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Cocky Bass players

B

bronzehydra

Oct 14, 2008
273
0
Mukilteo, WA
#1
I dont know if you guys can help me, or if this belongs in this section, but...:

One of my peers "Plays" bass. He is unbelievably cocky and full of himself. He is always bragging about his bass is better than mine (His is a Schecter Diamond or whatever and mine is an Epiphone T-bird). Then he brags about how he can play a few RHCP songs, and brags about how he can play 16th notes.

He plays with a pick, and only uses his first and middle finger on his left hand. It really bugs me that he thinks he's far superior at bass than he really is. I'm a far better bassist than he is.

Plus whenever I tell him I'm better than him (In response to him dissing me about my playing), he rejects my comment and continues to gloat about his "Mad skills"

Currently we're both auditioning for the same band. It has some of the best kids in my school in the band, but they're looking for a bassist. The lead guitarist is good friends with my opponent, but I'm a far better bassist than he is. I'm afraid they're going to be biast against me.

What should I do to show them that I'm a better bassist, even through the negativity towards me?
 
#3
You play your bass like you play your bass. Don't throw out any tricks that you wouldn't usually. you let that guy do what he does, and you do what you do. If they can't notice you're better than i have a feeling they're not as musical as their reputation shows.
 
#9
My advice: If it's a good band, you win the audition by listening, being able to pick up the band's groove, making the other players sound good, being positive and supportive about what the other players are doing. Technique is only part of the equation, and it is not just speed, but also command of the groove and a hundred other things.

If the band has already made its choice, there's nothing you can do but be positive about it and thank the band afterwards. Auditioning is good experience. And the other bassist might end up flaming out of the band, in which case you might get the call anyway.
 
#10
In life you'll discover that those who constantly brag about heir abilities are covering up for what they can't do and just trying to convince themselves and others that they can.

Wow - too deep for me?!?!?!;)

Go in there and play your best, stay in the groove and be smooth - let the music speak for itself - If you get in, cool. If not, there are other gigs for good bassists that are good people too.
 
#12
+1 on the above. Also, be professional. I suggest that you pretty much keep quiet during the audition and thank the band when you're done.

When you set up your equipment, be sure and ask for a sound check so you can get your volume/tone balance with the band.

You might ask them to help get your tone just right for the band. If they say anything like "you should have your own tone" or "don't you know how to adjust your amp?" I suggest responding with something like, "Hey, I'm a team player so if the band doesn't sound good, I don't sound good"

If your "friend" get the gig, don't worry about it. And don't say anything about it. Btw, I wouldn't really hang out with someone who always tries to make himself look good at my expense. He's not really a "friend".

His attitude will most likely get him tossed out of the band should he be picked. Just keep practicing and know that your time will come. With this band or some other band.

You can only control yourself and your actions/reactions. What everybody else does is ....well, what they do.
 
#13
the same kind of thing happened to me this time last year. along came summer and i ended up getting thrown into a band with them (all the good guys) at a local music camp. The realized i was much better than any other kid my age and they recruited me into their band.

The moral of the story i guess is if they dont realize it now, they will later. Just give it some time. just give it time...
 
#14
It's not always the best player that's going to get the gig. Lots of other things that are completely beyond your control are going on. If you don't get the gig it means nothing more than the fact that you shouldn't be playing with that band, and that there's a better suited band waiting for you out there. I'm certain of all this. Your job is to simply give it everything you've got.

That being said if I really wanted the gig I'd do everything in my power to learn whatever it is I had to audition with until I could play it my sleep, I'd keep my mouth shut for the most part (as already mentioned), I WOULD NOT mention this other guy at all, and I'd try to be as happy and friendly as I could. Nothing much more than that you can do.

Fer what it's worth - I've spent many hours preparing for auditions and it pays off. I prepare myself to be able to play the material with no vocals, if the other guys mess up, if I had to play the parts alone. Really knowing the stuff inside out pays off. I get most of the gigs I audition for and that's not bragging - it's because I'm committed to being the best damn dude that walks into the band's practice place. And any gig I didn't get I walked away from feeling fine because I know it was meant to be that way. No regrets cuz I gave it my all.
 
#15
bronzehydra said:
and brags about how he can play 16th notes.
Click to expand...

What kind of a$$h@le brags about playing 16th notes. Seriously is this guy the 2nd generation of his famliy that can actually walk upright?

Dude are you actually concerned about what this knuckle dragging caveman thinks?

There are some musicians who are all about ego and arragance. If this guy is so proud of his 16th notes then does he even qualify to be called a musician.

Be the best bass player you can be and don't worry about him.
 
#16
Joe Nerve said:
That being said if I really wanted the gig I'd do everything in my power to learn whatever it is I had to audition with until I could play it my sleep,
Click to expand...

+1

Ask them how they will run the audition and how long it will be. How many songs do they want you to learn? Do they have CD's or charts? Or do they want you to come in cold and see what you can do? Originals or covers? How much time to learn the songs? etc.

Better to know what to expect. Then you can prepare properly.
 
#17
First, welcome to the world of auditions! Do your best and, however it turns out, chalk it up to experience. If you do this for any amount of time, you'll get a lot of experience! If you get the gig, cool ...if you don't, just remember: it was your first audition, not your last.

Second, you have no control how your bassist "peer" acts. Let it go. As it is now, his actions pretty much only serve to frustrate you. Ask yourself if that's what you really want. If it's not, then let him be who he is ...and move on. If you really want to mess with him, start complementing his ability "Whoa man, you're playing with TWO fingers on your fretting hand! COOL!" :D

Third, you may come to the realization through this experience that auditioning isn't always only about how well you play ....or even being professional. Sometimes people get gigs just 'cuz they're a friend of the guitar player. Again, let it go ....really, it happens often enough not to let it get you down. ...just wait 'til you're in a band who hires the drummer's brother's friend's cousin as the sound guy just because he's got a new stereo in his car.

Finally, high school bands aren't all there is to playing music. The world is a lot bigger place. Look for places to play whenever you can. It might be difficult in high school, but opportunities come sometimes when you'd least expect them.

Remember that playing music isn't a contest (though it may seem like it is, especially in the auditioning process). If you're a good bassist who always tries to be a better musician, you'll get gigs.

Have fun!
 

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