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Major Band Issue...

P

Papa Dangerous

Feb 1, 2011
1,017
8
#1
Major Band Issue: I have never played in one.

I have always wanted to play in a band, but after relocating a few years ago I find it difficult to get around, especially without a car. But that is not the major problem. I have been playing for around 8 years without an formal training. Just kinda picked up the bass and went out and never turned back. I am pretty decent and have a good idea of how to work my bass, however I have never been in the creative situation of a band, and only a few jam sessions that were quite short with just a drummer, or just a guitarist.

I tend to be a perfectionist and have waited so many years to try and get involved in a band so I can appear that I know what I am doing an save myself some embarrassment.

I went on to craigslist (for the very first time..) just to seek around for a band but very little came up that was for my area. Also, is there another place like this to search?

So my basic question to you all is - When you have people try out for bands or when you have tried out for bands - is there a unrelenting amount of pressure auditioning for not only a band, but a group of friends who know each other? Is there a critical line of professional playing that you expect? How do you prepare yourself to just throw yourself out there and probably wind up in a basement with a bunch of strangers and your gear?

Yeah, I am sure I am probably over analyzing this, as with many other things, but I ask about your experiences.

Thanks!
 
#3
You just gotta throw yourself out there. There will be some pressure auditioning, in any situation. You just have to go in confident, and play your best. Don't talk yourself down or up, tell the people exactly who you are and what you are about. If you have limits (can't read music, don't know theory, etc..) tell them, but don't make it sound like you are a moron who can't play. You are only going to get more creative playing with people if you get experience doing it. My current band is a death metal band, a genre I had no experience playing. Now, I am pretty decent at it, just because the band called for it, and I got the hang of it eventually. As far as finding people, I have only formed bands through people I knew, people I met in the street or wherever, and Craigslist. Best of luck to you! Go forth and rock!
 
#4
Just believe in yourself and your bass skills. Sometimes its hard not to be a little nervous trying out for a band. Think of it this way not only are they trying you out, but you are trying them out as well.

As far as the theory thing goes, its always good to know it. But honestly all the bands I have played with or tried out for, never used theory. They all either played by ear or feeling.

Maybe you should make an ad on craigslist. List your experience's and what your looking for. I have found alot of good bands that way and it makes things alot less stressful when you try out because they all ready know what to expect.
 
#6
Papa Dangerous said:
So until then... I will meticulously practice!
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Hey, it's only rock'n roll. Your're good enough. Don't worry about a thing! Have fun!

Don't be hard on yourself. Perfectionism is a motivation killer. Forget about it. Play the best you can. Play better next time.

If you don't know a song, get the chords from the guitarist/keyboards and play roots until you get the hang of it. Don't worry about being "perfect". No one else is perfect so why should you be so concerned about not being perfect (embarrassing yourself)?

Most people will be happy enough that you just showed up!
 
#8
Icey101 said:
put an ad in to start up your own band, ask for a guitarist and drummer and see what you get, if you get a decent guitarist and drummer, team up and jam, then look for a singer.....now you dont have to audition
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I don’t see how just having been the one to place the ad puts one in any special magical position.

Seems to me, the first musician he met would still be auditioned him, as well, not to mention the others.

The only advantage one might have is a nice rehearsal space.
 
#9
Everyone comes at this local rock scene/ market from different levels and for different reasons. (not always the right reasons)

If your have never auditioned at this level for the first time, listen to the TBers
 
#10
Just be cool. Most band auditions I have been involved in have been as much about personality as skill. If you can make a respectable showing on the frets, they will be sizing you up to see how you fit in. Try making a flyer if craigslist doesn't yield any results. Keep in mind that experience is the only thing that raises your chances of success, so don't be surprised if you bomb a couple of auditions at first.
 
#11
bluewine said:
Age must be catching up with me, I don't get the whole "no car" thing, unless your just sort of starting out in life.

  • Couldn't find a band is several years?

  • He has been playing for 8 years yet, he's never been in the creative situation of a band, and only a few jam sessions that were quite short with just a drummer, or just a guitarist.

  • I tend to be a perfectionist and have waited so many years to try and get involved in a band so I can appear that I know what I am doing an save myself some embarrassment.

    This makes no sense to me.
    • Yeah, I am sure I am probably over analyzing this, as with many other things, but I ask about your experiences.

    I hope the fellows here can help you, you seem lost and have a very strange methodology about playing.

    Playing for 8 years before getting to band level playing?

    Listen to thses guys, you have to know what your looking for before the lengthy discussion on how to audition starts.

    Just so you know there is a lot that goes into auditioning, but is't not an 8 year process.

    Are you sure you have an interest in playing in and being in a band? You sound like more of the bedroom hobby type player.
Click to expand...


  • Oh for crying out loud Blue!

    OP, just keep looking for jam sessions, getting into a band doesn't always have to be some LA audition drama/saga. The right chemistry is what makes great bands, which doesn't mean you have to have been bros since forever but you do have to get along, see the world and music somewhat similarly. I've only ever auditioned once in my life, and I didn't get in that band. Otherwise I've played with people I've met along the way - you are a bass player, after all - and I'm in 4 bands right now, along with a day job, and just got asked to do some recording at a gig last night. Keep playing, keep going, and you will get what you want out of it.
 
#13
Being in a band is way less about skill than it is about dedication. If you can show up to practices on time, having learned the songs you'll be just fine in most bands. Don't worry about your playing... it will improve far faster in a band setting that it will by yourself.
 
#14
just get out there dude! lots of things are guaranteed to happen at some point.
you will find a great thing that makes you smile
you will fall flat on your face
you will meet egotistical a-holes you wish you'r never met
you will meet people who will change your life for the better
you will make a little money
you will get burned
the first band you play in wont be your last
when you approach it more as a journey as opposed to a destination.....things wont seem so ominous. just do it!
good luck! you'll need a little of that too
 

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