Hard to join a band?!

[ZAR14]

I have run into the same issue, majority of them fall through. Had one audition where I learned the songs they provided and when I got there they didn't take the time to work on the songs.
They would suggest random songs and start playing them. At the end of the audition they started writting songs down to build a set list. I was thinking, "No, this is not happening".
I respectfully declined and said I was going to go in a different direction...

 

[Ewo]

Have always thought it's like any other startup (insert business words in appropriate places for those)...

10 possibilities to get 1 audition
10 auditions to get 1 gig
10 gigs to make a good band
That band breaks up for some dumb reason
Repeat the process forever

A humorous, but not completely inaccurate, take on the music biz.

My best advice to a rookie: just keeping working at it. Work at your technical proficiency, work on your ear, work on your singing (in pop music), work on your people skills, work on meeting people already on the scene. Expect disappointment, but don't let yourself get discouraged. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back, for every gain you make in any of those areas. A positive mindset works wonders.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I agree that it's lame, but it happens more than it doesn't. Sorry if I offended you or something.

No, not at all offended. And yes, gear snobbery is lame and does occur more frequently that is reasonable. But, the same goes for how people are dressed.

 

[bassbully]

Hard to say you sound ok on my screen but are you honest with yourself? The main thing that has helped me get in bands and with players is my honesty and commitment. It has come to my attention that its very easy to see if I'm committed to a bands music or not. Recently I was asked to join a band but I was not committed to their music or players. I think they could see that when we ended that night.
My last band was the same case. It started good but issues with the guitar player came to the top fast. They could see I was not feeling the band and asked me what was up, we had artist difference's so I left.
Are you feeling the music in the bands you tried out for? If your physical appearance is as good as you say and the playing is tight maybe its the vibe you are giving off. I have learned this about myself recently and its opened my eyes for sure.

 

[RattleSnack]

Mr JJB, no offence, but you probably aren't as good as you think. I witnessed this more than once - a guy is proficient with his instrument, but he doesn't groove/swing. These guys never get called back.

Sorry for this brutal honesty If this truly is your problem, just keep working and you will improve.

A bit like dating but 4 times harder. With the added difficulty of having to learn by heart 2-4 songs in less than a week beforehand.

This might not be relevant to your problem, but you should know that pros or even semi-pros often learn more than 4 songs in one day.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

If your playing is good, and your appearance is good...what's left? Maybe you're just having a string of bad luck? The only advice I can give (and I've been at this an embarrassingly long time) is to bring your best self. I know a Nashville session guy who says "50% of it is the hang," meaning how good are you at socializing. Can you walk into a room of strangers and quickly make yourself comfortable with them? Sometimes emotional honesty is the best policy. I once went on an audition where one guitar player had made a name years back as a hot-shot bassist, and the other guitar player's day job was leader of the bass section in the local symphony orchestra. I told them I felt pretty damn intimidated, and made a joke about just being a dumbass rock'n'roll bass player, and...got the gig. Again, hard to tell what's going on. Just an idea.

 

[Pumpkin]

How much practice do you have playing with other musicians? IME playing a part correctly in isolation and with a band are different things. I don't think it would hurt to find a local blues jam to sit in with, it will teach you a great deal about playing with musicians at all levels. If you're lucky you will also find a great bassist to learn from!

 

[sears]

No offense but it sounds like a bit of humblebragging here. I don't know if it's intentional or not, but if it bleeds over to the real world, it may explain some things.

I take it from his use of "endeavor" and "learnt" that he's not from the USA where we only comprehend the firehose of self-hype. His tone might be appropriate.

 

[40Hz]

No offense but it sounds like a bit of humblebragging here. I don't know if it's intentional or not, but if it bleeds over to the real world, it may explain some things.

I didn't get that impression at all. Sounds more like some background information up front to anticipate a hundred questions such as: how long have you been playing?; are you defensive or unsure of yourself?; did you just start auditioning?; are you any good?, do you like tort?, etc. etc. etc.

If somebody is going to ask an open ended question that basically comes down to "am I doing something wrong?," I think it behooves you to give everybody as much info up front as possible. Saying you know a thing or two (when you actually do) and saying you're a decent enough player (when you are) is hardly bragging in my book, humble or otherwise.

I wish there was a moratorium on the words hating, bragging, and trolling around here. Either some people don't know the definitions of those words, or they simply toss them around far too casually.

 

[larrymon74]

I wouldn't take any of that personally. Artists are picky creatures, one little thing can change their decision in any direction. All you can do is be yourself and when the right fit presents itself, you just have to be open to it and not "over do it" Just have fun and keep doing your thing. And you are absolutely right, it's like dating but 4 times harder. That's why I thank god for multitracking

 

[RichardW]

It sounds like you're describing situations in which there's an existing band looking for a bass player and--for whatever reason--you're not the bass player they're looking for.

Why don't you form your own band, with you as the leader? Instead of asking others if you can join them, why not be the guy choosing who you will play with? Start with finding just one other player--a guitarist or drummer, for example--and then go on from there.

