Short notice , note for note?

[Bunk McNulty]

I like to learn note-for-note. Two reasons:
1: Just about every bassist who plays on a hit record has something valuable to teach me.
2: I like to have a plan to deviate from.

Do the best you can. If they see you've made a good-faith effort, that will work in your favor. And just to re-emphasize: They're auditioning you, and you are auditioning them. Best of luck!

 

[IamGroot]

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)

Red flag. Better sort that out or bring a 5er and be ready to go in either Eb or E.

 

[MrLenny1]

Learn the form of the song, chords then groove.
The rest will follow.
Good Luck

 

[Leonid Nidis]

I was asking around about this myself recently.
If there are famous lines everybody knows learn them.If there are song parts that played diffrently one good version will do.
I learn stuff note to note for education mostly.

 

[TreySonagras]

Tempo. Groove. Style.
If someone has that most bands will be happy with them.

 

[murphy]

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)

That's why I only play 5 strings...so the key can change . but my pattern remains the same

 

[IamGroot]

Random note about note for note

Well recognized songs need it. Obscure songs , not so much.

I got a setlist w 50 songs last night for Feb 23 gig. Half are originals. The artist doesnt play his songs like his CD and I can do better lines while not going too far off the original. The other half are 50% lesser known songs.

So figure 10 -15 or so note for note songs for this gig.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I would pick out at least one song, and learn it perfect note for note. If they say something, you can say even though there was a short period of time, you wanted to nail it as best you could. Last year I had an audition - learned 12 songs note for note in a week. A lot of work, but they were surprised, and I got the gig.

 

[sean_on_bass]

If you ask, it makes you look like a noob. Just show up and play.

While i dont think it SHOULD be this way, i do find there are some hard lined musicians where if you ask about the details they assume you are beneath them. If i were in this situation i would be in "cover my ass" mode which essentially means going ahead and learning the tunes note for note just in case, or as close to that as i can get.

 

[glocke1]

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.

Best thing is to just ask what they want..

Personally I have yet to encounter any band that is looking for a note for note rendition of songs...some parts where the bass doubles the guitar, sure..but an entire tune? no..generally you can get by with learning the tunes to within 85% or so of overall accuracy. This isn't meant to discourage you from learning a tune note for note, but before you go to that effort find out what they want.

Those bands do exist, but generally they will be the top performing bands in your local area/region that are comprised of the top level players around. It won't be your average bar band thats advertising on craiglist.

 

[sean_on_bass]

Red flag. Better sort that out or bring a 5er and be ready to go in either Eb or E.

Agreed. I would put money on them actually playing it in E. You need to assume they are stupid when it comes to keys, because it is so common.

 

[pglaser01]

It is always possible they’d like to hear note for note to see if you have the same “musical sense” as the rest of them? Sometimes an audition could turn into, “You don’t know these songs? Do you even like this music? If not then why are you here?”

Is it silly sometimes? Absolutely but music gets some people emotional. It may not be like this at all, just another perspective to look at

 

[dvs20]

Tribute bands need to be really close note for note, cover band...ehhhhh not so much. like someone else stated...get signature licks down, get the feel of the song, know the chord progression, and just send it.
and good luck

 

[WardEarth]

Note for note Imo, unless you can’t really hear what’s going on in the original.
That being said, you will most likely only have time to have down 2-3 of the easier of the 6 songs, if you have a fairly free schedule. 6 is unrealistic for the average joe bassman.

 

[Stranger Danger]

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.

I bet if you told us the 6 songs we could give you much better answers

 

[Lobster11]

Tribute bands need to be really close note for note, cover band...ehhhhh not so much. like someone else stated...get signature licks down, get the feel of the song, know the chord progression, and just send it.
and good luck

Personally I feel that way too, but there are lots of cover bands (and bassists therein) who don't agree -- who believe that it is lazy and unprofessional to play covers any way other than note-for-note. That's why I think that if you're auditioning for a cover band it's a good idea to ask what their approach is so you can prepare accordingly.

 

[TheReceder]

best audition I ever had...
Learned more songs than they asked, close to note for note, then when they jokingly said mustang sally, I completely changed the style to something that had a lot more umph. They followed and since it was so different from what everyone else had done, and was fun, they ended out adding it to the setlist.

Biggest thing... HAVE FUN and SMILE. why would anyone want to work with someone that doesn't?

 

[JPaulGeddy]

Working cover band, and six songs - I would go note for note. It's what I'd be expecting as an auditioner. Those often turn into, 'great, can you do a gig next weekend?'

Doesn't mean it will BE note-for-note, but that would be the goal.

 

[IamGroot]

Some more random thoughts.

If you are looking for work, go to jam sessions. You will make connections.

Connections with artist/songwriters can open bigger doors even if they are not great artists.

Craiglist is the Tinder of the music world. Be careful out there.

If you are ambitious, get some business cards with your name, phone no., email, and a picture or sketch of a precision bass. Spread the cards around. You will be amazed how many pro calls you get from people you never met.

Never turn down a gig you can play, esp. If its in a genre you need more experience in. I made more easy money and improved my musicianship playing big contemporary church gigs than bar bands. Both are good experience thoughm

 

[brianrost]

Audition is this Saturday. Is common for them to expect note for note accuracy?

For an audition? I wouldn't expect note for note accuracy. Heck, the band might not be capable of this themselves.

I only want to know that the person can play his instrument and has a good sound and feel for the music. I'd expect any signature bass licks would be there and the overall groove is correct.