Audition today!

Woofer · #1 02-02-2010, 12:18 PM

I have my first audition for a group in quite a while today. It's been almost 4 years since I've been a part of any group so I'm hoping the rust comes off pretty quickly. The guys in the group are a fair bit younger than me as well so I'm doing everything possible not to come off too 'elder statesman' of you know what I mean (I'm 28, they're between 19 - 23 as I understand it). Plus I just moved to a new town so I'm completely out of phase with the scene here right now.

Sorry if I'm rambling, must be the nerves. Gotta go get some coffee and a smoke before I explode.

Wish me luck!

autofile · #2 02-02-2010, 12:18 PM

Knockem' dead!

Selta · #3 02-02-2010, 12:28 PM

Hey,
I just went through something kind of similar. I moved 3000 miles away from home almost a year ago (11 months). I found myself playing in somewhat crappy local bands. I then decided I was sick of that, and would either hold out until a perfect or near perfect project came along, or just succumb to the fact that for now I'll be stuck with similar projects.
After about 3 months of very little practice (we're talking 30-60 mins a WEEK), I found an ad for what turns out to be a very near perfect project. I e-mailed them, got a spot for an audition and began, as you said, working off the rust. Boy was it caked on too. Especially since the projects I was playing in were vastly different than what I want to play (they were three chord pop rock, the band I want and now am part of is progressive metal).
So for a week I played for about 60-90 minutes a day. I nailed my first audition with them. They had others to audition, and also the drummer wasn't able to make the first audition. However, I got a call back for a 2nd audition. The 2nd audition went well also, and I got asked to be part of the band (for now, on an on-going-review type basis. We'll play a few gigs to make sure we mash and go from there).

All in all, just be yourself. Play comfortably for you, and if you don't know something, just tell them "I don't know this". Don't oversell yourself. Be calm, relaxed and hey, have fun.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

stflbn · #4 02-02-2010, 12:33 PM

It's 6 years difference, don't sweat it.

15 - 20 years or more is worth being concerned about.

Woofer · #5 02-02-2010, 05:29 PM

Thanks for all the encouragement guys. The audition went very well, and I'm going back to play with them again this Thursday.

Turned out to be a much newer project than I had anticipated it to be and they were glad to have me bring ideas to the table. Both guys I played with today are very talented so it was easy to get a lot of interplay going between them and bounce ideas around.

The rust wasn't on there quite as thick as I thought, but we did play for 3 hours and my hand started to cramp up somewhere shortly after the 2 hour mark. So I guess it's back to the woodshed to get my chops back.

So I guess all in all things are looking good. Apparently they know a girl who sings/plays keyboard that I may get to meet on Thursday. Which is fine with me, the less I have to sing the better off we all are.

Woofer · #6 02-02-2010, 05:33 PM

@stflbn: I actually am meeting with a couple guys in another band for a jam session/informal audition tomorrow night, and upon checking their facebook this morning I learn they are about 15-20 years older than me. That one should be fun, and I'm sure I'll learn a few things.

steveksux · #7 02-02-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autofile

Knockem' dead!

Just don't leave any fingerprints!!

Randy

bluewine · #8 02-03-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woofer

I have my first audition for a group in quite a while today. It's been almost 4 years since I've been a part of any group so I'm hoping the rust comes off pretty quickly. The guys in the group are a fair bit younger than me as well so I'm doing everything possible not to come off too 'elder statesman' of you know what I mean (I'm 28, they're between 19 - 23 as I understand it). Plus I just moved to a new town so I'm completely out of phase with the scene here right now.

Sorry if I'm rambling, must be the nerves. Gotta go get some coffee and a smoke before I explode.

Wish me luck!

Just do it,

I am 57 and auditioned and made it into a Pop Rock band with most members half my age.

If I did it you can do it. And i was dealing with 57 vs 26. 29 vs 19 is a walk in the park.

Stumbo · #9 02-03-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluewine

Just do it,

I am 57 and auditioned and made it into a Pop Rock band with most meners half my age.

If I did it you can do it. And i was dealing with 57 vs 26. 29 vs 19 is a walk in the park.

Listen to Blue. He worked hard to get things going. All his TB brothers supported him and now he's having a blast.

