Need help with what to play for first actual audition...

[organworthyplayer337]

I'm getting the opportunity to audition and play bass for my church band. My church is kinda huge so this is a big deal (well, to little ol me). The music director (who has won Grammies awards and stuff) asked me to film myself playing a couple songs and send them to him.

I need help figuring out what songs will be able to show my technical ability. I feel with bass, of course you can just play the root note and get away with it, but I need a song that can "showcase" my abilities without making it seem like overplaying or showing off... I don't want to do that, ya know?

A lot of the songs I play and practice at home (and in my school) might accomplish that... Though, they're subtle licks that I've written that aren't that impressive but they serve the song right in my mind.

So in this situation, do I play technically proficient songs or more "traditional" bass lines (just the root note and keep it simple)

I've studied the current bass player's technique and they do simple stuff but then also get fancy. I'm thinking maybe I should replicate that?


Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[ddnidd1]

I would think playing some songs that are played at the church and that Definitely require more than playing just the root. Simple, straightforward songs and more difficult songs.

That way the leader can see how you actually handle some of what they play.

Then possibly add another song, that is not necessarily in that genre, that just shows off your chops, if you want.

 

[gln1955]

What an odd way to audition for a church band. Are you going to play along to recordings, like the Youtube stars, or is going to be just you playing bass lines? Is this all there is to the audition, or just the first step? How is he going to know how you play with a band?

 

[blubass]

That's a pretty odd way to audition. Usually a BL has an idea of what songs challenge what players and request certain songs to be played. If it were me, I'd pick some Lincoln Brewster stuff. I think Norm Stockton had some great bass lines playing with him.

 

[jmverdugo]

I don't think it's odd. I think the director wants to see if you are good enough for an audition with the full band before wasting everybody's time. I would play a couple of the songs the usually play at your church, that should be good enough.

 

[kjones]

Can I recommend that you look into the Praise and Worship Club in Band Management? It's a group of over 100 bass players who are currently playing in churches around the country and the world. I think you'd get a great response there.

It's my impression and experience that the days of roots and fifths in worship is mostly gone. If you look over that thread, you'll see lots of postings of members' actual bands playing in church. You'll also see listings of songs played at services, and when you see lots of duplicates, you'll know those songs are popular.

Let me put in a vote for Hosanna by Hillsong. It's played a LOT, and definitely can show off your abilities.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

I don't think it's odd. I think the director wants to see if you are good enough for an audition with the full band before wasting everybody's time. I would play a couple of the songs the usually play at your church, that should be good enough.

Exactly. I'm a young-ish kid so he probably wanted to make sure I was worth it before telling the main bass player to skip a rehearsal.

 

[Journey55]

I like this one, pretty easy once you figure it out (if your bass have enough frets) and it seems like a subtle way to show off a bit

 

[organworthyplayer337]

What an odd way to audition for a church band. Are you going to play along to recordings, like the Youtube stars, or is going to be just you playing bass lines? Is this all there is to the audition, or just the first step? How is he going to know how you play with a band?

This is the first step

 

[Creede]

As a fan of technical music, it's for the best if you play just root notes with some relatively simple fills occassionally. Essentially, you want to follow the kick pretty closely, only going outside for some more intense parts (intense church music might be an oxymoron, but you get the point).

 

[Finaks]

Do yourself a favor and play Jamerson's What's Going On. That groove - if you do it well I guarantee the director will be pleased.

 

[oldcatfish]

I'm getting the opportunity to audition and play bass for my church band. My church is kinda huge so this is a big deal (well, to little ol me). The music director (who has won Grammies awards and stuff) asked me to film myself playing a couple songs and send them to him.

I need help figuring out what songs will be able to show my technical ability. I feel with bass, of course you can just play the root note and get away with it, but I need a song that can "showcase" my abilities without making it seem like overplaying or showing off... I don't want to do that, ya know?

A lot of the songs I play and practice at home (and in my school) might accomplish that... Though, they're subtle licks that I've written that aren't that impressive but they serve the song right in my mind.

So in this situation, do I play technically proficient songs or more "traditional" bass lines (just the root note and keep it simple)

I've studied the current bass player's technique and they do simple stuff but then also get fancy. I'm thinking maybe I should replicate that?


Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

I'm a multi-instrumentalist that has played in well over a dozen churches over the years. I've had to go through similar audition processes before. You want to show that you will fit in seamlessly and add to their team.

The best thing in my experience is to play songs that your church either currently plays, or at least has played recently. Most churches play Hillsong United and Chris Tomlinson songs, so here are a few suggestions.

My favorite for church auditions is "Lead Me To The Cross." The original bass line isn't too difficult, and has a nice groove to it. Most churches have at least played some version of it. Play that as your first song.

