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Audition today. I'm intimidated.

Silas Martinez

Silas Martinez

Jan 17, 2007
428
6
Denver, CO
#1
Auditioning for a local Jazz/Rock band today, mostly originals. They're very good, but the intimidating part is the session player they are used to working with.

Michael Manring was hired to play on the CD they are getting ready to release (their second).

They want a resident (read: cheaper) player who still has skills, creativity, and groove to drive them forward. The ability to play the lines manring wrote for them, and their previous bass player's lines, would be good.

Any advice? Wish me luck at any rate. Was kind of odd - I was straight up with them, figuring they wouldn't even have me in for an audition, but the practice near to me (usually I'm driving 45+ minutes) and they play nice, groovin' originals, and aren't afraid to throw in the covers. A twenty minute phone conversation with the leader, and he decided he wanted me to come in.
 
#3
Thats the attitude I'm trying to go in with. Most of them have ten years more experience playing than I do, and I was clear that I'm no Jaco. But after some serious discussion about my main influences and experience, about how I would classify my approach on originals, and about my gear, and why I chose it, I got invited to audition. I tried to be pretty straight up about where I'm at - I do OK with chord charts, really try to listen and play a supporting role, and don't really get into the whole 'lead bass' bit. If nothing else, I see it as a learning experience, and a chance to play with some really talented cats, so thats what I'm taking it for.
 
#4
Good Luck, of course that goes without saying!:cool:

Only advice I'd offer is to remember that every player has his/her own voice on the instrument, "A/B" comparisons are pretty pointless.

I've seen Michael Manring perform twice, solo (!!) up close, live and in person.
He's an incredibly unique talent, and you won't (or shouldn't) be expected to fill his shoes.
Just fill YOUR shoes, and do what YOU do.

One more time: Knock 'em dead!
 
#6
At first, it sounds very intimidating. I would be too. But as other's have said, focus on your style and do what you do best. I think that is super advice! Bring that sense of style AND that sense of self, to the audition. (Sometimes I think I don't have a style, but was told I do.)

Fellow musicians want to see you 'get into it'. So maybe the question becomes, how do I show them that I'm into it(?).

A good question for all of us.

You'll be fine.

jimmyjo
 
#7
realdeal said:
Only advice I'd offer is to remember that every player has his/her own voice on the instrument, "A/B" comparisons are pretty pointless.

I've seen Michael Manring perform twice, solo (!!) up close, live and in person.
He's an incredibly unique talent, and you won't (or shouldn't) be expected to fill his shoes.
Just fill YOUR shoes, and do what YOU do.

One more time: Knock 'em dead!
Click to expand...
Perfect advice and I can't improve on it.

I also see another post with the same basic idea; that you are never going to be Manring or Pastorius, but they would never sound like you either and you may end up being more perfect for them than many more "talented" players could be.

Hope you get the gig! :bassist:
 
#8
Dive head first and go for it man! I personally love feeling this way - I am much more comfortable (as uncomfortable as it is) playing "catch up" than have to be the one to lay off because I have more experience than someone. Intimidation is a great motivator if you look at it that way. You will be better from this experience! And good luck on actually being accepted into the band!

:bassist:
 
#10
Thanks for the positive vibes, folks. I am excited about it. I keep telling myself I'm not nervous, I'm excited. Same basic feeling either way.

A agree, YCB, that I'd rather play with someone more talented than someone less. Always. It is just ... harder to get the gigs with people who are more talented than you.

I had a different audition last night with a female led, kind of hard rock/metal(ish) band. That one was easy... I blew 'em away, and they were begging me to come back. In my head, it was my warm up audition, and in that sense, I am all warmed up. Haven't decided if I'll go back for more with that band, I think it depends on the audition I have tonight. Last nights audition, I think, fell into the 'less talented' category.
 
#11
My 2 cents are.Yea hes one of the best but they did have to hire him why? Cuz they couldnt find anyone to his skill or playing level. To think you will come in and be MM shadow is foolish...be yourself and sell yourself.

