Did I say something wrong?

Busker · #1 06-09-2008, 11:37 AM

I answer a bass player wanted ad, dude calls me this morning. He wanted to know, among other things, the most difficult rock song I can play. Huh? The question took me by surprise, my mind went blank, although I do know a bunch of rock songs - some are easy as pie, some are harder to play. All I could think of to say was most rock songs were pretty easy, bass-wise. Lame I guess.

Even though they didn't identify themselves in the ad, I now know who they are. I used to be in a band that opened up for them, and I said so. His memory was a little sketchy, but yes, he remembered the band. We weren't very good, truthfully, and I sorta apologized for that (drunk & stoned singer and drummer).

Anyway, he was supposed to call me back and hasn't. I'm pretty sure I can nail an audition (to my satisfaction anyway, not sure about their satisfaction), if they will only give me a chance.

Sir Edward V · #2 06-09-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busker

I answer a bass player wanted ad, dude calls me this morning. He wanted to know, among other things, the hardest rock song I can play. Huh? The question took me by surprise, my mind went blank, although I do know a bunch of rock songs - some are easy as pie, some are harder to play. All I could think of to say was most rock songs were pretty easy. Lame I guess.

Even though they didn't identify themselves in the ad, I now know who they are. I used to be in a band that opened up for them, and I said so. His memory was a little sketchy, but yes, he remembered the band. We weren't very good, truthfully, and I sorta apologized for that (drunk & stoned singer and drummer).

Anyway, he was supposed to call me back and hasn't. I'm pretty sure I can nail an audition (to my satisfaction anyway, not sure about their satisfaction), if they will only give me a chance.

id say wait a few days and call him back and see if they just forgot about you or something.

bassteban · #3 06-09-2008, 11:43 AM

Call back- let them know you want the gig. Maybe dude has lost your number. As for them judging your suitability to this gig based on past events of others, I'm not sure I'd want to play w/guys like that. But communication can't hurt.

fourstringdrums · #4 06-09-2008, 11:43 AM

I wouldn't worry. There could be other reasons why he hasn't called you back, like he just hasn't had the time.

I don't think you said anything wrong really, though his memory of your band might have pre-judged you based on that one experience. If that's true, then it's his loss for not giving you a chance. A lot of times a great musician can get overshadowed by the crappiness of the band.

I wouldn't be too upset either if he doesn't call back because having him ask "What is the hardest rock song you can play" to me is a really lame question. It's like asking how fast you can play. To me it shows that they may not care about the musicianship, just the flash.

Busker · #5 06-09-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringdrums

I wouldn't be too upset either if he doesn't call back because having him ask "What is the hardest rock song you can play" to me is a really lame question. It's like asking how fast you can play. To me it shows that they may not care about the musicianship, just the flash.

Thank you!

I thought it was a lame question too, and off the wall. Not one person except him has ever asked me that before.

invader3k · #6 06-09-2008, 12:05 PM

I don't see the point. Honestly, it's a pretty loaded question. Say you can nail all the bass parts to a difficult Rush song...that doesn't necessarily mean you can even handle basic 12 bar blues, or vice versa.

Busker · #7 06-09-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by invader3k

I don't see the point. Honestly, it's a pretty loaded question. Say you can nail all the bass parts to a difficult Rush song...that doesn't necessarily mean you can even handle basic 12 bar blues, or vice versa.

Or perhaps you can "play" the most difficult song ever written, but play it badly.

At least I'm not the only one thinking it was a weird question.

NS2A · #8 06-09-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busker

He wanted to know, among other things, the most difficult rock song I can play. Huh? The question took me by surprise, my mind went blank, although I do know a bunch of rock songs - some are easy as pie, some are harder to play. All I could think of to say was most rock songs were pretty easy, bass-wise. Lame I guess.

That's like answering the job interview question "what is your biggest weakness". Yeah right I'm going to incriminate myself so I don't get the job

I guess you could have said something like "I'm confident in my abilities to handle any bass part". Or something like that.

Twiggy Jr. · #9 06-09-2008, 12:14 PM

just b/c that's a dumb question he asked you, i would have gotten a total air of arrogance and acted like i was a bad a$$ and been like "yeah, i can nail polly by nirvana, creep by radiohead" and any other "easy" songs i can think of off the top of my head.
then i woulda said i had to get off the phone so i could practice the minor pentatonics at a break neck speed of 60 bpm, and if he thinks he could hang, well he can try.

bassteban · #10 06-09-2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twiggy Jr.

just b/c that's a dumb question he asked you, i would have gotten a total air of arrogance and acted like i was a bad a$$ and been like "yeah, i can nail polly by nirvana, creep by radiohead" and any other "easy" songs i can think of off the top of my head.
then i woulda said i had to get off the phone so i could practice the minor pentatonics at a break neck speed of 60 bpm, and if he thinks he could hang, well he can try.

