Was this complete BS or was I being too sensitive?

[Bass Viking]

Admittedly, I didn't read the entire thread. Perhaps it was a test to see who could handle the absurdity of the situation and mention it in a reasonable way. Did it never occur to you to say, "Hey. This really isn't working like this-maybe we can take turns since that is how it would be done in a band. Tell you what-i learned those songs. You play with him for a bit, and I'm going to take care of some emails. Then, I'll come inn and play these tunes, and we can go from there." I mean , yeah the idea was dumb. But so is being pissy, passive aggressive and not soaking up for yourself.

To a certain extent I agree with you, but I didn't really see a need to be actively aggressive. They weren't rude or critical in any way. At the time I was more confused and in a state of disbelief. I didn't really start to get mad until after I left. I also think the other bass player seemed more willing to go along with it than me because he actually wanted the gig. I more or less didn't care by the time we got to the practice space. I was only half interested to begin with.

I think the OP showed admirable restraint not only at the audition but also in his reply to your post.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Before I go on my next audition I'll make sure to run everything by you first.

Feel free to ask any questions at any time. But, it's all just common sense, really.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I think the OP showed admirable restraint not only at the audition but also in his reply to your post.

Hey, he asked. Or, should I just have made a joke about firing the drummer?

 

[B-line]

Before I go on my next audition I'll make sure to run everything by you first.

NOT recommended!

 

[gln1955]

Before I go on my next audition I'll make sure to run everything by you first.

If only the OP had started this thread while he was playing on his phone, he would have known what to do.

 

[Bass Viking]

Hey, he asked. Or, should I just have made a joke about firing the drummer?

You mean firing the drummer while auditioning? Now that would be cool!

 

[Bass Viking]

Complete BS. I wouldn't have followed them 30 min to the gig--coulda been a setup. Personal safety is more important than a potential audition.

Tom

+1. The only reason I can think of is that the auditioners themselves were worried about being robbed. Or the audition was taking place in the Batcave.

 

[guy n. cognito]

No, I am just suggesting that asking questions when things are putting up red flags is a way of preventing further red flags. I would never have gotten a list of 40 songs without clarifying which ones we would be working on at the audition. No response, no audition. I would never have agreed to meet at a restaurant without at least having the address of the rehearsal studio. No address, no audition--"meet me here and follow me to an undisclosed location" is a good way to get robbed. I would never have played while another bass player was actively playing. These are things that don't require hindsight. Yes, he should have been told there were more bass players playing. But, he wasn't. That's not a deal breaker IMO. It's a poorly run Craigslist audition. If it was a deal breaker, he should have turned around at the restaurant before even driving to the practice space, 10 minutes away or not and he never would have gotten to all of the other ridiculous stuff.

Would the OP do anything differently knowing what he knows now? Hopefully. I hope he responds to more ads and finds the band of his dreams. And, hopefully, now that he's gone through this experience, maybe he'll be more prepared in the future to put the brakes on a weird situation to save himself time and energy.

But, I fail to see how suggesting making the best of a bad situation by asking a couple of questions is really an absurd proposal here. Don't forget--we got the story with a beginning, middle and end. Had he piped up at one of many points in his story, the outcome might have been vastly different than the one presented here. Had he gotten clarification before meeting, no surprises about distance to practice space. Had he asked a couple of questions at the diner, half of the red flags go away. Had he simply said, "Two bass players playing at once doesn't make any sense," half of the red flags go away. At the very least, I hope people will ASK QUESTIONS IF THINGS SEEM WEIRD. That's a good lesson in life, really.

Of course, asking questions up front is preferred. However, for whatever reason, he didn't . Maybe, just maybe, without the benefit of hindsight, he didn't see all of these individually as the massive red flags they were cumulative. We only see it now with....hindsight.

Beyond that, I'm not sure I've ever met someone who didn't say "ya know, I probably could have done this different." But, even then, it doesn't mean that someone should try to turn coal into diamonds. And yes, many of us would argue that the "dueling bassists" alone is a very good reason to walk out all by itself as it is evidence of a host of band management and personality issues.

 

[guy n. cognito]

+1. The only reason I can think of is that the auditioners themselves were worried about being robbed. Or the audition was taking place in the Batcave.

Or the audition was 20 minutes farther away than promised.....

 

[B-line]

Of course, asking questions up front is preferred. However, for whatever reason, he didn't . Maybe, just maybe, without the benefit of hindsight, he didn't see all of these individually as the massive red flags they were cumulative. We only see it now with....hindsight.

Beyond that, I'm not sure I've ever met someone who didn't say "ya know, I probably could have done this different." But, even then, it doesn't mean that someone should try to turn coal into diamonds. And yes, many of us would argue that the "dueling bassists" alone is a very good reason to walk out all by itself as it is evidence of a host of band management and personality issues.

I'm too tired to photo-shop basses here:

I must say: That facet, having (2) bassists "audition" at once- That's a first, and I have been A-round!
For someone to even think of getting in front of that, and run coverage..
ZOW!

maybe it would be THIS guy:

Or someone of his caliber! (Otoh, IIRC, THAT guy played well!)

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I think the BS #1 might have been misundeestood. I don't think they expected you to learn all those 40 songs on the list. They just sent you their playlist for you to pick some, but I might be wrong.

