Comments on: How to Audition a Bassist

on 8/19/2006 Don't make the auditioning bassist feel as if he/she is subservient to the rest of the group. If there is something you like about the player, say so. Don't act all unimpressed for the sake of acting like a rock star if the audition went great. You may just let the right bassist slip through your fingers if you let your ego get in the way. Take it from a bassist who has auditioned many times. When I got a call back telling me the gig was mine if I wanted it, I told the band they couldn't pay me enough to deal with their ego's on a daily basis.
They let the best man for the job get away and had to settle
for second best. I know they're kicking themselves for it.

on 8/8/2006 Most bassists like beer. I know I do. Give him a beer before the audition, and be sure to let him know that there is more where that came from. That way, you can keep him coming back. If he brings his own beer to the audition, you know you have a winner (but don't expect him to share). It's also a good idea to find out what kind of beer he drinks. If you are a Guinness guzzling band and your bassist-to-be is more of a Miller Lite kinda guy, you may want to keep looking.

on 11/22/2005 Know the material and the drummer's style prior to the audition. My band was not looking for flashy popping and slapping. What we looked for was how well I could adapt to the drummer's unique playing style. The band provided me with a CD. The audition went well a few weeks later. The rest is history.

on 11/22/2005 Find out if this is a person who excels at everything. My bass player has only been playing for a year, and I'm the reason he started! He is now a better bass player that 99% of famous ones and it's because he's just awesome. Even though he had no musical experience, I could tell he would be good because he loves music, and he works his butt off when it comes to anything. A person's character is very important.

on 11/22/2005 Any bass players named **** usually are terrible players; hence do not even audition them.

on 11/22/2005 Through the interview process, try to determine how committed he or she can be to practicing with or without the band. What are the priorities in this person's life right now? Will he or she be able to accommodate a gig week after week?

on 11/22/2005 If possible, provide a tape of your music to the prospective bass player before the first meeting. This will allow him to get to know your material and allow you to better assess him. (And everyone will be on the same page as far as what songs are known.)