For the second song, you could go two ways. To highlight more technical proficiency, not many songs surpass "Salvation Is Here." If you want to show some simple fills you can do "How Great Is Our God." Choose the original version from the Arriving album. It has a nice little fill in it, the cliche octave slide fill, plus a nice groove. Or, you could choose a song that is simple root notes that starts off slow, but has a faster bridge with octave up root notes...many popular Tomlin songs use that formula.

Alternatively if you want to show your melodic side, there is a song that some churches play called "Undo" by the band Rush Of Fools. That line isn't difficult, but really impresses non-bass playing musicians. It is less common than the Hillsong and Tomlin stuff though.

In general, I wouldn't play a secular song for a church audition, but different churches have different takes on that...I filled in at a church that used to occasionally do musical parodies of famous songs for special church events.

 

[Amplified]

Use a fretless and play Giant Steps.

 

[reggie hall]

Get a Christian song track without the bass in it and you play the bass and add it in the track if possible

 

[39-Bassist]

I play in a P & W band at church also for years....So here is my 1-1/2 cent......Play a song that lets you sit in the pocket then play one that has a bit more work to it. BUT when recording them try NOT to look at the neck as you play. Reason is this shows how well you know your bass and how comfortable you are when playing.
IT DOES HELP.....
Also watch how the other bassist plays, if he watches neck or reads music as he plays. It just gives you a level to base your self on, if he is a decent player.
Most importantly, pray about it first, is this what you feel the Lord wants for you.

 

[bobdabilder]

It's not odd at all. Worship leaders have much to do.

nice pocket song: Fierce (Jesus Culture)

some solo licks: Stay Amazed (Gateway)

I would pick a couple songs from their current playlist and make sure I nail them and second the above post: pray about it.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

Hey guys!


Thanks for the input,

This is what I did:
1) I played 1 Pino Palladino song

2) A song they play regularly (and one of my favorites)

3) And I song I wrote a bassline to

I sent them to him at 7 this morning and he replied quickly. He said he loves what he hears!

Also, Pino Palladino just happens to be everyone in the band's favorite bassist so that doesn't hurt!

 

[bobdabilder]

Great job. Hope this works out for you.

Hey guys!


Thanks for the input,

This is what I did:
1) I played 1 Pino Palladino song

2) A song they play regularly (and one of my favorites)

3) And I song I wrote a bassline to

I sent them to him at 7 this morning and he replied quickly. He said he loves what he hears!

Also, Pino Palladino just happens to be everyone in the band's favorite bassist so that doesn't hurt!

 

[MNAirHead]

OK... I"ll be specific (for lurkers - I know you've already sent it in_)


I'd go with the following

Amazing Love -- watch when it uses the 3rd instead of the root... don't overplay it.

Today is the day --- listen closely to your timing

Trading my sorrows -- will indicate you're not a beginner.

I then (if you can) play a piano and sing... then an acoustic guitar and sing

 

[two fingers]

Simple. If the church is that big, and the guy has won a Grammy, there will be tons of YouTube stuff FROM THAT VERY CHURCH available to watch. Do some recon and find out what the MOST RECENT videos they posted are. Learn those songs. That way, he will know you cared enough to look into what they are going for CURRENTLY at that church.

Also, if this is a big deal, act like it. If you don't have equipment available to make a decent video, hire or beg a friend to help. You need to play along to tracks, possibly even of the actual videos from that church. But your bass needs to be very forward in the mix. In other words, the song just needs to be in the background enough for the listener to understand what you are playing along to and that you can keep time.

A video of you sitting on your bed, or at your desk at home, saying "Hey guys, this is my version of The Is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham" and then grinding away on your bass by yourself with no backing track will not get you very far at all. Your audition will go in the "never mind" stack so quickly it will make your head spin.

Recap.

1) Do NOT play YOUR favorite worship songs and/or bass lines. Play something THEY have RECENTLY done. That will show them potentially how you will plug into what THEY are doing. Playing your favorite songs and adding your favorite touches is nothing more than wankery and will be seen as such.

2) You don't have to make it totally professional, but make an effort to make the audio and video good quality. And play along to a track of some sort. Just you and your bass will tell them nothing. Do not set your iPhone on your desk and record a video of you sitting on your bed and hitting play on your boom box.

I would assume this is a paying gig if the church is that big. So this isn't just a skills assessment. Lots of bass players have chops. This is a job interview. Make an effort to stand out among the crowd. Go the extra mile.

By the way, as with any live gig audition/interview, the ability to sing backups will also put you a couple of places higher on the list. If you can do it, mention it. If you can't, learn how quickly.

Edit: I have won out in auditions over guys who can Victor Wooteb circles around me. But I knew THEIR material, and I carried myself like a pro. And I can sing if they need me to.