leschirons

I've just mailed the vocalist and told her that I'll speak to the auditionee. I agree it's best to be delicate, and honest and maybe offer some advice for her next audition, hopefully she'll be mature enough to accept it as help rather than just criticism. If I am found dead with a Slipknot / Megadeath CD severing my neck, I would like to be remembered as one who tried.

If it's for a charity, yes, do it all the time with no expenses. Mate's partys etc, yes. Expect grub and wine. Jam nights and impromptu get togethers, yes, just good fun. Local village thing? yes. Usually free food. Some bastard making shed loads off our backs, NO

[quote name='geoffbyrne' post='1136125' date='Feb 21 2011, 09:07 PM']I knew we were in trouble once, when we auditioned a female singer who turned up wearing 2, yes TWO hearing aids. Honest!!! G.[/quote] Pardon?

[quote name='Beedster' post='1136077' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:51 PM']That's your shout of course, but the mere fact that you take 15 minutes out of your day to call her and explain personally, and to give her some ideas as to how she can do better next time, might motivate her hugely. Anyway, I don't know why you're worried about a drummer not having stick at an audition. We turned up to remote country house to record a few years back to find the session drummer had no sticks. When we got a bit angry he said "Why am I always doing this?" [/quote] Point taken and of course, you're right. I just need to assemble my thoughts about how to be honest, yet delicate but, I will contact her personally.

[quote name='BottomE' post='1136061' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:44 PM']I would have kicked her in the fanny and told her to **** off. Back on Sensible Common you did the right thing. It's not easy auditioning even when you are competent. Musos are so strange - its quite daunting walking into a room with a load that you don't know. Move on, you'll find someone.[/quote] Appreciate your initial comment however, her dad was there and was bigger than the 4 of us put together. Moving on and finding someone is obviously what we'll do but the reason I posted was the behaviour of what I consider to be an irresponsible teacher.

I agree with the possibility that her teacher wanted her to gain audition experience and I'd like to make it clear that although yes, our time was wasted, we do not hold her (the auditionee) responsible for this. Her teacher is treading a fine line I think risking her confidence against gaining experience. He should at least make sure she's at least "nearly" up to the job before putting her in this position. Afterall, he doesn't know that we may, or may not have really ripped into her and that's not fair. Burrito has a good point about letting her know why it's a no go but I don't think she'd handle any more than "not quite ready yet" and I'd hate to upset a young'un as they need encouragement to continue if it's what they really want to do. I think a quiet word (as has been suggested) to her teacher may be on the books. Thanks for the replys.

Just auditioned for a new drummer. Ours is leaving (pop function type band) It was at my house as I have a studio with a kit already set up. 18 years old and looking like she'd just left a Cradle of filth gig. But, in all fairness, that's just appearances and auditions should be open to everyone. She arrived with Dad (fair enough) but without sticks. She was put forward by her drum teacher who teaches at the Montlucon drum school. I'd suggested she learn three numbers from our set list. I'd chosen, one funky, one slow and one with a nice cool groove. I reckon playing in time, with feel, on a slow number is hardest to achieve. She was terrible. One pattern for everything and couldn't even keep time within one bar. Stopped playing three times as she'd got lost and obviously had not listened to the three tracks. I don't have a problem with anyone, at any level, as we all started off crap and then got better with practice. What I find unbelievable is that a pro tutor has put her up for this. He knew very well what we played as he'd seen a gig. No doubt she was nervous and we gave her all encouragement to try another couple of numbers of her own choosing. No better. We did the sensitive, "we'll e-mail you as we have others to audition". No doubt at some point, she'll get told in no uncertain terms what people think of her drumming but I can't see the point in upsetting someone so young, so she'll be let down lightly (at least, by us) As far as I'm concerned, her teacher is a dick-head. If she'd auditioned with someone else, she could have had all her confidence totally destroyed by some arshole.

