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Quick advice, country audition. Now: The Country experience

Eilif

Eilif

Grooving under the MDW runway.
Oct 1, 2001
9,756
9,645
Chicago
#1
Ok who has advice for me. Tomorrow I am going to tryout for a fairly established country band. I will only have computer access until 5:30 today...

We setup the audition this Tuesday for Saturday. They have sent me 7 tracks and noted the 3 to learn (with 4 for "extra credit"). I have those 3 down, almost note for note, and have the other 4 pretty well down for style, structure, and chord progressions, but not note for note.

I want to WOW them, so: for the other 4, if I can't get them all down, should I try and play as busy as the track or should I simplify and play less.

Example: If I haven't nailed the walking line on the track do I just walk my own line and follow the chords, or should I simplify and maybe double notes instead?

I am not very familiar with country as a genre (or collection of genres) though I love the tunes this band sent me, so whatever advice country bassists might have please send my way.
Thanks,
Karl
 
#5
I'd say don't go in there with any pre-conceived notions about country music. That term can mean any one of a huge variety of things nowadays. If you have the basic idea and structure of the songs down, I'd talk to them before the audition and find out what they liked/didn't like about the way the bass lines are played on the tracks (by the previous bassist?). Ask them what they prefer. If they say "do your own thing", go with your gut....but do not, under any circumstances kill the groove or interfere with the vocals or lead instruments. "Support" is generally the watchword in country music.
 
#6
Got your P--Check. The Fender prejudice is still out there.

For the other 4, how busy are they? Were you able to transcribe them or do you need help? If you do, ask around.

I would say the first thing you play in the audition will make or break you. Figure out which one you are strongest on and request that they start with that. I can't imagine anyone turning down such a request.

Other than that, stop gabbin' with us and get back in the woodshed! :)

Seriously, have a good audition. Report back here and tell us how it went, because I'm moving to a fairly heavy country-music town and may need some pointers as well.

Scott
 
#7
Eilif said:
..I want to WOW them, so: for the other 4, if I can't get them all down, should I try and play as busy as the track or should I simplify and play less.

Example: If I haven't nailed the walking line on the track do I just walk my own line and follow the chords, or should I simplify and maybe double notes instead?..
Thanks,
Karl
Click to expand...

It would really depend on the songs - but in country typically "less is more." I'd err on the side of root/fives instead of a busier line that may/may not conflict with the vocal or lead melodies. IMHO - YMMV. Again, depending on the song I could make an exception.
 
#8
Scottgun said:
Got your P--Check. The Fender prejudice is still out there.

For the other 4, how busy are they? Were you able to transcribe them or do you need help? If you do, ask around.

I would say the first thing you play in the audition will make or break you. Figure out which one you are strongest on and request that they start with that. I can't imagine anyone turning down such a request.

Other than that, stop gabbin' with us and get back in the woodshed! :)

Seriously, have a good audition. Report back here and tell us how it went, because I'm moving to a fairly heavy country-music town and may need some pointers as well.

Scott
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice Scott.
I'll definately try to start with the strongest tune.
As for the others, the tunes aren't particularly difficult. I don't have the time for note by note transcriptions, and on some of the recordings, some of the bass runs are a bit too muffled for me to pick out exactly what is being played.
 
#9
TL5 said:
It would really depend on the songs - but in country typically "less is more." I'd err on the side of root/fives instead of a busier line that may/may not conflict with the vocal or lead melodies. IMHO - YMMV. Again, depending on the song I could make an exception.
Click to expand...

Big +1 to the above.
 
#10
I think the biggest thing is just being SOLID. Of course you have to have a good working knowledge of the songs, but I wouldn't worry too much if you don't have them exactly note for note.

Also, if it's a touring band situation, remember that half the battle (or more) is just being easy to get along with and developing a quick repoire with everyone.

Lastly, if you can sing harmonies, make sure you let them know that. Quite often that can make a difference between you and the next guy. Even if they already have guys in the band that are singing the harmony parts, you never know when someone will get sick or leave the band.
 
#11
I would say follow the form of the song as closly as you can. When it gets to the less than nailed part, pay extra close attention to what the kick drum is doing. Every note has a kick, every kick has note.

