Possible (jam) audition this Saturday

[EddiePlaysBass]

Bunch of youngsters that play bluesy rock (originals) are in need of a bass player. Now, they are aged 15 - 20 so I'd be the geezer, which I've told them. But they rehearse on Saturday afternoon, about 15 minutes from where I live. Think I'll go over for a jam, if they don't mind the age gap.

 

Anyone gone to an audition unprepared / cold ? I asked for some recordings or a cover tune they play, but I probably won't have any time to learn it any more anyway, so I guess I'll have to rely on what little walking bass principles I know, combined with the KISS attitude (no, not 16th disco notes and a moving tongue :grin:)

 

That is, if they'll have me come over ...

[butcherNburn]

They'll probably want you so you can buy beer.

 

Seriously though if they are underage make sure it's OK with their folks before you commit. (I have no idea how old you are other that being over 20)

[jlrush]

Go for it man. Why not?

The same sort of thing happened to me this year. I did a fill in NYE gig with some young guys in a blues band, no practice, just go do it. It worked out well and I'll be playing quite a few jobs with them. Funny thing though, I've got grandkids older than they are, but as a band it works out. Their all 20 yrs old.

Maybe you'll discover something similar.

Good luck.

 

[b5pilot]

Sure, what the heck, go for it. At the least it'll be a way to keep the chops up.

I've come across quite a few kids that have some really impressive skills so there's a good chance it will be fun and you may even learn a thing or two.

[EddiePlaysBass]

Listening to the first of two tunes they sent me as a reference. I like what I'm hearing so far, it's a typical slow scorching blues with female vocals (or a 15-year old singing :grin:). I like the guitars, and the drums are simple but solid. Think I'll go over on Saturday and see what gives.

 

Edit: second song is more uptempo (less blues) but sounds quite good too. Drummer plays more impressive but equally solid. This may be fun ! I never played in an originals band before though, but I made up my own bass lines for most of the songs we covered with The Dapper Dans ...

 

Edit 2: Seems like it's a guy singing. Damn those cheap PC speakers !

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

Small update: going over to the (lead) guitar player's house tomorrow afternoon to go over (some of) the songs, and then to the drummer to jam on them. No vocals as the singer couldn't make it. Should be interesting. Never done anything like this before, so we'll see what gives. It may end tomorrow, or it may be the start of a brand new adventure

[butcherNburn]

it sounds like some of the folks want to work and make it work. That's a good sign.

[Eric VB]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

However, they are 15-20. I would be surprised if they are past the "let's just jam in someone's basement" stage. Sure they're recording, but have they released anything yet?

 

In other words, you may have to be the guy who takes care of business: pick 10 songs, record them, get CDs made, book shows, get merch, etc. And in so doing you may be seen as the guy who makes music no longer fun (and therefore ousted).

 

You'll also be up against the poor judgement of youth.

 

One time I tried to set up a show for an up-and-coming 17-year-old singer/songwriter who I met at an open mic. She was very excited to play the show because all she was doing was open mic's at the time. She didn't have enough material to do the whole show so I booked someone else to split the time with her. (Mind you it's a charity gig so it's not easy to find other people to play the show.) About a week out I double check with her to make sure she's ready. It is then that she first tells me that she has a rehearsal for the school play or something ... on the night of the show! Oops! Too bad, can't do the show. Sorry! Maybe next time? Thanks anyway! Not wanting to pass the buck on to the venue, now I had a week to prepare for the show. (Fortunately it went over well.)

[Seamy ALB]

Have a ball Ed and bring the rock!!!! \m/

[EddiePlaysBass]

Have a ball Ed and bring the rock!!!! \m/

 

Well, the rock was not brought If I had to describe it in two words, it'd be a combination of "fail" and "epic". Now, I've never been at my best during auditions, but today was possibly as bad as it gets.

 

The idea was that I'd work with the guitarist for an hour or two and then go over to the drummer's place. I miscalculated the distance and arrived 15 minutes late (bad, I know). Okay, so I arrive and meet the guitarist. Definitely not an immediate rapport there either, but that happens. You can't like everyone instantly, can you ? So we start to working on this one riff of theirs, and for the life of me, I could not get the hang of a simple series of 4 consecutive notes. Every other part was there, but I kept missing this sequence. But the guitarist was pleased overall and said that I would "get it". We proceed on a second song of theirs, fairly straightforward chord progression that I should root eights over. Again, I could not get the hang of this one particular break in the song, and he proceeded to explain it like only a guitarist can: by continuously playing it at normal speed and asking if I got it.

