Bandmix ad question

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Putting this in Miscellaneous because I'm just curious what other people think. In one of the bands I play in the guitarist left so I'm moving to guitar and we're going to find a bass player. We're looking in all the usual places and one of them is bandmix. Lots of people claim to play multiple instruments, now here's my question:

If someone lists a bass as one of instruments they play, but has pics of themselves playing guitar, does that make you think that they aren't really a bass player? Maybe it's just me, but if you claim to be a bass player, I want to see a picture of you playing bass. It definitely makes me think twice before calling someone.

Just my opinion, wondering what others think.

Yeah, I'm with the first reply. He probably plays guitar, and figures, "Bass is just guitar, but easier. I just dumb down what the guitars are playing." I wouldn't go for it. But, why not give him a shot if he's available. Heck, you might find him a better guitarist than you, and you can go back to bass.

 

[lfmn16]

Also the "send video and recordings of yourself" thing is annoying...what happened to the days when you HAD to drag your stuff, actually play and personally interact with people, and take the chance of them saying no to you or, you saying no to them?

I mean, what if they don't like your "look" OMG!

Seems like nobody can take a chance on getting their feelings hurt or actually being honest face to face anymore. I tell ask my son, "do you actually talk to this girl?" he'll say "well, we text"...

He's missing out on the whole uneasy, take a chance, nervous butterflies...which you're supposed to experience. it's part of growing up, accepting "no".

Feels like musicians are the same way nowadays.

When I did my last round of auditions I felt the same way you did. I auditioned almost everyone who was interested. I also provided the amp, so that made it easier. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the 'players' that came over could not even follow a simple 12 bar progression. I was shocked that people would show up for an audition not even knowing the basics. One guy showed up with a Fender Custom Shop Precision and got lost playing Chuck Berry tunes. I made it as easy as possible, sent out 10 Rock and Roll, Rockabilly tunes (most with 3 chords) and let them pick any 5.

 

[lfmn16]

Yeah, I'm with the first reply. He probably plays guitar, and figures, "Bass is just guitar, but easier. I just dumb down what the guitars are playing." I wouldn't go for it. But, why not give him a shot if he's available. Heck, you might find him a better guitarist than you, and you can go back to bass.

I agree. Just to be clear, I didn't exclude anyone strictly based on their pic, unless they were wearing cargo shorts, old/misshapen t-shirts and sandals, of course!

I'm not sure why some people are getting so worked up and snarky about this question. For the record, if I advertise myself as a bass player, I have a pic of me playing bass. That's just the way I roll, doesn't make me right for everyone, just right for me.

 

[MJ_Sotti]

Oh come on. You expect me not to swing at a softball like that???



It can save a lot of wasted time. Earlier this year I was auditioning for a new project. I wasted several evenings of my time - had I been able to hear a recording, it might have prevented that. You still have to audition, but it lets you do some culling of the chaff.

I understand. But actually going, you can meet some real characters in this business, some great people that turn out to be long time friends and get some great stories...to me all that is some of the stuff I'd never replace. Dragging your s--t to jam with a drummer at his house getting toasted with him and a couple guys and 20yrs later you're still friends...can't do that by video or text.

 

[MJ_Sotti]

When I did my last round of auditions I felt the same way you did. I auditioned almost everyone who was interested. I also provided the amp, so that made it easier. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the 'players' that came over could not even follow a simple 12 bar progression. I was shocked that people would show up for an audition not even knowing the basics. One guy showed up with a Fender Custom Shop Precision and got lost playing Chuck Berry tunes. I made it as easy as possible, sent out 10 Rock and Roll, Rockabilly tunes (most with 3 chords) and let them pick any 5.

Yup. Nature of the beast.

 

[Bassbeater]

Ease up sourpuss, everything will be ok! <3

Maybe it's just me, but if you claim to be a bass player, I want to see a picture of you playing bass. It definitely makes me think twice before calling someone.

 

[MJ_Sotti]

I agree. Just to be clear, I didn't exclude anyone strictly based on their pic, unless they were wearing cargo shorts, old/misshapen t-shirts and sandals, of course!

I'm not sure why some people are getting so worked up and snarky about this question. For the record, if I advertise myself as a bass player, I have a pic of me playing bass. That's just the way I roll, doesn't make me right for everyone, just right for me.

what if the cargo shorts were camo?

I showed up to a gig in the west loop one time, it was hot af, I had cargo shorts on and they told me I looked like a UPS driver.

