Second audition??

[Depth_Charge]

Isn't Ryan Martinie of Mudvayne a "Jazz Guy"? Wasn't Paul Grey of Slipknot a "Jazz Guy"? Anyway, I digress...

1st audition - my selected songs off their list
Centerfold
Killing in the Name of
The Wall
Jenny
Magic Carpet Ride
All Over You -Live

2nd Audition - Their choice
Flagpole Sitta - Harvey Danger
The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
China Grove (good song)
Everlong - Foo Fighters
Sweet Home Alabama
Runaway - Bon Jovi
Like About You - Romantics

A lot of these songs are pretty standard. Given you only list one song as a good song, and are having second thoughts on returning for a second interview/audition, do you really want the gig?!?

 

[augdog]

Depth Charge, True. I was a little confused by needing a second audition (a yes or no would be fine) but I do want to play in some sort of cover band. I'm not sure if its the right band. I'm thinking I cancel and keep searching for a better fit.

I don't want to misrepresent myself My latest stuff has been jazz but I don't consider myself a well trained jazz musician. I love the stuff I find it challenging and enjoyable to play. Listened to it most of my life.

I tend to gravitate towards stuff like RHCP, Rage, Cake and edgier type music. I listen to classic rock in the car but will jump right to Eva Cassidy in a heartbeat. Anyway, you're right, I don't think this is the band for me right now...

 

[Depth_Charge]

Don't get me wrong, if its a gig I want, I don't mind returning for a second audition if I was happy with the first one. It gives me more jam time with the group, get to see more dynamics and in a lot of cases I get to showcase how quick I can pick new songs up. Sometimes they're tossing up between 2 people and the group are split on how to choose, so call a second audition etc.

What I try to avoid (if I can find out), is committing to a second audition while they are still rotating through first timers.

Good luck finding a suitable group

 

[Phlipper]

Lemme see if I got this ... A nondescript rock/top 40 cover band is questioning whether or not a JAZZ PLAYER is up to the task?

Run away. Fast. They're idiots. I'm trying to find a permanent bassist for a New Country/Classic Rock project I do on the side and I'd give my left testicle for a jazz/trained musician who was willing to come play with us. Are they completely mental?

 

[IPYF]

They got you to play RATHM then called your playing 'percussive' and 'Choppy'?

/Roflcoptor

 

[worxforme]

And I would agree with craig.p ... IF I was in a tribute band. But a bar room cover band with note for note and tone for tone adherence to some version done by the original band? Nah.

If it's a wedding corporate casino festival opener that each member makes at least $500 a night band, then sure but bar cover band...

The down tune happens. I auditioned for a cool original band that sprung Eb when I arrived, I had a five string so I just transposed. It all went well until they said I was in and that they rehearsed 3 nights a week...

 

[Depth_Charge]

They got you to play RATHM then called your playing 'percussive' and 'Choppy'?

/Roflcoptor

That's an excellent point right there. That song especially!! Well spotted

 

[BillyIVbass]

First I read this and pictured the worst possible stereotypes from my local area and realized...we both live in the same area! Honestly I'd bail. Every time I've done a "second audition" it's these burnouts who think it's 1989 on the Sunset Strip and that they'll have people lining up around the block. Eventually you get tied into a soap opera band that never leaves the basement.

It sounds like you showed up, dealt with a minor setback and rocked their 5 song audition. If they are going to nit-pick and over analyze your sound, they probably have too much time and aren't working. I know plenty of great working musicians/bands in this area and doing a 3 hour bar gig is by no means rocket science. The same crew of working bands would welcome your jazz background and just shoot you dirty looks after they've already hired you if you're overplaying.

Sorry if I sound bitter, maybe I am?

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

They get back to me and say I play percussive and choppy

English not being my native language may need to be factored into the equation, but is that a bad comment?

 

[sobie18]

Lemme see if I got this ... A nondescript rock/top 40 cover band is questioning whether or not a JAZZ PLAYER is up to the task?

Run away. Fast. They're idiots. I'm trying to find a permanent bassist for a New Country/Classic Rock project I do on the side and I'd give my left testicle for a jazz/trained musician who was willing to come play with us. Are they completely mental?

I had a jazz-trained/styled bassist replace me in a rock band and he was NOT doing the music any justice. No groove, no feel, playing all these crazy runs/extensions where they weren't needed, etc. He might have been doing that since he wasn't hip to the material that he would try and play something tasteful to distract his lack of effort.

This is where being that multi-role chameleon comes in, to be able to adapt and play the style at hand. You can't be pigeon-holed into one style and discount the rest. Lots to learn...

 

[Phlipper]

I had a jazz-trained/styled bassist replace me in a rock band and he was NOT doing the music any justice. No groove, no feel, playing all these crazy runs/extensions where they weren't needed, etc. He might have been doing that since he wasn't hip to the material that he would try and play something tasteful to distract his lack of effort.

This is where being that multi-role chameleon comes in, to be able to adapt and play the style at hand. You can't be pigeon-holed into one style and discount the rest. Lots to learn...

I've never played with a trained Jazz player on any instrument that wasn't a monster player and able to cover any genre thrown at them.

 

[the yeti]

If they're playing dropped tuning, then they aren't playing classic covers note for note.

many bands recorded 1/2step down. maybe it depends on your definition of "classic" i guess. van halen is classic. so is stp and pearl jam at this point. of course van morrison is too, although i think "oldies" may be more applicable.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

To be fair, I've known a number of jazz guys who can't swing with a rock band to save their lives. That said, asking you to learn 7 more songs of their choosing seems more than odd. I would have negotiated different terms.

 

[the yeti]

also maybe their concern about "jazz" had more to do w/looks and style than chops. i can't imagine being concerned about chops, but the other 2 i've witnessed this scene played out from the other side. the band went with the "rock guy".

 

[augdog]

I decided to pass on this one and wait for a better match. I already went to one of their shows to meet them and auditioned once. A second audition seems to strange to me and I wonder what would surface a couple months down the road if I were in the band. If they needed to hear me play straight quarter and eighth notes they could have seen me play in church this past Sunday! (Its not always like that. I love playing in church)

About jazz verses rock... I learned bass playing in a jazz combo group, played at PSU in a jazz combo and recently played in a couple groups because the bands were fun and we got gigs. Really jazz has accounted for maybe 30% of my overall playing. I highly respect any trained jazz bassist out there but that goes the same for a bassist that can lay a groove or drive a song. Percussive or melodic players are awesome too. I think its important to know your instrument.

I think most of the problem was that on the first audition I was using really light strings on a bass with low string height that buzzed like mad when they were all tuned down. Causing a "choppy" sound. (percussive -sometimes good, choppy- bad) If they had said something there, I would have adjusted the relief and changed my sound.

Thanks for all of your help! Live and learn!!