After reading this thread, I have decided to learn how to play with a pick. May come in handy some day.
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An audition requires you to play with a pick. Why?
- Thread starter JaneBass1
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That ad really bothers you? They know what type of sound they want, and are decent enough to put it in the ad so as to NOT waste YOUR time - or theirs. That's a positive thing. There's a good chance that if you played the bridge pickup "like Jaco" they would not be getting the type of sound THEY wanted. Worlds of difference in sound there.
Playing with a pick does more than just "sound bright" - it lends a different texture and attack to the sound - it is a powerful technique when done well. If they wanted a guy that could sound "like Jaco" - they'd put that in the ad.
Your post says much more about your attitude than it does about the advertiser's attitudes. Move on to the next one.
Playing with a pick does more than just "sound bright" - it lends a different texture and attack to the sound - it is a powerful technique when done well. If they wanted a guy that could sound "like Jaco" - they'd put that in the ad.
Your post says much more about your attitude than it does about the advertiser's attitudes. Move on to the next one.
what about ads that say "must have long hair" ? is it a band or a fashion show ?
johnny a
They're not dictating how to play the bass unless you actually go to the audition. Without going, how can they tell you how to play the bass?
- Apr 1, 2000
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It's both, and if you you don't understand that, you have much to learn about the music industry.
^^I respectfully disagree... And will ad that I have been to many auditions where the band have outlined that they want this or that, pic, 4/5/6 string, etc etc... Alot of the time they have no idea what they actually want... And often don't really care.... (That said, alot of good bands know exactly what they want, and you should respect that)...
If you can contribute to there music that will often overide there initial requests...
I would recommend picking up the phone and talking to the band... If everyting else appeals to you then why not be up front and ask if they'll let you audition despite favouring fingerstyle??
If you can contribute to there music that will often overide there initial requests...
I would recommend picking up the phone and talking to the band... If everyting else appeals to you then why not be up front and ask if they'll let you audition despite favouring fingerstyle??
God forgive me for this, but I'm not going to goof on you for this one, Jon. But he IS the bassist for Staind, who are possibly the only band in the world besides Jimmy Buffett whose lead singer gets to perform in flip flops.
- Apr 1, 2000
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Fair enough - but would he still have that gig if he looked like this:
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Image is HUGE in the music business.
Listen, even Clay Aiken found an audience 
But Johnny's in a really good position being that Staind isn't known for their image but for their music. I would actually agree with you, though. I don't know if Johnny knows how hard a trick that is to pull off.
But Johnny's in a really good position being that Staind isn't known for their image but for their music. I would actually agree with you, though. I don't know if Johnny knows how hard a trick that is to pull off.
- Apr 1, 2000
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Listen, even Clay Aiken found an audience
If he's made it, and he *doesn't* know what a trick that it, I'm even happier for him! But I'm also a realist - that's not a path everyone gets to go down....
.... Jersey in the 80s, EVERY ad was tagged with Hair and Attitude a Must! 
I actually posted an ad putting a blues /jam gig together tagged Hair and Attitude will be laughed at and/or ignored!
I'm auditioning for a cover gig that has me using a pick on about 3/4 of the material I've been learning... by choice, but some stuff just needs that tone / tech.
I rarely use picks with original stuff.
I actually posted an ad putting a blues /jam gig together tagged Hair and Attitude will be laughed at and/or ignored!
I'm auditioning for a cover gig that has me using a pick on about 3/4 of the material I've been learning... by choice, but some stuff just needs that tone / tech.
I rarely use picks with original stuff.
We can all choose to perpetuate the image thing or we can choose to go down the path of putting the music before the image. If your being hired as a sideman it's not as clean cut and I imagine if you want to wear your flip flops 24/7 you'll more than likely miss out on some work...
Putting the music before image doesn't necessarily mean your going to end up wearing a hessian bag though...
Putting the music before image doesn't necessarily mean your going to end up wearing a hessian bag though...
Image still plays a part not as much as it used to but still plays a part. I think even more so if you don't have a name for yourself already.IMO if you have both you play well and have a decent image your one step ahead of the game.
As for the add you might even see
Must play fender P with a pick + SVt 8x10
personally I don't care how anyone plays or what they look like as long as it sounds good, but I do prefer the sound of a good Les paul
As for the add you might even see
Must play fender P with a pick + SVt 8x10
personally I don't care how anyone plays or what they look like as long as it sounds good, but I do prefer the sound of a good Les paul
what about ads that say "must have long hair" ? is it a band or a fashion show ?
