audition (long)

[suds mcduff]

Last night I auditioned for a band who advertised in Craigs list. I
had to play four songs I knew, and then they tried me on one I didn't
know. It was fairly simple, they had a chord chart. Thier line up is:
f/singer, good pipes, f/keyboards, 2 guitars and kitchen. They seemed
to be pleased, and gave me MP3's of their setlist and some bass tabs.
What I found hard to believe, is that they said they auditioned a
couple bass players who couldn't read the simple chord chart they had
me read, and also couldn't improvise on tunes they've heard before but
never played in a band.
Anyway, they informed me of their next gig, June 8th, which means
if they decide to retain me, I'll have to learn 30 or so tunes in a
couple weeks.They're having a band confab tonight to discuss it (the
drummer wasn't there).
I'm thinking it's a lock, right? They gave me the mp3's, asked
about my rehearsal availability, the girls seemed welcoming, the
guitarists seemed fairly impressed.They say the drummers an old pro,
which would be really great.
The question is, if I get this gig, how do I break it to my other
band that I'm working with another without looking like a dick?
I kinda want to to get back to being the "bass player" again, and in
the rock band I set up the PA and worry about sound all night.

[klaw]

On May 16, 11:21 am, suds mcduff <sudsmcduff19...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Last night I auditioned for a band who advertised in Craigs list. I
> had to play four songs I knew, and then they tried me on one I didn't
> know. It was fairly simple, they had a chord chart. Thier line up is:
> f/singer, good pipes, f/keyboards, 2 guitars and kitchen. They seemed
> to be pleased, and gave me MP3's of their setlist and some bass tabs.
> What I found hard to believe, is that they said they auditioned a
> couple bass players who couldn't read the simple chord chart they had
> me read, and also couldn't improvise on tunes they've heard before but
> never played in a band.
> Anyway, they informed me of their next gig, June 8th, which means
> if they decide to retain me, I'll have to learn 30 or so tunes in a
> couple weeks.They're having a band confab tonight to discuss it (the
> drummer wasn't there).
> I'm thinking it's a lock, right? They gave me the mp3's, asked
> about my rehearsal availability, the girls seemed welcoming, the
> guitarists seemed fairly impressed.They say the drummers an old pro,
> which would be really great.
> The question is, if I get this gig, how do I break it to my other
> band that I'm working with another without looking like a dick?
> I kinda want to to get back to being the "bass player" again, and in
> the rock band I set up the PA and worry about sound all night.

use the golden rule

[timbo]

On 2007-05-16, suds mcduff <sudsmcduff19911@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Last night I auditioned for a band who advertised in Craigs list. I
> had to play four songs I knew, and then they tried me on one I didn't
> know. It was fairly simple, they had a chord chart. Thier line up is:
> f/singer, good pipes, f/keyboards, 2 guitars and kitchen. They seemed
> to be pleased, and gave me MP3's of their setlist and some bass tabs.
> What I found hard to believe, is that they said they auditioned a
> couple bass players who couldn't read the simple chord chart they had
> me read, and also couldn't improvise on tunes they've heard before but
> never played in a band.
> Anyway, they informed me of their next gig, June 8th, which means
> if they decide to retain me, I'll have to learn 30 or so tunes in a
> couple weeks.They're having a band confab tonight to discuss it (the
> drummer wasn't there).
> I'm thinking it's a lock, right? They gave me the mp3's, asked
> about my rehearsal availability, the girls seemed welcoming, the
> guitarists seemed fairly impressed.They say the drummers an old pro,
> which would be really great.
> The question is, if I get this gig, how do I break it to my other
> band that I'm working with another without looking like a dick?
> I kinda want to to get back to being the "bass player" again, and in
> the rock band I set up the PA and worry about sound all night.
>

don;t worry too much about it. as long as the gigs dont conflict, there
should be no reason you can't play in both bands. i've played in up to four
bands at a time with no major problems. you just need to work out which are
your priorities, & sort the gigs out as they come in. i've done a bit of
"yep, i _can_ do that gig for band B as long as a gig for band A doesn't come
up", but you really need to make sure band B understands this, & you give
them enough notice (i work on 2 weeks at the very least). if i've confirmed
for a gig for band B & a short notice gig for band A comes up, i cannot do
the gig for band A. simple as that. been working like that for a few years
now, & haven't yet struck a problem.

when i got my first gig with another band (say bandX), i broke it to the
first band (bandA) by saying "hey guys, ive got a gig with bandX on saturday
night, you wanna come down & check it out?". it wasn;t conflicting with any
other gigs, i was keen as buggery to get out & play, & probably not
surprisingly, none of the bandA people turned up ;)

anyway, if you've got a cd of songs to learn, & the keys they play them in,
& you're worth your salt, you should be able to shit it in no worries.
presumably the kitchen means drummer? or do they drive around the
countryside with a caravan cooking hamburgers & chips with dim sims in a
steamer?

the 30 songs in a couple of weeks shouldn't be too hard - you can obviously
read charts, right, so sit down for a few hours & chart them out. easy.
no-one is going to pick you out for using a music stand for your first few
gigs. go for it!

oh, and having not to worry about PA & setup etc will probably be the
biggest (& best) part of it. load in, set up your gear, play, load out, get
paid.... beautiful....!! if you do help with the PA load in/load out
though, you will gain brownie points with the other members of the band.

trust me, i've played in bands with horn sections..... (yeah, finish the
gig, put the horn away (or alternatively in the most inconvenient &
precarious position in the venue, just asking to be stepped on..), go to the
bar & chat up chicks, while the bass player, keyboard player & sometimes the
drummer pack up all their gear & then start on the PA...).

good luck!

cheers,

timbo.

