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tips for someone going to a gig with poor chops and no exp?

choo5

choo5

Apr 15, 2004
316
1
sydney, australia
#1
as per title, some locals I know need a bass player... badly.

i'm due to go out and meet the guys and though i'v played bass for ages I just never got good, I tend to learn some cool riffs but never learn entire songs.

i'm happy to play the dull lines like

1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1 -2-2-2-2-2-2


but its not the type of thing a bedroom player does, i'v gotten myself a new bass and a rig but i'm pretty nervous; they all know the situation so I guess the determining factor will be personality based and how well I get along with everyone.

its a hard rock/metal type band...
 
#2
Just try and lock in with the drummer really well and stay simple. Don't be nervous- I don't think they'll be expecting anything too fancy for hard rock/metal.

OR

Play reaaaally fast, with a ton of effects ( at least fuzz, envelope filter, chorus and phaser), turn every knob to 11, and headbang. Throw in a few bass flips and jump off of your cab/monitor a couple times. That should do it.
 
#4
Hey man, I've been playing metal for a few years now and the cool thing about it is that you can do as much or as little as you want. Just start off playing simple lines and try new things as you go along. As you get better you can always spice up your old lines too. Good luck man. Overall, rock hard and have a good time. That's all that really matters.
 
#6
a lot of us, at least me, would feel same way for our first gig or first few gigs and even for the experienced or professional players if they are not prepared.

I think it's not the matter of how much chop you have but how well you are prepared. as long as you know the song by heart and lock in with the drummer, there shouldn't be much problem, even if you play the exact same bass line during the whole show. Last time when I was attending George Porter's clinic, he told us that he'd like to play even less note and simpler lines for his music.

so what I was trying to say is, just work on the set list and enjoy the show. have fun with your shows, I believe everything will work out well in the end.
 
#7
well I have an audition saturday, only a few days to practice and I have none of their material to practice so i'm trying to jam with anyone I can find day and night until then.

and my try-out is at a bar of all places, makes me even more nervous haha :| i'm going to make my girlfriend play her electric drumkit and play grooves over the top til I can improv.
 
#8
choo5 said:
my try-out is at a bar of all places, makes me even more nervous haha :.
Click to expand...

I had an audition similar to that back in 1992 or 93, but instead of a bar it was for a large party. Nothin' like sink or swim auditions.

Try not to be so nervous, its at a bar and most people will be drunk or getting drunk to pay too much attention to if the bass player hits a bad note here and there.

As others have said, just K.I.S.S. and you'll be fine.
 
#9
My suggestions:

- Learn the parts. Cold. Leave no doubt that you took the gig seriously and hit the shed. If any of them are beyond your technical ability, simplify them but know what you will be playing. It will sound fine.

- Concentrate on your tempo. If you are nervous, your natural tendency will be to rush. By focusing on a pocket, you will set a good foundation for the whole band's sound. This is your main role anyway.

- Relax and have a great time!
 
#11
WJGreer said:
My suggestions:

- Learn the parts. Cold. Leave no doubt that you took the gig seriously and hit the shed. If any of them are beyond your technical ability, simplify them but know what you will be playing. It will sound fine.

- Concentrate on your tempo. If you are nervous, your natural tendency will be to rush. By focusing on a pocket, you will set a good foundation for the whole band's sound. This is your main role anyway.

- Relax and have a great time!
Click to expand...

I don't know the material as I have no access to it :| but with my practice im getting everyone I know to record me random music and try and "serve" the music by doing a simple bassline in with it.

oh and guys: its not a gig, its just a practice; though its at a bar i'm not sure if we'l be in a sealed off area or not... im definately poopin' bricks tho :D
 
#14
Most bassists I see performing are fairly mediocre and I havent seen anyone who's a real innovator in a long time (local or pro for that matter... the last cat I saw who was pushing the envelope at all was Colin Marston Link Removed). It's not like great chops impress me all that much- judgement is more impressive IMO.

+1 on good tone, regardless of technical-ness.

Anyway... you dont have to be super technical and all that to come across as awesome if you bring a good and fun energy/presence to the deal. It's kind of hard to explain, but sometimes you can just dig the energy and flavor someone brings.

+1 on personality-based. I think interpersonal relationships in a band are probably the most important thing of all!
 
#15
I was at a party last night, hanging out with a bunch of guys who fancied themselves to be musicians, by which they mean they strum a few guitar chords or plunk out a little techno rhythm on a midi keyboard...they all told me how awesome bass was because "you don't have to do anything or be that good."

while I sighed to myself, simultaneously depressed and amused that some of my friends clearly don't listen to a lot of music as closely as they claim, I reflected on that fact that, in their own silly guitard way, they were right.

While bass has the ability to be a lead instrument, or do insanely thought out supportive counterpoint lines most people expect you to come in and do the ol' 1 5 1 5, or hold the root doing straight eighths.

If you're simply able to hold the pocket the guys will think you're a good bassist, and if you throw in 1 or 2 fancy fills they should be floored. Its happened to me so many times. Its sad that expectations for bassists are so low, but it really works in our favor when it comes to auditions.
 
#19
If they "...need a bass player badly", I would think they should give you the courtesy of providing you their song list, or at least a partial list.

It sounds like you were honest with them about your skills being fairly basic. They should want you to feel more comfortable by giving you some idea of the songs they want you to play. That's just common courtesy.

If you were some loudmouth always bragging about how great your chops are, I could see where they might want to bring you in cold just so they could say, "Okay kid, show us what you've got!" (Just a figure of speech - I'm not saying you're a kid!) But since that's not the case, they should have given you some idea of what to expect.

All that being said, just make sure they tell you what key each song is in. Then just stay close to the root until you feel more comfortable. Try not to be too nervous about it. A lot of it is on them for not being more helpful to you.
 

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