Trying out for a band with a really good ex-bassist

[opivy3056]

Hey!

I'm planning on auditioning for a local band who's former bassist was really talented (and also 7 years old than I am).

I'm 100% confident I could learn all his lines with minor assistance, but Im boggled as to how he writes the way he does. In my own bands I've written some fairly complex stuff, but this guy's all over the place!

I've sat with their record for hours learning the lines, but all I've done is get the basic jist of what he's playing (minus the fills).

The band members, on average, are 4 years older than me. What do you think I could do personally and as a player to make me stand out from the rest?

their myspace: www.myspace.com/aperfectkiss

[Zappstorius]

Be yourself! Play your style, don't try to be him. The reason that they are searching for a new bassist could be that they don't want a guy who is "all over the place". Good luck and have fun!

[justinb515]

look at what ben kenney did for incubus. Dirk Lance was flashy and all over the place, but I think that Ben Kenney has made them more musical. Of course, many people disagree with this. I would rather listen to a good song than a good bass player personally.

[opivy3056]

Its actually the same story as incubus

him- 5 string bass, roundwounds, crazy style.

me- 4 string bass, flatwounds, more subtle

PS. ben kenney was awesome live.

[seanm]

Eight tours and seven songs? Seven songs isn't even a complete set. How do you tour with seven songs? How long are the songs?

They also seem to go through drummers and bassists. Everything about the site screams "danger danger"!

[opivy3056]

Yeah the songs are actually mostly between 5-9 minutes....so 7 songs isnt so bad.

I've been a pretty big fan of theirs for a while. And they've had the same lineup up until last spring as long as I've known them.

As far as the bassists and drummers, they always leave on their own terms, they never quit with furious hateful passion towards the rest of the band......its more like the guitarists have bad luck.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by opivy3056

Yeah the songs are actually mostly between 5-9 minutes....so 7 songs isnt so bad.

I've been a pretty big fan of theirs for a while. And they've had the same lineup up until last spring as long as I've known them.

As far as the bassists and drummers, they always leave on their own terms, they never quit with furious hateful passion towards the rest of the band......its more like the guitarists have bad luck.

Fair enough. Then I agree with Zappstorius, be yourself. And I hope you do get an audition.

[invader3k]

Well, it's not like you necessarily have to replicate the former bassist's lines 100%. I'm sure as long as you get the basic jist of each song, you'll be fine. Nothing wrong with putting your own twist on a song.

BTW, I do like their sound, at least on the first song.

[Joe Nerve]

Wow! I like them. I'm gonna audition too! Just kidding. But I do think they kick butt.

The only thing I'd suggest strongly is if you can't play the other guys stuff, don't even attempt it cuz that'll kill the audition. Not only will you not sound good, you'll be nervous or at the very least not confident - and neither of those work well at an audition.

I auditioned for 2 bands that I was a fan of. Didn't get either the first time around, wound up playing in one a few months after, and the other, Bumblefoot, years after. The bottom line, IMO, with any audition is to be able to play the stuff as seamlessly as possible - know the songs inside out, upside down, and sideways. When I know my stuff like that it usually makes it fun for me to play for the first time with the group, and it shows. If I'm unsure of myself that's gonna show too.

2 other things I've come to accept is that first - whatever band I'm auditionin for is actually on my side. They want me to be good. They're pulling for me. They're not the enemy waiting to see if I suck. And secondly - if I'm right for the gig, I'm gonna get it - If I'm not right i won't, end of story. Only means there's a better gig waiting out there that I'd be a better fit for.

Gotta add too that I pray. Not many people round these parts talk about that, but it really helps me get out of my own way and trust that the places I land (or don't) are governed by a higher force than that which lies between my ears. The latter often does me more harm than good.

[Spoiled Grape]

Only three cancelled tours?!?!?!?

They are lucky!!!

Goodluck in your audition. Try to replicate the lines, but keep a solid sense of the song in the back of your head. Is what you are playing, still keeping the song true to the song?

Here is how I would approach this particular audition, since the music is fairly experimental/instrumental.