--

http://www.skyrockats.com

[Brian Running]

> The question is, if I get this gig, how do I break it to my other
> band that I'm working with another without looking like a dick?

Why would you look like a dick? If you have to break off working with
the old band, just tell 'em so, with regrets, hope to work with you all
again in the future, etc., etc. Work with them until they find a
replacement, don't leave them hanging in a tough spot.

If you can continue working with both, well, just tell them that's what
you're doing. You're not married, it's not cheating, That's just the
way it goes.

[Stronger Than Dirt (John)]

On May 16, 11:21�am, suds mcduff <sudsmcduff19...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Last night I auditioned for a band who advertised in Craigs list. I
> had to play four songs I knew, and then they tried me on one I didn't
> know. It was fairly simple, they had a chord chart. Thier line up is:
> f/singer, good pipes, f/keyboards, 2 guitars and kitchen. They seemed
> to be pleased, and gave me MP3's of their setlist and some bass tabs.
> What I found hard to believe, is that they said they auditioned a
> couple bass players who couldn't read the simple chord chart they had
> me read, and also couldn't improvise on tunes they've heard before but
> never played in a band.
> * *Anyway, they informed me of their next gig, June 8th, which means
> if they decide to retain me, I'll have to learn 30 or so tunes in a
> couple weeks.They're having a band confab tonight to discuss it (the
> drummer wasn't there).
> * * I'm thinking it's a lock, right? They gave me the mp3's, asked
> about my rehearsal availability, the girls seemed welcoming, the
> guitarists seemed fairly impressed.They say the drummers an old pro,
> which would be really great.
> * * The question is, if I get this gig, how do I break it to my other
> band that I'm working with another without looking like a dick?
> I kinda want to to get back to being the "bass player" again, and in
> the rock band I set up the PA and worry about sound all night.

You"re not cheating on your girlfriend. Just tell it to them straight.

[Todd H.]

suds mcduff <sudsmcduff19911@yahoo.com> writes:

> Last night I auditioned for a band who advertised in Craigs list. I
> had to play four songs I knew, and then they tried me on one I didn't
> know. It was fairly simple, they had a chord chart. Thier line up is:
> f/singer, good pipes, f/keyboards, 2 guitars and kitchen. They seemed
> to be pleased, and gave me MP3's of their setlist and some bass tabs.
> What I found hard to believe, is that they said they auditioned a
> couple bass players who couldn't read the simple chord chart they had
> me read, and also couldn't improvise on tunes they've heard before but
> never played in a band.
> Anyway, they informed me of their next gig, June 8th, which means
> if they decide to retain me, I'll have to learn 30 or so tunes in a
> couple weeks.They're having a band confab tonight to discuss it (the
> drummer wasn't there).
> I'm thinking it's a lock, right? They gave me the mp3's, asked
> about my rehearsal availability, the girls seemed welcoming, the
> guitarists seemed fairly impressed.They say the drummers an old pro,
> which would be really great.

Sounds like you have the gig to me.

> The question is, if I get this gig, how do I break it to my other
> band that I'm working with another without looking like a dick?
> I kinda want to to get back to being the "bass player" again, and in
> the rock band I set up the PA and worry about sound all night.

You won't avoid hard feelings entirely, but just be honest and explain
that you need to make a change.

Are you quitting your old band to take this gig?

--
/"\ ASCII Ribbon Campaign | Todd H
\ / | http://www.toddh.net/
X Promoting good netiquette | http://triplethreatband.com/
/ \ http://www.toddh.net/netiquette/ | http://myspace.com/mytriplethreatband

[Bazooka-Joe]

On May 16, 8:21 am, suds mcduff <sudsmcduff19...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Last night I auditioned for a band who advertised in Craigs list. I
> had to play four songs I knew, and then they tried me on one I didn't
> know. It was fairly simple, they had a chord chart. Thier line up is:
> f/singer, good pipes, f/keyboards, 2 guitars and kitchen. They seemed
> to be pleased, and gave me MP3's of their setlist and some bass tabs.
> What I found hard to believe, is that they said they auditioned a
> couple bass players who couldn't read the simple chord chart they had
> me read, and also couldn't improvise on tunes they've heard before but
> never played in a band.
> Anyway, they informed me of their next gig, June 8th, which means
> if they decide to retain me, I'll have to learn 30 or so tunes in a
> couple weeks.They're having a band confab tonight to discuss it (the
> drummer wasn't there).
> I'm thinking it's a lock, right? They gave me the mp3's, asked
> about my rehearsal availability, the girls seemed welcoming, the
> guitarists seemed fairly impressed.They say the drummers an old pro,
> which would be really great.
> The question is, if I get this gig, how do I break it to my other
> band that I'm working with another without looking like a dick?
> I kinda want to to get back to being the "bass player" again, and in
> the rock band I set up the PA and worry about sound all night.