Woofer · #10 02-04-2010, 12:01 AM

Thanks again everyone. Things went well with both groups. The audition with the older guys that I had tonight was a blast and really stretched my playing, they were both awesome instrumentalists and want me to join. There are some other extenuating issues that may prevent me from joining that one though. I have another practice with the younger guys tomorrow afternoon and possibly something with yet another group next week. The Outer Banks must be devoid of bassists because I've been getting a lot of calls since I got here. At least I won't get bored!

Drop-the-One · #11 02-04-2010, 12:56 AM

Heck yea man! That's awesome-possum.

Vancouver's crazy! GOOD bands that need bass are hard to find.
EVERYONE else here needs a bassist...
... that can practise 5x/wk...
... fix a tour van...
... do graphic design and html...
... get the gigs...
... and knows his place/never takes a cut @ the end of a gig

EddiePlaysBass · #12 02-04-2010, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woofer

upon checking their facebook this morning I learn they are about 15-20 years older than me. That one should be fun, and I'm sure I'll learn a few things.

Well by now we've learned that you had a blast, but just for the record do not confuse age with experience. I've played with guys that were 15 - 20 years older than me and I was the best musician in the room. Which said a lot more about them, cos I'm not that great ...

bluewine · #13 02-04-2010, 11:11 AM

Turned out to be a much newer project

Were you looking for a band that was up and running with solid paying bookings?

bluewine · #14 02-04-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Listen to Blue. He worked hard to get things going. All his TB brothers supported him and now he's having a blast.

Yes! I only had 1 rather major set back, But it's all good now.

0utlier · #15 02-04-2010, 12:10 PM

I am convinced that 40 is the new 30, 30 is the new 20, etc. However, girls under 18 will still get you 20.

I'm 39 and play with the "kids", as I call them. It's a term of endearment. They call me the old man. The band is in their very early 20's and we play original hard rock. I love it. My trick is I stay in fantastic shape which takes years and years off your age. I'm actually in better shape than they are, and in the best shape of my life.

Back in the 80's, when I was a kid, we never would have played with someone as old as I am now. I'm glad the younger generation isn't as closed minded as we were. I am accepted into their "scene" although I don't hang out with any of them except for shows. My wife and two kids take all my time. At first I felt a little weird being the old guy in a young mans' game, but as long as they'll let me play I'll give them 100%.

This time around in an original rock band is way more fun than it was 20 years ago. I guess what I'm saying is it has been my experience that the age difference doesn't seem as meaningful as it did when I was young(er). Enjoy the show.

Mr. Mig · #16 02-04-2010, 12:12 PM

You'll do fine.

Woofer · #17 02-04-2010, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluewine

Turned out to be a much newer project

Were you looking for a band that was up and running with solid paying bookings?

Up and running, yes. Paying bookings was not a criteria in my search but is something I want to do not too far in the future if possible. I haven't found that situation as of yet so I'm going to just enjoy the ones that have been presented.

bluewine · #18 02-05-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0utlier

I am convinced that 40 is the new 30, 30 is the new 20, etc. However, girls under 18 will still get you 20.

I'm 39 and play with the "kids", as I call them. It's a term of endearment. They call me the old man. The band is in their very early 20's and we play original hard rock. I love it. My trick is I stay in fantastic shape which takes years and years off your age. I'm actually in better shape than they are, and in the best shape of my life.

Back in the 80's, when I was a kid, we never would have played with someone as old as I am now. I'm glad the younger generation isn't as closed minded as we were. I am accepted into their "scene" although I don't hang out with any of them except for shows. My wife and two kids take all my time. At first I felt a little weird being the old guy in a young mans' game, but as long as they'll let me play I'll give them 100%.

This time around in an original rock band is way more fun than it was 20 years ago. I guess what I'm saying is it has been my experience that the age difference doesn't seem as meaningful as it did when I was young(er). Enjoy the show.

Yeah, I am in a simialr spot, 57 years old in a Pop Rock band with members under 30. I love the band, love doing shows and the scene. For me at 57, I just show up at rehearsals prepared and show up at shows knowing the set list inside out, getting up their and doing the aging Pop Rock bass player thing for 2 hrs. It's fun. And getting lucky every once in while is good, especially since we are not making money yet.

Drop-the-One · #19 02-05-2010, 07:05 PM

This is a GREAT example of a 20s band w an older guy... and he plays violin!

http://www.myspace.com/satorilife