Getting unstuck

[dbsfgyd1]

I totally agree, and right now I'm working on the six tunes they asked me to prepare. Learning the essence of the original bassline and planning to keep it tight but simple for the audition, since they interpret the tunes they play for their band's instrumentation - not note-for-note covers at all. The genre is rock, blues, classic country, a bit of soul. They seem to pick tunes from a wide range of artists, but focus on tunes that swing a bit. If I get the gig, I'll have a lot to learn, but once I have those tunes down, I'll get back to practicing technique and that's more what I was curious about here. Though... any advice on preparing for an audition is welcome. I've only done this a few times, most of the groups I have played with, I've been part of forming, or it was just friends. I don't know these cats at all, so I'm going in cold.

Absolutely, you still want to continuing building your craft as landing a gig in no way means you’ve arrived.

Best wishes on the audition. You’ll do great!

 

[Geri O]

In my experience, most people improve when they have to. In other words, when you try to play music that is beyond your current ability.

Or you've been hired to play a gig with totally unknown material!......

And you have only (insert insanely short amount of time figure here) to learn it and be proficient (meaning sounding like you've been playing the material for a while)........

As weird as it sounds, I find such situations exhilarating! I just make sure I'm not in over my head and give myself a bad rep. That's really easy to do.

What was the question again?....

 

[CT Corvette]

The suggestions you've gotten are good. Just learn the songs as they are. Don't try to do more than you have to! Don't look like you just fell off a garbage truck.Take a shower, dress decent, don't drink or smoke before you go, and be early! If you are on time, you are late.

I'm good with all of that, except maybe not doing more than I have to. I do that when I'm nervous!

Thank you!

 

[chris_b]

In my experience, most people improve when they have to. In other words, when you try to play music that is beyond your current ability.

. . . . and when you are playing with guys whose abilities reach way beyond yours.

This has happened several times in my playing career. I refuse to fail. I can feel myself focussing more and actually hear myself raising my bar.