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First Audition Ever

Matthew_84

Matthew_84

Nov 7, 2010
6,497
5,101
Greater Toronto Area, Canada
#1
Hey TBers,

This Friday night I'll be jamming with an original band that is potentially going to bring me on as their bassist. I've never had an audition before and don't know what to expect.

They have maybe 6 or 7 seven songs that are available for me to listen to online. All but one are just vocals and two guitars, and the other is the same but with the addition of drums. They play hard rock (think Audioslave). They are a newly formed band it appears, but from what I can tell they are solid musicians and I would like to join these guys, but I just hope that I can keep up.

My biggest musical flaw is that I don't have a great ear, so even though I have some time to work on the songs, I'm afraid that I won't hear the right chords and may look like a beginner.

Anyone got any tips that may help me? Thanks is advance,

Matt
 
#2
Play your best. Don't be nervous. Play to the songs, and you should be able to tell if what you're playing fits. Work hard on practicing, and then when you get there, relax, and play! Good bass players are hard to find, and if you don't stink up the joint, you might get the gig! Be personable, and friendly, and BE ON TIME.

That's it.

Oh, and if you don't get it, remember, you have to hear a lot of "no's," before you ever hear a "yes." It's the rule of promotion/sales, and it works.

One "no" out of the way always brings us closer to the inevitable "yes."

This works on women, too, by the way.
 
#3
mellowinman said:
This works on women, too, by the way.
Click to expand...

Except that you have to have an even better ear than you do for getting a bass gig. Or at least pretend that you do. :D

Matthew: My advice would be to get down as many sections of the songs as you can. If you don't have too long to practice them, choose the five out of the six or seven you can do the best on (and/or the biggest portions of); usually four or five songs is more than enough for a band to at least get a "yeah, he can do this" or "no, he's not for us" vibe. If you can do more, then that's a bonus that will only score more points.

As for the sections that you are uncertain about, don't be shy about stating this up front (preferably after you've played the ones you are more familiar with). But don't just say you can't get them. Try to provide the framework you are hearing in your head first - in other words, explain what you do know so that they understand you are not completely unaware of the song; rather, you are uncertain about certain portions (hopefully this is indeed the case!).

Lastly, while I would never suggest that you come across as bossy at the audition, don't be shy about saying something like "I've worked the most on songs a, b, c, and d; can we try those first?"

That way you avoid them calling the tune you know least right off the bat. Hopefully, they would be understanding that coming up with basslines for tracks without any bass parts (or drum parts, for the most part) is not necessarily a rapid process and they should be receptive to you calling some tune suggestions so that the audition is as valuble to them as it is to you.
 
#4
Don't over play. They are used to hearing just guitars. Make their guitars sound fat with your low end and they will take you on. Wait until you've been in the band a while as an established member before you start pushing your bondaries. For now, keep it simple, on beat and in key.
 
#6
Wow, great advice everyone thanks a lot. Tonight, when I get home I'm going to start cramming these songs. I will break them up into sections and hopefully get a good feel for what's going on. As long as I can figure out the chords I should be fine... I just hope that I can do that! LOL.

And yeah, I certainly will not overplay right now... Maybe just add the occasional fifth in, if that. I was actually thinking of writing some kind of complicated parts to showcase what I can do, but you're right, they aren't used to that... One step at a time.

Thanks again everyone
 
#9
Find out how many others your competing with.


This is you're first audition? Is it potentially your first band too? If yes make a list of the things you want and expect from being in a band. In other words define what you want.

You want your first or any band experience to be positive.
 
#10
Yes, it is also my first band. I got the audition by posting an ad on craigslist listing all that I'm looking for and they responded, so we seem to be on the same page.

As for that ear, I know. I've been doing ear training for a while and notice an improvement, but unfortunately a parent that shall not be named has a god awful voice and they sung to me everynight before bed for my first 8 or so years. I'm pretty sure that has a lot to do with why I don't have a good ear today.
 
