Tell me your bass tryout stories

[intheory]

Originally Posted by Mattosaur

I'm a bit surprised by all the advice to show up 15-30 minutes early. To me, that isn't showing that you're on top of things--it's telling me you don't know how to show up on time.

At my day job, when people get their more than 10 minutes early for an interview, we notice and it's a mark against you. Think of it like this: as a bass player, you need to arrive right on the 1. Not on the 3 of the measure before. It's not a big deal with auditions, but it's something. I'd be a bit put off if someone showed up 30 minutes before I expected them if I had other plans for those 30 minutes.

Agreed, that is a HUGE turnoff for me in my day job as well. Don't show up too early!!!

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Mattosaur

I'm a bit surprised by all the advice to show up 15-30 minutes early. To me, that isn't showing that you're on top of things--it's telling me you don't know how to show up on time.

At my day job, when people get their more than 10 minutes early for an interview, we notice and it's a mark against you. Think of it like this: as a bass player, you need to arrive right on the 1. Not on the 3 of the measure before. It's not a big deal with auditions, but it's something. I'd be a bit put off if someone showed up 30 minutes before I expected them if I had other plans for those 30 minutes.

I'm not sure the interview is the best example.

Do you have to set up a rig before you can interview for a job?

If the audition is to start at 7:00 getting there 10 minutes early to set up your rig is perfectly fine.

Blue

[intheory]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I'm not sure the interview is the best example.

Do you have to set up a rig before you can interview for a job.

If the audition is to start at 7:00 getting there 10 minutes early to set up your rig is perfectly fine.

Blue

I think 10 minutes is fine...30 minutes is pushing obnoxious, but just IMO

[bluewine]

I also should mention, me personally, I don't do the " don't bring your rig, we have one" thing.

Blue

[intheory]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I also should mention, me personally, I don't do the " don't bring your rig, we have one" thing.

Blue

When I was auditioning in the past, I was the same way...I don't want to be prey to another rig that I might not be able to dial in quickly

[ChrisB2]

Originally Posted by Art Araya

The closest story I have is about the audition that never happened...

My friend was a lead guitarist for Molly Hatchet and he has many friends in the southern rock world. A few years ago Lynyrd Skynyrd had need of a bassist - they asked my friend if he could recommend anyone - he mentioned me to them. I was invited to "audition" for the band. My understanding is that at that level it's basically referral based - that once my friend says "you want this guy", the audition is a formality unless you absolutely blow it.

Unfortunately the opportunity came too many years too late. I'm not in a place where I want to be touring with Skynyrd. But it felt good to be invited.

Wow.

You mean we're not all wannabee hacks... like me??

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by intheory

When I was auditioning in the past, I was the same way...I don't want to be prey to another rig that I might not be able to dial in quickly

I understand time constraints, in one instance I told a bl their web site and bookings were impressive and that I want my audition to be impressive and that my sound would be easier to dial in with my own rig.

He didn't get it which makes me think they don't value bass guitarist very much.

Blue

[craig.p]

Another point: A bass player's assessment of his audition may be way off, and by that I mean too negative. I recently landed a small P&W gig where I had to fake a song I didn't have time to prepare. It came out pretty stinky. I thought the other six came out reasonably well except for a few errors in one of them where I was singing backup and overshot by one fret three beats in a row. (Widely-spaced notes that have to be played on the same string, for tone purposes.) Other thing was, they're all young enough to be my kids, and three of them almost young enough to be my grandkids. On the whole I gave myself a C+, with a 40% probability of getting hired.

Couple of days later I got email-hired. Apparently they were impressed with my tone, the fact I'd done my homework, and the fact that I'm an extrovert which meant there was zero ice to break. Fourth, during the audition the keyboard player complimented me for not staying on root notes all the time. (There's a lot of 3rd and 6th bass work in P&W, which adds counterpoint and texture. I'm guessing the departing bass player never really bothered to learn the original recorded bass parts.)

