I am probably going to start auditioning players for a cover band in the next month or so. Probably be a 5-piece with 2 guitars (keyboard players are rare in these parts). Playing Top40 type rock covers. I have at least 15 songs I would like to play, both male, female or neutral led lyrics, but I would prefer a mix if possible (except I don't sing myself LOL).

Is it best to audition people in stages, like seek out a decent drummer, then guitars, or best to just rotate people into a room to jam some songs?

Also, when auditioning people, is it better to just choose some songs from the set list to see how people play regardless of how hard they are, or deliberately choose songs that put the various instruments (including bass) through their paces...Like maybe choosing an easy song to jam out to, then a groove heavy song to check the rythm section out, a song with a long or technical lead solo to test the guitarist(s) and then a song with heavy vocal and harmonies etc?

I'm green in this area but my circumstances dictate it's best I run the band and call the shots regarding availability etc.

Advice and experienced most welcome :)

It doesn't really matter which instrument you pick up first to be honest. If an audition isn't going smooth with a bassist and a guitarist, than something is wrong.

Also, just pick some songs from the set-list. You can sorta figure out a player early on.

Pick songs from your setlist - there's no point in getting them to learn/play something for an audition if you've no intention of playing as a band. Who cares if they can play something crazy difficult if thats not what's needed for your set. You're interested in how well they can play the stuff you need them to play. Also the songs that you ask them to play will give them an idea of what sort of band you want it to be.

Pick one song that's straight forwards to get things started, and one that puts that instrument under stress. Let them pick a third song that they'd like to do from your list.

I'd just grab people as and when they come along. No point in turning away a great drumer just cause you don't have a singer yet. The more good people you have on board, the easier it is to fill the gaps.

Ian

The hard part is holding out until the guy that makes your jaw drop walks in the door. Usually, there are a few very mediocre players, and some pretty good ones, and then there's "the one". Take your time unless the first guy you try out makes funny things happen in your pants.

The hard part is holding out until the guy that makes your jaw drop walks in the door. Usually, there are a few very mediocre players, and some pretty good ones, and then there's "the one". Take your time unless the first guy you try out makes funny things happen in your pants.


True. I auditioned for a band a few days ago. They told me they had held an audition for singers (5 in one day!) and one of them was far and away the best. It made their choice easy.

Side note: I was the only bassist who had auditioned so far. One of the perks of our instrument - less competition.

For the OP: I would see how they fare with a familiar tune, and then how they handle a jam situation.

I am so totally against auditioning people together. An out of tune guitarist can make a singer look horrible. A drummer with bad timing can make the tightest bass player sound like he can't play. A singer who sucks badly can upstage everyone. If the chemistry is wrong with just one person it could kill it for everyone.

I'd find a drummer who was on the same page as me, explain your plans, and then move on for there. Or use a drum machine and audition guitarists and singers at your house first to weed out the maniacs. I'm sure there's lots of ways of going about it, but I'd definitely go one player at a time.

Wow, the search function really works! I was looking up some hints on auditioning people and here's a post of mine :)

Due to having to let some members go, I am auditioning both singers and lead guitarists tomorrow night, which should be interesting to say the least!

It sure is a drama trying to organise these things! People calling me up all cynical about the project, then committing to audition...only to back out or cancel AFTER I tell everyone else interested that the audition is booked out.

So then I have to chase those people up to offer them the spot etc etc. I even managed to double book, but I got my butt out of that one!

Trying to line the sets up was fun too. I ended up sending the singers a list of songs to choose from and having them pick 5 or 6, then letting the corresponding guitarists auditioning at the same time know what songs the singers chose. That worked OK, UNTIL singers started changing their minds!! :eyebrow:

One guitarist actually declined an audition by email, then changed his mind within 20 minutes. Sure was funny reading the headers on email! Against my better judgement I booked him in for the last slot. 2 days later, he asks me to change his allocated time (no, sorry, can't). Then he asks for photo's of the band! I hope he can play. If he turns up :)

I've spent hours organising these auditions!! My band mates think I'm gold for managing to fill the 4 slots for each instrument and they are confident we will walk away with a band.

My missus on the other hand is not so satisfied with the time it's taken just to arrange the night. It had better be a good one.

