Auditions

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:08 pm

Well guys. Today I was standing in the hall at school. And this guy whos known for being a bad *** at guitar comes up to me and ask me if I want to try out for his band. Hes like 15 been in the newspaper and all that **** and already did alot of paying gigs at local clubs. So if I nail this Ill be gigging. And you know... When my mom says GET A JOB! Ill be like I GOT ONE! Nah.. haha thats not why. Its metal. Not my thing normally but hey its a good chance to do something with someone who doesnt suck as well as a start to giging. Im semi nervous. Which is odd cause Iv never been nervous about playing anything. I guess just cause this is kind of what Iv been waiting for. Ehh I cant wait for it. Hopefuly Ill get some creative freedom too. I dont know. But yeah I just had to say sometihng on here. Excited ya know?

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:22 pm

Good luck man! Just do your thing & everything will be cool. If this guy is asking you to join, then he already recognizes some of your ability. It's great experience playing in front of people. You learn to adapt when something goes awry, you learn to follow the improvs of others, & you learn to lead the way yourself, all on the fly.
Though don't try it all in the same song!

Remember, the more people you play with the more opportunity you have to learn from them.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:38 pm

Yeah. I realize that. Iv always liked playing by myself rather then with others. Others is more fun... but Im not as worried about screwing up as much with myself haha.

But yeah hes heard of me cause... Not to be bragging. But im probly easly the best bassist in the school. Id be surprised if any other bassist could hang with me at all. You know how it is at school. rumors go around haha.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:45 pm

A lot of making a band work is personality. A guy can be the best player in the world but usually bands don't break up 'cause the guy can't play, it's because of a personality clash or someone butting heads.
You obviously have the skills, just relax and show what you can do. And since you're the "new guy", try and feel everyone out and see how their personalities work and try and mesh in where you fit in. It sounds like the guy who asked you might have a bit of an ego of his own that needs to be respected as well.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:57 pm

And whatever you do, don't marry the drummer's sister

(inside joke)

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:01 pm

Last time I was really nervous for playing for someone was when I played the Brady Bunch's "Sunshine Day" for my dad's friend as a joke. I screwed it up bad. After it ended he said "That was awful!" I then played "Atom Heart Mother" to redeem myself.

When I did my audition for the rock music / jazz course at the college here I wasn't really that nervous. I got in too... I might go to that early next year.

When i played with my uncles band they gave me the bass and I said "Let's go.".

I've barley ever played with other people. The kids my age never had as much talent or drive as I did and it was usually me just showing off and them shouting "Nate, shut up!" Then they would play some Blink 182 song.. badly I might add. I was a better bassist then they had (They had two.. one switched to rhythm guitar when another kid joined.) and they wrote alot of stuff... but never asked me to join. The leader even admitted I was better then their bassist, but still never asked me to join. I helped him write a couple songs too, but still no invite. What jerks.. I was used!

Jacob, don't be nervous. You know you can do it, and we know you can do it. Sure, we've never actually heard you play, but people on here are honest and believe in each other. GL bro!

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:08 pm

If the guys are cool to hang with then they'll be really cool to play with. I've played with almost everyone in town at one time or other, but it's only REALLY fun when the vibe is good. Better to play with friends who aren't the best players than guys who think they're better than everyone else. We can't all be Geddy, but we can try.
It's all about having a good time.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:18 pm

Its just different I suppose. Iv played with a couple bands. A little punk band. Kind of like yours Nate only... I quit cause they were going in a different direction. And Ill admit Im on a different level then them. They know it and i know it but we never really said much about it. I was the odd ball in the group. It just didnt work lol. Iv been the same way tho. Never knowing someone my age that had the same talent or something. I mean I play 3-5 hours a day... on average. Maybe more on some days. But Iv played with older guys. Guys thats been playing sence they were my age. The Bassist still really couldnt out play me. I kind of replaced him on a couple songs. REally nice guy. He was like... here play something. So i played with the guys. After wards he joked about me already being better then him. Its funny when people ask what can you play and you say well i know some Rush and they are like oh .... okay well youll pull anything we play off easy.

Nate from what i hear we have our work cut out for us. From what i hear it never gets much better for guys like us. We are always struggling to get people to jam with.

