She either has no idea what she's doing with the virtual audition process, or she knows exactly what she's doing. Either way, I'd be long gone from this "band". Do you even know who the other members are? Are there other members?
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Red flags? Should I run?
- Thread starter DoctorZee
- Start date
What about how is she performing in a live performance situation? And the other from the group. Playing live with real human being musicians is something else as playing on a record. Till now you don’t know what your dealing with.
Unless you are being payed an audition is a 360 round evaluation. So she is also auditioning for you.. Many BL,s don’t understand the dynamics of an audition. Its a common but big mistake IMO.
Run.
Unless you are being payed an audition is a 360 round evaluation. So she is also auditioning for you.. Many BL,s don’t understand the dynamics of an audition. Its a common but big mistake IMO.
Run.
I just paid some guy to do our Company Voice recording... Whatever it was, I forget maybe $15.00.... For what, 10 minutes time...
Send her a $50.00 Bill so you can get "up To Date" before you move on either way....lol
Send her a $50.00 Bill so you can get "up To Date" before you move on either way....lol
Definitely have an in-person sit down, at the very least to get a feel for chemistry and whether as a BL she can effectively communicate her intentions.
"It's ok, I've worked with a lot of Fledgling vocalists who couldn't hold all the right keys at 1st"
"I actually know of an amazing Vocal coach who could do wonders with your voice"
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
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Ya Red Flag
I hate when band leaders micromanage the bass player … this always ends badly
Walk, get into something you are going to enjoy. This isn't it already and your not even in the band.
Did you ask her when Ashton Kutcher was gonna jump out of the bushes? 
The only thing here that strikes me as especially sketchy is that you haven’t had a face-to-face session yet. Everything else seems to me to possibly be a case of tone not conveying very well over text. I’d ask for an in-person audition/jam session/whatever and go from there. If she says no, I’d politely bow out. I get the reasons for a virtual audition but I think she’s gone beyond what is reasonable to ask of you without actually playing together in the same room.
- Jul 7, 2010
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Uh...
Run, run for your life...
Run, run to the hills...
If you are aggravated or irritated now...well it may not get much better.
Run, run for your life...
Run, run to the hills...
If you are aggravated or irritated now...well it may not get much better.
I look at things objectively. The majority of people I have met throughout my life that say they have little to No free time, usually have time they just don't manage it properly.
You didn't take the time to learn the parts the way the old Bassists played them, and now you have to go back and spend more time learning them....
Sounds like she may be a "Perfectionist" and wants everything played correctly. I'm not sure if that is a Good Thing or a Bad Thing, but I do subscribe to the approach of Quality over Quantity!
You didn't take the time to learn the parts the way the old Bassists played them, and now you have to go back and spend more time learning them....
Sounds like she may be a "Perfectionist" and wants everything played correctly. I'm not sure if that is a Good Thing or a Bad Thing, but I do subscribe to the approach of Quality over Quantity!
I'm getting old, and cranky, and really just don't care what other people think anymore. So when someone ask's me to do something I don't want to I just say No.
It is amazing how many people are not used to hearing No. They don't know how to react.
But you already gave them an audition, so to further refine it is unreasonable in my opinion.
Plus, I want to play what I want to play, not copy some other bass player note for note.
I am flexible and easy going enough to change my bass lines if requested, something along the lines of "Can you play something more driving in this section" or "can you just hang on the root for the intro" but it sounds like this situation you are in is too much too soon.
You don't even have the friggin position and she is already having you jump thru hoops......
It is amazing how many people are not used to hearing No. They don't know how to react.
But you already gave them an audition, so to further refine it is unreasonable in my opinion.
Plus, I want to play what I want to play, not copy some other bass player note for note.
I am flexible and easy going enough to change my bass lines if requested, something along the lines of "Can you play something more driving in this section" or "can you just hang on the root for the intro" but it sounds like this situation you are in is too much too soon.
You don't even have the friggin position and she is already having you jump thru hoops......
A couple of thoughts.
First, I really don't see where "control freak" comes from. I have known and worked with real control freaks, and this isn't even close. Not even "wannabe" control freak.
She sounds a lot like the lady singers I've worked with who had grade 10 piano (or higher). They know music and theory and harmony, but not outside the piano. (it could be some other instrument, but odds are it's piano).
I also get a sense of "artistic flake" (not snowflake, just plain flake). Again, worked with a lot of them in other artistic area. There's a perfectionist streak but not enough actual practical experience to get the job done and definitely not enough to be able to communicate clearly to other instruments.
It sounds like she has some grand vision for the song in mind, even "hearing" a specific bass part, but she cannot communicate it clearly to (any) bass player. Like the divas we see on home reno shows that never like the countertop or the cabinets or the flooring, but can't articulate why...
I keep touching on communication, and it's weird. I know you said she's even at the level of adjusting note durations (weird) but still - she's obviously not communicating the overall picture clearly.
There may be something going on if you have tried to arrange a face-to-face but been rebuffed. However, if you haven't tried to meet, then that should have been your top priority after that first "audition".
I do agree with everyone who has already suggested you MUST get together for a coffee before you go any further. No coffee, call it. I don't think this thing is at the "get together with instruments" stage yet, because until you establish some basic chemistry with the BL, you really are stuck.
First, I really don't see where "control freak" comes from. I have known and worked with real control freaks, and this isn't even close. Not even "wannabe" control freak.
She sounds a lot like the lady singers I've worked with who had grade 10 piano (or higher). They know music and theory and harmony, but not outside the piano. (it could be some other instrument, but odds are it's piano).
I also get a sense of "artistic flake" (not snowflake, just plain flake). Again, worked with a lot of them in other artistic area. There's a perfectionist streak but not enough actual practical experience to get the job done and definitely not enough to be able to communicate clearly to other instruments.
It sounds like she has some grand vision for the song in mind, even "hearing" a specific bass part, but she cannot communicate it clearly to (any) bass player. Like the divas we see on home reno shows that never like the countertop or the cabinets or the flooring, but can't articulate why...
I keep touching on communication, and it's weird. I know you said she's even at the level of adjusting note durations (weird) but still - she's obviously not communicating the overall picture clearly.
There may be something going on if you have tried to arrange a face-to-face but been rebuffed. However, if you haven't tried to meet, then that should have been your top priority after that first "audition".
I do agree with everyone who has already suggested you MUST get together for a coffee before you go any further. No coffee, call it. I don't think this thing is at the "get together with instruments" stage yet, because until you establish some basic chemistry with the BL, you really are stuck.
Micro managers need to be able to score music. If someone wants an exact part - write it out and I will play it as written. Then when they don't like it - that's on them - they heard something in their head and it is not what they wanted - quelle surprise. Tone, feel - that they just don't understand
I'd write back - I can play whatever you score or I can play my own part. What I don't do if I am not in the band is transcribe the old bass player's parts - BL does that. Question is if she like the last bass players part - why not use them?
Nor should he - she should transcribe the parts - and send the written score to the new prospect. Transcribing is time consuming - and that is on the BL - especially in an audition. And perfectionists in my experience sterilize the music.
I'd write back - I can play whatever you score or I can play my own part. What I don't do if I am not in the band is transcribe the old bass player's parts - BL does that. Question is if she like the last bass players part - why not use them?
Nor should he - she should transcribe the parts - and send the written score to the new prospect. Transcribing is time consuming - and that is on the BL - especially in an audition. And perfectionists in my experience sterilize the music.
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