Why did I bother listing all that? Because that's my normal M.O. for an audition -- I did nothing special at this one -- so in my mind it counted for nothing, and the mistakes I made put me in the negative zone. But that's not how they saw things, and that's my point. It's not how you see things, it's how the auditioning band sees things. You're getting graded on their metrics, not on yours; don't assume you know what theirs are.

[theretheyare]

Lots of great points.

The last time I did a series of auditions looking for a paying band, I went through quite a few before i left an audition feeling I had a connection with these particular guys. I didn't play better than in other auditions, they disliked my bass and bass tone and the amp they provided in their rehearsal space did suck big time- but all that was circumstantial, bottomline I proved could handle the material and most importantly it felt good, which simply cant happen if it isn't mutual. They hired me, on the condition that I'd upgrade my gear, for which they even loaned me some money to do so. Had a great run with them.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by intheory

I think 10 minutes is fine...30 minutes is pushing obnoxious, but just IMO

I would ask if the appointment time for the audition allows for setup time. Let the band member tell if arriving early is worthwhile and by how much.

That being said, I would arrive at least 20 to 30 mins early to account for traffic and stuff out of my control. To not throw their schedule off, I would park out front or at a local restaurant and wait until the appointed time before making an appearance. Visiting the convenience and washing up at a local establishment is never unwarranted prior to an audition.

[intheory]

Originally Posted by theretheyare

Lots of great points.

The last time I did a series of auditions looking for a paying band, I went through quite a few before i left an audition feeling I had a connection with these particular guys. I didn't play better than in other auditions, they disliked my bass and bass tone and the amp they provided in their rehearsal space did suck big time- but all that was circumstantial, bottomline I proved could handle the material and most importantly it felt good, which simply cant happen if it isn't mutual. They hired me, on the condition that I'd upgrade my gear, for which they even loaned me some money to do so. Had a great run with them.

That is a great story!! Awesome.

[Edward G.]

Two stories come to mind from my auditioning past:

About 12 yeas ago, I was recommended by a drummer friend to a country band he was in that was having personnel problems. I had never played country before, not even messing around, but the band had a good local rep and it was a good gig. At the audition, I played everything musically correctly, with good groove, no clams, etc., but I didn't really know the songs, so the feels weren't correct. They could tell right away that I knew how to play, and that I would learn the feels, so I got the gig. I spent the next 10 days learning 80 country songs from zero. That's another story.

The other audition was for a classic rock band that had advertised for a bassist on the local boards. They gave me a list of songs to know, pretty standard stuff, about six songs or so. The chemistry was so good that I didn't pack up to leave for several hours. We were riffing and trying songs and having a blast. And it was strictly a musical thing; I never became great friends with those guys (who had known each other for years), but we always sounded great together and did business very professionally for years.

Auditions take on many forms, and your success doesn't always hinge on any specific thing you play, maybe just a sense everybody gets that "hey, this is worth pursuing". A good attitude and good basic musicality will usually carry the day, especially if your competition is mostly jerks.

[blipndub]

Originally Posted by intheory

When I was auditioning in the past, I was the same way...I don't want to be prey to another rig that I might not be able to dial in quickly

I am in this situation for a try out this Friday, the band leader said there was a rig in the room that I could use. I got rid of my higher end stuff after the last band fell apart so I don't think I could bring too much more to the table. Although I'm going to bring my mid-sized combo in the car, just in case.

Going to my first audition in many years after playing in bands for 20 years, I totally appreciate the input in this thread.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by blipndub

I am in this situation for a try out this Friday, the band leader said there was a rig in the room that I could use. I got rid of my higher end stuff after the last band fell apart so I don't think I could bring too much more to the table. Although I'm going to bring my mid-sized combo in the car, just in case.

Going to my first audition in many years after playing in bands for 20 years, I totally appreciate the input in this thread.

Good idea,

In the past I have had auditions where due to the bands time constraints they want you to use their rig. I have a standard response ;

"Cool, I understand time constraints, lets pass on the audition this time. If you don't find the guy your looking for lets talk again."

I will not audition with a strange rig.

