Things any good bassist should be able to do.

[Steadfast]

Idk. My probation officer won't let me hang out at colleges.

 

[fdeck]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a "college audition"?

Not a bad question at all. When you want to attend college as a music major, you apply to the college in the usual way, but then you have to apply for and get into the music program as well. If you get accepted by the college but not the music program, you can take music classes and participate in some ensembles, but can't be a music major.

My knowledge is related to the "classical" oriented programs. Typically you fill out a separate application, and have separate recommendations, e.g., from your music teachers. You have to do an audition. In classical programs, you would probably play a challenging movement from a concerto, some "contrasting" piece, and also be prepared for playing scales, sight-reading, etc.

In addition to this process, a music student has to be accepted into the studio of an individual teacher, so they would probably schedule trial lessons with one or more teachers at the colleges where they are applying.

Music students are expected to already be playing at an advanced level when they apply for college. What that means is different for each instrument.

 

[Jim Carr]

Oh, and don't go to music school. That poopie is pointless.

For you? Perhaps.

 

[Jim Carr]

For a college audition???
- Know the audition piece(s).
- Solid sight reading
- Understanding some basic theory (or advanced, depending on the school)
- Playing in context / dynamics
- the ability to pay tuition, fees, room & board without incurring staggering student loan debt.

Solid Advice! The financial part is so often over-looked and let's face it, if after graduating you are in a cubicle 9-5 for 10 years to pay off school loans, you probably are not going to have a music career!

 

[socialleper]

Oh, and don't go to music school. That poopie is pointless.

Neither Jaco or Jamerson even went to college.
Just sayn'

 

[socialleper]

Not a bad question at all. When you want to attend college as a music major, you apply to the college in the usual way, but then you have to apply for and get into the music program as well. If you get accepted by the college but not the music program, you can take music classes and participate in some ensembles, but can't be a music major.

My knowledge is related to the "classical" oriented programs. Typically you fill out a separate application, and have separate recommendations, e.g., from your music teachers. You have to do an audition. In classical programs, you would probably play a challenging movement from a concerto, some "contrasting" piece, and also be prepared for playing scales, sight-reading, etc.

In addition to this process, a music student has to be accepted into the studio of an individual teacher, so they would probably schedule trial lessons with one or more teachers at the colleges where they are applying.

Music students are expected to already be playing at an advanced level when they apply for college. What that means is different for each instrument.

There is much about college that seems like hucking time and money down the toilet, but man that seems like a lot of fiery hoops to jump through. Admittedly there was a brief time when I was in High School when I thought about that. I wasn't really in tune with the fact that music college was really for a very specific group of people and would have done me little good.

 

[whero]

bass face is the hardest technique to master

What he said. This stuff doesn't just happen, it takes a lot of practice.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Neither Jaco or Jamerson even went to college.
Just sayn'

The list of true heavies who did go to school is a **** of a lot longer than the guys who didn't. Besides that times were different when Jaco and Jamerson were coming up. There were more gigs and there was more opportunity to learn on the gig. Even so people like Miles, Abraham Laboriel, Michael Manring, Tony Levin, Tal Wilkenfeld etc, etc, etc, etc, etc all went to school. I definitely have issues with the music education "business" but the positives outweigh the negatives. If nothing else it's worth going to school to meet and hang out with people you'll be working with sometimes your entire career.

Just sayin'.....

 

[LowActionHero]

Groove definitely, but if I had to pick one quality of my favorite bass players (or drummers) it's creativity, or style I guess. Someone that does something unconventional but tasteful. It's usually not something I CAN'T do, but something I might not have necessarily thought of. (and sometimes it's something I think I might do but would chicken out and play it safer)

 

[fdeck]

There is much about college that seems like hucking time and money down the toilet, but man that seems like a lot of fiery hoops to jump through. Admittedly there was a brief time when I was in High School when I thought about that. I wasn't really in tune with the fact that music college was really for a very specific group of people and would have done me little good.

Higher education is certainly an interesting topic for debate.

One thing to consider is that these "hoops" are fairly routine for the people who are applying. Remember, you're talking about people who want to engage in academic study of academic music, and have already been doing so. By the time your typical violin student is applying for music school, they've had years of lessons that are inherently college-preparatory, from teachers who have also been to music school. They've played in dozens of recitals, and have probably gone through several auditions for groups that they want to play in.

 

[craigie]

Weak!
Considering the decline in the music industry, they should be happy that someone wants to give them money at this point.

To the OP, since I didn't know such a thing existed, I guess the best advice I could give you is first and foremost, treat it like a job interview. Show up on time, be professional, and be prepared. Be confident but accommodating. Walk that thin line between relaxed and completely alert.
Have your theory straight and be used to having people throw curve balls at you. Maybe set up a drum program and have people yell out modes\scales while you are playing.
I suppose it is a test of sorts, and I never got nervous about tests since my mindset was that I either knew the subject or I didn't. You can't fake it or second guess it. And don't "cram" just before. If your brain or hands are tired you might make mistakes.

