Audition over phone

[Billy K]

First off I got the gig. But I was a bit confused on what to play. Scales? some riffs? A song or 2 I know. Which is what he wanted to hear,a song I know. So ok heres some 12 blues, James Brown "Think".He says "Good we can use you" I will call to tell you where to go for the Practice. Anybody do anything like that before?

[CalboDaGo]

huh?

[Saxn]

LOL my thoughts exactly... wut?? Nope, that would definitely go into my "bizarre audition" scrapbook!

[MonkeyBass]

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Well, I hope it works out for both parties involved.

[Craig_S]

Well, it's just bass, right?

[Mirios]

Did you make sure to tape your phone close to one of the speakers and turn up really loud first?

I've never had such an audition and it does sound odd. But if it works for him and you get into a band you like sweet.

[Steve]

George Graham Reviews the Flecktones' "Left of Cool"



"In the late 1980s, through some rather unusual circumstances, Fleck formed a band called the Flecktones, with two African-American brothers from Virginia, one of whom, bassist Victor Wooten, auditioned for Fleck over the phone by playing banjo parts on his bass. His brother Roy "Future Man" Wooten brought along a very strange instrument, a Synthaxe Drumitar, which is a guitar-like synthesizer controller connected to the sound-generation circuitry of a drum machine, so he plays the drums by tapping buttons and playing the strings of what looks like a mutant guitar. The original personnel also included a similarly iconoclastic harmonica player, Howard Levy, who managed to get just about every note of the scale out of his normally limited diatonic harmonica."

[P. Aaron]

I say "cool!"

I've been auditioning for over a year...looking, trying to find one thing that clicks.

Glad some folks are getting gigs.

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by P. Aaron

I've been auditioning for over a year...looking, trying to find one thing that clicks.

seriously? That's rough.

[gjbassist]

IMO part of the audition process is getting to meet the people you will be playing with. I want a chance to audition them as well to see if we are a good fit. Can't do that over the phone!

[jive1]

I've never done an audition where I have played something over the phone, but I've done some phone interviews that led me to getting a gig.

[Billy K]

Wow I never knew that is how Victor got the gig. Cool. I never be worthy to carry his gig bag. But I now know victor and I can start a "audition over the phone club" so Victor your number is #2. Lmao. Well it was weird. I could last only one rehersal

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Billy K

Wow I never knew that is how Victor got the gig. Cool. I never be worthy to carry his gig bag. But I now know victor and I can start a "audition over the phone club" so Victor your number is #2. Lmao. Well it was weird. I could last only one rehersal

I don't know if your 14 or 35, either way be prepared for disapointment. It sounds like a case where there was mis-comunication.

From your story, I don't think your actally in this band yet.

Don't you question a band that gives you the job without meeting or playing with you?

[fourstringdrums]

Not bass, but Cindy Blackman landed the drum seat with Lenny Kravitz after a phone audition

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by fourstringdrums

Not bass, but Cindy Blackman landed the drum seat with Lenny Kravitz after a phone audition

There is more to that story than a phone interview.

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Don't you question a band that gives you the job without meeting or playing with you?

I've done a few fill in gigs where there wasn't time to meet before hand. Some work out OK

I'd imagine some bandleaders would get equally desperate to fill a bass spot if they were experiencing a revolving door effect and needed someone committed. I think its becoming less relevant to actually be able to play bass nowadays, so long as you show up on time, make some noise, and don't cause more BS than is already there!

[Mirios]

Originally Posted by Billy K

Well it was weird. I could last only one rehersal

Well better luck on your next phone audition.

[Joe Nerve]

I had some guitar shredding woman (forgot her name, but she's somewhat known) want me to play flight of the bumblebee on bass over the phone about an hour after she sent me the sheet music to it. It was for a one off video shoot that someone recommended me for (video wasn't flight of the bumblebee). I talked to her for a few minutes but told her I didn't read music, and I probably wasn't going to be able to shred flight of the bumblebee in an hours time. She got upset with me and I think hung up. Oh well.

[walkerci]

Originally Posted by gjbassist

IMO part of the audition process is getting to meet the people you will be playing with. I want a chance to audition them as well to see if we are a good fit. Can't do that over the phone!

Yup.

An audition is usually a 2 way thing.

When I audition for a band there are a few things that I want to know:

1. Does the band have a professional attitude.

2. Do they play the same types of music that I want to play.
(I am flexible, I will play songs that I don't like if necessary.)

3. Can they play well enough?

4. Do they have pro level gear?

5. Can I fit rehearsal times and gigs into my schedule? (I frequently travel on business from Monday - Thursday).

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

I think its becoming less relevant to actually be able to play bass nowadays, so long as you show up on time, make some noise, and don't cause more BS than is already there!

Probably one of the most profound statements I have ever read on this forum.

I think it's true, especially for the the new pop music, the ability to play bass guitar is a very minor consideration.

I dabble in recording and a rarely use or play traditional electric bass guitar.

blue