Disclosure of skill when trying out

[walknbluez]

Someone placed an ad for a tribute band that I'm very much interested in. There is nothing established yet, its all been trying to group some people together via email, and his last line was "Hopefully you all can still make it, if not please let me know. Even if nothing comes of it , it should still be a fun time". So I don't believe they are pros.

He gave a list of 5 songs. I know 3 of them, working on the other two.

So is it better to let him know that I'm somewhere between beginner and mediocre or is it better to just go in there with confidence and just see what happens?

[Spinal Tapper]

Confidence! Just go do the best you can! And if you blow them away - then mention your "lack" of experience. If they think you suck - then mention your "lack" of experience...

But don't say a word til after the jam.

[MoD_Scotty]

I pick option B.

[walknbluez]

Originally Posted by Spinal Tapper

Confidence! Just go do the best you can! And if you blow them away - then mention your "lack" of experience. If they think you suck - then mention your "lack" of experience...

But don't say a word til after the jam.

That made me laugh but sounds like good advice!

[lhoward]

Don't sell yourself short. Learn the two tunes and review the other three. Go in there with a confident attitude. You never know, you might even surprise yourself.

Lloyd Howard

[walknbluez]

Originally Posted by lhoward

Don't sell yourself short. Learn the two tunes and review the other three. Go in there with a confident attitude. You never know, you might even surprise yourself.

Lloyd Howard

Actually that's what the guitarist in my current band says because I went in there and he likes me better than their old bass player.

I'm only like this because I know that there are a few musicians out there that have big egos.

[TrevorOfDoom]

part of being a musician is being a cocky bastard. the trick is knowing how far you can reach, and when to lay off the act. selling yourself, selling your band, selling merch, selling anything... you gotta make them believe that they need it; and they need it because it's the best thing in all creation!

that said, remember who you are, and that everyone sucks it up from time to time. go in, do the best you can, be confident, and you'll more often than not get the job.

[Busker]

Go with confidence and see what happens.

Believe me, I know from experience, if you tell them beforehand "I've only been playing bass a year," or "I'm only mediocre" (or whatever), they won't want to audition you, even if you tell them you're pretty darn sure you can play the material well. They will assume you are too raw & inexperienced, not good enough yet.

Let your playing speak for you. Don't sell yourself short.

But, if you don't get the job, don't worry too much about it. There will be another band right around the corner, needing a bass player.

[walknbluez]

Thank you all for your input! I am taking your advice!

[sedan_dad]

If you suck,you won't have to tell them.
If your good ,they'll notice.
Let them decide and keep your mouth shut.

[Thangfish]

Originally Posted by sedan_dad

If you suck,you won't have to tell them.
If your good ,they'll notice.
Let them decide and keep your mouth shut.

Somebody should sig that.

[sedan_dad]

When asked about myself I tell them "I'm a seasoned hack".

[Jimmyplaysabass]

do NOT just jam

use some theory and jam.

play smart

[phatbass]

The best approach to auditions, in my experience, is confidence without becoming arrogant. NEVER be apologetic about your abilities (or lack of) or technical limitations.

On the other hand, don't ******** or be a blowhard.

Phatbass

[Questor]

"You're only bragging if you can't back it up" right?

[QORC]

why disclose anything?

If you're not good enough, they won't select you. Simple.

[Frankjohnson]

Originally Posted by Busker

Go with confidence and see what happens.

Believe me, I know from experience, if you tell them beforehand "I've only been playing bass a year," or "I'm only mediocre" (or whatever), they won't want to audition you, even if you tell them you're pretty darn sure you can play the material well. They will assume you are too raw & inexperienced, not good enough yet.

Let your playing speak for you. Don't sell yourself short.

But, if you don't get the job, don't worry too much about it. There will be another band right around the corner, needing a bass player.

I had exactly that happen at about a year of bass playing under my belt. The band was really good, and I was new, but really worked hard to learn their material. I didn't get hte gig befroe we started.

I auditinoed a year later with the same guys, and they said "wow! Someone really did their homeworK!" I still didn't get the gig, a much more seasoned and sought after player go it.........but my point is.....during the second audition, that was scheduled for 30 minutes, we played about an hour, and I got hit with A LOT of material not on the list. It all went well, and I was later asked to come sit in for a set.

I am playing now as part of the house band for a blues jam, and do it for fun. This is my 3rd year going into my 4th of bass. i am learnign more through this venue, becasue you never know what is around the corner.

I try not to say how long I have been playing but every now and then, it comes out. I think now, at 4 years, it doesn't matter as much. I started at 40 years old, and dicked with guitar about 2 years longer. as a late starter, most of the people I play with that are my age, have been playign since they were teenagers....so i have no where the experience they do. Some of the guys I play with are really great players too.

So I guess the take away message is , see where you shake out, and continue to play, seek improvement and surround yourself with good people, and better players. You will probably evolve more quickly for it.

[Busker]

Originally Posted by Frankjohnson

I had exactly that happen at about a year of bass playing under my belt. The band was really good, and I was new, but really worked hard to learn their material. I didn't get hte gig befroe we started.

I auditinoed a year later with the same guys, and they said "wow! Someone really did their homeworK!" I still didn't get the gig, a much more seasoned and sought after player go it.........but my point is.....during the second audition, that was scheduled for 30 minutes, we played about an hour, and I got hit with A LOT of material not on the list. It all went well, and I was later asked to come sit in for a set.

I am playing now as part of the house band for a blues jam, and do it for fun. This is my 3rd year going into my 4th of bass. i am learnign more through this venue, becasue you never know what is around the corner.

I try not to say how long I have been playing but every now and then, it comes out. I think now, at 4 years, it doesn't matter as much. I started at 40 years old, and dicked with guitar about 2 years longer. as a late starter, most of the people I play with that are my age, have been playign since they were teenagers....so i have no where the experience they do. Some of the guys I play with are really great players too.

So I guess the take away message is , see where you shake out, and continue to play, seek improvement and surround yourself with good people, and better players. You will probably evolve more quickly for it.

+1000

My experience is similar to yours, except I played the guitar since I was a teenager, and switched to bass at 47. All those years on guitar did help me in the transition. It doesn't make you an *instant* bassist by any means, but it did help.

My first audition on bass came about 6 or 8 weeks after I started playing. They were a seasoned power trio needing bass, and they almost chose me (they called me back for a second audition. Maybe they were that desperate ). But my biggest Achilles Heel, besides not having developed enough "groove" into my playing yet, was the vocals - they needed vocals, and I could not sing and play bass at the same time (still working on that, and getting a little better). I was apologetic for my lack of skills, my inexperience, showed little confidence, etc. and that ties in to the op's topic. Could have been part of the reason I was turned down.

Since then I've had a cup of coffee with one lousy band, one mediocre band, and two very good bands. I'm still with these latter two, but starting to feel spread a little too thin, with family life, the day job, two band rehearsals a week, gigs, etc.

One of the bands I'm in is friends with another area band, who happen to be a very good, well known and established. I just got word that I may be asked to fill in on bass with them for a couple of shows this summer. It may not happen, but wow, that my name even crossed their mind... makes me feel good.

[QORC]

on the other hand, I am told frequently that I'm too hard on myself and I'm better than I think I am.

I dunno. I see bassists all the time who are better than me.

but I also realized - go to a try-out, give it a whirl. You never know!

[LloydLikesFloyd]

Introduce your self, give a firm hand shake and turn your amp up and remember why you play music. because it make you happy and its fun right? so therefore an audition should be the same thang! Shake them buttaflies out :P