And if you really want a real world simulation have a guitarist put on a capo (they don't have to actually play) and tell you the wrong chords

 

[craigie]

Nope. You are starting college. I have gone to college, taught college, and performed professionally. There are many, many players who are concerned with originality and creativity, who have oodles of technique and "stage presence."

You are starting college. The basics are what matters.

1. Know your instrument. Hopefully it is a P-Bass. Know every note, every position. Be comfortable in any register. Build clean technique. Have control over how your notes sound, the tone, volume, and most importantly, all ththe beginnings and endings of every note.
2. Know music. How chord progressions work and how different note choices affect the song. Learn songs by ear and emulate the tone and style of the bass lines and even the melodies. Learn a ton of songs by ear. Learn to read both notation and chord charts well. Listen to all the others you are playing with. Play the right style, volume, and groove all the time. You dont need flash or "creativity."

These are all things music school endeavours to teach. They can't teach creativity.

 

[socialleper]

Higher education is certainly an interesting topic for debate.

One thing to consider is that these "hoops" are fairly routine for the people who are applying. Remember, you're talking about people who want to engage in academic study of academic music, and have already been doing so. By the time your typical violin student is applying for music school, they've had years of lessons that are inherently college-preparatory, from teachers who have also been to music school. They've played in dozens of recitals, and have probably gone through several auditions for groups that they want to play in.

That all feels like a lot of hoops too. Kinda makes you realize why young people have such little interest in learning music with instruments.

 

[fdeck]

That all feels like a lot of hoops too. Kinda makes you realize why young people have such little interest in learning music with instruments.

The instruments that involve none of those hoops -- electric guitar and bass -- are facing the greatest decline in popularity.

However, organized instrumental music is enough of a counterculture that I suspect it's hard to draw strong conclusions about it. A better comparison might be organized sports, which also involve training, practice, competition, etc.

Anecdotally, I took cello lessons for 8 years as a kid, played music at school, and in a community orchestra. My kids are both into music. The local school music programs are at full capacity. The Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras just added a fifth orchestra to meet demand.

 

[socialleper]

The list of true heavies who did go to school is a **** of a lot longer than the guys who didn't. Besides that times were different when Jaco and Jamerson were coming up. There were more gigs and there was more opportunity to learn on the gig. Even so people like Miles, Abraham Laboriel, Michael Manring, Tony Levin, Tal Wilkenfeld etc, etc, etc, etc, etc all went to school. I definitely have issues with the music education "business" but the positives outweigh the negatives. If nothing else it's worth going to school to meet and hang out with people you'll be working with sometimes your entire career.

Just sayin'.....

I'm just riffing on the people that use this as their tired argument against 5 or 6 string basses.

 

[saabfender]

Be on time.
Learn the damn songs.
Be nice to the drummer.
Don't have crap gear.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

These are all things music school endeavours to teach. They can't teach creativity.

Not necessarily. They don't teach non-music aspects of becoming a successful musician. It is more to the test, like knowing your history, theory, repertoire, and my number 1 and 2 points. Number 3 is equally as vital.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

Nice post, and good advice. If I may: why is it important the instrument be a p-bass? I can understand not showing up with something radical, like a space bass, or maybe even a thunderbird, but not why a p is preferable to any "normal looking bass" such as a j or even something like a sound gear. Just curious.

It is obviously not MANDATORY, but it is no fuss, reliable, and never pretentious. A P-Bass by nature forces you to focus on your fingers to make all the nuance in your playing, instead of knobs. A P-bass will work very well in any and all musical situations. It may not be the best for some, but it will never let you down. I have done sessions, where I tried several possibilities, and the P is often the best choice, and when it is not the best choice, it is never a bad choice.

 

[gln1955]

It is obviously not MANDATORY, but it is no fuss, reliable, and never pretentious. A P-Bass by nature forces you to focus on your fingers to make all the nuance in your playing, instead of knobs. A P-bass will work very well in any and all musical situations. It may not be the best for some, but it will never let you down. I have done sessions, where I tried several possibilities, and the P is often the best choice, and when it is not the best choice, it is never a bad choice.

The OP should show up with whichever bass he is 100% comfortable with. If he never plays a P, it would not be the best choice.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

The OP should show up with whichever bass he is 100% comfortable with. If he never plays a P, it would not be the best choice.

A lot of this depends on the bottom line motivation of the player. When feeding yourself and paying the rent isn't on the line you can afford to be more selfish. Even if you're trying to pay the bills playing it's not a great idea to sell your whole soul for a buck and do things that are genuinely painful (like playing a P bass? lol). But there is a point where you need to seriously consider what the person hiring you is looking for. Often these things have nothing to do with how you play.

Is anyone going to argue that most of the things suggested here are nothing more than common sense applicable to any job? What are the things that separate the few at the top from the rest?