Short notice , note for note?

[Downunderwonder]

Since you're asking, be aware that a lot of ''note for note'' types wouldn't know the right bass note even if you wrote it out for them. Sometimes a guitar part played by itself will sound good and similar to the record but then the note for note bassline will clash or fail to groove. So be prepared to jam it out also.

 

[Diamond_Dave]

There isn't much to the bass part on "Sweet Child O' Mine".

No, but the song contains a prominent bass intro, so it's kinda important to play it note-for-note.

 

[craigie]

Did they give you the keys? Nothing like practicing your ass off in the original key and then they do it in a different key that lays weird under your fingers.

 

[steelbed45]

Did they give you the keys? Nothing like practicing your ass off in the original key and then they do it in a different key that lays weird under your fingers.

This. I've auditioned for enough cover bands to ask 1. What key and 2. What version of the cover.

There's nothing like busting your ass learning a song note for note only to show up to the audition and they say....oh, we actually play the live version off album x that's a lot different.

I work in one of those "details matter" type of jobs. The rest of the world pisses me off at times.

 

[Davbassdude]

Funny thing is...In the cover bands I've played, the newer songs I learned were usually played note for note and the ones I had already been playing, were the ones I would add some mild improvisation. Most of them were just happy I could play whatever they wanted. After I was with them for awhile, I'd get them to add songs to the playlist I wanted (The secret is to get the drummer and guitar player on your side)! However, they usually provided a recording of the new songs they wanted me to play.

 

[johndough247]

To answer your question: it depends on the band if they demand accuracy and it depends on your ear if 2 days is enough time to learn it accurately. In any unknown situation, always “over-prepare”.

One thing I think you should also consider is trying to nail the tone as much as possible (even to the point of analyzing where on the neck the notes sound like they came from); I strongly believe feel and tone are interwoven with each other, more than most care to admit. So much so, that a part that is 75% note for note but nails the tone and feel will fool practically anyone into thinking it was note for note but the most critical musicians. The exception to this (as mentioned by others) are songs that have iconic bass lines.

Such has been my experience over the years, but generally as a rule of thumb I learn everything note for note.

 

[JC Nelson]

What steelbed45 mentioned about what key is very important. I did a few show up and play gigs with a cover band years ago and they played nearly every song in the key of G.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

Since you're asking, be aware that a lot of ''note for note'' types wouldn't know the right bass note even if you wrote it out for them. Sometimes a guitar part played by itself will sound good and similar to the record but then the note for note bassline will clash or fail to groove. So be prepared to jam it out also.

Note for note types would know, else, they wouldn't be note for note types. Knit-pickers OTH...

 

[Downunderwonder]

Note for note types would know, else, they wouldn't be note for note types. Knit-pickers OTH...

Note the ''sarcasm quotes'' around note for note, which denotes those individuals' overconfidence in their ability to transfer direct from recordings to the fingerboard with total accuracy.

 

[Handsome Dan]

Sweet child o mine is played by GNR tunes half a step down. The BL told me they play it in the original key but do not tune down. Does that seem odd to anyone? It does to me. Same thing with SRV's "Rude Mood" I think I would have to tune down as there are plenty of low Eb's in both songs. (I play 4 string)

 

[squidtastic]

I would just ask them. Some cover bands aspire to play the original as close to note-for-note as possible; others like to take liberties and put their own spin on it.

Yup. I've been on many auditions, and it has been all over the map. I remember one that I was keen on getting; I knew most of the songs note-for-note, but the guys just wanted me to solo... which I couldn't do well at the time.
There's really no way to know without asking.

 

[swink]

If they are looking for a permanent groupmember.... be yourselve, play it as you would play it...
Just think that they are looking for a groupmember who fits the band.
Show some bass skills, (Timing, Interaction with the other members) and have a great time with them.... If it doesn't work out... it's not the group for you.
I'dd rather go for the guy who can save me when I F***-up, than the guy who sticks to plan "note for note".

 

[tradernick]

Sweet child o mine is played by GNR tunes half a step down. The BL told me they play it in the original key but do not tune down. Does that seem odd to anyone? It does to me.

