• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Check out my Audition Video?

#41
If it were me, I'd play some old motown stuff and show how well you can hold the bottom together. Tapping is fine and dandy but how many gigs are you gonna get where the band leader wants a tapping bass solo? Unless you plan on starting your own group, then in that case you can go for whatever you want. You have talent no doubt but the actual role of the bass doesn't show in your videos.

Also, just an off topic. If it were me sending my audition video, I'd dress up a little. Look a little more professional and stuff. Or at least make your bed ;) but maybe that's just me.

Good luck!
 
#43
I believe Janek Gwizdala and Adam Nitti both offer personalized lessons via the web.
So, the excuse of not having a teacher available kinda went out the window (or Mac OS... ;) ).
And really, you can't get any better than those two guys!

Go to the "Ask the pro's" section of TalkBass and send them a PM. They both are stellar about responding.

I follow Janek on Twitter. His web site has tons of stuff that would keep you busy shedding for a LONG time.
His POD cast is pretty sweet as well- VERY imformative.

If I recall, Matt Garrison was going to start something like that on his web site. Don't know if he has though.
 
#44
kellyrojo said:
Dude your 16 and you are playing some really cool stuff. There is truth to what the above posters are saying but there is no one way to play the bass...as long as you can hold a groove, lay down some tight lines ...
Click to expand...

That's exactly the point. He didn't demonstate any ability to do that. The tapping stuff is a cool novelty and, if your name is Victor Wooten, people will pay money to see it. But you can bet that Victor can "hold a groove [and] lay down some tight lines."

I agree with the others. The OP has talent, but hasn't demonstrated any skill in the fundamentals. The tapping won't get you into an ensemble.
 
#45
Quinn.H said:
Thanks to everybody for your advice it was all very appreciated. First let me say I think many of you heavily underestimate my recourses available to me. Talking about what I should say to my teacher (There are no bass players who can teach me what I want to know in my town) to comparing my audition to an audition for Juliard, (where I have no intention of going, nor am I even old enough to apply) and telling me why Berklee isn't the right school for me (I have no current intention of actually going for berklee. There seems to be a habit of assuming my life plan and then telling me why you don't like the assumptions you made.

Obviously my videos did not highlight traditional bass playing because, frankly, I am capable of doing more difficult pieces and this is an audition, I chose to put my best foot forward, not my traditional one. I wanted to stand out as a bass player, that was my intention. I enjoy shocking people with my creativity of technique, and It has made street performing one of my favorite pastimes (when I can get out of this small town.)

Obviously, most people here had a valid point of me not showing I can play traditionally. This puts me in an awkward position as though I assure you I can, I did not put it my audition videos, causing most people to assume that I could not. Why the concept of being able to play traditionally as well as being creative in technique appears to be alien to the bass players on here I do not understand, but I can't really defend myself based on the videos I uploaded, so I'll have to let that one go.

What it really comes down to is I am far less experienced than most of the people on here, this is more than true. But I would have expected this community to be more focused on the "constructive" than the "criticism." But I suppose I'll have to take what I can get, as though I am assumed to have teachers, this is actually the closest thing to a lesson I've ever had, other than friendly advice.

is it good advice, and have I learned from it? Yes

Did I expect to be told by a stranger on the internet that I, an obvious wooten fan, had "entirely missed the point of everything victor has said?" No.


But again, it made me a better player, so I guess it all works its self out.
Click to expand...

So you're saying we're offering good advice, and then the rest of the post is largely a sarcastic diatribe from an over-confident 16 year-old that doesn't want to get told that he has to get his **** together if he ever wants any hope of getting a gig? Kid, you'd better grow a thicker skin FAST.

During the Victor clinic that I offered to send you that you didn't take advantage of, he pulled up a kid that played a LOT like you, except a lot better. Still too many notes, and no time feel. Victor coached him as he was playing, til he got down the the bare essentials of the groove. All of a sudden, the kid sounded good and the audience was GROOVIN. That's powerful stuff, but I guess you're too good for it huh?