Regarding BS #2, I have auditioned with more than one bass players many times before, and I think that's completely fine. Bands trying a bunch of musicians same day in a studio is common here in NY IME. HOWEVER, letting you both play at the same it's IS B'S IMO.

B'S #5: yes they do like doing that. They give you a set of songs and throw a surprise song or two for you and see what you can do. Years a go, I had an audition for a very nice band. They asked me to play songs that I haven't heard in my life before and they knew that. They told me the key and I had to learn the songs on the spot. I thought that was a BS move back in the day, but now I get it. Of course I made a lot of mistakes, but later they called me and I ended up playing with these guys for about seven years.

Long story short, I don't think you're being too sensitive, but I'd tell them that you guys should be auditioned separately.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

When we get home I get the "what were you thinking back there" as I realize she was right.

that's why I always say she got the brains and I got what was left! LOL

 

[Bass Viking]

B'S #5: yes they do like doing that. They give you a set of songs and throw a surprise song or two for you and see what you can do. Years a go, I had an audition for a very nice band. They asked me to play songs that I haven't heard in my life before and they knew that. They told me the key and I had to learn the songs on the spot. I thought that was a BS move back in the day, but now I get it. Of course I made a lot of mistakes, but later they called me and I ended up playing with these guys for about seven years.

It could also very well be a BS move. It may mean the band leader has a habit of pulling songs he already knows out of his ass without warning, whether its at a rehearsal or onstage, and expects the band to scramble to follow along. What`s worse is when you`re trying to follow someone else`s hands and they don`t know what the #$%^ they`re doing!

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

It could also very well be a BS move. It may mean the band leader has a habit of pulling songs he already knows out of his ass without warning, whether its at a rehearsal or onstage, and expects the band to scramble to follow along. What`s worse is when you`re trying to follow someone else`s hands and they don`t know what the #$%^ they`re doing!

I agree that it'd be a BS move on stage, however that kind of a move in an audition is OK IMO. There is a bunch of players who learn the songs on YouTube looking at other people's hands which is fine. But a good player can and (IMO should be able to) keep up with the band using his/her ears. It should not be taken personally, the band probably has no idea what your musicianship level is.

 

[Bass Viking]

There is a bunch of players who learn the songs on YouTube looking at other people's hands which is fine. But a good player can and (IMO should be able to) keep up with the band using his/her ears.

I use both eyes and ears to react quickly when I`m playing a song I don`t know with a band. Learning at home with YouTube I have the luxury of playing by ear.

 

[madbass6]

Good lord. I can't believe the number of people in this thread who would just bail without even attempting to correct an easily correctable situation. After learning 5-6 tunes, driving as far as you did, setting up, etc--you can't take the initiative to say literally two sentences to get things back on track?

"Let's play one at a time--you go first."

"These are the songs I learned."

Not everyone can run an audition. That's not a deal breaker.

All of this ridiculousness of "you should have played some of your originals at full volume" or "packed up and sent an invoice" is pathetic internet posturing and not indicative of anyone in the real world who wants to actually, you know, play live music in front of people.

There is nothing wrong with being assertive. If they push back, fine. You've at least done SOMETHING to try and salvage the work and time already put into it.

Basically, you took a bad situation and made it worse.

Yeah!! easier said then done!

 

[JMacBass65]

I think it was morbid curiosity that made me stick it out as long as I did.

I get that. I was actually hoping they were local to me. I'd love to audition for them, just to see what a clown shoe it turned out to be.

I think d probably get good and drunk first, just to make it all more entertaining.

 

[QORC]

I had that happen a few months ago. I show up to the try-out. I've learned 5-7 tunes. and another bass player shows up too. we are both surprised. well, the other guy, basically told the BL, give me a call if you want me to try out on my own and left!

I actually did the try-out, but they were not for me anyway. Seemed very unorganized and not as polished as I would have expected. I texted the guy a "thanks, but no thanks" sort of note after I got home.

but yes, bringing two people for the same position at the SAME time for a try-out? Douchebaggery. a huge red flag.

when you see red flags immediately, you know you're not dealing with professionals and adults, but with childish, bloviating assclowns. At least you find out up front, not 3 months into it.

 

[PauFerro]

Complete BS. Inexperienced...the guy didn't give you the respect for your time you desire. Nightmares ahead.

I do think that it behooves the person being auditioned to ask for the parameters associated with the rehearsal given the leadership roulette you face in local bands. Will there be more than one bass player there? In succession? Simultaneously? How will you communicate the results of the audition and when? If they send 40 songs then indicate that you are happy to learn all 40 after you are in the group, but for now you would appreciate a list of 4-6 songs if the guy doesn't mind.

I'd take charge of learning about the nature of the audition before I went.

 

[SmokinJoe992]

Complete BS. Inexperienced...the guy didn't give you the respect for your time you desire. Nightmares ahead.

I do think that it behooves the person being auditioned to ask for the parameters associated with the rehearsal given the leadership roulette you face in local bands. Will there be more than one bass player there? In succession? Simultaneously? How will you communicate the results of the audition and when? If they send 40 songs then indicate that you are happy to learn all 40 after you are in the group, but for now you would appreciate a list of 4-6 songs if the guy doesn't mind.

I'd take charge of learning about the nature of the audition before I went.

I agree with all of this and I assure you I will in the future.