Zero weekends to learn 20+ songs?

[Bass Viking]

"What's the best woodshop for metal?"

A machine shop?

 

[Bass Viking]

I don't think anyone would expect you to know all of the songs perfectly by then... but you want them to think you're capable and you want them to like you, right? This could perhaps be a test to see how well you respond under pressure, among other things.

Meh, it's more likely that the band leader is flakey or has something else going on that's distracting him.

This reminds me of back in university when many courses had a midterm exam and a final exam, each one worth a lot of marks. The reason usually heard was that it was a test to see if the student could work under pressure. However, my theory is that it was more convenient for the teachers as far as grading, instead of them having to mark multiple tests/assignments during the semester.

 

[Bass Viking]

I once met a guy at an acoustic jam that tried to pull this on me. The weird part was that we never even discussed forming a project together. He just contacted me to see if i wanted to play an open mic with him as an "audition." I asked him what songs he plays and he simply said "eclectic mix." Needless to say i didn't even respond and never contacted him again.

This boggles the mind! Does he just make up stuff on the spot?

 

[sean_on_bass]

This boggles the mind! Does he just make up stuff on the spot?

No way to tell! It came off an arrogant because he didn't even ask if i wanted to audition for any sort of project at the time. My guess is that he is just a poor communicator. I've met plenty of musicians that are pretty dense intellectually. One of the reasons i like to play jazz is that the musicians tend to me more intelligent and interesting. I'm a thinking man myself.

 

[rodv66]

We were thinking of using two guitar players. One for up in NY and NJ and another for central, south Jersey and Philly area. One guitarist was not sure if he wanted to drive up to NYC, but learned 18 songs in a month. The norther guy had a month and learned nine songs half assed. We now have become a one guitar band and he agreed to play in NY

 

[mcnach]

But I would expect a band doing that to communicate it pretty clearly so the auditioner could jump right in. Doesn't sound like the case here.

INdeed.
If I need someone bad, I do all I can to help them be ready. They'll have all the info they need and I'd make sure I have time to meet with them if a whole band practice weren't possible. I mean, you're asking a lot of a guy you don't work with normally and the objective is to make YOUR band sound good. I don't get it when they don't try to help the new guy... but many people don't seem to act that way

 

[walterw]

Oh come on. It's just bass. Just play the songs! If you don't know the parts, just jam along in the key they're in, and don't overplay. You'll be great!

yeah, how hard could it be?

start when they start, stop when they stop, dial in a tone with no high end, play quietly and nobody will know the difference.

 

[AngusHasMoxie]

Update time!

Had the audition yesterday. I really didn't get enough time to get up to speed with all the songs, and some flat out sucked, but the ones I did have seemed to go well. They were all nice guys, definitely understanding. Very talented band, fantastic drummer. My sales pitch was basically, after nailing one song (billie jean, which is one of the few I actually knew beforehand) is "that is the quality I expect from myself for every song I play" They played a couple songs that weren't on the list and I was at least able to find the roots and sit on those. The BL recorded us playing the songs I was better at and they listened back as we packed up.

The basic feedback was "we've got a few more people to try, but you gave us a really good showing." Basically they echoed everything I was hoping to show them. "we can tell you've got chops, and we understand that two days isn't really enough time to be comfortable on the harder stuff, but the tone is there and you seem like a cool dude".

I told them that if they ask me to come back again, I want a big list of songs and a time frame to learn them. I want to make sure I can deliver what they expect before I sign on to the gig.

Got a lot of compliments on my tone, which was really nice. "I can hear the bass crystal clear, but it's not taking up any room it shouldn't. Not like that other guy..." -One of the guitarists, who is a local musician I have definitely seen before and respect.

There seemed to be a theme of needing a five string, I think because their old bassist (who quit due to having a baby) used one.

Either way, it was a positive experience and I learned a lot going forward. I'm hoping I get a second audition.