Also, people assume you're going to apply to Berklee because you're applying to the 5 week or whatever. Not a big leap of the imagination there, seeing as how like 90% of 5 weekers apply to the undergrad program.

Now here's what it comes down to: The advice you're getting is harsh because of the Berklee angle to it. If you weren't trying to go to a program that has a HUGE focus on ensemble playing, I'd say "More power to you, have fun and keep on truckin'." But you have to understand that at the level you're playing at, it is FAR better to demonstrate solid time, good tone, and ability to play with a drummer or at least a drum track. That would look a lot better to the faculty than what you've presented, which while there is some technique to it, ultimately it sounds rhythmically random. Since you are so emphatic that you can play to a song, you should definitely upload something that showcases it, if not for the audition then just for us to have a frame of reference for what your ensemble abilities are.

Anyway, I realize my chances of helping someone that posts things like "I enjoy shocking people with my technique" are pretty low, so I'm going to leave it at that.
 
#46
[QUOTE="JAUQO

And before you toss out some more Victor plays a certain way, do not forget that he does have a tight pocket and can play very well with others in a band setting.[/QUOTE]

+1

I actually prefer his work with bela fleck and the flecktones better than any of his solo stuff
 
#48
If I was you, I would through some jazzy stuff in the tape to show that you can keep the groove. Also some good old school funk (think tower of power). Tapping is cool and slap can be impressive, but who wants to sit and listen to that all day? I'd much rather listen to a bassist that can keep a groove and be a good foundation for other instrumentalists. Try playing in a jazz band for a while, it'll be good for ya!!! Classical (playing in a symphony) is gonna be a lot of help too, but upright is pretty much required and that is not a possibility for some.

I'm 17 and play guitar, bass and trombone. I've done a couple scholarship apps on trombone and they all required 2 solos. One slow and rhythmic, one fast and technical. Combine those two in your audition tape, and you'll be golden:).

Oh and if you can't read music, learn how to PRONTO. And some theory is also good.

You can never play too many different styles of music! Metal, ska, P&W, rock, funk, jazz and classical are types of music that I have played and each has given me something new to learn and helped me to improve my playing. Not saying that I'm pro though, I still have a long ways to go.
 
#49
I was you about 10 years ago when I was 13 or 14. I could tap, slap, pop, and double-thump like nobody's business. Vic was my thing, and I didn't know what "Motown" even meant. I had a teacher at a local music store who encouraged my playing this style and did not warn me of its dangers. I posted videos of myself (long before YouTube) with the same snotty, over-confident facial expressions. And I asked for criticism on MxForums and got plenty of responses that I thought were nasty at the time.

You're like me, and you won't learn humility until you are older. I thought I was the **** in high school, despite that I couldn't hang with the jazz band during my tenure there. I would just riff over the major scale of a song's key when I needed to improvise a walking line. You need to force yourself into a group situation and basically start from the ground up as a supportive bass player (rather than a star bass player).

To be honest these days I am a thousand more times impressed by Paul Denman's work in "Smooth Operator" or Allen Spenner with Joe Cocker at Woodstock than I am Classical Thump or Norwegian Wood. Not to say that Victor isn't a master (I own a Fodera Ying Yang Standard for christsake), but I can connect so much better to a supportive bass player. I'm sure you'll come around, too, but you might need to leave your small town and see more of the music world first.
 
#51
I for one think it's a great little tune, especially for one so young to have composed. Very creative.

As far as the comments hinting that you aren't grooving, or implying that one video was intended to sum up all your priorities in music to be judged as "misplaced," don't take those comments too seriously. The commentors really do mean to help you.

You keep your original audition number grooving pretty well, tapped or not. It's meant to be an attention-getter, and to show you're serious about music and have talent, creativity and composition skills, and it does all of that very well.
 