Moreso than just about any other form of music, country is all about the relationship between bass and kick.

IMO.

Oh yeah. and take the bass that can play the song. If there's a 5 string on the recording (and if the song is less than 10 years old there probably is) then you need to have a five string. Those low notes make up a big part of making the song sound like it's supposed to sound.

Care to share what songs they are???
 
#12
TL5 said:
It would really depend on the songs - but in country typically "less is more." I'd err on the side of root/fives instead of a busier line that may/may not conflict with the vocal or lead melodies. IMHO - YMMV. Again, depending on the song I could make an exception.
Click to expand...

I played in a country band for 10 years, and I agree with this approach. Dave Pomeroy (first-call Nashville session ace) said something to the effect of, "The first time through the song, play as few notes as you can. Then cut half of them out."
 
#13
Ok so the audition was yesterday.

A few highlights.

-They liked my bass, tone, approach, and that I knew all the songs
-They indicated that I was thier strongest applicant yet.
-I had alot of fun playing the tunes.
-We jammed out on an origional tune of theirs that I hadn't heard before, and it went pretty well.
-They seem to be good, mature people


Thanks to you all for all the advice: I brought the Pbass, kept it simple, stuck to all the changes and tried to lock in with the drummer, and it went better than I could have expected.

They said they'd get back to me in a couple of days, so I will let you all know how it turns out.
Thanks again,
Karl
 
#15
Eilif said:
-We jammed out on an origional tune of theirs that I hadn't heard before, and it went pretty well.
Click to expand...
Good for you. I find that most of the country bands I play with are much more interested in how you can handle yourself when you don't know the tune. Many of them try to play all requests. If the singer knows the song, you play it even if you don't know it.

Giving you seven songs to learn was a way to find out how quick you learn songs. I wish I had seen this thread earlier since I find most country bands don't expect you to learn the bass line note for note. As long as the bass line supports the song, it is ok to make up your own.
 
#16
I just got an email from the band. They offered me the gig! We are meeting on Saturday, I assume to discuss specifics. If all goes well I will let you all know the outcome and the name of the band next Monday.
 
#19
bikertrash82 said:
Oh yeah. and take the bass that can play the song. If there's a 5 string on the recording (and if the song is less than 10 years old there probably is) then you need to have a five string. Those low notes make up a big part of making the song sound like it's supposed to sound.

Care to share what songs they are???
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more. I've been playing country (off and on) for as long as I've been playing bass (around 28 years). My current gig is all country. I haven't even owned a decent P Bass in 15 years or more! Today's country demands more range, and more versatility of tone. By the way, I'm not dumpin' on the old PBass, there's a place for that as well, but as far as I can see, now you need MORE.

And yeah, we would love to know what sort of tunes?

Eilif said:
I just got an email from the band. They offered me the gig! We are meeting on Saturday, I assume to discuss specifics. If all goes well I will let you all know the outcome and the name of the band next Monday.
Click to expand...

Congrats and best of success to you! :bassist:
 
#20
mimaz said:
I couldn't agree more. I've been playing country (off and on) for as long as I've been playing bass (around 28 years). My current gig is all country. I haven't even owned a decent P Bass in 15 years or more! Today's country demands more range, and more versatility of tone. By the way, I'm not dumpin' on the old PBass, there's a place for that as well, but as far as I can see, now you need MORE.

And yeah, we would love to know what sort of tunes?



Congrats and best of success to you! :bassist:
Click to expand...

Thanks!
I'm too like the benefits of the 5 string, but the Fender 4 string preference must exist somewhere because the guitarist (who seemed to be leading the audition) commented on how glad he was to see a 4 string -after all the previous players had brought 5 strings- and how much he liked how it looked and sounded. I'm pretty glad I left my 55-01 at home.

As for the music, the songs were:

Little Bit Lonesome
Pony
Black and Blue heart
Do you ever think of me
Think it over
Neighborhood
Cowboys Sweetheart

I have no idea who the artists are, but the guitarrist said that these songs represent the range of music that the band tends to play. They were all pretty fun tunes to play.
 

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