Oh Johnny you must remember the 80's ? or is a little foggy LOL
I remember auditioning for a Hollywood band and the first thing they asked me on the phone was HOW LONG IS YOUR HAIR?
2nd question: how long have you been playing?
3rd question: what kind of gear do you have?
It worked out I had all three and the were exceptional players.
thank god it is not as much like that now
And Johnny even though your hair is short now and Aaron wears flip flops you guys still have a image, and a cool image and your music smokes
EDIT: sometimes not so much image as with out smoke and mirrors, long hair, makeup ect it is still a image, more of a image then one might think!
Oh dear, oh dear, I have been doing this for TOO LONG! Has it never crossed anyones
mind that if "a band" can stipulate must use pick, must have long hair, must wear black Tshirts, must vote for the bonzo dog do,dar band, it is mearly to CONTROL and to lay out an ideal which is in their heads. As a rule, the more "musts" the less likely I would be to reply
worzel
mind that if "a band" can stipulate must use pick, must have long hair, must wear black Tshirts, must vote for the bonzo dog do,dar band, it is mearly to CONTROL and to lay out an ideal which is in their heads. As a rule, the more "musts" the less likely I would be to reply
worzel
Alright, image aside, and for all those who don't just play in "job bands" (I still want that gig more than you Jimmy).
If I was into this band and wanted to play with them and I didn't play well with a pick, I would call these guys explain that I am interested but that playing with a pick is not my forté. I would ask them to have a listen to what I could do and what kind of sounds I could get without the pick and they could decide from there whether I was what they are after or not.
Most bands usually realise that in getting someone that fits they sometimes have to make small concessions. If they aren't even willing to give you a try they must have lots of options and you probably weren't in with a chance anyway.
Some people want what they want, it's fair enough as far as I am concerned. On the other hand if you aren't into the band that much anyway why even bother worrying about it.
If I was into this band and wanted to play with them and I didn't play well with a pick, I would call these guys explain that I am interested but that playing with a pick is not my forté. I would ask them to have a listen to what I could do and what kind of sounds I could get without the pick and they could decide from there whether I was what they are after or not.
Most bands usually realise that in getting someone that fits they sometimes have to make small concessions. If they aren't even willing to give you a try they must have lots of options and you probably weren't in with a chance anyway.
Some people want what they want, it's fair enough as far as I am concerned. On the other hand if you aren't into the band that much anyway why even bother worrying about it.
Kinda the whole point of putting them in the ad in the first place...
It cracks me up the way so many people in this thread are acting like they are sticking it to these bands when they say they wouldn't respond to the ad when they obviously wouldn't meet the criteria laid out in said ad.
"I refuse to play with a pick, so I'd never respond to an ad that said 'pick players' only."
Well, DUH.
Thank you.
I think there's a right and a wrong way to go about it, and of course it's my opinion, but I always love playing with a pick, and I have no problems if someone asks (nicely!) if I would try songs with a pick. I'm always happy to talk about these things and try them. Or when the bandleader asks me (nicely!)to wear a black shirt to the next gig. Or whatever. Most things I will try if asked nicely. And more often than not, I end up making a change if/when asked. I can think of very few times I said no after being asked to try something. I try to be accomodating, and also just not be a jerk by not thumbing my nose up at anything new which I don't already do.
Then there's the wrong way, which is "you must... ...or don't reply."
The point is, a little diplomacy, and what I believe to be adult-like communication goes a long way to disarming the absolutes as typified by such language as "you must..." I tend to find the less I "demand" the more likely I ultimately get, so to speak, as through asking, you don't put the individual on the defensive. I find this works in many facets of my life from music, to non-music stuff, to relations with my wife, family and so on.
Yeah, I see those "you must..." ads ALL the time, and I assure you I pay them NO mind in real life, but as an academic point, or at least the mostly interesting minutiae which is bantered about on this forum, I will say if asked (as the OP did), I don't support or condone that as a style of communication that benefits any of us as musicians, bassists, or members of a bass community, as I feel that such language marginalizes.
And aren't we here to support bass playing, bass players, the value of the bass in music, and so on? I am.
Best to you.
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