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Audition Story

#84
Yes, as someone said on another thread: bands are like streetcars....
030174d5.jpg

...there's always a next one
 
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#85
Flamingo21 said:
I just got a phone call. They turned me down. They're afraid my lack of experience, both as a bassist and as a rocker, will slow then down.
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Bummer!

I was just about to reply, when you posted this.

FWIW I have no trouble playing your file on my iPhone, so at least that's working (you learned a valuable tech skill from this endeavour).

Listening to that recording, as you said yourself - you're lacking confidence in the rock genre.

That was apparent - it's one of life's catch 22 situations, that you can't get a break without the experience, and you can't get the experience without being given a break.

I find it helps to just decided in advance "I'm ****ing doing this" (which is not to say there isn't a massive requirement for self study, and the awareness to self correct, as part of the process), and play with the appropriate degree of attitude, and self confidence.

Don't throw in the towel, or get disheartened - you're instincts are good ; both musically, in terms of what you ought to be playing, and where your weaknesses are, and also your instincts for detecting the right type of musicians to be playing with.

Listen back to that recording yourself - use it as a training aide.

For example, in those quieter passages in the verse - if your low notes were locked together with the kick drum, and you stopped them ringing out the exact moment the drummer hits the snare : it would instantly sound more powerful, and confident.

Keep plugging away at it, you've obviously got the skills, you're just in slightly unfamiliar territory at the moment.
 
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#87
Thanks, Wood and Wire. Your helpful and detailed post is just what I need.
Wood and Wire said:
FWIW I have no trouble playing your file on my iPhone, so at least that's working.
Click to expand...
Good!
Wood and Wire said:
Don't throw in the towel, or get disheartened - you're instincts are good ; both musically, in terms of what you ought to be playing, and where your weaknesses are, and also your instincts for detecting the right type of musicians to be playing with.
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Thanks! And FTR, not disheartened at all! Actually I have a strong feeling that I did exactly the right thing for me - learnt a lot of things.
Wood and Wire said:
For example, in those quieter passages in the verse - if your low notes were locked together with the kick drum, and you stopped them ringing out the exact moment the drummer hits the snare : it would instantly sound more powerful, and confident.
Click to expand...
Ha! They expressly told me to "let them ring"!! Which doesn't change the fact that you're right, of course: I get the feeling that they just didn't know enough about bass playing to tell me what you just told me. There were other instances where this seemed to be the case.
Wood and Wire said:
and play with the appropriate degree of attitude, and self confidence.
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Attitude. I've come across this word before. Can you define it? I'm seriously interested, it seems to be something I've been lacking in many ventures in my life.

Thanks again!
 
#90
Flamingo21 said:
Ha! They expressly told me to "let them ring"!! Which doesn't change the fact that you're right, of course: I get the feeling that they just didn't know enough about bass playing to tell me what you just told me. There were other instances where this seemed to be the case.
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Just in case there's any confusion, I meant let the notes ring, right up to the moment the drummer strikes the snare (just in case you thought I meant to play them all staccato, just on the beats).

There's nothing inherently wrong with letting the notes ring out across the snare, or for several bars (compressors can really help give your sustain some meat), but simple tricks like playing the lower notes on the kick, and higher notes on the snare, or just getting out the way of the snare entirely, can make the music feel more strident, and powerful.

It's the spaces between the notes, that give a groove it's impact, and letting the notes ring can suck all the energy out of a piece of music - when perhaps it needs the bass to propel it forward.


Flamingo21 said:
Attitude. I've come across this word before. Can you define it? I'm seriously interested, it seems to be something I've been lacking in many ventures in my life.
Click to expand...


So, in part, I mean :

"instrumentalist proudly presents his badass bass line"

Vs

"instrumentalist sheepishly presents a bass idea he's not really convinced in"


In part, I mean not having the M.O. of a Jazz cat in a Punk band, and not having the M.O. of a Punk in a Jazz band.


But mostly I mean, it's Rock & Roll, which is all about sex :

If it's a slow number, grind on it.

If it's a heavy number, **** it hard.

Never approach any Rock song, like you're about to lose your virginity.

Even if it's all bluster, just learn to navigate a convincing path around your weaknesses.
 
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