I am not even near your playing level just a weekend hacker but i take my playing serious for sure. I tryed out for a good gigging country band last week with 2 days to have a crash course in country music. It is not as easy as everybody says it is to play. I have been playing nothing but R&R classic, mod/hard for 3 years and thank God the last 3 months i was playing in a blues trio so i had to slow down it helped.

I got the gig over a more experienced player. The main reason was my attitude and how i carry and present myself. The leader of the band said im a good fit and attiude had a huge advantage on me getting the gig.

Im sure if you go in do your stuff and present well you will be fine. If not just like i felt it is good experience the same..Good Luck!
 
#12
I remember Dave Schools (bassist for Widespread Panic) saying something in some interview somewhere, WP was playing some festival and they had to go on after Victor Wooten. He says something to one of his bandmates (about Vic, after he does his trademark backflip, bass-flip, whatever), "How am I supposed to follow that?"
and his bandmate says, "Just be yourself. Don't try to be Vic."

...or something to that effect. Just be you. If they like you, they'll hire you. If they don't, well...
Do you really want the job if you have to be someone else?
 
#13
Even in the absence of the opportunity to keep playing with these guys -- the audition itself sounds like a pretty cool thing to do. It's not just about getting this gig. It's also about making connections with these guys that could pay off in other ways down the road.

Then, if you do get it, you can tell people you replaced Michael Manring.
 
#16
bassbully said:
I got the gig over a more experienced player. The main reason was my attitude and how i carry and present myself. The leader of the band said im a good fit and attiude had a huge advantage on me getting the gig.
Click to expand...
I have this experience too.
Did audition to play guitar (sue me) in a band because I wanted to do guitar too. Some extremely talented cats show up (WAY BETTER than I am)
Got the gig due to attitude and a spontaneous connection on a personal level.

A few weeks later one of the guys who did the audition with me joins the band where I play bass (and I'm still wondering why they didn't choose him ;))

So basicly, go in there and 'give em hell'.
If you don't take the shot you will always miss :)
 
#17
Well.... I don't think I got the gig. My sight reading was the issue - I was plenty talented technique wise, but they needed someone who could blaze through charts at a glance. I learned that my sight reading wasn't nearly as strong as I thought it was (complex polychord stuff at 180bpm+ was more of a challenge than I was ready for - the leader had mentioned 'maybe a little reading' when we talked before the audition).

That being said, it was the most incredible, uplifting, positive musical experience I've had in a while. They were some of the most humble, friendly, talented folks I've ever met. Even after I told them that I was afraid my reading wasn't up to the task, the drummer kept begging me to 'stay and play one more tune' and then 'lets play another - whatever you want'. I was invited to stay all night if I wanted, play what I could, and just listen otherwise. I'll take that as fairly high praise - they all really seemed to enjoy playing with me, and they truly played for the love of playing. I didn't stay all night, but I played a few tunes with them, and packed up and listened to a couple more.

I may get a surprise call after all, because the energy was there and the connection felt solid - but I'm not expecting it.
 
#18
You don't think you got it but from what you said the vibe was good - they might have even liked you enough to take you in and help you along to get faster with reading... I still feel good about it for you Bro!

But in the end you are better for going to the audition cause you identified a problem that you can attack asap.

Good job Bro, I for one am proud!
 
#19
:hyper: Great job! its still up if you get the gig or not but look what you gained.
Connections and meeting and jamming with cool people...you never know when and how this could pay off. You also know what weaknesses you have and where to improve to get a gig like this if the offer comes up again.They might choose another and if so you did your best but maybe you will be the runner up and a replacement if that person falls short or cant make a gig or recording you never know. For the time invested at your level of playing you did well just to go and give it a rip...a win if you ask me.
 
#20
khaspir said:
I may get a surprise call after all, because the energy was there and the connection felt solid - but I'm not expecting it.
Click to expand...

IME, really good readers are very rare, and very much in demand. Sounds like you have the rest of the package covered, so I like your chances. Best of luck!
 

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