I met the bass player from a local Funk/Disco/Dance band called Booty Vortex (that still makes me laugh) through TB. We met up for a chat because he does some interesting things with speaker cabs (hopefully more on that later) and he started telling me about his band and that they will start auditioning subs again soon because there are a few gigs scheduled that he can't make and his other sub is kind of flakey...and he (the regular bass player, not the sub) is moving back to upstate NY this summer so they'll need a permanent replacement! He wants me to audition and thinks it could be a good fit. I'm freakin' stoked (I haven't made money from a gig in some time now) but REALLY NERVOUS!

He said they like to play What Is Hip? as a staple for bass player auditions as well as anything else they've currently got on the setlist that has tough bass parts. You may remember my recent post about Rocco being a beast...that fact makes me all the more nervous. I've never done well with the fast 'n funky TOP tunes (love playing the ballads though!).

I'm waiting for him to get back to me with at least a partial setlist so I can start 'shedding early.

Break a leg.
Try this:
Don't suck.

Yeah, I finally got the specs from Fender on the Suck knob for my amp and it says that turning it fully counterclockwise should bypass the Suck Circuit completely. I think mine might be broken.

Wear your best leathers.

Don't turn the knob, push it. Works every time.

Somehow I don't think my chaps and fringed Harley vest would go over well. Especially if that's all I wore.

Good luck, man. Don't let yourself be intimidated. Nervous isn't necessarily a bad thing, until you let it get to you. I blew an audition a month ago because I was too nervous, and I did some stupid stuff like blow a G scale. Which made me more nervous, and it went downhill from there. Until you can get a partial setlist, jam along to the stuff on their site and pick up their CD. It never hurts to be as prepared as you can.

You'll do fine, just bring the funk.

where upstate NY is the cat moving to???

Good luck Davio, I'm sure you'll do well.

No clue. He just said that he and wifey are from there but moved to the Boston area for her to go to school and now that she's done they want to move back.

To paraphrase GeoffB:

Good luck with it, davio !!!!

Davio's new gig duds:


Put me down as another vote against sucking at the audition.

If the chaps are assless . . .

Knock 'em dead boyo.

Well he just got back to me. He says they usually play 30-40 tunes per gig in two sets. The catalog is about 80 tunes and the audition will be What Is Hip? and 2 others that I can pick. He wants me to get in for the audition as soon as I'm able to. I don't think I'll be seeing daylight for some time.

All the best Davio, enjoy the experience!

All the best - you'll do fine

Tom

Just in case you need it:

"What Is Hip?" bass transcription.

If you can run that 1/8th note line that Rocco lays under the vocals and solos at full speed, you absolutely will not suck. And, you'll have my undying respect; I couldn't play it at speed right now to save my life. I'd have to woodshed that for a yet to be determined period of time to even suck at it, really...

I don't give advice on auditions - since I can't seem to get past any myself. That's OK, everyone sucks but me.

Good luck and play well.

Root and octave, root and octave, root and octave...

Be the man who put the booty in "Booty Vortex", they'll have to accept you.
I double dog dare you.

Good luck.

Thanks for all the well wishes, guys!

Chad, there's actually a page worth of trancription in the booklet that comes with the "Fingerstyle Funk" video so it more or less covers what I need (if I couldn't hear it to begin with).

Picker, if it was only 8th notes, I'd be set! Them there be 16th notes and at lightning speed! I know plenty of bass players that can do it (all of them much better than me)...I'll get there.

A thought: vortex...booty...does that mean they suck ass?

Back to practicing.

good luck man. make sure you remember these when you go


I was asked to audition for an orchestra this week...How does that stat go from zero to 2 in the same month?

teach me O wise one

Nice!

When it rains, it pours, make the most of it.

I'm completely blown away...I started working on What Is Hip? the other day and while I don't have it down pat and there's plenty left for me to polish, I'm doing way better than I thought I would! I'm even playing along with the recording!

Now I have to pick a couple more songs to play for the audition...

BTW, Chad...sorry if I seemed dismissive about the transcription the other day. I actually went back to it as a reference to make sure I was hearing some parts right and it's been really helpful! Thanks!

No worries! I'll just kick your ass when I see you in April...

Seriously, I thought you might already have a transcription, but, as I said, "just in case." I was glad to find it for myself.

And of course you're doing fine with it. Work on keeping those 16ths even, and channel a little Rocco, and you'll be fine!

BTW, Richard Nixon saw "Deep Throat" and thought it would be fun to try, but he couldn't get it down Pat...

Just wow.

Bump - any news, davio?