I was jamming with chip the other day and i screwed up... And whenever i screw up i guess i always play a little crazy riff just so i dont feel so bad haha. And i looked up and he copyed it... perfectly. So i got into a battle with my teacher. I must say he showed me whos boss lol. He copyed everything i could make up on the spot perfectly. I was like you ______(guess). So there was a whole story along with he. How he would miss around with the guitarist and copy their licks in the middle of a show just to miss with them. Good way to get that lead guitarist to shut up i guess.I was just thinking... thats gonna be me. The frustrated bassist that cant find anyone to keep up with me.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:23 pm

It's not like I have a giant ego.. We had fun.. but they'd never want to play with me because they knew I was better than they were. Simple as that.

I'd love to have a battle with a guitarist like that.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:32 pm

I know Im good. Iv been told by to many great players that Im good. So you build up a little ego. But I try not to brag much. Be more honest then anything else. The best answer is I dont know. You tell me when you hear me.

Still a little cocky tho i guess. Oh well. My friends brag for me more then I do myself. Oddly enough i guess. Thats how the guy knows of me.

Oh and the guitarist actually doesnt seem to have much of a ego trip like alot of guitarist do. Lets hope he doesnt. Gotta keep a balance there.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 7:19 pm

Yeah.. my friends would say "Wow.. Nate! You've got to be the best bass player in the entire school!" I said that to my dad and he said "You probably are!" Then it meant something.. he hardly ever gave me compliments. My uncle said I'm better than most people twice my age. I have a little ego. And I try not to brag. I also used to impress people when they brought those musician's friend catalogues to school. "What bass do you have?" "Fender PJ. How bout you?" "That thing.. the Rickenbacker." "Oh, dude, you suck! I want that!"

My dad said this to me on the phone recently.
"You have the potential to be the best bass player ever.. what're you gonna do about it?" I said "Do what Jaco did.. all ego." I didn't really mean that.. but compliments are great.. and I put myself down most of the time. I think I'm stuck in a rut. My style is Geddy Lee.. I want to expand that! I need my Maiden and Yes stuff from the states!

Jacob, did your teacher help your playing develop? I'm self taught.. never had any help really.. not even tabs. All by ear. That's why I think I'm stuck. I don't know key changes or anything technical. I'm thinking about actually going to that school to get help.. should I bother?

(Sorry if that question took away from your topic.. heh.)

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:40 pm

I believe Chris Squire was completely self-taught, but don't quote me on that. But if I'm rmemebering that correctly, then that's really something.

A good teacher can help you a lot, but sometimes, you just need to go with whatever you feel is good. And actually, if you're good enough just being self-taught, and you suddenly run into a significant amount of money, you could go to Berklee School of Music. They'd definitely teach you stuff there.

As for the audition, Jacob, yeah . . . just play and play and play. Do what you do best, and let your reputation be confirmed in how you play at the audition. This sounds really cheesy, but, at least in music, it's true: it doesn't matter how good you are compared to other people, but rather how good you want to be compared to how good you are now. If you're good now, play with the band and get even better.

henny · Post by **henny** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:40 pm

Put up or shut up, Nate.

If you're that good, (even better than me! lol) let's hear some tunes.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:01 am

Where are the smilies that moon when you need them?

I'm a lover, not a fighter.

I'm a Geddy clone.. Ged's not that impressive to me anymore. His playing on "Feedback" was predictable. I hummed along to that Ep the first time to listened to it and went along perfectly. Same with "Half The World" on T4E.

I do play Maiden pretty well.. I think.

Mark, I'd post me playing something right now if I had a recording of me. But, sadly I don't. My uncle has a video of my playing YYZ from Halloween 2004.. but I've never seen it.. lol. He needs to E mail it to me.. then I'll e mail it to you.

You're probably better than I am.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 1:35 am

Try not to limit yourself to one particular style. Dont get me wrong, Im a huge Chris Squire, Geddy Lee fan and my tone and technique "sometimes" echo's that.

But over the years Ive learned to play most styles, fingerstyle, pick, funk ect..

What I mean is, nailing Rush and Yes licks is a great accomplishment, but unless your playing in a tribute band, its not gonna make you rich. You have to be able to adapt to all types of playing styles. And if you can do that well, you will end up getting alot more work and playing with some very good musicians in the process.