Auditions

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 7:57 pm

more on auditioning for bands ...

if play that funky music white boy is on the play list then I don't audition ...

somebody ran an add and said they wanted a bass player who doesn't use a pick ... jerks!!!

I auditioned for a band and we meshed really well ... then they gave me a list of songs to learn ... well it had 13 metallica songs and a LOT of other 80s metal ... I got a headache just thinking about playing all that metal ...

Then sometimes old dudes are stuck on old songs ... and sometimes guys in their 30s are stuck on 80s music ... and sometimes young guys only know new stuff ... I try to be versatile in many styles and eras ...

When I used to play a 60s 4001 some bands didn't like the treble bite it had ... I never get that reaction with a 4003 bass ...

sometimes I freak out the guitarists when I play a lead on bass or I play power chords with a fat bite like a les paul ...

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 8:01 pm

Pink Floyd did have a number one single in the UK in 1967, See Emily Play, and they had 3-4 appearances on Top of the Pops !!!

Dark Side of the Moon entered the the Billboard charts here in the US at number one in June or July 1973 ... !!!!

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 9:21 pm

Harry, that picture is great, thanks for sharing.

I put in a lot of time when I first learned my instrument learning the really, really basics, and then playing them out at parties with my first band doing some classic cover songs - ie. "Wully Bully," "Wild Thing", "Twist & Shout," "Mustang Sally." I learned SO much playing and learning with those guys....

Fast forward some years, and I have learned so much more on bass. And... thanks in part to some of the real-life skills I learned with that first band (ie. keeping good time, locking in with the drummer, respecting overall stage volume, keeping my gear in shape, being responsible and on time for rehearsals, knowing my parts ahead of time, respecting others' creative and constructive input, etc.), I've passed every audition since then that I've ever had. Like Jeff, I've nixed a couple of offers to join bands coming out of auditions -- based on what I saw during the audition. But it's those basics that will be the determinants in a lot of auditions.

And... some of those songs, like "Twist & Shout" and "Mustang Sally" are still fun and a challenge if you're in a good band that can make them an event each night.

jojo99 · Post by **jojo99** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 9:29 pm

I once saw a "bassist wanted" ad for a rockband...it said "No Rickenbackers!"... I regret not calling it just to pick their minds about that... was it the tone of the bass they objected to, or the fact that so many Rick players tend to come from the "lotsa notes" school of playing?

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 10:11 pm

I think it's the tone. Some people get bothered by the growl. Personally I won't play a bass that can't sound like a Rick. I like good high end with a bass.. not big, muddy, boomy sounds.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 1:56 am

I think alot of guitarist's like the bass to be boomy and undefined. That way they stand out more.

You know the old saying "The bass that takes you center stage".

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 4:03 am

"if play that funky music white boy is on the play list then I don't audition ..."

Why not? Have a little fun and try a slap line on it. It makes the song more interesting.

"I once saw a "bassist wanted" ad for a rockband...it said "No Rickenbackers!"..."

I auditioned for my current band with my 4003. I know one guy in the band REALLY likes my Stingray instead, but guess what? He isn't the bassist in the band. I don't tell others in the band what gear to use and they don't tell me what bass to play unless they want to look for a new bassist.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 9:16 am

The funny thing is, it's very easy to make a Rickenbacker sound completely different. Put flats on it, or turn down the treble, or turn up the bass. I want someone to walk into an audition that says no Rickenbackers, and then make their Ric sound like every other bass the band wants to hear.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 9:49 am

I wana learn play that funky music white boy... Now that you said that. I just have to learn it. I was thinking that was a slap line but last weekend I heard a band play if and the bassist used a pick. The guy didnt look to be that great... but he didnt look to be bad. He fit the group well.

I want a bass that stands out tho... Sometimes those other sounds are needed for some songs... but in most rock ish tunes I want to stand out haha.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:02 am

Actually the bass line for that song is ok ... but the singing is really annoying and the writing is lame ... I would be embarrassed to take part in performing that song ...

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:35 pm

Okay guys. Im about to head out for the audition. Wish me luck!

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:36 pm

Jeff I havent heard the song in years so I dont know. Well at that show I did.. And All i remember about it was that it should of been slap! But didnt pay attention to the song. I was to busy talking to Chip. He was playing next.

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:45 pm

Good Luck.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 1:12 pm

Good luck, Bro!

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 2:59 pm

Good luck, Jacob!

Nate, I just sent you an mp3 file someone sent me of slap renditions of "Play That Funky Music". That song is so cheesy that my band plays it for the camp factor. Hope it gives you some ideas.