Audition on thursday for a soul band

Muusers · #1 02-20-2010, 11:32 AM

Finally, after 2 years of being a bedroom player, I'm going on an audition once again. They requested me to play Seven Days In Sunny June by Jamiroquai and sent me the part and play Super Bad by James Brown (no transcription sent). They also requested me to play a song to my likes, so they could see what I can play. So, which song:

What's Going On
I Want You Back
Sir Duke

varunkapahi · #2 02-20-2010, 11:39 AM

i dunno dude the one you like the most! that way they'll see you enjoy what you play and you play what you enjoy

jefkritz · #3 02-20-2010, 11:41 AM

i think any of those would be a good choice - just make sure to groove it hard whichever you choose. don't lose the funk for the song. especially when trying out for / playing in a soul band

lonote · #4 02-20-2010, 11:54 AM

Sir Duke

Stumbo · #5 02-20-2010, 01:14 PM

Don't forget: you're auditioning them as well.

Good luck.

Here are a few links you may want to check out:
~Auditioning
1 For new band
2
Getting back in the game

Red flag stories
Hilarious/Bizarre audition stories
"Never got to audition"

interp · #6 02-20-2010, 01:17 PM

Sir Duke.

steveksux · #7 02-20-2010, 03:09 PM

Sir Duke seems to be the favorite. Something that shows off your playing a bit. What's Going On is a nice groove, but not difficult. That's my advice.

Good luck, don't play fancy, just groove the crap out of the songs. Its not the fills that will impress them. Its the groove you lay down between the fills that will make them smile. Lock with the drummer.

Randy

Stumbo · #8 02-20-2010, 06:46 PM

Rip it up with "Sir Duke"!

mmjazzbass · #9 02-21-2010, 12:42 AM

i voted sir duke because if you can nail the interlude you're set.

walterw · #10 02-21-2010, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

Its not the fills that will impress them. Its the groove you lay down between the fills that will make them smile.

universally sig-worthy!

albertofrog · #11 02-21-2010, 01:39 AM

Yep, Sir Duke gets my vote - as long as you can nail the middle 8 properly.

If you cant get it bang on, dont do it...

DanRJBrasil · #12 02-21-2010, 02:01 AM

why don't you take all three

Muusers · #13 02-21-2010, 06:05 PM

buhump

Modulator · #14 02-21-2010, 06:11 PM

I'd learn all three, but agree that you should stay away from Sir Duke if you can't hit the unison line.

line6bassist · #15 02-21-2010, 06:29 PM

imo i would go with I WANT YOU BACK first. its a very groovy and simple bassline that people enjoy hearing over and over again.

PJSShearer · #16 02-22-2010, 06:41 AM

If you are looking to show off your Soulful groove then I'd play "What's going on" or "I want you back" - you'll be able to see how you're going to fit in with the rest of the rhythm section and that's what's important - or it defnitely should be. As a few people have said you are auditioning them as much as they are auditioning you and if things don't "gel" then it don't matter whether or not you can play the break in Sir Duke or not!!.

BUT to be on the safe side - why don't you play the break from Sir Duke when you're warming up? :-).

MrTAteMyBalls · #17 02-22-2010, 09:52 AM

sir duke man!

sleeplessknight · #18 02-22-2010, 03:38 PM

Sir Duke or I Want You Back...

azureblue · #19 02-22-2010, 04:02 PM

and the reason is pocket. And, if you are going to play in a soul band, you HAVE to be able to lay that pocket down. Practice it until you can lay down each note right with Jamerson and swing it like he does. Hear how he plays his pickup notes, as a sort of grace note.

See, the thing most commenters here miss, is that a good soul band lays down the groove collectively- the bass, drums, guitar, all working together to create that groove, not singly, and it don't matter if you can play fast, play some tricky part by yourself, if you can't lock with the other players. You can be a hot shot two handed tapper, but if you don't groove, forget it. As a bass player who is trying out, you need to pay attention to what everybody else is laying down, how they are feeling the music, and lock in with the drums and swing with the vocalist's groove.

Sir Duke and I Want you Back are more "centered" if not pushed a little.
Both are worth studying and knowing, especially I Want you Back, for its little out of scale fill notes that Wilton plays.

BTW, good luck with the B (bridge section) of Super Bad. That's a real test of how well the drummer and guitar player lock together. Scary: Super Bad was done on an upright.

bluewine · #20 02-22-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Rip it up with "Sir Duke"!

To be honest I think the whole idea of the "soul band" gets away from me. Back in my hood in the 60's and 70's lot's of cats had real soul bands.I just don't see that any more even stuff that some people call soul or funk is is not my soul or my funk. And to be a little arogent, I do think that the soul and funk I grew up with in the 60's and 70s is the right soul and the right funk.

Unless you can groove better than the recording I would not play Sir Duke, it's to much of a "in your face " vibe and not cool for an audition.

Hey , I'm just an old 57 year old, and as my 20 & 22 year old son's tell me, I don't know anything about anything.Oh and by the way Dad, nobody gives a rip about tight horns any more.

Hey maybe my kids are right.