 

At this point I decided that Erik is right about bands with original material: your heart has to be in it. And for me to screw up what are in essence riffs that I should be able to play in my sleep, was a clear indication that my heart was anywhere but in the music. So I told the dude that I really love listening to their songs, but I really can't get into them as a bass player. To which he proceeds to ask if I'm being honest with him and if I really do like the music Then I got half a lecture about perseverance and how I should ask myself if I would have the patience to work on a song during the week so I could play it at rehearsal

 

I hardly ever felt so humiliated in my life, really Not sure yet what I've learned from this, other than that I will not go to auditions "cold" any more, nor will apply for originals bands. As much as cover bands have not done it for me these past years, the few times I tried out for bands playing original material (or a mixture) it was always worse

[Eric VB]

Dave, even if an original band gives you material to practice ahead of rehearsal they almost invariably will spring something new on you at rehearsal. It's ok if you don't nail it right then and there.

 

Sounds like the guitarist liked what he heard and was willing to wait until you got the notes under your fingers in a week or so.

 

Trust me, had you unveiled your latest original song to him he would have been stumbling all over it, too.

 

In general the reason for being in an original band is to be able to write your own bass parts based on your own strengths and weaknesses. If you have to follow the guitarist's riffs note-for-note (or worse yet, what the original bassist recorded) it can be much less fulfilling IMO.

 

For one example of not following the guitar riff, listen to "Just a Girl" by No Doubt. Tony Kanal plays a counter to the guitar riff, including harmonics, instead of doubling it.

 

It can help if you're comfortable improvising and confident enough in your playing to "fly by the seat of your pants" and quickly recover from mistakes, at least initially (unless you join an improv/jam band). Once you have your part worked out you practice it for a few weeks until you have it down cold.

 

That's one reason original bands like to rehearse twice or more per week. Most don't record rehearsals so the only way to really practice the songs is at rehearsals. It can take a while until everything gels and tightens up.

 

So the initial slop really isn't a problem.

[jlrush]

Getting a lecture from someone the first time you meet them is not a good sign, in my mind at least. I'd wanta tell him to kiss my foot.

If you're truly not into what they're doing I think you made the right call. People are usually very protective of their originals, as he seemed to demonstrate, and any band members need to be totally into the project.

Don't worry man, something will come along.

[Groove Mama]

If you're truly not into what they're doing I think you made the right call.

+1

[EddiePlaysBass]

Sounds like the guitarist liked what he heard and was willing to wait until you got the notes under your fingers in a week or so.

 

What he liked was having a bass player rooting out his songs. Two of his quotes: "bass players are so rare around here" and "we had some guitarists come over in the past, but none of them came back. It wasn't our fault, it was theirs" kinda helped my decision.

 

What also rubbed me the wrong way was him asking if I was "originally from Belgium". Give my surname it's a valid question but it was the tone in his voice and in the question. Like I said, the moment I saw him I had a feeling this would not go well, and I tend to trust my instincts these days.

 

At this point, I seriously prefer not being in a band altogether. I can live without the drama for a while. People always say you learn more when being in a band. Well, I disagree. Last few bands I've been in, I learned less.

[jlrush]

People always say you learn more when being in a band. Well, I disagree.

You're right, you don't HAVE to be in a band to continue learning. But you do need others in order to play music. Are there any jams in your area? There's nothing like going to a good jam (emphasis on good) to help you keep your chops up and become a better player.

 

Hanging at a weekly jam and playing with lots of different players has helped me get back into the local music scene after years of laying off. Not knowing what will be played on a given day will keep you on your toes like nothing else.

[Seamy ALB]

To be honest Ed yer man sounded like a knob head. In a band your doing for fun and stress relief you need to get the hang right. Its best when you can play with guys who have similar musical ideal and want to get the same from the gig.

 

Playing original stuff requires a level of dedication and developing a style of communication for sharing ideas. When everyone isnt schooled musicans ie able to read it takes time to show those parts. It takes time to internalise them, get the song vision and stamp your own feel on a part. When writing stuff or learning a riff I go through a process of decisions;

 

Do I like the riff?

Will it suit being doubled?

Do i play counter to it?

 

 

It takes time to develop ideas with ALB we have written songs over 3,4,5 times. It takes a lot of debates (by that I mean sometimes full blown arguments - sign of the passion) those debates require us to have a level of confidence in each other and honesty which brings us back to the "hang" element.

