What do bands look for in a bassist?

[jaywa]

I won't consider a guy who can't play bass in the first place, so the number one thing I look for is someone who won't waste my time.

- Show up to rehearsal prepared with the material already learned.
- Answer e-mails and phone calls promptly
- Keep your commitments for gigs, rehearsals, and other band activities
- Be able to give an answer to whether you can rehearse, or make a gig in a timely manner.
- Get along with other band members and know your role in the song, and in the band.
- Help out with things other than just playing bass, such as promotion or setting up the PA.
- Bring as much of your own stuff as you can, without having to borrow from the band. That includes stuff like mic stands, charts, music stands, cables, etc.
- Have your own reliable transportation.

In short, being able to do your job without requiring a babysitter.

Yeah that about covers it. As bad as it sounds to say, a lot of bands just want to be able to "set it and forget it" when it comes to the bass player. The band I'm in now, their lead singer and lead guitarist were splitting time on bass and the first thing they told me in the interview was, "we're hiring you cause we don't want to worry about the bass anymore." Now granted they already knew I could play, and I had worked with the lead guitarist in other projects so he could vouch for me both musically and personally, but it still surprised me how UN-important they considered my gear, influences, soloing ability, etc.

Many times a band already has plenty of volatile personalities / big egos and they're not looking to take on another one, no matter how talented you may be on your instrument. Or as it is often referred to, the "hang factor". In my market if you can play reasonably well, you have a sense of personal responsibility, you've got decent sounding, RELIABLE gear and your own transporation, you'd probably be considered a godsend to 80% of the bands around here. If you can double on upright and/or sing, your value goes up even more.

 

[PDQbass]

For cover bands:-
1. Be note perfect.
2. Fit in visually with the vibe of the band.
3. Have social skills.
4. Don't make trouble.

 

[groooooove]

Well, you said you're the most competent guy in your area, so...

my thoughts exactly.

if your the best, you tell us

my real answer is that it varies from case to case. some want you to shred and have long hair. some wont hire you if you use a pick. some want you to lay back and play as simple as you can. others wanna get their freak on with envelople filters and star sunglasses. whatever it may be.

on auditions, laying back unless told otherwise is usually the idea.

 

[ChrisB2]

Never overplay. I have a buddy who is frontman and BL for a fairly popular local cover band. I do some sub work for him from time to time. One of his favorite catch phrases for bassists is "theres no money above the 5th fret"!

It's not literal of course, but he does not like to hire "lead" bass players.

Hmm. Sorry and no offense to you Jonas but some of these posts sorta sound like we should sit quietly in the corner, do as we're told, and speak only when spoken to. Sorry but that's not me.

I've been accused of trying to be a "lead bassist." The people who tell me this are usually other musicians, guitarists and such, who probably look for bass players like my description above.

I do not try to play lead bass. I DO play parts as they were played in the recording (covers) or as I think they should be (originals) based on how bass parts are usually constructed in popular music.

Sometimes that requires going all the way up to the 14th fret of the G string... on the intro to Bad Company's Rock Steady, for example. I have covered songs in my P&W band that go up to the 16th fret of the G string.

And sometimes it requires playing something simple. Nothing wrong with either style, it all depends on the song.

Yes, I play whatever the song requires even if it's not fun*... root-fifth, straight eighths, the most boring-of-all Open E thumps of Voodoo Child. But I also play fun stuff and cannot imagine playing for someone who wouldn't allow that.

For some bands, there may be no money above the fifth fret or playing interesting bass parts. Personally, I won't be playing in any of those bands...

---------

edit: "not fun" should have said "less fun." Everything is "fun" but some parts are less fun and some parts are more fun.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Well, you said you're the most competent guy in your area, so...

+1, your area must be fudged if the most competent player needs to ask strangers on the internet for advice.

But seriously, like anything else in life, just be yourself. There are so many people out there, for us to tell you what to fake yourself as for them to like you would be nothing more than a cr@p shoot. Did you want the gig so desperately you would completely change yourself and become who they want? Or did you want the gig based your your credentials.

Based on your writings of them, I bet they like sweaters and beards... you could start there.

 

[Razman]

+1, your area must be fudged if the most competent player needs to ask strangers on the internet for advice.

Comments like this tend to come from making too many assumptions about the original question/asker/OP; the OP is not assuming anything and came here to ask. Isn't the only dumb question the one you didn't ask? I'm not trying to torch anyone who made these statements but this type of atmosphere is what can prevent people from asking a legitimate question (to them). God knows I still have a lot of dumb questions inside me that desperately require answers!

Otherwise, plenty of good advice here, great thread. I've had the privilege of playing with the same band for eight years, despite lacking knowledge of theory and external band experience. We're not just the performers, but we're also all the sound guys, speaker stackers, cable runners, equipment packers, van drivers, PR reps, etc. etc. We strive for professionalism in everything we do.

You can teach a guy the difference between plugging in a cord and playing a chord, but it's much harder to impart the things that mommy should have taught him/her. Having the heart and passion to do what you do is also not something you can easily transfer to someone else; that ventures into the realm of the miraculous.

$0.02

 

[GypsyMan]

I understood what he meant by the most competent in his area. He's got the technical mechanics down. Some people just don't have the social/communication thing down.