First Bass Owned: Hohner cricket bat 'Go To' Bass: Old Aria 6 string 'Your' Bass Fender Jazz CS 4 string

[quote name='icastle' post='1134258' date='Feb 20 2011, 01:59 PM']I thought you were gonna say that Dr Hinge had redesigned your splint to make it easier to play! [/quote] Fraid not but it was great wallowing in all the sympathy for the whole night

Maybe the problem is that you're buying privately and there's some sort of retail pricing involved. Obviously I'd bought from a shop so I'd guess that they have some sort of turnover deal going on with the couriers. We have a friend here with a large turnover in sending out parcels and they can get up to 30kgs delivered anywhere in Europe for €16. When I've tried to do that off my own back with the same courier, it's 3 times the price.

Never had a problem with this which I imagine, is due to having started playing bass and singing at the same time initially. I cover the vox on maybe 95% of the set list in a rock band but I have to admit, Jailbreak is a no-no for me. I'd guess the easiest way to start is with some root note 12 bar stuff. (Or Achy breaky heart)

I bought a bass from Bass Central and it cost me $250 to France via UPS, fully insured, for the full value. Took about 5 days. Obviously there was duty and TVA on top when it got here.

[quote name='Mrs Tinman' post='1133947' date='Feb 20 2011, 01:54 AM']Yes! And? Look, I would have gotten away with this for the past four years if it wasn't for you pesky leschirons bloke! PS: actually, on a serious note, didn't the other half of the Hinge & Bracket partnership pass away a few years back? Dunno if they were ever real life partners but sad all the same.[/quote] Yup, his name was Patrick Fyffe and he passed away about 7 or 8 years ago I think. Don't know if they were partners or not. Still, good comedy at the time and now he's settled in France and runs this B&B. He'd organised the 70th party for a friend of his, a nice elderly lady called Celia. (Hark at me, "elderly," bugger, I'm only 11 years away from that one myself. I'm just doing myself a cocoa and then I'm off to bed. Now, where's me slippers?

Great stuff (got it for Robben Ford though rather than the bassplaying if I'm honest)

[quote name='Mrs Tinman' post='1133921' date='Feb 20 2011, 01:23 AM']Yes! This? [/quote] Mrs T, why are you up this late? I think you just come on here to cause trouble

[quote name='Musky' post='1133918' date='Feb 20 2011, 01:22 AM']And did he ask you to play Run to the Hills? [/quote] No he didn't funnily enough but he did request an impromptu "La vie en rose", which we cobbled together well enough for some enthusiastic applause.

Well, apart from doing the gig with a splint on, the evening got more bizarre. It turns out the guy that threw the party was Dr Evadne Hinge (Hinge & Bracket, real name George Logan) who evidently now runs a B&B over here.

[quote name='essexbasscat' post='1133406' date='Feb 19 2011, 03:31 PM']Could this be the start of a trend for slide bass style ? Take a fretless !![/quote] Great idea, slide bass, trouble is I'm right-handed. Thing is, when I was in Essex, I could call one of a dozen deps. Bit thin on the ground in central France.

Got first gig tonight with my right fore-finger in an alluminium splint. Luckily it's a 60's / 70's pop type band so should get away with the edge of my thumb. It's a 70th birthday function so I'm guessing no one will request Run to the hills.

5 basses, 11 guitars, various piles of amps and still got the drum kit. In 3 bands but if I wasn't, I'd keep it all. I just like stuff.

Seen him twice with MM. The guy is simply too cool and talented for words.

If you're looking for a great Blues bass player, check out Tommy Shannon (the late SRV's double trouble lowdowner) Roscoe Beck can seriously do the business too.

[quote name='djudju' post='1128237' date='Feb 15 2011, 01:34 PM']I forgot to add my feedback, but I bought his Fbass in december, and he is a great guy to deal with. Moreover he doesn't let you down in case of problem, he's really helpful and trustworthy. You can buy anything from him in total confidence... If I had enough money, I would buy a bass from him every month [/quote] Thanks Julien, I'm sending you a list of 10 more basses that should take you up to December.