Guide to getting and playing better gigs
Audition
You’ve researched dozens of publications, scoured the Internet, and used word of mouth to land an audition with a band. Now it’s time for you to meet the different groups, learn their music, and prepare for the auditions. Here's some simple steps you can use to get ready for your gig.
Be direct and honest:
You discovered the musical opportunity and now you're responding. When you talk to the band’s main contact person, be straightforward and honest. Pretending to be someone you're not, or a bass player you're not, will only waste everyone’s time. Let them know exactly who you are and what you're looking for in a band. Whether it be your preferred rehearsal schedule, the fact you don’t have transport, your refusal to sing back-up vocals, or the fact you love to wear purple spandex on stage, these things need to be said up front. This also applies to the band. If the main contact person doesn’t volunteer any of the bands’ expectations of their new bass player, you should ask them. It's very important you and the band understand each other’s expectations. When it comes to auditions, no one likes surprises and be sure to ask the band to send you a copy of their music in advance of the audition.Review a tape in advance:
Your initial conversation with the main contact of the band is over and you'll soon receive your advance cassette of their music. When you receive the tape, be sure to listen to it carefully. Is the music up your alley or does it remind of you of going to the dentist? If it's the latter, then call up your contact and thank them for their time. If you feel you would be a good fit for the band, then get your ears tuned up because it’s time to start learning some songs!Listen to the material:
I believe that listening precedes learning when it comes to preparing for an audition. So take that song tape and really wear it out. Listen to it in the shower, on the bus, in your car, at work, whenever you have a free second. The point of this listening is so you can develop an instinctive feel for the music. Your ultimate goal for the audition is to play comfortably and confidently and you can only achieve this if you know the material backward and forward.Learn the material:
By this time you've probably listened to the songs so many times you can hum the melodies by memory - this is good since it'll help you piece together the chord structures. Prepare for the audition by spending as much time as you can learning their material. If you have a good ear, then you should have no problem picking out their basslines. Learn the existing basslines even if you think they're shit, but also note your own ideas for how you prefer the bass to flow. If you get the gig, your ideas may come in handy. If you don’t have a particularly good ear for picking out songs on a tape, then ask a musical friend for help. There's no shame in strong preparation, so don't be embarrassed to ask for assistance in learning the songs.You're now ready for your audition. Go kick ass!