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Cocky Bass players

#41
1st of all, music is an art. you cant measure art. who's to say who is better than who. personally i think rick price is the greatest bassist ever. some may disagree. how is it a measurable skill?

everytime someone gets in my face i just say, "well, i have a platinum record on my wall. what have you done with your life?" that usually shuts them up.
 
#43
Prepare for the audition to the best of your abilities and no matter what happens, keep practicing and play the way YOU play. There will always be somebody faster, funkier, harder, prettier, richer, has cooler clothes, whatever. Just keep working on your own playing- you can't control other people, be they other bass players or bands that will potentially hire you. And as far as cockiness goes, it usually comes from a place of insecurity, so just stay above it and ignore it. Let your playing do the talking.

The other thing is that it sounds like you may be learning a valuable lesson, and that is that no matter what the level- high school, working club band, national touring act- the "best" player doesn't always get the gig. Often it's the player who is competent enough to get the job done, a good fit stylisticly and is a super cool hang. Music is as much about chemistry among players as it is about chops (some might even say more). Some of the best music is made by bands that may not necessarily be the most technically gifted.

Don't sweat it, if you don't get the gig, the band probably wasn't for you anyway. Just keep practicing and don't worry so much about what other players can do, or say they can do.

-b
 
#45
Mate, screw him. Let him think he's better. Just be humble, but confident in your playing. There's no need to argue with him, just brush what he says off. Let the playing do the talking ;)

It reminds me a lot of when I was in school. Some people had massive egos even though their playing left a lot to be disired. However, we used to have a guitar and bass player visit every Friday and we'd always hang out with him for a jam. While he was an incredible musician, he was also very wise. If someone came into the room with him with an ego like that, gloating about "I can play this fast" or "you guitar sucks compared to mine" he'd knock 'em down a few pegs with his classic "humble pie" speech. He always used to bring it down to this: "musicians don't like to play with people who are arrogant and cocky. Given the choice, most musicians would rather play with a well mannered, solid musician than a w*nker, even if he is better."
 
#48
Just play. And be confident in yourself (there is a big difference between cocky/arrogant and confident).

Auditions are a pain, and a lotta guys get a lotta gigs for the wrong reasons. Flashy equipment, long hair, the right pants, etc.

If a band takes a player just because he talks the big talk, I can guarantee that band is getting the player they deserve.

Also don't forget that, in my opinion anyway, you are auditioning the band as much as they are auditioning you. Don't feel you HAVE to join a band just 'coz you pass the audition.
 
#49
Others have said it already, so I'll say it again.
Lay it down SOOOO thick and groovy that anything else would just be a cartoon of the real thing you just did.

I have a gig coming up that was arranged through a few different channels ( I won't go into details) but one of the tunes we are doing is by one of the orginizers band. And he invited himself to sing with us.
Nice huh?!?!

Anyway, it kinda irked me especially when we were "asked" to play it exactly like it was recorded. Exactly.

So, I'm gonna groove that muther-effer so stinkin' hard, that the next time his band plays it, it's gonna be like bland yogurt (BTW- I'm playing with a killin' drummer that weekend).
Not bad for you, but does zero in the excitment dept.
 
#50
phatbass said:
Also don't forget that, in my opinion anyway, you are auditioning the band as much as they are auditioning you. Don't feel you HAVE to join a band just 'coz you pass the audition.
Click to expand...

Dude, THAT'S the way to do it.
Get the gig, then turn it down.
Then you can always tell him he was their SECOND choice behind you!!!


Unless it's a band that really smokin' and you REALLY want to pay with them. Then nevermind!
 
#52
Slax said:
I used to get people like that too in High School. It seems like most of these people disappear and stop playing after you get out into "the real world".
Click to expand...

Yes they do. We had a rival band in high school, they all swore they would do whatever it took to "make it". Thirty years later, one doesn't play at all, the other three play rarely at home.

Do your best. Ignore everything else.
 
#54
makaky said:
Detune his bass and hide his tuner :bassist:
Click to expand...

Or take a scissor and cut his picks.

Anyway, just relax, work closely with the drummer, keep your ears open, don't overplay in terms of the amount of notes, tastefully incorporate rests, and you'll be able to groove like many above have suggested.

Regarding your tiff about equipment, Randy Rhodes went into the audtion with Ozzy with a practice amp, while other guitar players in the audtion were flashing Marshall stacks.
 
#57
It ain't just about the playing, I won't be in bands with guys who are tools for example. Just make sure you're a nice guy, that you smile, make eye contact with the other guys, and play your best. Forget what Tooley Toolman says or does.
 
#58
Lets move on to 2023 15 years from now you are in Wal Mart with your wife and you see the bragger,He aged terribly and says he has not touched his instrument in years and asked what you been up to and you answer oh I just made a new recording and have numerous gigs and my band might get signed or oh scratch that just got signed and so you see maybe he will get his.The more people brag the less talent they usually have,and oh the Wal-mart thing is kind of like my own story I hope your path goes the same way I wish you good luck
 
#59
The only 'edge' you could possibly ever have in any general bass audition, is if you can sing/do backups too.

Other than that, same as what everyone else is saying...be yourself, listen, lock-in and lay it down.

You say he's friends with the guitarist...welcome to the world of show biz, it's all about who you know, not always what you know. But I would like to think you still have a good chance since you are getting an audition, and he wasn't simply already picked by his "friends".

Good luck, and don't stoop to his childish level anymore.
 
#60
RonChase said:
Lets move on to 2023 15 years from now you are in Wal Mart with your wife and you see the bragger,He aged terribly and says he has not touched his instrument in years and asked what you been up to and you answer oh I just made a new recording and have numerous gigs and my band might get signed or oh scratch that just got signed and so you see maybe he will get his.The more people brag the less talent they usually have,and oh the Wal-mart thing is kind of like my own story I hope your path goes the same way I wish you good luck
Click to expand...


You have noted the key point: the more people brag, usually the less talent they have. I'm not saying it is this way all the time, but I do think it is most of the time. I've found that most of the time the really talented musicians let their playing do the talking for them.
 

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