Two song audition

Depth_Charge · #1 08-28-2007, 03:53 AM

I have an audition this week, comprising of only 2 songs to play!

The Killers - Somebody Told Me.
Green Day - When I Come Around.

I've never done such a short audition, and I think for the 2nd song my fingerstyle tone sux!

Just thinking aloud on a quick break.

Well...back to revising these songs and my EQ!

rodl2005 · #2 08-28-2007, 04:07 AM

Good Luck

matrok · #3 08-28-2007, 04:10 AM

Have you considered a pick for the Green Day tune? It's a another tool in the tone arsenal.

IanStephenson · #4 08-28-2007, 04:16 AM

Realistically they're going to know if you're right for them within the first half of the first song - maybe even before you START playing.

They're just saving YOU time, by not asking you to learn a full set of stuff just to try out. Just nail the songs, play your own way, be on time, be friendly, LISTEN (What must you always do?), and you'll get the gig.

Ian

Depth_Charge · #5 08-28-2007, 04:17 AM

I have considered using a pick yes, and tried to today. It has better tone for that song for sure.

I haven't really used a pick in over 11 years of playing so I'm struggling with consistency using it. I've got a few days so it might come good yet

matrok · #6 08-28-2007, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

Realistically they're going to know if you're right for them within the first half of the first song - maybe even before you START playing.

They're just saving YOU time, by not asking you to learn a full set of stuff just to try out. Just nail the songs, play your own way, be on time, be friendly, LISTEN (What must you always do?), and you'll get the gig.

Ian

+1

I didn't use a pick for a long time as well, but like riding a bike, it all comes back.

tycobb73 · #7 08-28-2007, 06:26 AM

Wow, we put auditionees through a 5 song set. Some of the tryout is based on how prepared you are. We can't gage this with only 2 songs. If I only gave you 2 songs to learn, you'd better nail them. Good luck.

Depth_Charge · #8 08-28-2007, 06:54 AM

Thanks guys!

Until this audition the least number of songs I've needed to learn for an audition was 8 songs...I've seen these guys play live a number of times and know they are a solid unit who really know how to work a crowd up.

The closer I get to the audition the less confident I am about it...but I'll still give it my best shot I've only been working the songs for a couple of hours in total and pretty much have them both down.

Cheers,

invader3k · #9 08-28-2007, 03:33 PM

You'll be find. Just remember that this is ultimately about having fun. A couple minor screw-ups isn't going to kill your audition.

The last time I auditioned for a band, I had to learn 10 songs...a couple I already knew, but the others were from scratch. Didn't get the gig, but had a lot of fun.

anderbass · #10 08-28-2007, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

Realistically they're going to know if you're right for them within the first half of the first song - maybe even before you START playing.

+1...

And with the two-song tryout rule in place:

The band can quickly/politely usher the losers out the door without subjecting themselves to a long try-out
or quickly decide to keep the better ones around longer, to see how they do playing some other songs cold.

Depth_Charge · #11 08-29-2007, 05:28 AM

Here's another quick question regarding the audition...I am getting a much nicer tone for the Green Day song on my fretless Fender P, which I feel also looks the part for a rock cover band, whereas my ESP-F104 is more metal.

So I am considering showing off by using the fretless for the 2 song audition.

But sometimes I'm missing the note sweet spot as you do with a fretless, and it's got such a low action it's prone to "clacking" when the E or A string hits the fretboard, so I'm in 2 minds about bringing this bass. It certainly screams "pro gear", but might also backfire if I get too nervous and can't hit the sweet spots...

So should I risk it with the fretless, or play it safe with the ESP-F104 "metal"

Oh, PS, I've got a red Fender Jaguar on the way too

Worth telling them that?

Thanks guys!

matrok · #12 08-29-2007, 05:33 AM

It does look metal, but play the fretted.

Silas Martinez · #13 08-29-2007, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matrok

It does look metal, but play the fretted.

Unless you have 100% confidence in your intonation, Matrok's right.

Fretless is showing off, and if you can't pull it off flawlessly, you're shooting yourself in the foot.

MoD_Scotty · #14 08-29-2007, 03:56 PM

Bring the fretted, but let it slip out in conversation that you also switch it up a little with the fretless. If they think that's cool, they'll tell you to bring it next time.

justabass · #15 08-29-2007, 11:03 PM

Def go with the fretted...If they have a website with a songlist on it I would learn a couple others just is case they want to hear more...

matrok · #16 08-30-2007, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justabass

Def go with the fretted...If they have a website with a songlist on it I would learn a couple others just is case they want to hear more...

+1

IanStephenson · #17 08-30-2007, 09:48 AM

I love fretless, and have played fretless on the odd heavy rock track when i just happened to have that bass with me. It can/will sound cool BUT if you bring a fretless they're going to think you're some kind of musician or something... they want a bass player ;-)

Keep it simple. Use the fretted. When you're in the door you can try fancy stuff.

Ian

Depth_Charge · #18 08-31-2007, 08:51 AM

Thanks for all the advice guys.

That was the shortest freakin' audition I've ever done. I pulled up at 5:50pm for a 6pm start, and was packed up and in the car leaving by 6:13pm!

We did Somebody Told Me first, and I pretty much nailed that one straight off the bat.

Then we did When I Come Around. I was a little shaky on the verse riff and didn't have that tone Mike gets on the recording, but I kept the groove and timing, then I stuffed the very last riff up coming into the end of the song!

The singer and I had a chuckle about it and he said that they pretty much know after the first song.

The only other thing I got out of them while packing up was "Well, you can play man". They took my number and told me they would let me know the outcome either way, I shook everyone's hands and left thinking I did pretty good...but good enough? I'm not sure.

D_C

Silas Martinez · #19 08-31-2007, 09:23 AM

Hope you got it! Best wishes!

matrok · #20 08-31-2007, 12:02 PM

Good luck!