1) Learn all the basslines. Part for part. You may not have to PLAY it, but you better be a strong enough player to learn it. It just screams lazy to not learn the lines.

2) Figure a few alternative ways of playing the part, which you would play.

Than I'd go to the audition, and before you play a note, talk to them, and ask them how they want you to approach bassplaying in their band. Do they want you to play like the former bassplayer, or do they want you to play to the song?

[Sundogue]

How I feel about it is in my sig (well, that's how I feel about everything).

You'll get out of it whatever you put into it. Get all doubt out of your mind. Approach it like you already are in the band. It's all in your mind. Learn those songs like they are your own.

However it turns out for you, it is all good. If you get it, great. If you don't, that's great too because it's all a learning experience.

[opivy3056]

I may have mislead you guys.

I wont have any trouble learning his parts. But I'm having diffuculty trying to learn them alone by ear. His tone has good prescence, but since its in dropped C tuning...I cant hear a lot of the lower notes on any of my sound systems at home.

I want to learn what he plays so I can get a feel for how other bassists have played in the band so I can put my own spin on a groove that already fits.

[Eilif]

Sounds like you are on the right track. Don't be something you are not, but find a medium between his style and yours.

Stringing up a set of rounds and moving the lines a bit more than you normally would might be a good idea.

I definately second the talking to the band about what they want. At the audition for my current band I talked about my approach to playing, tone, etc. and what they were looking for, and I think it helped me get the gig.

[opivy3056]

I'm at a bit of a dilemma with the strings.

Ive got TI jazz flats on mine right now (which as you know are pretty low tension)

But since they play in drop C tuning, the strings are EXTRA floppy.

Should I just get some regular gauge rounds?, which i assume would have a similar detuned tension as my jazz flats.

[Eilif]

Originally Posted by opivy3056

I'm at a bit of a dilemma with the strings.

Ive got TI jazz flats on mine right now (which as you know are pretty low tension)

But since they play in drop C tuning, the strings are EXTRA floppy.

Should I just get some regular gauge rounds?, which i assume would have a similar detuned tension as my jazz flats.

Yeah, it's definately time to set asside the flats. If they are going all the way to drop c, maybe you should just get the bottom 4 of a 5 string set. I'm sure others could give you more insight into this, but if they are detuning it's time for rounds.

[nudge]

hey good luck mate! i was in a similar situation. the ex-bassist from my band was great. thank god the reason he left was to go to south american lol.

be yourself, practise lots and get a real feel for their music before your audit. good luck!

[Bobbo 77"]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

Gotta add too that I pray. Not many people round these parts talk about that, but it really helps me get out of my own way and trust that the places I land (or don't) are governed by a higher force than that which lies between my ears. The latter often does me more harm than good.

That's it! Word's of wisdom from a seasoned pro... You go 3056!

[FretlessArt]

Originally Posted by opivy3056

I may have mislead you guys.

I wont have any trouble learning his parts. But I'm having diffuculty trying to learn them alone by ear. His tone has good prescence, but since its in dropped C tuning...I cant hear a lot of the lower notes on any of my sound systems at home.

I want to learn what he plays so I can get a feel for how other bassists have played in the band so I can put my own spin on a groove that already fits.

Keep in mind that this is an established act. They are just as interested in finding out if they can simply hang with you as they are in your abilities.

15 years ago I auditioned for a national act thinking they wanted to hear my chops and see how good of a player I was. Come to find out they fired the last bass player who was a chop master and they just wanted somebody who could lock in a groove and hang with.

Bring your sound to their songs, keep it as simple as you can, be sincere.

[sedan_dad]

Originally Posted by FretlessArt

Keep in mind that this is an established act. They are just as interested in finding out if they can simply hang with you as they are in your abilities.

15 years ago I auditioned for a national act thinking they wanted to hear my chops and see how good of a player I was. Come to find out they fired the last bass player who was a chop master and they just wanted somebody who could lock in a groove and hang with.

Bring your sound to their songs, keep it as simple as you can, be sincere.

100+
Don't copy the songs the way they were,learn the changes and play YOUR bass part.Be real.

[funkalicious101]

are they looking for a replication or something new?