic drums. He made 'em sound great. The regular drummer plays acoustic drums.

Hey thats' awesome buddy, talk about the deep end!

You not only managed your butterflies during an auditon you just got through your first gig too. Playing for longer than expected is always good on an audition as well.
Congratulations man!

[seanm]

Originally Posted by Busker

I wouldn't have been so nervous about it if the session were at someone's house where no one else but the band members could hear. But it was in a tavern. Not a big crowd, but a crowd nonetheless.

For your first time playing with a band you have my respect just for not wilting under those circumstances. And it sounds like you did a good job to boot!

For that you deserve four bassists!

[Busker]

Thank you all.

Hey, I found out I knew a few more songs than I thought I did. One of the songs I thought I did pretty good on was a Van Halen/Kinks song I had never played before, You Really Got Me. Of course, it's an easy song, so that helps. Most of the songs were easy. Just a handful of notes on the left hand and laying down the beat with the right.

[62Walnut]

Doing a four hour session as you lose your virginity, that's some going! Well done for taking on the challenge and not flaking it when it turned out a little different than you thought.

Walnut

[Busker]

They called me back for a second practice, which is tonight. The guitarist asked me to learn two songs for tonight (and gave me 2 days to do it). He wants me to learn Crazy Train by Ozzy. I've just about got it down, cold. The other is a song he wants me to try to sing on, and I don't like it very much. An oldie, Vehicle, by Ides Of March, circa 1970. These guys play just about anything.

I'll try to do the song, for them, but I just don't care for it all that much. I can't sing it nearly as well as the singer on the original, IMO, and it'll probably sound lame.

They haven't said as much, yet, but my wife thinks I've got the gig already. I'm not so sure, but if so, that's another bunch of challenges. They start gigging (for real) again in April, just days, or at most a few weeks away. There's no question that I'm not fully prepared.

When I answered this ad originally, I envisioned some guys forming a band, all of us rehearsing, learning material together, working out parts, all before playing a gig. LOL.

[gottawalk]

Hey!, you're livin' part of the dream, man! Walking into a pre-formed band that's already got gigs! Go for it!!!!! And have fun!

[Busker]

It didn't go so well last night. That Vehicle song I was to sing turned out to be a disaster. I lost my place in the song, had to quit playing for a bit until I found it again. I flubbed the lyrics too. The song is very simple, but it's playing and singing at the same time that is my hangup. That will improve with time, but it's not going to improve overnight.

I hope they keep auditioning bassists and find a good one. It's pretty clear that I'm not ready, but I told them from the start that I was new on the bass, wet behind the ears, etc. .

[jazzbo]

Originally Posted by Busker

It didn't go so well last night. That Vehicle song I was to sing turned out to be a disaster. I lost my place in the song, had to quit playing for a bit until I found it again. I flubbed the lyrics too. The song is very simple, but it's playing and singing at the same time that is my hangup. That will improve with time, but it's not going to improve overnight.

I hope they keep auditioning bassists and find a good one. It's pretty clear that I'm not ready, but I told them from the start that I was new on the bass, wet behind the ears, etc. .

What a fantastic learning experience! Sounds like you're not so new on the bass anymore. Isn't it amazing that they said you did better than another guy the previous night, and there's a decent chance that he was more experienced. Just goes to show what hard work and dedication mean as a musician.

I think it's awesome that you challenged yourself and tried something new. (By the way, I like "Vehicle", don't know why). You never know, you still might get the gig, but if you don't, think about how better prepared you are for the next audition. I don't think anybody here has ever landed the gig for every audition they've gone to. If they have, they're either Jaco, or haven't been challenging themselves.

Anyway, it really sounds like a great story for a lot of new bassists, about pushing yourself, being prepared, trying new things ...

Very cool.

[gottawalk]

Originally Posted by Busker

It didn't go so well last night. That Vehicle song I was to sing turned out to be a disaster. I lost my place in the song, had to quit playing for a bit until I found it again. I flubbed the lyrics too. The song is very simple, but it's playing and singing at the same time that is my hangup. That will improve with time, but it's not going to improve overnight.

I hope they keep auditioning bassists and find a good one. It's pretty clear that I'm not ready, but I told them from the start that I was new on the bass, wet behind the ears, etc. .

Great job! You went in and gave it your all; that's what counts, and like the others are saying, the experience will be well worth it. Don't sell yourself short, right away, though. Unless they said something that night, you may still have a chance at it if they liked your playing. The singing part may be secondary and something that could be worked out later on. Good luck, and I hope you get what you want out of it!