If the old bass player played the tune on a normally-tuned 4 string without drop Eb or D, that's about as odd as it gets. You can't play the solo/outro "Where do we go" section without low Eb. He probably had a 5'er.

I'm more from the 'reasonably note-for-note school'. It's the best way to go if you're a fan of game theory. You get the most optimal outcomes that way because if they don't care, you can find out after the audition and adapt. If they do, you were ready. All main figures and riffs. If they say 'You played an extra passing note in that fill into bar 97', you don't want to be in the band anyway.

The intro of Sweet Child must be played exactly until you're specifically told they don't care.

 

[lowphatbass]

In the cover type bands I’ve played with note for note has always been a safe bet, sometimes or usually the best option. Time and time management is often an issue so I pick and choose my battles. Ultimately you have to rely on your ability to prioritize. I wouldn’t inquire back to ask if you really need to learn the basslines or not.

 

[StayLow]

Sweet child o mine is played by GNR tunes half a step down. The BL told me they play it in the original key but do not tune down. Does that seem odd to anyone? It does to me. Same thing with SRV's "Rude Mood" I think I would have to tune down as there are plenty of low Eb's in both songs. (I play 4 string)

Tune however you want. It's none of their concern how you tune. And with that said, don't presume their BL knows whether they tune down or drop tune. Could be he's "just" the singer.

As for "6 or so" songs on two weekdays' notice for an audition, that's ridiculous and totally unnecessary unless somehow those songs all require a totally different and crucial aspect of competency on bass. It's totally do-able, just not necessary to gauge if someone is worth a call-back. If pressed for time, you're better off nailing 3 than half-assing "6 or so".

I'm with the camp of not asking questions other than what key and version of the song is being covered. However if such key info. isn't already provided that's reg-flaggy.

Remember, you are auditioning them.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

i hope this is in the right forum. Did a search and came up empty.
I responded to an ad for a bass player in a currently working cover band. Thursday afternoon. They gave me a list of 6 or so songs. Audition is this Saturday. Is common for them to expect note for note accuracy? Or would you think that being in the right key/ chord progression is close enough? As long as I have the "hook" of the song.
Thanks in advance.

Depends on the band, and that is a question best settle be for you show up. Me? I have AADD and couldn’t do a note for note cover if mylife depended on it.. best wishes on a solid audition.

 

[BassikLee]

Meanwhile, I'm thinking to myself "two days to learn all of six songs, what's the problem??"

 

[Lobster11]

Meanwhile, I'm thinking to myself "two days to learn all of six songs, what's the problem??"

Well, to be fair, it depends on how much free time you actually have available to devote to it over those two days.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

i hope this is in the right forum. Did a search and came up empty.
I responded to an ad for a bass player in a currently working cover band. Thursday afternoon. They gave me a list of 6 or so songs. Audition is this Saturday. Is common for them to expect note for note accuracy? Or would you think that being in the right key/ chord progression is close enough? As long as I have the "hook" of the song.
Thanks in advance.

Definitely strive for note-for-note. You want to impress the crap out of them

 

[IamGroot]

1) If you dont think you can do the songs, dont audition. Folks will remember the "bad bass player".

2) if you think you can pull it off, do your best. Note for note if you can do it and play it solid is best. Dumb down stuff you cant play with 100% certainty. Being totally solid is better than a shakey note for note.

3) What posts #3 and 4 is the key. Chord changes, signature lines, feel, yada yada. Many cover bands dont know note for note on their own instrument, let alone bass.
4) Its an audition. Looks, gear, attitude and a general impression you can pull this gig off will probably be as or more important than note for note. If you come across as a newbie, a wierdo, or a p.i.t.a., your chances will go down. Come in acting like a pro, dont ask too many questions, dont ever critique how they play, and smile a lot.

If you ask if its note for note and you cant deliver, thats points off. They didnt ask and its a short fuse to the audition.
If they want note for note, tell em you can have it ready for the gig.

My thanks to guitarist Tommy Tedesco for his advise on common sense.