Now to the original poster. You go boy, they called you for a reason! Here's how to hit that audition. Walk in with both guns, Your upright and your electric. Ask them which they would prefer. Then ask them to start a song and you'll join in after a few bars! Join in where you feel comfortable!

Oh, don't be arrogant, respect the bandmates. Humility.

There ya go!

 

[nortonrider]

Comments like this tend to come from making too many assumptions about the original question/asker/OP;

At the risk of "assuming"........
According to this thread posted by the OP 2 weeks ago:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f31/car-bass-904610/

I am going to assume that he is just a kid - maybe 15 years old - doesn't have transportation (or even his license) - not a lot of auditioning / gigging experience - heck, not even a lot of life experience yet.

I really don't understand how he can be considered the most competent bassist in the Raleigh, NC area (about a half a million people). I have to wonder who exactly gave him that title.

I'm assuming all of this of course.

But, who knows???????
maybe he is some kind of bass prodigy !

Whatever,
Good luck to the OP! Do your best, be yourself, stay confident, get the gig and then come back and tell us how it went.

 

[Mo'Phat]

I'M the most competent bassist in Raleigh...and I live in San Diego.

 

[Dave W]

1. Check your ego at the door.
2. Be good.

Pretty much as simple as that.

 

[jaywa]

I remember a band I auditioned for a few years ago... showed up with my concert rig, set up next to the drummer, we started playing. One verse through the first song they stopped playing and I thought, oh crap this is it. They said, "nothing wrong, we were just wondering if you could turn up." They said I was the first bass player they ever had to ask to do that and I could tell the way they said it that it was a compliment.

Not saying you have to go into an audition as a meek mouse but it definitely doesn't hurt to convey that you're there for them and not the other way around.

 

[grinx]

edited since OP re-phrased his level of competency

 

[lhoward]

So I'm known in my area for being the most competent bassist, upright or electric. I received a call from a very successful acoustic duet in the area asking to check me out to join them. I am MUCH more competent on upright, but still better than most younger players on electric given my knowledge of theory and history in other groups.

It's not definite that they want me, but I'd really like to impress them and secure the long term job, but I'm not sure what would really appeal to a non-jazz type of group. It's an original band, but think everything from Mumford and Sons to soft paramore to sublime every once in a while. What do you guys think I should do to let them know I'm right for them?

Thanks,
Adam

Perhaps I missed a post on it, but if this is an original band, how much of their material do you know? If you don't, and they hand you a chart, sight unseen, do you think you can cut it first time through? In this day of memorizing parts, if they're not too complicated, being able to read a chart is less of a standard item in a musician's toolkit, but nonetheless can be a deciding factor in getting hired into a band.

Lloyd Howard

 

[boynamedsuse]

Adam, it is fine to ask us, but you really should be asking them what instrument to play and what style they plan to use with you.

Since they approached you, it is apparent that you have already passed some sort of a "quality bar," so you are not entering a high risk audition--IMO they are seeing if you can fit in. Bassists are usually good musically, but tend to be reserved socially. Don't be afraid to talk. Just keep the ego in check, and you should be good to go.

 

[spade2you]

Perhaps I missed a post on it, but if this is an original band, how much of their material do you know? If you don't, and they hand you a chart, sight unseen, do you think you can cut it first time through? In this day of memorizing parts, if they're not too complicated, being able to read a chart is less of a standard item in a musician's toolkit, but nonetheless can be a deciding factor in getting hired into a band.

Lloyd Howard

How often do original bands hand out sheet music? Many years ago, I tried to read bass and treble cleft, only to learn that most bands didn't hand out sheet music. Most didn't read music, so writing it out wasn't happening, either. About the only thing it did for me was piss off the early indie musicians (before it was cool, LOL) because too mcuh theory makes ya sterile sounding in their not humble opinion.

 

[darius8]

1. Be a good mind reader.
2. Don't offer input or opinions unless asked and when asked say only what they want to hear.
3. Bathe.

Coincidentally, this is what women want too. So theoretically, good ladies-men should make for successful bassists.

True

 

[AMUNC]

Ha a good post on the previous page, we have some real investigators around here. I am 16, and the band is ages of 17-18, but wanted someone younger so they had time before leaving for college.
I apologize for the miscommunication, there are many local musicians that blow me out of the water, just not many below 18, especially when it comes to DB. I'm called to sit in on Alot of local gigs and recording projects that are lacking a bassist, just never a full time offer. I don't mean to sound cocky at all, just that for most local younger musicians I tend to be the main on call guy.

 

[Razman]

Hi Adam, you didn't sound cocky to me, but I can see how you may have been misread. Consider it a learning experience. Best wishes on the gig; keep us posted.

 

[bluewine]

Well, you said you're the most competent guy in your area, so...

What if theiy're not looking for the most competent Guy in town.

What if they're looking for a certain look, age, attitude, gear or whatever.

 

[bluewine]

Perhaps I missed a post on it, but if this is an original band, how much of their material do you know? If you don't, and they hand you a chart, sight unseen, do you think you can cut it first time through? In this day of memorizing parts, if they're not too complicated, being able to read a chart is less of a standard item in a musician's toolkit, but nonetheless can be a deciding factor in getting hired into a band.

Lloyd Howard

Hmmm, maybe it's regional but how many originals bands hand out charts?

Or is this original jazz material then it would make sense.