Help! Upcoming Audition

[AlexBongoCrazy]

Hey fellow musicman bassists. I've got an audition on monday 24th to be the bassist for an upcoming london rapper set up by his management company and I could do with some help.

Sadly I can't let you guys listen to the two songs I have to play because it's unreleased and I'm not allowed to share it. But basically I'd love some help from you more experienced guys with two things.

1. Sound
It's a modern poppy slightly synthy sound to it so I was wondering what sort of EQ settings I should be looking for both on the bass and the amp. And if there are any bass pedals I should consider getting?

2. Auditions
This is my first real formal audition so I was wondering if there's anything I need to know, any sort of prep I need to do etc.

Thanks.

 

[Freddels]

No idea on the sound as I can't hear what you're shooting for or what you have to work with.

As for prep, play the tunes about 10 times without your instrument in your hand so you can get a handle on them. Then play the tunes over and over until you can play them without flaws. Then do them at the audition. Simple but a lot of work.

 

[Lynottfan]

A few simple things, be early, be very polite, enjoy the whole experience, if your are taking your own gear work out the most Simple and lightest amount of gear you can get away with, this will allow you to be able to set up nice and quick, dial in your sound and be ready to play, as for a pedal possibly a small compact multi effects unit if you have one, but as for the sound not a lot can be given to help you without a listen so I have to echo Freddels point there.

Good luck man.

 

[DTG]

Play them listen to them play them listen to them. Until you know every piece of the tune.
Then turn up early and be yourself and dude beat of luck

 

[jlepre]

No pedals unless you've used them in the recent past. Remember LESS is more.

 

[adouglas]

Don't worry about nailing the sound. Most of it's probably done in post-production anyway. I totally agree with keeping it as simple as you can. You want to focus on your playing and the other musicians, not your gear.

Learn the songs inside out, but remember… it's more important to nail the groove and the feel than it is to get all the hooks perfect.

Think "team player." You're being auditioned partly for your chops, but also your ability to work well with others. Nobody wants egos. Nobody wants someone who's going to stroll in and dominate an established set of relationships.

IMHO, if you do screw up, don't apologize… Acknowledge the mistake, move on and be positive.

 

[J Romano]

Way to go Alex, you can do it.....

 

[cyoungnashville]

be late. dont learn the stuff. pretend like they are lucky you even showed up. they will hire you on the spot.

 

[JayDawg]

Like others have said, show up early, be yourself, be polite. Here is also another tip for you too though. Watch your diet the night before. Avoid drinking any soda, eating baked beans, cabbage, Burger King onion rings etc.

 

[theroan]

It's hard to give advice on the sound. If you know of another song where the bass sound is similar we can help. But for a faux synth sound, a comp, fuzz and filter will definitely help you out.

As far as the audition, a jazz, precision or musicman are kind of industry standards. I would stay away from Warwicks or Spectors and the like for the audition. Be early, be polite, well dressed, no ego and ready to roll with what they throw at you.

In addition to the two songs they gave you (which obviously want to know back to front), I would also be ready to improvise and maybe even prepare a solo of some kind that highlights what you can do. Play the songs true to the recordings, but adding small amounts of your own flare helps a little too. Hip-hop bass is usually pretty basic and created by machines in the studio, so I would want to showcase my talents so they know what could be pulled off live.

 

[drTStingray]

Nothing more to add really, Alex - you will probably be best using a 5 string - if you don't already, listen to some other hip hop to get into the mind set. This type of bass playing, like anything else you would loosely describe as in an R and B genre, is often more about groove and note placement - the lines are often quite straightforward, with occassional fills and hooks. Get some advice from your tutor as well.

Best of luck with the audition. (PS I think Craig may have been joking in the advice he offered!)

 

[AlexBongoCrazy]

thanks guys.

Yes, I use a 5 string and agree that it's best. In fact, for the second song I think you need a five string cus it doesn't sound right higher up and a friend agreed so that could rule out a lot of competition unless they downtune a crap load.

Also, yeah I agree i don't think I'll get a pedal, I just need to make sure I can get a good thick sound. Plugged into an Aguilar for my exam yesterday and hated the sound. I have to find out what amp will be there but it will either be an aguilar, ashdown or crappy SWR and crappy Peavey, hopefully not one of those last two. But a musicman definitely fits this sound more than a jazz bass I think

Oh and I'd say that overall the songs are pretty similar to dizzee rascal and jessie j (especially songs like Do it like a Dude and I need this).

But yeah I'm gonna turn up early, be happy and polite, and play the songs exactly as i'm supposed to and perfectly. I already pretty much know it and played it for a friend for feedback today and will ask a tutor for help with it just to make sure its perfect but I have two weeks to take it from good to perfect.

 

[Golem]

`

If you want that "impersonal" hiphop/disco/house bass 'tone',
which often comes from a synth rather than a stringed ax, try
learning to play with a soft mute [foam, fabric, etc] under the
strings, next to the bridge. If their recording has the sort of
sound, the sound of paper cones and wattage, the soft mute
will filter away the character of your ax and just deliver deep,
non-organic bass.


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