In all of my dealings with musicians, I'm somewhat amazed by how
consistently the bass players seem to be the most professional
individuals (that's a generalization of course) and you're no
exception. I tend to agree with Brian Running here, you won't look
bad. They'll be disappointed I'm sure, but if you don't "leave them
hanging" like Brian said, then there doesn't have to be any bad
blood. One caveat I would suggest though...don't leave them hanging,
sure, but at the same time, if it looks like it's dragging out, give
them a firm drop-dead date. When I leave a band, which I've only done
three times, I tend to work with them until they find a replacement or
until 8 weeks out, whichever comes first. One time they were trying
hard to find one and just couldn't, so I extended it a little. Golden
rule is right. Honest is the best policy, and just do for them what
you would want if yu were in their shoes. Can't really ask for more
than that. Best of luck to ya man. Congrats on what sounds like a
new beginning!

:Bazooka-Joe

[5 string]

klaw wrote:
> use the golden rule
>
him with the gold makes the rules? ;)

[suds mcduff]

> Sounds like you have the gig to me.

-----Nope. Another guy pwned me. I don't know enough "girl" songs
(heart, Fleetwood Mac, ect) although I picked them up pretty quick
from osmosis, the other guy was in a band with a f/singer and knew
most of the tunes. Jeez, I've got a songlist of close to a hundred
tunes, and this band did four of them!


> > The question is, if I get this gig, how do I break it to my other
> > band that I'm working with another without looking like a dick?
> > I kinda want to to get back to being the "bass player" again, and in
> > the rock band I set up the PA and worry about sound all night.
>

>
> Are you quitting your old band to take this gig?

----Not any more! Actually, the rock band is starting to wind down
through lack of vocal ability. We lost our singer/lead guitarist, got
a hell of a good guitarist in replacement, but nobody sings
particularly well.

[suds mcduff]

> don;t worry too much about it. as long as the gigs dont conflict, there
> should be no reason you can't play in both bands. i've played in up to four
> bands at a time with no major problems. you just need to work out which are
> your priorities, & sort the gigs out as they come in. i've done a bit of
> "yep, i _can_ do that gig for band B as long as a gig for band A doesn't come
> up", but you really need to make sure band B understands this, & you give
> them enough notice (i work on 2 weeks at the very least). if i've confirmed
> for a gig for band B & a short notice gig for band A comes up, i cannot do
> the gig for band A. simple as that. been working like that for a few years
> now, & haven't yet struck a problem.

----I don't see how you guys can do multiple bands, when almost
everybody works the same nights (Fri, Sat).


> when i got my first gig with another band (say bandX), i broke it to the
> first band (bandA) by saying "hey guys, ive got a gig with bandX on saturday
> night, you wanna come down & check it out?". it wasn;t conflicting with any
> other gigs, i was keen as buggery to get out & play, & probably not
> surprisingly, none of the bandA people turned up ;)
>
> anyway, if you've got a cd of songs to learn, & the keys they play them in,
> & you're worth your salt, you should be able to shit it in no worries.
> presumably the kitchen means drummer?


-----Bass and drums, the rythym section.

or do they drive around the
> countryside with a caravan cooking hamburgers & chips with dim sims in a
> steamer?

----Wish they did, I get hungry around the last set, and some of these
bar managers are cheap bastards, won't even give up a cheeseburger
with no chips.

>
> the 30 songs in a couple of weeks shouldn't be too hard - you can obviously
> read charts, right, so sit down for a few hours & chart them out. easy.
> no-one is going to pick you out for using a music stand for your first few
> gigs. go for it!

-----Didn't get the gig, another guy knew the "girl" songs already.
What's this about bass players being in demand?

>
> oh, and having not to worry about PA & setup etc will probably be the
> biggest (& best) part of it. load in, set up your gear, play, load out, get
> paid.... beautiful....!! if you do help with the PA load in/load out
> though, you will gain brownie points with the other members of the band.

--------Yeah, that was a major perk, along with not paying for a
studio for rehearsal.Right now, I'm doing most of the heavy lifting
and setting up the sound. It's a drag, but still kinda fun.

[suds mcduff]

On May 16, 12:45 pm, Brian Running <brunn...@XXameritechXX.net> wrote:
> > The question is, if I get this gig, how do I break it to my other
> > band that I'm working with another without looking like a dick?
>
> Why would you look like a dick? If you have to break off working with
> the old band, just tell 'em so, with regrets, hope to work with you all
> again in the future, etc., etc. Work with them until they find a
> replacement, don't leave them hanging in a tough spot.
>
> If you can continue working with both, well, just tell them that's what
> you're doing. You're not married, it's not cheating, That's just the
> way it goes.


----Well, the points moot, I didn't get the gig. But, we just went
through the same thing with our singer/lead guitarist. It's not fun
being relegated to hind tit, ya know what I mean?