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What do bands look for in a bassist?

#41
Adam Maloney said:
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.
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Lesson #1: NEVER build yourself up like that. If you're anything less than perfect, it'll shoot ya in the foot. Even if you're perfect, it rubs people the wrong way. Band members can be just a little fickle and hard to please.

Many moons ago, I tried to audition for a band and sent them a very polite e-mail. Called them and was very polite and respectful on the phone. They told me that I sounded like a rookie and they wanted someone more confident. Years later, the spot opened again and I e-mailed them really trying to drive home that I wasn't a n00b. They responded that I'll NEVER audition with them because I sounded like a cocky bastid, which brings me to lesson 2.

Lesson #2, sometimes ya can't win with musicians. Doesn't hurt to get used to it and quickly move on. ;)
 
#43
Razman said:
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
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I never made any assumptions, he flat out told me he was the most competent player in the region. You know what people in my region don't like in a bass player or any instrument for that matter? A cocky person.

After hearing OP's age, it is reassuring to know he is about to find out where he really stands in the world... I too, like every male, knew everything and was the world's greatest at 17... by 20 my view was much different :D

Also, maybe if you quoted the whole post, you would see I did offer some very valuable advice, on top of indicating I was joking. I wouldn't see why that post would stop the OP or others from asking questions in this forum. I also hate when my students ask this type of question, like all things in life, be what you are not what somebody else wants you to be.
 
#44
Being a bass player in a band collaboration will go along way. Having the ability to work with a group of people musically and professionally will help secure your role in any spot really. Working with a decent drummer really helps also. If your local scene is anything like the area I live, hate to say it but we've done it a time or two as well, would hire someone who answered the ad. Although being your situation of they contacted you, apparently this group has some familiarity of you. So just go in with you head held high and do what you do. Pretty much all we can do right?
 
#45
Oh I definitely know my place in the music world, especially when it comes to double bass. Playing with Christian Mcbride at a UNC festival a couple months ago also helped with that. The original post was merely to show that I am confident in my abilities, and have a positive rep in the area. Also, the matter of competence was to convey that I am a serious musician in a pool of teenagers who's parents bought them a bass for Christmas and they decided to learn a few metal songs with some online tabs (which I wish wasn't true, but is the majority of younger musicians, at least around here).

I'm fairly social, which shouldn't be a big problem. I was just curious as to what is looked for in an electric bassist, as my auditions have been on upright, which really was answered on the first page.

Though I take responsibility for setting myself up to be shot down, I think some people missed my previous post when I said that I'm not saying this in a cocky manner to try an prove I'm better than anyone, just that I personally believe that I'm up to tackle most challenges that are thrown at a bassist in a normal band or combo setting.
 
#47
bluewine said:
You know. I wish the younger TBers would include their age in their threads.

I really don't remember much about being 16, so I don't like giving advice to anyone that young.
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I didn't actually know everything until I was about 25, but at 16 I was pretty close. Since then, the more I've experienced, the less I know for sure.
 
#48
JohnMCA72 said:
I didn't actually know everything until I was about 25, but at 16 I was pretty close. Since then, the more I've experienced, the less I know for sure.
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I'm 59, been playing bass in bands since 1966.


I have been blown away by so many bass players that I leave it like this.

"I know how to play bass guitar in rock bands, nothing more and nothing less."
 
#51
ChrisB2 said:
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. :eek:

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. :p
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+1

And I always wondered about the term "Lead Bassist", does that mean there is also a Rythm Bassist. Sorry, I always embraced the concept of two bass guitarist but not many share my conceptual ideas. :hiding:
 
#52
bluewine said:
Hmmm, maybe it's regional but how many originals bands hand out charts?
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My BL does. Not sheet music, but we have charts for everything.

Anyhow, different genres demand different things from every musician in a band. I've played steadily, and when I wanted to, by a: being competent on the instrument, and b: not being a dick. If you want to gig it's a pretty simple formula. :)
 
#53
Kubicki440 said:
+1

And I always wondered about the term "Lead Bassist", does that mean there is also a Rythm Bassist. Sorry, I always embraced the concept of two bass guitarist but not many share my conceptual ideas. :hiding:
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Last time I caught Stanley he had another Guy playing bass.

We have one song "Playing With Fire" by Shannon ( I forget her last name) where I trade off licks with our lead guitarist. It's fun, but I don't make a habit out if it.
 
#54
Kubicki440 said:
And I always wondered about the term "Lead Bassist", does that mean there is also a Rythm Bassist. Sorry, I always embraced the concept of two bass guitarist but not many share my conceptual ideas. :hiding:
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I've always wanted a rhythm bassist who loved staying below the 5th fret so I could fill in stuff like simpler [originally] harmonica or keys parts.:cool:
The fifth fret on one string is the 15th on another....just sayin.

Bak to thread - ask questions about what you will be playing at the audition and check your attitude. You may be the best teenager in your area but you know, some of teen from another area might move to your town. There is always someone better - your playing is probably only 70% of the equation.
 
#57
bluewine said:
Hmmm, maybe it's regional but how many originals bands hand out charts?

Or is this original jazz material then it would make sense.
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Well, most of my playing is in the jazz area, but if the songs are originals, at least lead sheets are nice to have if the tune has somewhat complicated changes. Though most of the time, one time through a new tune (that I haven't heard before) and I can usually not wind up embarrassing the group any further. I've never really been a fan of routinely playing by the seat of your pants. Its very unprofessional IMO, especially if folks are paying to hear you. The rehearsals and learning a tune should be before taking the stage, not on it.

Just my 2 cents on what works for me.

Lloyd Howard
 

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