#52
Quinn.H said:
Obviously my videos did not highlight traditional bass playing because, frankly, I am capable of doing more difficult pieces and this is an audition, I chose to put my best foot forward, not my traditional one. I wanted to stand out as a bass player, that was my intention. I enjoy shocking people with my creativity of technique, and It has made street performing one of my favorite pastimes (when I can get out of this small town.)
Click to expand...

OK, here's a challenge.
Play "My Girl" and post it up........
I dare ya..........in fact double dog dare ya....
 
#53
Again, I would like to say that I do really appreciate the opportunity to hear feedback for musicians who are in a position that I hope one day to be in as well. I would like to stress that I absolutely do not think I know everything about bass playing, and if I did I'd be blue as hell, because learning things about music and bass is one of my favorite things to do.

I do enjoy "shocking" people with my technique, (though probably not the best word to use) because one of the few chances I get to play regularly here is open mics, populated almost entirely of what could be described as "grey" folk music. I really do enjoy the look I get from the crowd when the small kid with just a bass goes up to play and showing people the incredible range of techniques and sounds that can be done. It feels really good, and I don't think there is anything wrong with that, nor would I think that that feeling would be viewed as an admittance of such ignorance that i'm some hot shot lost cause.

The word sarcastic was brought up, and if I came off that way it really was not my intention. I know that I have a ton to learn, but that isn't something I'm ashamed of. I love learning about the bass, all of it. Learning a new heavy straightforward groove is just as enjoyable as the most complicated bass pieces out there. I try and learn everything I can, from jaco and wooten to mingus and Jamerson and Ray Manzerek (The baseline of When the music's over is hypnotizing.)


And while I did think that some of the advice given out was a little less helpful than others, all of it was recognized and greatly appreciated, so thank you to everybody who took time out of their day to help me along my way.



If you won't take my word for it, by the way, I'd be happy to upload something to show I can play more traditional lines.

And I would love the audio of that wooten clinic, I just hadn't gotten around to asking.
 
#55
Quinn.H said:
Thanks to everybody for your advice it was all very appreciated. First let me say I think many of you heavily underestimate my recourses available to me. Talking about what I should say to my teacher (There are no bass players who can teach me what I want to know in my town) to comparing my audition to an audition for Juliard, (where I have no intention of going, nor am I even old enough to apply) and telling me why Berklee isn't the right school for me (I have no current intention of actually going for berklee. There seems to be a habit of assuming my life plan and then telling me why you don't like the assumptions you made.

Obviously my videos did not highlight traditional bass playing because, frankly, I am capable of doing more difficult pieces and this is an audition, I chose to put my best foot forward, not my traditional one. I wanted to stand out as a bass player, that was my intention. I enjoy shocking people with my creativity of technique, and It has made street performing one of my favorite pastimes (when I can get out of this small town.)

Obviously, most people here had a valid point of me not showing I can play traditionally. This puts me in an awkward position as though I assure you I can, I did not put it my audition videos, causing most people to assume that I could not. Why the concept of being able to play traditionally as well as being creative in technique appears to be alien to the bass players on here I do not understand, but I can't really defend myself based on the videos I uploaded, so I'll have to let that one go.

What it really comes down to is I am far less experienced than most of the people on here, this is more than true. But I would have expected this community to be more focused on the "constructive" than the "criticism." But I suppose I'll have to take what I can get, as though I am assumed to have teachers, this is actually the closest thing to a lesson I've ever had, other than friendly advice.

is it good advice, and have I learned from it? Yes

Did I expect to be told by a stranger on the internet that I, an obvious wooten fan, had "entirely missed the point of everything victor has said?" No.


But again, it made me a better player, so I guess it all works its self out.
Click to expand...

Well, if all you wanted was a pat on the back, why not just say so?
 
#56
Munjibunga said:
Well, if all you wanted was a pat on the back, why not just say so?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure that's fair. The OP seemed open to suggestions, even the ones he didn't immediately agree with. From his perspective, I can see how many of the comments felt like "you don't understand your bass hero Vic Wooten," "you've totally ignored the fundamentals," and "you can't groove." If we're all being honest, you've got to admit that would difficult to handle. That and the fact that he's a kid.