Blue

[Synthax]

I wear gloves now the day before and the day of, any day i need to really do something on bass. Every time something comes up, tryout, my first gig, group practice, i end up cutting, stabbing or doing some other harm to my fingers. Burned plucking finger, yep done it. Piece of wire shoved up under fingernail, yep... Sucked royally. Day of my first live gig, ever. Mega Splinter in my main fretting finger, yep, cut on middle finger, yep. Had to glue that one with super glue. So my best advice is, wear some gloves before the tryout :-)
Neil

[Edward G.]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Good idea,

In the past I have had auditions where due to the bands time constraints they want you to use their rig. I have a standard response ;

"Cool, I understand time constraints, lets pass on the audition this time. If you don't find the guy your looking for lets talk again."

I will not audition with a strange rig.

Blue

As far as using the house rig to audition, in most cases, I'll do it. If it's a combo, it just has to be a good one with decent power. If it's separates, I'll take my own head as a backup. The whole notion of having "my sound" is BS. "My sound" changes from day to day, from room to room.

Gone are the days when I take my gigging rig to an audition, unless there is nothing there at all. Why? If a reasonably competent amp is at the site, my 'gear IQ' is sufficient to make whatever is there work. It's a handy survival skill. One another level, it's part of the adventure.

1) They'll know I can play regardless of the amp.
2) I've outgrown the need to impress people with my equipment choices; besides most non-bass players don't have a clue about bass equipment.
3) If they offer up an audition rig, why look for a new chance to schlep?
4) It may be time to buy a throaty feather-weight combo for these purposes, but it's really not that big of a deal.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

As far as using the house rig to audition, in most cases, I'll do it. If it's a combo, it just has to be a good one with decent power. If it's separates, I'll take my own head as a backup. The whole notion of having "my sound" is BS. "My sound" changes from day to day, from room to room.

Gone are the days when I take my gigging rig to an audition, unless there is nothing there at all. Why? If a reasonably competent amp is at the site, my 'gear IQ' is sufficient to make whatever is there work. It's a handy survival skill. One another level, it's part of the adventure.

1) They'll know I can play regardless of the amp.
2) I've outgrown the need to impress people with my equipment choices; besides most non-bass players don't have a clue about bass equipment.
3) If they offer up an audition rig, why look for a new chance to schlep?
4) It may be time to buy a throaty feather-weight combo for these purposes, but it's really not that big of a deal.

All good points, however I take a different approach.

I like bringing the whole package a band is buying into including gear.

My gear iq is pretty low.

I have a brand new GK 1 15 Neo Combo, but I would never audition with it.

For me, I can't use my rig, I respectively decline the audition.

Blue

[Edward G.]

^^^
My underlying point is that all that matters to you far more than it matters to them.

To each his zone.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

^^^
My underlying point is that all that matters to you far more than it matters to them.

To each his zone.

Agreed

Blue

[Tampabass]

Also: Beware psychos.

I once placed a Craigslist ad for a drummer. A guy responded, and we talked and emailed a few times in advance. An old bandmate and I went to jam with said drummer, who said he had a place we could play. Turns out it was a rented rehearsal place, and the cost was more than I was expecting. I didn't have much $$ on me, so I said I'd get it to the drummer later. He was fine with that.

But that wasn't the issue. Jam went okay, although I didn't feel like the guy was going to work out. Wasn't sure, but I wasn't ready to jump in to a band situation with him.

I let some time go by. The guy got back to me and I basically said that we had decided to keep on looking. That's when, via email, he started harassing me with messages, angry at our decision and implying that we had made some kind of commitment because WE REHEARSED/JAMMED ONCE!.

When I told him it was kind of silly to get upset with us, and that we had only gotten together once, so there shouldn't have been any real expectations, he went even more crazed. He turned completely nasty and started threatening to come to my gig and beat me up. Yes, completely crazy. I later did some Googling and found out that, on the night he had promised to come beat me up etc, he had been arrested for drunk and disorderly in a neighboring county.

Not sure the lesson learned, except 1)Be very cautious about connecting with musicians, sight unseen, and 2)If you do jam/rehearse with someone like that, give them very limited contact information.

Of course, in 99% of band situations you're more likely to find someone through a friend or a friend-of-a-friend than through a complete stranger on CL.

End of story.