This puts you in the driver's seat.

 

[stringthrough]

Could be one of two things.

As others have suggested, it might be something about you and not your playing. Bands hire not just musicians but people they'd have to hang with for significant periods of time.

The other possibility is that there's something wrong with your playing. I.E. you don't play in the pocket, you overplay at times when you shouldn't... I've known musicians who don't hear in their playing something just about everyone else does, and that is often some deficiency. (The brain has ways of soothing the ego.)

On the other hand you just might be going through a bad luck streak.

Let me add my personal experience. I used to have a near perfect invitation to join record (not because I'm a great bassist, far far from it), but these days, as I'm getting on in years the offers to join have come less frequently. Ironically, these days my bass playing is at its best. I can only conclude that bands with younger members would like to retain a youthful appearance. (I remember joining a band when I was 20 and the guitarist was 37. I thought he already had one foot in the grave. But that's another story.)

Sorry for the brutally frank reply. I'm assuming you posted your question looking for real answers.

 

[beaglesandbass]

I didn't get that impression at all. Sounds more like some background information up front to anticipate a hundred questions such as: how long have you been playing?; are you defensive or unsure of yourself?; did you just start auditioning?; are you any good?, do you like tort?, etc. etc. etc.

I understand why he's saying all that to us, i'm wondering if OP is listing off credentials like that during auditions. It may come off as a little much or even intimidating.

 

[BawanaRik]

Just don't stop and don't let it get you down. Remember that you're auditioning for THEIR band. Be respectful and polite, an interview is for the employer and employee.

That's right. For their band! All it takes is an email and you placing a Cl as and their audition for your band.

 

[40Hz]

Like any job interview or dating situation, you do your best to prepare and present yourself in the best possible way going in. After that it mostly comes down something as simple as whether they like you or not. Your qualifications only get you an audition. But at the end of the day, it's entirely up to them and if they like you. And that's something you only have minimal influence over.

So don't automatically assume it's just something you're doing or not doing. There's a very good chance you just haven't met the right band yet. So keep auditioning. Something will come along.

Woody Allen said 80% of success is showing up. The remaining 20% is being the last one to quit.

Luck!

 

[5thsand4ths]

Are you trying to do too much? Most bands aren't looking for the next Jeff Berlin. They couldn't give a rats ass if you can slap, tap, or play "riffs" like Jaco. They want you to ride the G note until the chord changes to C.

Work on background vocals. Bands needs better vocals more than they need better bass riffs.

 

[bassbully]

If your playing is good, and your appearance is good...what's left? Maybe you're just having a string of bad luck? The only advice I can give (and I've been at this an embarrassingly long time) is to bring your best self. I know a Nashville session guy who says "50% of it is the hang," meaning how good are you at socializing. Can you walk into a room of strangers and quickly make yourself comfortable with them? Sometimes emotional honesty is the best policy. I once went on an audition where one guitar player had made a name years back as a hot-shot bassist, and the other guitar player's day job was leader of the bass section in the local symphony orchestra. I told them I felt pretty damn intimidated, and made a joke about just being a dumbass rock'n'roll bass player, and...got the gig. Again, hard to tell what's going on. Just an idea.

Yes your attitude says allot. Years ago a band I was in had an opening for a guitar player. We tried out 4 or so players. Some were great some so-so. The guy that got the gig was so-so maybe the weakest player of them all, but he was a cool cat and was really wanting to join the band. Turns out he still is a cool cat and we are friends till this day.
If we based him on his guitar playing alone he would of never got a call back. We knew he was a "good hang" and felt he was willing to put in the time.... and he did. He turned out to be perfect for that band.

I just got into a good local country band after auditioning last week. They said my playing was good but my Character and felling I was reliable was what got me the nod.
When you audition you are also auditioning the band as well or should be. Ask questions, get informed, show them the music and band is where you want to be.

 

[Atshen]

I know a dozen or so riffs in different styles...

That sentence is confusing me. It somehow doesn't fit with the rest of your description... I'm sure most gigging musicians know hundreds of different riffs in many different styles.

 

[dtsamples]

My guess is that if you're honest with yourself you already know why you weren't picked. The question is, is it something you can change, something you can't, or something you won't? If you can, do; if you can't; don't worry about it, someone won't be bothered by it; if you won't, there's your problem.

 

[Hotrodmick]

As an ex-guitarist, the bass player is not the shine of the show, so don't try to be better then the other band mates. Being in a good band is like being in a good marriage. To make it work everyone has to be on the same page almost always.

Go to open jams at some bar and sit in and see how you far. Start small and work your way up. A good band has done the hard work already and moving into an opening for any reason is hard. That is how I ended up being a bass player. We had a lot of bass players want in and some where very good. Think of your friends and an outsider wants to hang out with you. Go to the open jams and sit and listen for a few times. Once they get to know you, then ask to play.

Or. Take a really HOT looking lady with you and your in, just don't say she's your wife or girl friend ;-)