ok im kinda FREAKING OUT MAN

sublime0bass · #1 09-16-2007, 11:02 PM

so, i havent ever really played in public, per se. jam with my friends sometimes, but now a "real band" wants me to audition with them

im getting nervous. im confident in my playing ability (well, not really, but thats not an issue because i understand what level i am on), but the real concern is what to play when i meet with them later this week

maybe im just worried i will freeze, or only come up with crappy bass lines

halp!

meev992 · #2 09-16-2007, 11:13 PM

everyone noodles around on a bass; go through your list of noodling tunes, as an ice-breaker, to showcase your technical ability and your influences.

other than that, do what College students do best....CRAM CRAM STUDY STUDY...

possibly drink some booze

hahha, kidding about the last part.

EmperorDoom · #3 09-16-2007, 11:16 PM

I remember being the same way.. I had being playing bass for only 6 months when a jazz trio asked me to come jam. I went there and played my best.. (lots of roots/fifths and crappy walking lines and completely screwing up the 3/4 songs) but these guys were really encouraging and after the next practice I was feeling a lot more confident.

if they're a real band already ask them to play one of there originals and just follow the guitarist. Everyone has to start somewhere - and really the more people you can say you jammed with the better.

Hope it goes well!

meev992 · #4 09-16-2007, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmperorDoom

I remember being the same way.. I had being playing bass for only 6 months when a jazz trio asked me to come jam.

aww man, JAZZ, that's like, whoa nelly

I would've crapped out...I can't keep up with them

rusty66 · #5 09-17-2007, 02:30 AM

Go for it dude, Just get in there & have a go, you are "the Man". Dont forget to show them that. Play along with them & just do your best.

The other advice about having a few drinks beforehand is also good for the nerves!!

Let us know how you went!

Cheers,
Rusty

IanStephenson · #6 09-17-2007, 04:28 AM

Find out what you're going to be playing AHEAD of time...

Are they playing covers/standards? Do they have a CD/Tape of original stuff? Try and find out, even so you've got a couple of songs "in the bag" - going in cold and improvising a full audition is a pain. If they haven't given you any clues as to what is going to happen, then ask them...

Force the play if necessary - call them up and dicuss a couple of songs you/they know just to get started, otherwise things could get awkward. It sounds like they haven't given you much info - if they were prepared for this, they'd know what's going to happen, and be telling you (unless of course its a top pro gig, in which case they can call you up an expect you to jump through whatever hoops on demand, but thats another story!). Arrange what's going to happen - play three or four songs agreed in advance, maybe a SHORT jam, then grab ONE beer with them and chat about what both sides want to get out of the band. Then get out of there, and let them talk about you behind your back ;-)

On the plus side, they want YOU to audition. That means they've met you, and got on OK with you. Thats 80% of the gig in the bag. No one ever got a gig by playing well(!!!), you can only loose it by playing badly. You've been open about your playing abilities, so thats not a problem. You get the gig when the band thinks you'd be an OK guy to have around. You've done the hard bit, now you just need to go in and do the job...

ian

Joe Nerve · #7 09-17-2007, 04:54 AM

+ 1 on what Ian said.

I would absolutely ask them to send me some songs so I could get familiar with their stuff - and then I'd learn it inside out. If they don't have anything recorded I'd ask if they'd want to jam on a couple of covers because it would be more productive that way. Most people would appreciate your enthusiasm. If they just want you to come in cold, IMO it's their mistake. Most people are going to be somewhat nervous at an audition where they don't know what to expect. They're not going to be able to get a real sense of what you (or anyone else) is capable of.

steveksux · #8 09-18-2007, 11:16 AM

Keep it simple, groove, lock with the drummer.

Its like getting pulled over by the police, people talk themselves into a ticket by saying too MUCH. Less is more.

Trying to show off with a lot of notes will get you fired. Most bands aren't looking for a solo bass player, and if they know you haven't played much, that's not what they're looking for.

I got a gig early on when I hadn't been playing long, couldn't solo to save my life, bad time (good drummer saved me, just follow him, he was good enough I couldn't throw him off). Reason? Leader liked the way I grooved. Simple but soulful.

Also, don't worry about mistakes, getting distracted by the last mistake causes the next mistake. Concentrate on what's coming up, you can still influence the future. Keep positive, don't give up after missing a change or blowing a song.

Don't play so loud you can't hear the rest of the band clearly. You'll need to hear them good to follow.