 

[lfmn16]

Ease up sourpuss, everything will be ok! <3

You're the one with your panties in a knot. I didn't know you were so easily upset.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I understand. But actually going, you can meet some real characters in this business, some great people that turn out to be long time friends and get some great stories...to me all that is some of the stuff I'd never replace. Dragging your s--t to jam with a drummer at his house getting toasted with him and a couple guys and 20yrs later you're still friends...can't do that by video or text.

I am certainly not saying replace a live audition with listening to recordings. But it is a help. One audition I did, the "vocalist" could not carry a tune far enough to take it out back to bury it. On another, I had to teach guitar lines to the guitarist for a song they supposedly knew how to play, It would prevent these.

 

[lfmn16]

I am certainly not saying replace a live audition with listening to recordings. But it is a help. One audition I did, the "vocalist" could not carry a tune far enough to take it out back to bury it. On another, I had to teach guitar lines to the guitarist for a song they supposedly knew how to play, It would prevent these.

There is no way to know without an actual audition, but I agree you should use whatever screening processes are available. I'll never do open auditions again where anyone who is interested gets a shot.

It cuts both ways. I was on the fence about auditioning for a band so I looked them up on Youtube. Their singer was incredible. Nailed AC/DC and Quiet Riot. I probably wouldn't have gone if I hadn't hear them.

 

[MJ_Sotti]

Years ago, through mutual friends I dragged my V4b and my Precision over to this drummer's house. Didn't know him from Adam. All I knew is over the phone we liked some of the same stuff. First double bass player I ever met, and he had a OctaPlus kit. Big Carl Palmer freak. We liked Tull, ELP and stuff like that. "Fly By Night" had just came out, and we got "altered" a little and listened to it and dissected it like crazy. Played to the record, found a guitar player and of course could never find a singer for that stuff. I always loved drums, and I learned so much off this guy about them off this guy...my brother started to play, and everything I learned off him I passed to my brother who is now a very good drummer. Mark was a huge influence on my playing. And we're still good friends, though he's not playing anymore.

That's all from getting off your butt and meeting someone.

(I also got a good story about when a singer we had went to pick up a "lid" and left me with his gf...but that's for another thread...who says bass players never get any?)

 

[Bassbeater]

My next bandmix photo will be like this...

 

[MJ_Sotti]

There is no way to know without an actual audition, but I agree you should use whatever screening processes are available. I'll never do open auditions again where anyone who is interested gets a shot.

It cuts both ways. I was on the fence about auditioning for a band so I looked them up on Youtube. Their singer was incredible. Nailed AC/DC and Quiet Riot. I probably wouldn't have gone if I hadn't hear them.

makes sense. If we had this stuff back then we'd be doing the same I guess.

 

[MJ_Sotti]

but Bandmix really does blow...and don't even get me started on CL. This is the slowest gig year I've had in at least 7yrs...I need to take my own advice and get out there.

 

[lfmn16]

My next bandmix photo will be like this...
View attachment 3146448

Now THAT guy, I'd call!

 

[bkbirge]

I believe craigslist is beta testing a similar service, here's a representative picture...

 

[lfmn16]

I believe craigslist is beta testing a similar service, here's a representative picture...
View attachment 3146494

I think I auditioned that guy!

 

[dennis james]

that voice didn't hurt either...

Or the song writing skills.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Another thing to consider is which instrument they want to play. When I enter a band, I prefer to and want to play bass...there are some folks (these "multi-instrumentalists") who just want to be in a band and are trying to do whatever to get in one, even if it means sucking out loud on their instrument. Often times the folks who market themselves playing guitar and are like "Yeah I can play bass too" are your typical root 8th notes player who has no groove or soul in their playing. Have DEFINITELY been there when I was forced to play guitar in one project.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi lfmn16

In one of the bands I play in the guitarist left so I'm moving to guitar and we're going to find a bass player.

Why? Good bass players are hard to find!

if you claim to be a bass player, I want to see a picture of you playing bass. It definitely makes me think twice before calling someone.

You won 't see a picture! (not that I am ugly ) you will have sound!
And I present myself as a (wise)bass!

Maybe it's just me, but if you claim to be a bass player, I want to see a picture of you playing bass. It definitely makes me think twice before calling someone.

I am a bassplayer!

I'm just curious what other people think.

RU?

Someone moving from bass to guitar in their band shouldn't be too judgmental about a picture of another person saying they bass and guitar.

I'm not sure what some of the thinly veiled snark is all about.

I am!


The only reason to pick up guitar in my band is a bad drummer!

And you know the TB answer!


agoodb(a)ss