Honestly, if I was auditioning for my band and I knew how disorganised I was while organising it I wouldn't consider joining my own band LOL :D :D :D

Well, thats my rant over...wish me luck for tomorrow....I'm off to do more reading up on audition advice! :)

I find it really helpful to get anyone auditioning to send demos in ahead of time. That way you know if they can play ahead of tmie and don't waste your time and create an uncomfortable situation finding out they suck face to face. Plus...I figure that anyone experienced enough to join better have recorded at one point or another...if they hadn't that's a kiss of death.

It's also useful to make a score sheet that you fill out as soon as the person is gone. I incude things like Tone, Technique, groove, gear, personlity, image (yes it's important), and preparation as some of the criteria. This way you can go back 2-3 weeks later and have an accurate record of your first impressions.

I also agree with giving them a list of songs. Require 1 or 2 of everyone so that you can compare apples to apples and then let them pick one of their own from the list so you can see what they naturaly gravitate towards.

"I figure that anyone experienced enough to join better have recorded at one point or another...if they hadn't that's a kiss of death."

Note to self: don't audition for him :).

I would not knock a player out of the audition loop because they have or haven't recorded! Recorded means you had acess to a studio.....not that you're good.

Not sure how you could audition without having given everyone some sort of setlist/cd/email downloads? Having a mass jam doesn't really show skills.......unless you are a jam band. What my group did was give me a CD with 12 songs, said, pick 3. We did those three, then they showed me two that weren't on the list ( to see how well I could learn/follow). The next week we played 3 different ones and ran over the two from the week before. Etc.

We're auditioning drummers, and we did the same thing-gave them a CD, gave them a week to work on it, asked which 3 songs, ran over those, ran over a couple new ones. It shows pretty quickly who is willing to practice (thus far......*sigh*). Personally, I'd take a personable player with a little less skill that practices than a prima donna... I'm certainly glad my group did because I came from a jam blues background with a different way of learning into this rock group that's playing covers. Nothing wrong with giving someone willing a chance :).

Well the auditions are over. What a long night! Got to the studio at 6:30pm, first audition kicked off at 7:15pm (she was late) and the 3 core members of the band left at 11:15pm!

2 lead guitarists were pretty good. Guitarist A was clearly better playing wise, but was very casual in his approach. He also drank 2 Jim Beam & Cola cans during the audition (less than 1 drink an hour tsk tsk) and ducked out for ciggies a few times. He also sat down a lot between songs. The rythm guitarist didn't feel that they communicated well about their respective parts, and he was pretty loud (although noone asked him to turn down either).

Guitarist B wasn't as polished, but he set up in half the time and seemed more like a team player than a lead guitarist...best of all he brought his sound UP to match us during the first song! I was a little put off by him adjusting it at first, but we didn't do much of a soundcheck either so I let that slide, presuming he knows not to do that live (he does have live experience in bands).

We decided on going with Guitarist B.

Of the 3 singers that actually turned up, 2 are real prospects as far as skills and presence go. One was dynamite and would really help the band market itself, but she is 18 (and we're all in our 30's and 40's). The guys want to recruit her, but I have serious reservations about her long term commitment, maturity, whether I want to play with "kids", can put up with the groupies and the type of crowd she might attract (ie, young males who can't hold their liquour or testosterone) etc etc.

The other singer was also very good. Not as polished, and she asked if that was it after 3 songs (we asked for 5 or 6). She asked again after 4 and 5. She said she was really keen to join us, but her demeanour suggested otherwise to me at least.

So I'm not sure we settled the lineup. I know the guys would take the 18yo singer, but I have reservations like I said. And I'm still getting responses to the ads I posted (the last person actually just came back from gigging twice a week around San Francisco).

So I am thinking of bringing both the chics back we were happy with and testing them with some new songs to see how well they prepare them (despite my reservations about the 18yo). Also thinking of inviting a couple new singers to try out as well. The guys seemed happy for me to do that so hopefully by next week we'll settle the lineup and the band will be complete, at least until the next hurdle :)

Discuss if you wish :)

"I figure that anyone experienced enough to join better have recorded at one point or another...if they hadn't that's a kiss of death."

Note to self: don't audition for him :).

I would not knock a player out of the audition loop because they have or haven't recorded! Recorded means you had acess to a studio.....not that you're good.



The reason I require a demo is that we wasted countless hours auditioning people who said they could really play...and most defineitely could not. (Ex...dude showed up for a funk/jam/electronica audition with a marshal stack and a 7 string ibanez...and even for hardcore his tone sucked) There's nothing more uncomforatable for either side cutting an audition short after the first song (or in the middle of the first song) because the person talked a good game but couldn't back it up.

