what to know before going to the band

[vovkinson]

Hi guys!
I dont' know if I have practiced enough to apply to be a bass-player in the real band after such a long break... But I feel that I'm ready..
Most of you, guys, already play in bands...
What would you recomend before saying hello to the guys who're looking for bass-guitar player?

Thanks!

Vlad.

 

[skabassist13]

be open minded to their personalities and musical styles.

 

[spectorbassguy]

Prayer!

Find out what kind of music the band plays and make sure you're comfortable and familiar with it enough to try out. If you can get a CD to practice with it will help you considerably if you do some woodshedding before ever trying out. Plus it will leave a better impression on them when you know some of the material they're doing at first practice.

Also if you don't try out, you'll never know what to expect before you try out for the second band. The first band thing is always scary. But just remember that there are many levels of musicianship. I've played with bands that were over my head musically as well as bands that are under. I prefer playing with musicians who are better than myself because I feel I am much more challenged to improve.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[bovinehost]

Be a "good hang". I've played with people who are far more talented than I am based on the fact that I'm cool to hang around with (they say).

I see certain players around town get no calls, even though they have monster chops, because their attitude is "I have monster chops. You'd be lucky to get me."

Screw that. Playing music in a band situation is like getting married. You'd better like them dudes!

 

[jubjub721]

NEVER start off by saying
"i like the rock, and the roll"
this kid in my 6th grade class started out introducing him self liek that
lets just say he was transfered out of the school with in 2 months,

 

[shaver]

your in 6th grade?

also, try to form a band with our friends, its usualy alot easer, and fulfilling, well, thats the howi feel.

 

[jubjub721]

no
graduating from eight grade this year
me and my friends where being nostaligic the other day and we brought this up

 

[vovkinson]

That was useful

Thanks, guys... Anyway it's still scary... a litle bit..
But.. You're with me...

Vlad

 

[dlloyd]

Hi guys!
I dont' know if I have practiced enough to apply to be a bass-player in the real band after such a long break... But I feel that I'm ready..
Most of you, guys, already play in bands...
What would you recomend before saying hello to the guys who're looking for bass-guitar player?

I generally wouldn't play with anyone who wasn't fairly like-minded with me... musically, politically, recreationally, etc.

I just don't gel well with those satanic free-jazz nazi crack-heads.

Really it depends on the type of band. I think the best approach in most cases is to agree to learn three or four cover tunes for the first jam, or ask for a tape of their stuff so you're familiar with it when you go in to the first rehearsal.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Repeat over and over: With bass, less is better

 

[Psychicpet]

Be a "good hang". I've played with people who are far more talented than I am based on the fact that I'm cool to hang around with (they say).

I see certain players around town get no calls, even though they have monster chops, because their attitude is "I have monster chops. You'd be lucky to get me."

Screw that. Playing music in a band situation is like getting married. You'd better like them dudes!

ABSOLUTELY! and good tone too, it hurts the pride sometimes for people to keep referring to your "great tone" and never to your "great lines" but hey, they keep calling.

 

[dlloyd]

ABSOLUTELY! and good tone too, it hurts the pride sometimes for people to keep referring to your "great tone" and never to your "great lines" but hey, they keep calling.

The best compliment is "great groove" It doesn't happen often, but when it does...

 

[LeftyLB]

A lot of good advice given above.

For my two pence worth, a band looking for a new bass player is a bunch of people looking for a problem to be solved. You have to be seen as the answer to the problem;

Ability: If you know what they play, then show that you can play it already and if there is something you don't know that you can learn it quickly;

Reliability: Both as a person and with the equipment you bring it has to be 100%

Attitude: Bass Players don't need one, leave that to the guitarist, you just wanna play music.

Predecessor: It is likely that the bench mark for measuring up the next guy, based on the above elements, will have been the outgoing bass player - if there was one.

How, did I land the vacant bass players role in the band I have been with for the past 10 years? The first song they wanted to try me out with they were used to playing in "D", so I simply de-tuned my "E" string to give the root note some bottom end and after the first bar, the gig was mine - the last bass player had never thought of detuning to get a bit of oomph.

 

[jifty]

"Repeat over and over: With bass, less is better" >>>

What do you mean by "less"? less notes in the bass part? i don't agree entirely... It's important to be more open-minded and think what fits best and the song and contributes to the music- which sometimes is a fully "loaded" bass line or so
I do understand where you're going at- as some bass players (John Myung!!! John Myung!! John Myung!!!) tend to overdo their playing, and miss the actuall part and job of the bass, going off to guitar-like solos, making bass players seem as if they are guitar players with four strings.

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In reply to the actuall topic of the thread- most of the advice were already given and i have nothing much to add. Just be friendly, open minded, and enjoy!

Good luck

 

[Lync]

Treat it as you would treat a job. Be a pro. Show up on time, have your gear ready to go. Know your instrument (especially how to tune up). Do your homework.

Then, above all else, have fun.

Lync

 

[Aussie Mark]

"Repeat over and over: With bass, less is better" >>>

What do you mean by "less"? less notes in the bass part?

What I meant was, don't overdo it by trying to compete with the lead guitarist. Often, where bass is concerned, notes you *don't* play are more important than notes you do play. It's hard to explain, you either get it or you don't.

 

[LeftyLB]

What I meant was, don't overdo it by trying to compete with the lead guitarist. Often, where bass is concerned, notes you *don't* play are more important than notes you do play. It's hard to explain, you either get it or you don't.

Mark,

It took me a long time to "get it", perhaps it was the energy of youth that wanted to make me play 32 notes per bar. Now I prefer backing off and enjoying the space, which then makes the notes you do play seem more relevant and interesting - If that makes sense?

Liam

 

[Aussie Mark]

You got it Liam. Congrats!

 

[dlloyd]

Mark,

It took me a long time to "get it", perhaps it was the energy of youth that wanted to make me play 32 notes per bar. Now I prefer backing off and enjoying the space, which then makes the notes you do play seem more relevant and interesting - If that makes sense?

Liam

Sometimes it's appropriate to play all straight-sixteenths (I don't often play 32 notes per bar ), but funk is all in the gaps between notes.

I also like to ghost a lot of my notes.

 

[jifty]

I know what you mean. But on the other hand- opening yourslef to all the options is important just as well. I think that the most important thing is to always do what's best for the music...!