Audition - Cheat sheet ok?

pedroims · #1 05-31-2011, 08:32 AM

I have an audition tonight, we are going to play 8 songs, I learned all of them but because all of them are new songs to me I dont feel 100% comfortable playing them, is it ok to show up to the audition with a music stand and cheat sheets? This is not a pro band by any means, what the leader told me is that they are looking for the right fit rather than chops.

electracoyote · #2 05-31-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedroims

I have an audition tonight, we are going to play 8 songs, I learned all of them but because all of them are new songs to me I dont feel 100% comfortable playing them, is it ok to show up to the audition with a music stand and cheat sheets? This is not a pro band by any means, what the leader told me is that they are looking for the right fit rather than chops.

If I was in the band you are auditioning for, I would give you props for being prepared and using a cheat sheet, with the understanding that you will eventually wean yourself off the chart and memorize the songs. Otherwise, it would be cool with me. At least that way I know you've taken time to analyze the song, you're doing everything you can to play it well and correctly, and we can get through an audition without the agonizing pain of new guy causing an endless series of train wrecks.

The last two bands I auditioned for, I used cheat sheets at audition. I got both slots, and currently play in both bands.

Good luck.

MuzikMan · #3 05-31-2011, 08:37 AM

Yes, absolutely bring them. I know I would much rather have someone come well prepared than wing it and not even bother to bring a sheet that could have helped. Use the tools my friends.

baileyboy · #4 05-31-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuzikMan

Yes, absolutely bring them. I know I would much rather have someone come well prepared than wing it and not even bother to bring a sheet that could have helped. Use the tools my friends.

yup, ditto.

bstringrandy · #5 05-31-2011, 09:39 AM

Use the cheat sheets! They should be more impressed that you were prepared and took the time to work up the songs than concerned about you using a crutch or something...

dvh · #6 05-31-2011, 09:45 AM

While usually I'd agree with the above comments that fact that they said "they are looking for the right fit rather than chops" makes me think their not going to be impressed by a music stand and sheets....

My .02, YMMV, etc....

MrDOS · #7 05-31-2011, 09:49 AM

I'm with dvh on this one. 8 is more tunes than a typical audition in my experience, but I would never show up with paper unless I was audtioning for Frank Zappa.

bstringrandy · #8 05-31-2011, 10:00 AM

Okay, I'll add a disclaimer to my above post. I agree that 8 tunes is a bit much for an audition. The norm is 3 or 4.

It might also make a difference how complex the songs were. A 1-4-5 12 bar is going be a bit different than a Rush or Dream Theater piece!

Fuzzbass · #9 05-31-2011, 10:23 AM

There's no absolute right or wrong here. There are many determining factors: e.g. the expectations of the band, how long you've had to learn the eight songs, and as bstringrandy noted, the complexity of the songs.

I would go ahead and bring the cheat sheets, especially given that it's 8 songs. A typical bar band will understand that they'll disappear once you're comfortable with their setlist. IME it's more about your groove, and how well you recover from any mistakes you do make.

electracoyote · #10 05-31-2011, 10:26 AM

Number of tunes, complexity of tunes, "right fit rather than chops," I don't think any of this matters.

OP isn't 100% ready to nail these tunes from memory yet. That's the crux of the issue.

Eight tunes may or may not be an above average number of audition tunes, who knows? Who cares? They gave him eight, he wants to come in and play them all. Kudos to OP!

And there's nothing wrong with being a good fit AND having the chops.

OP should go in with all eight tunes charted out, tell them he normally memorizes material but time was a little tight so he's using a few notes, nail the songs, and show them he takes this stuff seriously and he's a good hang.

**Staccato** · #11 05-31-2011, 10:30 AM

Actually, it will serve as a reminder sheet that will help you tonight. You're not cheating on anything!

rosstanium · #12 05-31-2011, 10:32 AM

course, only thing worse than trainwrecking while trying to play by memory is making mistakes with the charts right in front of you.

Doctor Dirt · #13 05-31-2011, 10:38 AM

Do whats best for you!!! If the sheets make you comfortable use them, theres no need to do anything your not comforatable with. Best of luck. Doc.

paganjack · #14 05-31-2011, 11:13 AM

Yeah if you're not 100% on it, then better to have a piece of paper for a while and play it right than just freeze up and totally biff it. If you have to stare at them the whole time I would be dubious, but if you just take a glance now and again I really wouldn't worry about it too much. 8 tunes is a lot for an audition.

pedroims · #15 05-31-2011, 11:31 AM

thanks everybody! I dont need to stare at the sheets the whole time but there are three songs with different tunning and one song with breaks in two different time signatures. They gave me one week to learn the songs, I told to the leader that I am full time employee and music is a hobby, its not an excuse but I cant dedicate more than two hours per day to music. Let see what happens tonight

powderfinger · #16 05-31-2011, 11:36 AM

If auditions were only about chops, I am sure Metallica would have hired Les Claypool over Jason Newstead after Cliff died.

jaywa · #17 05-31-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bstringrandy

Use the cheat sheets! They should be more impressed that you were prepared and took the time to work up the songs than concerned about you using a crutch or something...

Yup.

**jmattbassplaya** · #18 05-31-2011, 12:35 PM

Definitely use cheat sheets, just don't be staring at them the whole time.

dvh · #19 05-31-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedroims

thanks everybody! I dont need to stare at the sheets the whole time but there are three songs with different tunning and one song with breaks in two different time signatures. They gave me one week to learn the songs, I told to the leader that I am full time employee and music is a hobby, its not an excuse but I cant dedicate more than two hours per day to music. Let see what happens tonight

Let us know the outcome... good luck!

tycobb73 · #20 05-31-2011, 06:32 PM

I'd hold it against you as a negative but would have to compare how you did against everybody else.