Anyone who's truly experienced has to have some type of recording of their playing...even just a 3 song demo to get a club gig. I don't care how good you are...if you've never had the experience of playing in a giging band you weren't going to cut it with our group. When you have a touring band there's no way your going to take a chance on someone who's largest audience has been them and their mirror no matter how good they are.

Yes...I'm kind of a jerk that way...but auditions are like job interviews...and we were not an entry level gig.

" I don't care how good you are...if you've never had the experience of playing in a giging band you weren't going to cut it with our group."

Now that's completely different-if they've never played with a band, then I wouldn't want em either for a gigging group. BUT, not every gigging band has recorded, espically if they do covers. My current groups been gigging for about a year, and doesn't have a demo (although we're working on it). Around here, demos don't get you gigs-knowing people and word of mouth do-heck, they don't even ask for em. Different market than yours probably :). And a lot of the good players that're out gigging live are so busy gigging they don't have *time* to record...

However, the original poster was looking for people to join a Top 40 cover band...... would demos really be necessary for that? I'm in a top 40 cover band, so not knocking the group! My point is, requiring someone to have been recorded first is a bit higher than necessary for the gig mentioned....

Another point on recording, espically with bass players, is what if the group they recorded with is a different style than what you're looking for? For instance, I was up at blues jams within a few months of learning bass...there's a recording floating around of me at a jam or two. However, I wouldnt want to hand that to a prospective band-1/4/5/4 underneath a zealous harmonica player? :spit: I now play in a rock band...but if they'd hear the blues stuff, they'd think that was all I could play and might not have bothered. But most bass players around here can play in several genere.......not all of which may have been done in a studio.

We're in the process of trying to find a drummer ourselves. Right now we're trying to go through word of mouth-letting all the players we know know that we're looking. If we get a name, we run it by the players we trust to see if anyone's heard of them. One guy came up and said he'd played with all these people, he'd been recorded, etc.... cool. So we ran his name past my old teacher.....found out the guy'd been fired from every group for temper issues, and the recordings he'd done he still owed money for. Apparently he's a great player.. but not a great person.
The reason I mention this is, for the original poster, if you find someone ask them who they've played with locally-get references. Make sure there's no little hidden things (like having punched the female lead singer in the face....) that might not make themselves known at an audition.

The reason I require a demo is that we wasted countless hours auditioning people who said they could really play...and most defineitely could not. (Ex...dude showed up for a funk/jam/electronica audition with a marshal stack and a 7 string ibanez...and even for hardcore his tone sucked) There's nothing more uncomforatable for either side cutting an audition short after the first song (or in the middle of the first song) because the person talked a good game but couldn't back it up.

Anyone who's truly experienced has to have some type of recording of their playing...even just a 3 song demo to get a club gig. I don't care how good you are...if you've never had the experience of playing in a giging band you weren't going to cut it with our group. When you have a touring band there's no way your going to take a chance on someone who's largest audience has been them and their mirror no matter how good they are.

Yes...I'm kind of a jerk that way...but auditions are like job interviews...and we were not an entry level gig.
I think that the musical landscape and the musician skill pool in Nashville might be higher than in 'lil 'ole Perth :D
That said I agree with most of what you've said. We are a working cover band (hobby to semi pro I suppose) playing easily accessible songs and we expect people to be able to hit the ground running and keep up with us.

However, the original poster was looking for people to join a Top 40 cover band...... would demos really be necessary for that? I'm in a top 40 cover band, so not knocking the group! My point is, requiring someone to have been recorded first is a bit higher than necessary for the gig mentioned....

Ah knock away mate...most "original artists" in Perth missing out on all the paying gigs knock us all the time, I'm kinda immune to it now ;)

I don't think we need recordings/demo's to fill this lineup either and to be honest, the 2 singers who insisted on just providing recordings seemed to be of the opinion we would decide based on that alone. They also seemed to presume they can just show up and nail the gig. This band is my hobby, my baby in some respects, not a fully pro cover band, although we do take it seriously. But I don't want or need anyone so professional they can't spare a couple of hours to rehearse regularly and just want to show up, play and get paid.

Hey, at least not yet anyway. Hopefully in a couple of years :) :)