[EddiePlaysBass]

Are there any jams in your area? There's nothing like going to a good jam (emphasis on good) to help you keep your chops up and become a better player.

 

I did a bit of searching, and found that there is a place not too far from here that hosts monthly jams. I'm going to check it out at the end of the month, to see how it works (i.e. completely improvised music vs. pre-agreed songs) and then maybe join them the month after.

 

For someone who's been in cover bands for most of his bass playing years, I have a surprising knack for not building a repertoire. Most of the covers bands I join end up clinging to their 12-song repertoire for too long.

 

That's probably the reason why I wanted to give this originals project a shot: bit of a change from the usual cover band drama that follows me around. Funny thing is, this blew up in my face and left me completely unmotivated and as musically burnt out as I told my fellow Dapper Dans I was ...

 

Ah well, it'll pass.

 

But for now, I can really live without being in a band, whether it be a cover band or original. Way I'm feeling now, if I find myself in another band like most (read: all*) of the ones I've been in so far, or in another audition with a guitar player like this last one, I swear to your favourite deity that I'll just pack it up and leave this whole music stuff.

 

* makes you wonder: if the Hulk changes from green to grey, but Bruce Banner always stays the same, which of the two is the actual problem?

[jlrush]

Don't sweat it Dave. There's three weeks left til the jam. Find out who's hosting and what kind of music they play, take your bass and be prepared to jam. No expectations.

[5 string Mike]

I know how you feel, man. I auditioned for a church once and totally bombed it- like embarassingly. Even after another one with the same guy where I nailed it pretty well, I eventually chose not to join- long story, but the short version is like you describe, where we never really hit it off. There were also a few key quotes that clued me in that things wouldn't work.

 

One big thing is to not be in 'rebound mode' when you are trying to run down other leads. Give yourself a little time to refresh and recalibrate yourself so you can approach the next opportunity with the right frame of mind.

 

Hang in there, man. It's not the end of the world or your career as a bass player if you are without a band for awhile. Something will come along that will fit like a glove and you'll be right back into the swing of things again.

[The Bear Jew]

* makes you wonder: if the Hulk changes from green to grey, but Bruce Banner always stays the same, which of the two is the actual problem?

 

Just an FYI--according to comic creation legend, the Hulk was originally going to be either red (the color of anger, etc) or gray (the color of giant animals like rhinos or elephants), and they couldn't decide on the right color. Apparently they did a test issue with the creature portrayed in each other for half of the book. On the last page, due to a printing error, he was colored green on the final frame, and it just clicked. Hence, we have a green Hulk.

 

Not to get all philosophical here, but to draw a parallel, you may have to stick it out a while (i.e. wait for the last frame) to see if anything clicks with a new band. So, OK, maybe this isn't the band for you, but don't let one crappy experience with a band keep you away from the possible enjoyable experience of being in some other band.

 

Oh yeah, by the way... HULK SMASH!

[EddiePlaysBass]

I seriously did not know that about the Hulk, Erik ! Way cool, thanks for sharing I haven't checked out the Red Hulk (Rulk) series, but I'm not a great fan of Jeph Loeb's writing in general so I don't think I'll bother.

 

Back to the subject at hand: I am on a self-imposed bandless phase, since I am the one responsible for putting The Dapper Dans on hold. I think I'll go all the way and tell the guys I'm simply not interested in getting together again shortly, and have that be over and done with too.

 

I am definitely going to work on my technique, chops, (theoretical) knowledge and song list, as well as improvisational skills. And will definitely check out this monthly jam session, as it could be heaps of fun too

[Ross Brown]

I don't know... being in a band (correction, playing out) is a drug for me. I would play every night if I could get the gigs.

[EddiePlaysBass]

I don't know... being in a band (correction, playing out) is a drug for me. I would play every night if I could get the gigs.

 

Of all the bands I've been in, only two ever managed to get out on stage. And one of them were a bunch of teens where I was hired to sub ... As I said before, at this point I can really live without all the accompanying drama, especially if we hardly ever make it to a stage and when we do, sound mediocre at best. That's one reason why I quit my last band: our gigs were infrequent, and our performance got worse ...

[jlrush]

Oh yeah, by the way... HULK SMASH!

Hulk way cool!

[fingertalkin]

Dave, I am going to be blunt....man up. You have been on this roller coaster ride for a few years now. If I searched, or if the search function worked, I would find the same arguments each season.