#11
Plays_For_Dog said:
Don't over play. They are used to hearing just guitars. Make their guitars sound fat with your low end and they will take you on. Wait until you've been in the band a while as an established member before you start pushing your bondaries. For now, keep it simple, on beat and in key.
Click to expand...

+1

Be on time or five minutes early. You might scare them at that point because they won't be expecting you to show up ACTUALLY EARLY!:p, but that makes a good first impression. Don't bring a ton of gear which takes 20 minutes to set up.

If you have beginner gear do NOT (repeat) do NOT apologize for it. It screams "amature" more than the gear will. If they ask, then by all means talk, but still don't apologize for it.

And unless the disparity between your gear and what they need from a bassist is really really huge, don't talk about what you're going to buy. Just play what you have and see if they like you.
 
#12
Jam the crap out of their music, cheat sheet it as best you can, then go in and play your keister off at the audition.

Playing hard rock/heavy metal, especially Audioslave-ish stuff I would rather go in and have them know that I can play just as hard and fast as they can, at which point they can decide if they want a little less. IMO it's much nicer to have someone who is throttling back on the material as opposed to tiring out because they are playing at or beyond their limit.

Oh yes, and keep your eyes on the rhythm guitarist's hands, that's your guideline until you're really comfortable with the material.

Peace,
Greg
 
#13
Just remember, IMHO, bands historicaly do a poor job with the audition process.

Bands don't necessarily pick the best bass guitarist. They will pick friends over the better musician or someone who has a pa or connections.
 
#14
Well I don't have any connections, LOL, so I guess I have to be friendly and do a solid job.

Thankfully, my gear doesn't suck at all. Even though I've only really been a bedroom player, I've been able to gather some awesome gear.

As for keeping up with them. Yeah, I'll just trust my gut and hopefully figure out the progressions and rock the crap out to them, maybe doing 16ths for some runs and throwing in the odd chord tone or something.
 
#15
mikegug said:
+1

Be on time or five minutes early. You might scare them at that point because they won't be expecting you to show up ACTUALLY EARLY!:p, but that makes a good first impression. Don't bring a ton of gear which takes 20 minutes to set up.

If you have beginner gear do NOT (repeat) do NOT apologize for it. It screams "amature" more than the gear will. If they ask, then by all means talk, but still don't apologize for it.

And unless the disparity between your gear and what they need from a bassist is really really huge, don't talk about what you're going to buy. Just play what you have and see if they like you.
Click to expand...

This kid has better gear than I do!
 
#18
BobWestbrook said:
If it were me, i would ask for the chord charts to prepare. If they would not supply them, it would be a big red flag to steer clear. But that's my approach, and others do it differently.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of just doing this, but thought it would make me look bad. Anyone have any input about this before I send them an E-mail?

I do have only three nights to prepare. I got some parts of one song down, but a bit hazy on on other segments.
 
#19
My advice is to make sure you audition them as much as they audition you, you could potentially be spending a bunch of time with these guys, you don't want to be around people you don't care for, don't let the thrill of the first band get you, more will come if you don't like the first one.

Also, be advised 99.9% of Craigslist and kijiji bands go nowhere, and that statistic falls to about 88% for every other band, you probably won't get to your first show, but do not let that discourage you.

In regards to their songs, don't put anything down in stone, just try to get a loose idea of what is going on. One of the great things about playing with other musicians is the way you can feel and react from one another, this is a skill you cannot practice at home, and one of the most essential.
 
#20
Matthew_84 said:
I was thinking of just doing this, but thought it would make me look bad. Anyone have any input about this before I send them an E-mail?
Click to expand...

There's a fine line between doing what's practical to get the most out of rehearsal/audition time and giving the (possibly false) impression that you are somewhat unskilled by asking for help before you give it a go.

If you feel as if you really can't do any of the material justice without some structure, ask for some simple chord change framework (work with them here - provide what you are hearing and ask if there is a chord missing, for example). If, on the other hand, you feel as if you can hit 75%-85% of the material without help, then don't ask, but just indicate some areas of uncertainty at the audition (again, preferably after you've played the stuff you know best).
 

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