It's difficult to solicit feedback and advice on your own playing, and it's hard to hear criticism even if you're a seasoned player with a thick skin. I say cut the OP some slack.

--Steve
 
#57
While I don't disagree with the above posters, I think many are maybe a bit harsh. Not wrong, but eager to take the wind out of someone's sails. That being said, I'm a self taught bassist who after many many years of playing my own way, started taking lessons recently and I have to go back and unlearn a lot of bad habits and horrible technique. It's worked for me for years of cover bands, some original stuff, and some solo stuff, but the fact remains that I'm going back to square one and relearning how to even hold my instrument, and trying to develop the appropriate skill set and technique, to develop my own playing in more genres and expand into jazz and more music theory. It's a bitch and definitely would have been better to learn right the first time through, and not go back and retrain, but it is what it is. That being said, I wish I was where you're at when I was 16. I didn't even pick up a bass till I was 18, and regret not sticking to music when I was young. I was too lazy to practice and let it all go by the wayside. Anyway, keep playing. I enjoyed the video. Definitely keep the fundimentals in mind but go ahead and aim high dude. Set your goals and go for it. The truth is, these people are trying to help, in their own way. This is my favorite thing about the music community. The willingness to share freely, and try to help people become better at their craft. You don't see that in a lot of places, but musicians are quite good at it, for the most part. Keep thumpin dude.
 
#58
Quinn.H said:
Again, I would like to say that I do really appreciate the opportunity to hear feedback for musicians who are in a position that I hope one day to be in as well. I would like to stress that I absolutely do not think I know everything about bass playing, and if I did I'd be blue as hell, because learning things about music and bass is one of my favorite things to do.

I do enjoy "shocking" people with my technique, (though probably not the best word to use) because one of the few chances I get to play regularly here is open mics, populated almost entirely of what could be described as "grey" folk music. I really do enjoy the look I get from the crowd when the small kid with just a bass goes up to play and showing people the incredible range of techniques and sounds that can be done. It feels really good, and I don't think there is anything wrong with that, nor would I think that that feeling would be viewed as an admittance of such ignorance that i'm some hot shot lost cause.

The word sarcastic was brought up, and if I came off that way it really was not my intention. I know that I have a ton to learn, but that isn't something I'm ashamed of. I love learning about the bass, all of it. Learning a new heavy straightforward groove is just as enjoyable as the most complicated bass pieces out there. I try and learn everything I can, from jaco and wooten to mingus and Jamerson and Ray Manzerek (The baseline of When the music's over is hypnotizing.)

And while I did think that some of the advice given out was a little less helpful than others, all of it was recognized and greatly appreciated, so thank you to everybody who took time out of their day to help me along my way.

If you won't take my word for it, by the way, I'd be happy to upload something to show I can play more traditional lines.

And I would love the audio of that wooten clinic, I just hadn't gotten around to asking.
Click to expand...

I'm posting from my phone so bare with me.......

You stated "incredible range of techniques ...". From what I saw, its a pretty limited range you showed.
Some tapping and slapping, albeit an interesting song selection, buy incredible range? Not really.
Maybe in your city you don't have many bass players at all, so it would be a little out of the norm to see that, but really, it's not anything close to shocking. Just search YouTube for Victor Wooten and you have your proof right there.

Now, it's admirable what you are doing. Very much so. But temper your statements carefully here on these boards.

And I did double dog dare you to post you playing "My Girl".......don't make me triple dog dare......
 
#59
Does anyone reading this thread have a youtube account that can post 3 hour files? I can send you the MP3 of the Victor Wooten clinic that will turn this kid's world upside down and get it hosted. OP still hasn't gotten around to taking 15 seconds to send a PM so he can listen to his musical idol giving life-changing advice for free.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back