Members db. Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 As a longtime former guitard, I had my first serious audition as a bass player with a band today! Although the drummer couldn't make the rehearsal, we made the best of it and just jammed with the singer/guitarist and another guitarist. They play tuned down a half step, and many of the songs they play were D tuning, which is new to me as a bassist. So I just went along and faked it best I could. Then, just to see my chops, they jumped into some cover songs that I had never played: STP's "Plush" (Deleo! Wow what a bassline), Collective Soul's "Shine", Nirvana's "All Apologies" and some others. And it rocked! While we were playing the other two were smiling and yelling "he's got it!" and some other things. So they invited me to come again for a full rehearsal next weekend, and will be send me some songs to learn. However, they expressed a little concern if I'd sound good playing with the drummer. I'm confident I can do it, but I'm wondering if it can possibly fall apart at the next rehearsal with the drummer included. I like this band, their originals are very good, and would love to be their low end. My question is, if it worked out today "drumless," should I be concerned it won't work next week? I don't know how good the drummer is, and they were talking about needing a solid rhythm section. I can understand this, but I'm wondering what your take is on this one. I would appreciate any insight. Thanks. I'm stoked! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crescent Seven Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 If anything, it will make it easier. The drummer will give you cues regarding changes that you can't get otherwise; little roll here, a fill there, and the kick drum pattern, if he's doing it like the original, will guide you through the song. I've never heard a bassist sound worse with a drummer than without. As much as we bag on those douchebags, they make what we do easier.C7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted December 14, 2008 Moderators Share Posted December 14, 2008 C7 is right. If you an play without the drummer, you should have an easier time with the drummer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rowka Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 Assuming the drummer is worth a damn. If not, all bets are off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted December 14, 2008 Moderators Share Posted December 14, 2008 Assuming the drummer is worth a damn.If not, all bets are off. Conversely, I was also thinking that if the guitarists are crappy they might fall apart when faced with a good drummer. I don't expect that to happen in this case though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members georgestrings Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 C7 is right. If you an play without the drummer, you should have an easier time with the drummer. Agreed... - georgestrings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crescent Seven Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 Assuming the drummer is worth a damn. If not, all bets are off. Who knows? Maybe the drummer plays much better when he has a bass player? Personally, I'm much more creative when I'm working with a drummer. Being in a band has wrecked my home practice routine, because I just can't get into it without a kick drum anymore, and I haven't had sound on my computer in several months now, so Fruity Loops has been rendered useless. C7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members iamdenialNJ Posted December 14, 2008 Members Share Posted December 14, 2008 hey similar situation i had an audition with this band yesterday. ALl they play are originals and although I thought I could've done better with more time practicing the songs I did the best I could and I really enjoyed playing bass again. I might switch over full time to bass for a while. bass is sweet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassplayer7770 Posted December 15, 2008 Members Share Posted December 15, 2008 Sounds like your first audition went well. Just keep workin' on the tunes they give you, and don't worry. If you can play along with the cover songs, then you should be just fine with a decent live drummer. Keep us posted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members db. Posted December 15, 2008 Author Members Share Posted December 15, 2008 Thanks for all the input. Since the other musicians I auditioned with were very good, I'm assuming the drummer will be good as well. So I'm feeling pretty confident about the next rehearsal. Rock on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.