Randy

MadMark5 · #9 09-18-2007, 02:02 PM

I've been playing a long time and I still hate auditions, but it's a part of the game. I always had a hand by a fellow bass player who had been playing covers for a while help with me with those tunes where I needed it. I love to try and play every note exact, but my buddy reminded me not every band has the members to copy songs from the record exact. always do your best to keep a low end going in the song.
if it's original, I would say practice the material, and try you best to play comfortable. in other words, get the roots down. best thing I ever did was play the roots of songs and add my own flavor. the band asked me to join because they loiked that I stay within the groove of the song, and didn't try to do everything the old bass player did. that's one take on it...good luck!!!!

puff father · #10 09-18-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

Keep it simple, groove, lock with the drummer.

Its like getting pulled over by the police, people talk themselves into a ticket by saying too MUCH. Less is more.

Trying to show off with a lot of notes will get you fired. Most bands aren't looking for a solo bass player, and if they know you haven't played much, that's not what they're looking for.

I got a gig early on when I hadn't been playing long, couldn't solo to save my life, bad time (good drummer saved me, just follow him, he was good enough I couldn't throw him off). Reason? Leader liked the way I grooved. Simple but soulful.

Also, don't worry about mistakes, getting distracted by the last mistake causes the next mistake. Concentrate on what's coming up, you can still influence the future. Keep positive, don't give up after missing a change or blowing a song.

Don't play so loud you can't hear the rest of the band clearly. You'll need to hear them good to follow.

Randy

+1

Keep it as simple as you need to. Listen to them play through once (or more than once if you need to) without playing to get the idea of the tune before jumping in and guessing at what they're doing. Unless it's a simple blues, which it could well be, then just nail down the groove! Oh yes, if they call out a key hopefully you will know what they mean.

Them: "Blues in B" You: "B..., hmmmm, now you got me...." Not a good impression!

I went to an audition years ago and watched a couple other bass players leave with gear that blew mine away. I thought there is no way I will get this gig. We jammed a little, simple stuff, I left and they called me later that night to offer me the gig. You never know.

I also auditioned and got completely blown out by a hot jazz player that came here from NYC to study with Slam Stewart. He was way better than I was (or am for that matter) but he wasn't with them for long..., duh! They were just a simple cover/wedding band.

If you don't get the gig, have a couple of shots and move on. Things will work out.

Good luck to you. Deep cleansing breaths...

Al

sublime0bass · #11 09-20-2007, 01:21 PM

originally i was nervous because the former bassist was amazing, but having played the past couple days im feeling much better. these guys kick ass, and after seeing them do some acoustic stuff earlier this week, im REALLY excited about playing with them. they think like me, and my style of bassing is much closer to what they want than previous bassists theyve played with. check them out:

www.myspace.com/wearedoittojulia

audition tonight at 7. wish me luck.

oh, and a curse on whatever forces caused me to injure both my knee AND my shoulder last night. IM STILL PLAYING ANYWAY BEYOTCHES

Crazyeelboy · #12 09-20-2007, 04:01 PM

Just try to fit in. Don't worry about showing your smoking licks - just fit in and make the songs work. No need to worry.

Yngwie 4String · #13 09-20-2007, 06:57 PM

Show up to the audition with some grass. Youll be awesome in about 10minutes and get progressively more awesome throughout the audition.

Matt Dean · #14 09-20-2007, 07:02 PM

+1 more re: what steveksux said... just be sure to listen, lock-in wiht the drummer and most of all have fun!

sublime0bass · #15 09-20-2007, 07:18 PM

[HEAD SLAP]

I got nervous. Didnt go as well as I thought. They are also a bit above me technically, and also in the push to find a bassist who can be signed (they know about a record deal next thursday)

there are still 2 more who audition after me... so, you never know

im taking it optimistically, and if nothing else, i had a good jam tonight

troy2003 · #16 09-23-2007, 09:46 AM

Good luck.Lots of great advice offered.Auditioning is a hard thing-we used to audition singers and drummers a lot,for some reason had a revoving door with those 2.I knew they would be nervous,not knowing any of us or what our abilities were.We tried to make them as comfortable as we could-asked them ahead of time some songs they wanted to do and that we also did so we had a little common ground to start things off smoothly,not awkward time trying to figure out what to play.We usually took the player that was the best "fit",not the best musician.Of course had to have some skills,but more importantly had to be a guy we could get along with,trust,etc..All you can do is your best-hopefully you get the gig.

rusty66 · #17 10-02-2007, 02:05 AM

Did you get the gig???

Rusty

tycobb73 · #18 10-02-2007, 10:28 AM

You know how many second guitarists we rejected? Everyone we auditoned could play, but none fit personality wise so we finally gave up and I went crazy with effects to make up for it. Its 75% about chemistry and 25% about playing ability IMHO.

louieeadg · #19 10-02-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tycobb73

Its 75% about chemistry and 25% about playing ability IMHO.

Way too true...