Hello fellow bassists! Recently I've responded to a band looking for a bassist, they asked me to make a video of me playing something and send it to them, I did and they told me I'm not good enough to play in their band, I've uploaded the video I sent them on youtube because I'd like some more experienced bassist to see what I'm doing wrong and tell me how to better myself! Could anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong? this is the link to the video:
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DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
It seems like you are just noodling instead of playing a song or supporting a piece. Aside from that, nothing really stood out as a red flag to me. I guess it also depends on what style of music the band plays. If you sent that for a highly technical prog band or a jazz ensemble, I could see it not going over well. Have you asked the band for specifics beyond "you're not good enough"? Criticism can hurt can it can also be extremely helpful.
Your timing is off with the cymbal hits in the top portion of the video. Your also not playing a real world bass line in any way. Seems like you are showcasing some decent lead ability, but no band really needs that. From this sample, i get the impression that you don't know how to play a groove whatsoever.
My recommendation is to create maybe a video of you covering some actual bass lines in the style of the band you are looking to join.
Also recommend you get a teacher if you are not seeing the issue here. What kind of music are you in to and who are your bass heroes?
My recommendation is to create maybe a video of you covering some actual bass lines in the style of the band you are looking to join.
Also recommend you get a teacher if you are not seeing the issue here. What kind of music are you in to and who are your bass heroes?
Sod 'em, miserable buggers, forget 'em and on to the next one!
Looking at your clip You might do well working up a nice little solo 'ambient' spot in a coffee bar type setting....
Looking at your clip You might do well working up a nice little solo 'ambient' spot in a coffee bar type setting....
Your playing sounds beautiful to me. But maybe it wasn't what they were looking for, either in terms of genre or perhaps the bass's role in the ensemble?
My suggestion for next time is to go to the website of the band you are auditioning for, learn a couple of their songs, and then record yourself playing along.
My suggestion for next time is to go to the website of the band you are auditioning for, learn a couple of their songs, and then record yourself playing along.
Bands accept or reject players for all sorts of reasons, sometimes you simply aren't the right fit. You can't let it discourage you or take away your confidence. I would pose the same question you ask here to the band and ask for an honest detailed appraisal. They might tell you exactly.
I'll just give you harshest feedback and hope you don't take it personally, but just as a way to maybe improve some things.
-I don't like the video prism effect.
-For most styles of music your demo would be considered "overplaying", unless it is a fusion jazz band.
-There is no rhythmic context, so the band can't tell if you are able to follow a drummer.
-You don't look like a rockstar.
-You are staring at the frets.
-There is no song, just noodling.
I would do this instead.
-Pick a band that they are most like and dress up like a member of that band.
-Take a photo, not a video. Use the static picture with the audio.
-Play along to one of the band's songs or a similar band's songs and mix your bass hard Right and the original hard Left. You can also play it in a stereo in the room in the background if that is easier for you.
-Make sure you use an instrument "that looks the part" for the band.
Again I don't know the style of music you are auditioning for, but you need to look, act and play the part. The audition is about much more than your playing.
Hope this helps, seems like you have good chops, so learning how to audition will be a useful skill for you I think. Good luck!
I'll just give you harshest feedback and hope you don't take it personally, but just as a way to maybe improve some things.
-I don't like the video prism effect.
-For most styles of music your demo would be considered "overplaying", unless it is a fusion jazz band.
-There is no rhythmic context, so the band can't tell if you are able to follow a drummer.
-You don't look like a rockstar.
-You are staring at the frets.
-There is no song, just noodling.
I would do this instead.
-Pick a band that they are most like and dress up like a member of that band.
-Take a photo, not a video. Use the static picture with the audio.
-Play along to one of the band's songs or a similar band's songs and mix your bass hard Right and the original hard Left. You can also play it in a stereo in the room in the background if that is easier for you.
-Make sure you use an instrument "that looks the part" for the band.
Again I don't know the style of music you are auditioning for, but you need to look, act and play the part. The audition is about much more than your playing.
