Bass Audition

[bluewine]

I have an audition to play in a band,I have not done this in awhile.Is it unreasonable for them to want me to now 6-7 of their songs by this Tuesday.

I received the invite last thursday.

 

[modulusman]

I would bring an 8 box JBL rig with crown amps to the audition with you.

 

[Nick Kay]

Depends. If they gave you sheets/charts, the songs are REALLY simple, or they just want the basic structure (ie: you don't need to nail the fills) and you can use cheat sheets, then it's reasonable, although a little much to ask in less than a week.

On the other hand, if the songs are complex, or you have to learn them by ear, it is an awful lot to ask for just an audition. They might be testing you to see how much **** you'll take from them, as well.

 

[jakewalker1]

If their easy, there's no problem there then but I would reccommend giving them a good go if they're hard because you'll find that with the extra incentive of being a band that you'll practise harder

 

[gregoire1]

It sounds like they are trying to test you. 6 songs in 4 days...it does depend on the tunes. Are they popular cover tunes or originals?

 

[gregoire1]

We were auditioning a drummer, and we needed him to be a fast learner, so we gave them 5 songs to learn in 6 days, but they were cover tune standards (with one original).

 

[Williamsburgjim]

..too, although there are pro's and con's to this, what's equally important-if not more important in the long run-is matching chemisty/personalities. It's a people biz., much like anything else. So it's important you share similar philosophies. Accordingly, my preference in auditions is about 1/3 doing the learned requested stuff and 2/3'rds just 'coming-up' with stuff like grooves and jamming or blues or whatever. Thru that process you'll discover real quick if you've got chemistry for the long-haul (or even short-haul).

I remember two bands I was in where the drummer's didn't even like to jam. It was wierd to me, and to this day I never really understood it. In both those instances...., they broke-up. So musicianship, philosophy, personality play a huge role in not only nurturing a so-called creative environment, but contribute greatly to the fun factor. Afterall, what are we in it for....(aka; ask yourself why you're auditioning in the first place) (?).

Jimbob