Tryout Jitters?

shawn-o · #1 03-22-2007, 11:29 PM

Alright so i guess that i should give some background on this. I was contacted by a guy whom wanted to get something back together. He and i met for sushi and decided that i would learn the songs and giver a shot. They had been together for awhile and did some recording. Also did a fair bit of gigging and afew tours.

I recieved the songs and have over a week to learn them but for some reason am REALLY stressed out about learning them. I need some advice.

The recordings are obviously another bassist playing. Should I learn them note for note (not much of a problem) or should I be going for the main stuff and putting my own twist on it?.

two are pretty easy, one's moderately difficult and the other is on the edge of being tough.

Also- What have you guys done to ease these jitters. I dont want to show up and know the stuff but be all akward. I dont think ive ever 'tried out' for a band in my 7 years of playing. This is going to be interesting i think.

bassbully43 · #2 03-23-2007, 07:15 AM

First off i would asked the band leader what he wanted out of you. Did he want you to play it note for note like the last dude or run the roots and come up with your own fills etc. call him and find out if you can.Most bands allow this. I like to start with the hardest songs first and then go to the easy ones. My band wanted me to stay with the roots and strucure the last bassist played but enjoyed my take on the songs and my personal add ins on them. On the jitters just relax...its a try out dont stress ...chew gum i find it helps with the nerves a bit. If you go in confident on the material you will be fine.

ducknturtle · #3 03-23-2007, 07:20 AM

The jitterz are something even very veteran players get when auditoning. Just learn the songs, get your hands warmed up, and after the first song starts you will forget all about being nervous.

jasonbraatz · #4 03-23-2007, 07:23 AM

The best thing you can do to avoid being nervous is have the songs down cold.

Phalex · #5 03-23-2007, 07:42 AM

If you are super serious, write out the tabs for the bass parts on all the songs and be ready willing and able to play everything note for note. Present the band with your tabs when you get there, it'll impress the heck out of everyone.

After they hire you (and who wouldn't??) feel free to take liberties with the music and make it more "your style".

Be open to criticism, and listen to the other members of the band concerning the direction they would like you to take.

QORC · #6 03-23-2007, 07:48 AM

if it were me, at this point, unless they didn't LIKE their previous bassist, I would learn the songs as close to the recordings as I could get them.

T-MOST · #7 03-23-2007, 07:54 AM

Usually before I even sit down with my bass I will spend a day or two just listening to the material as much as I possibly can. That way I am very familiar with the material in my head. Then I will approach it on bass. For me it makes learning new material in a much easier.

shawn-o · #8 03-23-2007, 08:38 AM

thanks for all the replies guys. Turns out that i was up late lastnite and learnt the hardest song front to back. wrote out a tab and then edited said tab.

I talked to the guitarist/leader and he said "listen to the songs and make up your own part". To me it sounds like he is giving me freedom to put in my own style as long as the just of it is still there.

This should be pretty good, theyre a solid band and it would deffinately be an experience.

invader3k · #9 03-23-2007, 10:54 AM

Sounds like a great opportunity. Glad to hear they don't want you to just copy the previous bassist's work as well. Good luck!

bassbully43 · #10 03-23-2007, 05:21 PM

See there ya go i could work with a band like that. They are intrested in hearing and seeing what you can do as a bassist..good luck..you'll do fine.