Hope this helps, seems like you have good chops, so learning how to audition will be a useful skill for you I think. Good luck!
Hi! I think to have a decent rhythm technique, I just thought that playing some lead might impress the band. My favourite bassists are Dominique Lapointe and Mark Michell!
You guys are right. I forgot the rhythmic role of bass, I think I'll need to work on that
this is actually very helpful, I'll need to work on some of your points, except the one about the fact that I don't look like a rockstar, I don't wanna look like a rockstar
Yes, you gotta showcase first and foremost that you can handle the rhythmic role in a group. You have a good grasp on lead lines, but the reality is that most bands don't want or need a lead bassist. You obviously have some chops, so really you are not too far off from success.
Stage presence would have been a better description than rock-star. You need to have lots of obvious charisma if you want a static shot video to sell yourself as an entertainer. Just make sure you look like a logical member of the band you want to play with. Fashion is a tool in music and entertainment, it's not an identity. Good luck! Thanks for being brave and sharing your audition.
I know I'm going off-thread, but I like to think of music and entertainment as two different things, they can of course intertwine, but as a musician I don't really care for looks as long as the music is fine! Of course people's opinion can differ, but this is the way I think
Trust cynical me, it's all entertainment mate!
They may just have found it difficult to relate to what you sent.
When auditioning, I think you should send something relevant to the context you are auditioning for.
The playing in the clip is ...ok but does not tell me much about your ability to support a band.
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Truth be told, no one wants to hear bass solos, intricate bass playing from a bar band. Nothing clears the dance floor faster.
What was the genre of the band you wanted to audition for? If I was looking for a bass player that could play classic rock, country, blues, rockabilly or pop there is nothing on your tape that shows you could play that. I'd be concerned that you would be bored hammering out the much more simple bass lines required of those genres.
You sent them a video of yourself playing treble.
Did you remember to wear underwear...
... for the audition?
When I prepare for anything, I try my hardest to remove any and all items which may be deemed to be a weakness... gives 'them' not a leg to stand on...
... from my perspective, and from what info I have gleaned, all combine to aid me in the hopes of reaching my goal(s)...
... still no guarantees, though.
... I, for one, enjoy your playing... bottom video, though. As simple as the top was, I myself would really have to concentrate playing the part, without missing the beat... better yet, I'm not sure it's even really needed, as your playing spoke for itself in the bottom video...
You did as they said, right? Make a video of yourself playing something... you did that.
The art of obtaining illusive answers, outside the obvious, can usually be found by analysis of the questions which litter the 'edge' of a conversation... sort of like fishing, but not with the intent of catching a particular fish... just a fish... of value.
Just remember to grill it, outside, as it takes days to properly air out the house...
Good luck!
... for the audition?
When I prepare for anything, I try my hardest to remove any and all items which may be deemed to be a weakness... gives 'them' not a leg to stand on...
... from my perspective, and from what info I have gleaned, all combine to aid me in the hopes of reaching my goal(s)...
... still no guarantees, though.
... I, for one, enjoy your playing... bottom video, though. As simple as the top was, I myself would really have to concentrate playing the part, without missing the beat... better yet, I'm not sure it's even really needed, as your playing spoke for itself in the bottom video...
You did as they said, right? Make a video of yourself playing something... you did that.
The art of obtaining illusive answers, outside the obvious, can usually be found by analysis of the questions which litter the 'edge' of a conversation... sort of like fishing, but not with the intent of catching a particular fish... just a fish... of value.
Just remember to grill it, outside, as it takes days to properly air out the house...
Good luck!
Your playing in this clip, although skilled and expressive, shows no evidence of ability to play in an ensemble or to support a song. Of course this does not mean you lack that ability; you just need to demonstrate it to those who might be interested in using your services.
You should have asked them. It's like asking us why your girlfriend dumped you and showing us a receipt to a nice restaurant
I think that OP’s video was posted here in the Technique forum to hear some compliments and has little to do with some auditioning for some unknown band playing some unknown music style; therefore,
Wow, you are a very good bass player. Very interesting.
Wow, you are a very good bass player. Very interesting.
