I've played professionally and semi-professionally in jazz, funk, and rock settings for years. Got an EUB early last year, and have been getting lots of work from it. Yesterday, I auditioned for a part playing bluegrass (never played bluegrass before) with some guys who new me through some friends of mine. Long story short, these guys are SMOKIN'. I mean they are the right stuff. Apparently, I made the audition with the guitarist, but now the whole band wants me to audition a week from today. They know my history as a jazz guy, but I think that they are also expecting me to be able to jump in with both feet. I want to make the best impression possible.
Terms like "fiddle tunes" mean nothing to me. What are some of the prominent chord progressions? Are there any form requirements? What are some standards? I've listened to lots of Bluegrass and grew up listening to it at family reunions. Please give me some help...this gig pays between $250 and $500 per man PER GIG. I need this money, and I have to admit that I really like their music. Very talented and very professional.
I'm in a very similar situation so I can empathize - except that I come from a rockabilly background, not jazz and certainly not classically trained. I was asked by a friend who is an exceptionally good banjo player if I could sit in for their bassist who has some serious health issues. I had the beginnings of a notebook of songs with chords - a cheat sheet of sorts - and one rehearsal to learn 30 songs for a gig. They had me do the following gig and asked me to join the band, which was flattering. My worry has been that I've had very little exposure to bluegrass and don't know the songs. (Although I have great respect for the musicianship of bluegrass players as well as the music.)
So take what I have to say as a total newbie to bluegrass, and defer to others who know a lot about it. (BTW, I'm also in SC).
There's also a forum called bassgrass that I just joined so I can begin to have a better feel for the various conventions of bluegrass. Might want to check that out. As you are probably aware, there are also variations and I'm not sure what style you are doing: newgrass, bluegrass, old timey? It's one thing to do pure bluegrass and then it's another to do music with bluegrass musicians who tend toward more progressive avenues.
I've found that there are also different styles of bass players. Some bluegrass bands just want a bass player to play 1-5 boom boom for the chord changes and stay on time. Other bands recognize that some of the greatest bassplayers also actually walk, and that it's either OK to walk or very desirable to walk. Two of the classic BG bands, Country Gentleman and early Seldom Scene, listen to them, the bassist is walking almost constantly. Country Gentleman - walking constantly during slow songs as well.
As an URB rockabilly bassplayer, I play slap, so I've been worried about wanting to respect the conventions of BG, but some highly respected bluegrass players told me not to worry about, to be myself, and to listen to Flatt & Scruggs player. He could and would slap. I also happen to love
Invalid Link Removed, a regular Grand Ol' Opry player and one of my all time favorite players - brilliant stuff.
So I've just modified a wee bit, keeping things to the country side (except for solo breaks) and I just try not to use some of the more obvious rockabilly walks, and stick to country and jazz-like simple walks. I mean, it has to be fun right? If your DNA is jazz, wouldn't you want to be yourself while still respecting the convention of the music? I've chosen not to lose my slap-style but to make it feel like it belongs and blends.
I'm sure there are some bluegrass folks who would rather I play boom-boom 1-5 and that's it. In fact I'm sure of it. But I just have to be able to play instinctively and so I'm trying to be balanced and respect the music and the wonderful timing of it, but I gotta be who I am. And what has happened is that I've had serious old school bluegrass players - highly respected ones too - tell me, "You just don't get to see that anymore, all of the old bluegrass slapbass players are gone now." These are people deep into the pure thing too, so I've let them guide me.
The timing of bluegrass fascinates me. I love music that makes my foot tap, but I also love how bluegrass often has the occasional little short measures, clipped turnarounds, or where a bar is held over two extra beats. The holds my interest and keeps me challenged and on my toes. So, I have great respect for the musicians and I see this as a huge learning experience, and as you say, it tends to pay pretty darn well. More than rockabilly in several cases.
I know I haven't helped you. But at least you know you are not alone. There is this - I'm trying to go back to listen and look at as many old youtubes as I can with examples of players who brought something a little different to the table. I'm not looking to change bluegrass, I'm just trying to research those players who stuck to their own unique DNA as well as kept the integrity of the format intact, in all it's surface simplicity but it's underlying intricacy. Lots to learn with just a few BG gigs under my belt. Working at it.