 

First, the new year I am going to practice and keep a log blah, blah, blah.

 

Second, it is the my band sucks and we don't play out, singer won't do this, guitarist won't do that...blah blah blah.

 

Third, you get a couple of shows and your way stoked and the gigs rock and it is awesome...blah blah blah.

 

Then finally, your start the cycle to begin the others. Usually, after the glow of the gigs have worn out, it is the time to work on chops, learn new songs, the band is stoked...blah whatever.

 

It seems to me, that our moods very much coincide with each other. I seem to go through the same phases. I am now starting to control my own destiny. I am putting together a band, I am in charge, I make all of the decisions, everything falls on me. If the band fails, that means that I have failed.....so what. I will do it again because I love to play music.

 

I got over whatever it was that was holding me back. I sing, I interact with the crowd and just have fun when I am playing, even when the band sucks. Why, because it is a blast.

 

I think you enjoy it more than you realize. If you have a few pieces of a band in place, find the rest and keep it moving.

 

Just my opinion......a lot of people haven't been liking my opinions lately....just sayin!

[Ross Brown]

Dave, I am going to be blunt....man up. You have been on this roller coaster ride for a few years now. If I searched, or if the search function worked, I would find the same arguments each season.

 

First, the new year I am going to practice and keep a log blah, blah, blah.

 

Second, it is the my band sucks and we don't play out, singer won't do this, guitarist won't do that...blah blah blah.

 

Third, you get a couple of shows and your way stoked and the gigs rock and it is awesome...blah blah blah.

 

Then finally, your start the cycle to begin the others. Usually, after the glow of the gigs have worn out, it is the time to work on chops, learn new songs, the band is stoked...blah whatever.

 

It seems to me, that our moods very much coincide with each other. I seem to go through the same phases. I am now starting to control my own destiny. I am putting together a band, I am in charge, I make all of the decisions, everything falls on me. If the band fails, that means that I have failed.....so what. I will do it again because I love to play music.

 

I got over whatever it was that was holding me back. I sing, I interact with the crowd and just have fun when I am playing, even when the band sucks. Why, because it is a blast.

 

I think you enjoy it more than you realize. If you have a few pieces of a band in place, find the rest and keep it moving.

 

Just my opinion......a lot of people haven't been liking my opinions lately....just sayin!

 

I have been such a prick to you lately I did not want to say anything.. but since he started it... Ya' gotta play with a band...

[EddiePlaysBass]

Dave, I am going to be blunt....man up. You have been on this roller coaster ride for a few years now. If I searched, or if the search function worked, I would find the same arguments each season.

 

Wow, tough love. And no lubricant

 

But you are absolutely right, I'm stuck in this loop and don't seem to get out from it. I have had the idea to start a band with my dad, consisting mostly of Italian musicians (or half-Italian, in my case) where we'd play traditional and contemporary Italian pop music.

 

I'm confident that there is an audience for it, Belgium being a mining country and having "imported" heaps of Italians in the '50s and '60s to work in them. We might not get too frequent gigs but there are certain "scenes" I'm sure I could get us into, that could and should lead to some good gigs.

 

It'd also be a good forum for my upright, as I'm sure it'd fit in with most songs. Now I just need to find musicians for it ... I'm thinking a drummer, guitarist and someone who can play accordeon, fiddle or mandolin would do the trick. What the hey, I'll give it a shot !

[Bottom End]

I guess I'll pile on and recommend that you pick one damn thing, and see it through. Find an accordion player, learn 3 songs, play them at an open mic, and go from there.

 

Wishing won't make it so, just do it!

[jlrush]

....and just have fun when I am playing, even when the band sucks. Why, because it is a blast.

Sorry dude, but I've never had fun when my band sucks.

David, always remember, a bass player is a rare commodity. It may take some time to find, but there is a band out there for you. Maybe you DO need some time off, only you can answer that question. I have faith in you bro, you can do it.

 

Wow, tough love. And no lubricant

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

I guess I'll pile on and recommend that you pick one damn thing, and see it through. Find an accordion player, learn 3 songs, play them at an open mic, and go from there.

 

Wishing won't make it so, just do it!

 

Alrighty, placed an ad stating I'm looking for musicians for this specific project. Wonder what will come of it, but it'll be exciting nonetheless ! I figure that if we find a good guitarist who "understands" this kind of music, we could already start rehearsals drummer-less. But let's wait and see. And I have some more ads to place once I get home