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Harsh Realities

B

bluewine

Inactive
Sep 4, 2008
10,296
27
WI
#1
For those of you that are new to gigging or anyone currently auditioning, a word to the wise. This issue has been discussed before. It’s an issue that I am going through right now, I have recently done about 5-6 auditions.

I think it’s important to know exactly what your looking for before throwing your hat into the auditioning arena. Know what genre your best suited for, looking to jam with a bunch of guys or looking to make money with an established band.

As you know, those of us looking for established bands with bookings it can be tough. First of all many bands that really have nothing to offer can beat around the bush with how they present their ad. You have all seen these words;
• we want to by,
• we will have,
• at some point
• we have a cd
• we have some material

For you veterans, I think in most reasonable sized cities, lets say a million people, you will agree. You go out and do these auditions, you will get offer from all the originals and start up bands.They will take anyone, because they have nothing to offer. But as soon as $$ comes into the picture with established bands with bookings, so does the BS.

Most of these bands have bass players knocking at their door and they usually know who they want and outsiders like me and maybe you will never get in unless there is some weird extenuating circumstance. No matter how good you are.

I am not sure what point I am making, probably just frustrated.

Comments?
 
#3
Not doing so well with auditions I take it? Maybe try joining up with a start-up/originals act and help them to get the ball rolling? My current band was formed at our first gig. Seven months later I wasn't happy with the lineup, fired 3 guys and started auditioning others. I found replacements and we had our first gig together the next day.

Just because a band is starting up and doesnt have much in the way of progress doesnt mean that it'll take long to start making some, so long as you find like-minded people.
 
#5
bluewine said:
For those of you that are new to gigging or anyone currently auditioning, a word to the wise. This issue has been discussed before. It’s an issue that I am going through right now, I have recently done about 5-6 auditions.

I think it’s important to know exactly what your looking for before throwing your hat into the auditioning arena. Know what genre your best suited for, looking to jam with a bunch of guys or looking to make money with an established band.

As you know, those of us looking for established bands with bookings it can be tough. First of all many bands that really have nothing to offer can beat around the bush with how they present their ad. You have all seen these words;
• we want to by,
• we will have,
• at some point
• we have a cd
• we have some material

For you veterans, I think in most reasonable sized cities, lets say a million people, you will agree. You go out and do these auditions, you will get offer from all the originals and start up bands.They will take anyone, because they have nothing to offer. But as soon as $$ comes into the picture with established bands with bookings, so does the BS.

Most of these bands have bass players knocking at their door and they usually know who they want and outsiders like me and maybe you will never get in unless there is some weird extenuating circumstance. No matter how good you are.

I am not sure what point I am making, probably just frustrated.

Comments?
Click to expand...
we'll go with frustrated for now....i doubt if it's personal,and probably not as age related as you might think....a band with gigs,material,that has it's act together is the equivalent of a pre meltdown job at gm.....everyone sees it as the best option,and like those companies those bands have lots of applications to choose from.........

as well you have chosen a genre that is fairly narrow,and very youth oriented.....the equivalent of applying to work for boeing,but "only if i can work on the engines"....

keeping your search narrow,and ruling out start up projects is going to severely limit your options.....might be better to take a country/classic rock gig,do some playing and networking,and maybe the right band will come along down the road.....a gig playing classic rock covers has to be more fun than a stream of auditions that are of little value,if you truly believe that the bands already have their minds made up in advance
 
#6
Quote
Most of these bands have bass players knocking at their door and they usually know who they want and outsiders like me and maybe you will never get in unless there is some weird extenuating circumstance. No matter how good you are.
end quote

I'm not sure I agree with the finality of that statement but there is a good bit of truth in it. Think about it. Would you rather have a proven commodity or someone with no track record? The bassists in demand are there because they're good and they're professional. They show up on time, don't bring a lot of baggage with them, play their part in the genre well, etc. So, until you prove yourself your going to be on the outside. The way to prove yourself is to be in a good band and get a reputation for being professional.

I consider myself a "b" lister in the Boston Blues scene. I'm not a first call for a sub in most cases, but I'm getting a reputation for being solid and locking in well with a drummer. I occasionally get to get up with "A" listers at local jams, can hold my own, and sometimes things jell and it becomes a very good set.

My thought on the music scene in general is that for every one that makes it, there are probably 10 out there that are at least as talented. So I try not to equate success with talent. Both are important but different.
 
#7
Well, I might have to go with the start up band.They are the only auditions I think I can get.

Playing in any band is better than not playing at all.

I was auditioning for some heavy hitters and some of you know,I got the "brush off" from all of them.

Truley, I knew the material inside out and locked with the drummers.One drummer said, "that is the best ride I have been on since we started auditioning" refereing to being in the pocket.But not good enough for an offer:(

Recently, even the responses to audition with the better bands have dried up.

Damn, I was in a very popular Pop Rock Band for a year, my name got around and I even had some really good sub gigs.

I always kept my mouth shut, never said anything negative about any musician or band.I took the good karma route, the high road if you will.

At 57 I was dating a beautiful 26 year old, people wanted to get to know me.If I walked into a music store I got tons of attention. I was Mr.Local Pop Rock.

Guess I got caught up in the moment cause now I have nothing and it happened so fast.
 
#8
bluewine said:
At 57 I was dating a beautiful 26 year old, people wanted to get to know me.If I walked into a music store I got tons of attention. I was Mr.Local Pop Rock.

Guess I got caught up in the moment cause now I have nothing and it happened so fast.
Click to expand...

"Play music because you love it. Don't play music for praise" - My father. I've gotten a lot of advice in my life when it comes to music, and that's probably been the best piece of wisdom.

I don't tell people why they should play music or try to define their musical experience for them. However, you may want to seriously think about why you are playing music. I've played in bands with people who did it because it gave them adoration and love. They were getting on stage as a band-aide to cover a deep-seated neuroticism when they probably instead should have been going to a therapist's office and talking to someone with "Psy.d" behind his or her name. I'm not saying you're one of those people; but, I've seen those people, and it never ends well.
 
#9
I would agree with JIM in that having a narrow search will only produce limited options. Also, the overall goal is important as well, do you want to play for the love of playing or is the money more important? I choose both but I know the limits.

I recently moved to a new city and its been slow going. I answered a few CL adds and sent out my resume along with tracks and the response has been some what positive. I know that the "A" bands in town are pretty well staffed but I went ahead and found their booking agents and sent them a package and I'll keep following up with them every couple months just in case I catch the current bass chair out with the flu. I have also gone to a couple gigs and introduced my self and let the musical director know who I am and asked if it was ok to send him/her my info so I can be on their list for auditions if they every come up.

The last thing I did was meet the current bassist and let him know that he's the greatest bassist in the world and could he could critique some of my tracks. I offered my rig as back up if his ever goes down as well. In other words, I want to be friends with these guys. Let face it, I'm not Marcus Miller and will never be but "A" cover bands like to play with friends or friends of friends. I've never lost a gig before but I've let a few go because of scheduling problems and those bands have always accepted the replacement I brought in to fill the chair. So now I'm trying to be that friend. You can never know to many bassist these days because we are in high demand so why not make some new friends during your search for a new gig.

Oh and I did take a classic rock gig in town because I'm in it for the money. Those band members know other bands so you have to start some where, why not get paid.

I'm still searching for the perfect latin/jazz/funk band that gets paid $500/night but until then I'll keep on working and meeting new people.

Good luck and keep your head up!!!
 

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