Yeah, that would surely get the gig.

Juniorkimbrough · #11 06-09-2008, 12:21 PM

i wouldn't have mentioned playing in the band that opened for them especially if you thought you guys sucked at that gig.

Busker · #12 06-09-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juniorkimbrough

i wouldn't have mentioned playing in the band that opened for them especially if you thought you guys sucked at that gig.

Yeah. I just came out with it, wish I wouldn't have, but it was something we had in common, you know? We played the same gig. Maybe they give me a tryout, maybe they don't. But in my neck of the woods, as far as I know, bass players don't grow on trees. Their loss, if they don't at least give me an audition.

D.Don · #13 06-09-2008, 12:35 PM

"Anything by Creedence ... It's not that tricky to nail, but after xx years on the road, it's really frakkin hard to stand those damn tunes yet another evening"..

Next time you talk to him, if he asks again, you get that one for free...

D.Don

bradjonesbass · #14 06-09-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juniorkimbrough

i wouldn't have mentioned playing in the band that opened for them especially if you thought you guys sucked at that gig.

Hey Junior, I'm going to be in Memphis with the Mrs. over July 4th weekend, staying through Monday. Are you playing anywhere that weekend? Want to give an out of towner any inside tips on the REAL best places to eat and not the tourist attraction joints?

Juniorkimbrough · #15 06-09-2008, 01:52 PM

brad, i saved a link tothis thread and I'll send you a PM later on with info.....not gigging that weekend, thank goodness i'll have some time to kick back some brews and hang with my family and friends.

vinny · #16 06-09-2008, 04:07 PM

Shoulda' told him Louie, Louie & hung up the phone.

Thunderthumbs73 · #17 06-09-2008, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busker

I answer a bass player wanted ad, dude calls me this morning. He wanted to know, among other things, the most difficult rock song I can play. Huh? The question took me by surprise, my mind went blank, although I do know a bunch of rock songs - some are easy as pie, some are harder to play. All I could think of to say was most rock songs were pretty easy, bass-wise. Lame I guess.

Even though they didn't identify themselves in the ad, I now know who they are. I used to be in a band that opened up for them, and I said so. His memory was a little sketchy, but yes, he remembered the band. We weren't very good, truthfully, and I sorta apologized for that (drunk & stoned singer and drummer).

Anyway, he was supposed to call me back and hasn't. I'm pretty sure I can nail an audition (to my satisfaction anyway, not sure about their satisfaction), if they will only give me a chance.

The ball's in his court. Wait for his return. Give it a couple days, and then move on. If he doesn't even have the decency to turn you down respectfully and with some dignity (aka- "no response" is NOT acceptable in my book) with some response that is diplomatic but clear, then heck with 'em.

Good luck to you.

prattguy · #18 06-09-2008, 04:46 PM

Maybe cause you apologized for something that wasn´t up to you. The guy maybe took that as lack of confidence.

Call again, this time talk like he owes you an answer but not being pushy or rude, use the old "some-other-band-is calling-me" trick and tell him that you gave him top priority because you dig the music of his band but you want to know if you got the gig to work on issues of availability through your schedule. If you don´t get the gig, don´t let it show that you care about it even if if you´re eating your guts out, wish him and his band best of luck and look for another one...is that easy.

derrico1 · #19 06-09-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by invader3k

I don't see the point.

Yeah, unless you're an absolute beginner, once you learn a song it isn't difficult.

**john turner** · #20 06-09-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busker

I answer a bass player wanted ad, dude calls me this morning. He wanted to know, among other things, the most difficult rock song I can play. Huh? The question took me by surprise, my mind went blank, although I do know a bunch of rock songs - some are easy as pie, some are harder to play. All I could think of to say was most rock songs were pretty easy, bass-wise. Lame I guess.

Even though they didn't identify themselves in the ad, I now know who they are. I used to be in a band that opened up for them, and I said so. His memory was a little sketchy, but yes, he remembered the band. We weren't very good, truthfully, and I sorta apologized for that (drunk & stoned singer and drummer).

Anyway, he was supposed to call me back and hasn't. I'm pretty sure I can nail an audition (to my satisfaction anyway, not sure about their satisfaction), if they will only give me a chance.

shoulda said "the black page, transcribed to bass cleff".