Auditioning!

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by soulman969

Also what's with this?

"I would also like to play some shows. If I get payed that would be cool but it would be a bonus not a requirement."

Why do some musicians believe that their time and talent isn't worth being paid for let alone all the $$$ they have invested in their gear? If it's just a hobby stay in the basement but if you're entertaining for others you should expect to be paid just like any other professional.

Those venues aren't giving out drinks or admission for nothing so why would you?

+1

While we might be getting a little a head of ourselves here it's something you want to be thinking about.

You seem like you want to move forward with a band and advance as a player. For the most part that's going to happen with solid gigging experience, not jamming in the basement with buddies.

Blue

[lwknives]

If im playing in a bar ill expect to get payed. If im playing at a club ill expect to get payed. If im playing for a small group of friends who arent making anybody any money then im fine with not making anything. Im not saying im going to make a habit of playing for other peoples financial gain, its just that making money wont play much into choosing a band.

Also, I have 7 years on guitar and 2 on bass and I think im as good on bass as guitar.

[Einherjar]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I hate to belabor a point, but this is usually a red flag.

Blue

Why do you keep repeating this? All groups start somewhere and there are lots of amateur musicians that don't have the skill/knowledge base or equipment to do their own recordings and lack the funding to pay for an actual recording session in a studio. Or are you just the kind of person that will only put in effort if you can ride the coattails of someone else's talent? Not trying to be a jackass, just seems like you're being overly negative and pessimistic. Raining all over the op's parade about getting to audition for a group.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by lwknives

If im playing in a bar ill expect to get payed. If im playing at a club ill expect to get payed. If im playing for a small group of friends who arent making anybody any money then im fine with not making anything. Im not saying im going to make a habit of playing for other peoples financial gain, its just that making money wont play much into choosing a band.

Also, I have 7 years on guitar and 2 on bass and I think im as good on bass as guitar.

That's why I'm betting you might be musically more advanced than the members of both bands.

I doubt that money will be an issue with either band. It does not sound like either is positioned for money at this time.

My point is, moving forward as a player in most cases happens with a working band.

Its a good time to decide where you eventually want to be, gigging musician or the basement hang with buddies jam and gig 8 times a year.

There's nothing wrong with either model.


Good luck

Blue

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[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Einherjar

Why do you keep repeating this? All groups start somewhere and there are lots of amateur musicians that don't have the skill/knowledge base or equipment to do their own recordings and lack the funding to pay for an actual recording session in a studio. Or are you just the kind of person that will only put in effort if you can ride the coattails of someone else's talent? Not trying to be a jackass, just seems like you're being overly negative and pessimistic. Raining all over the op's parade about getting to audition for a group.

Hi Einherjar,

Have you read many of the disappointing first band experience some TBers have had? I have and I don't wish any of those bad experiences on anyone.

You say I'm negative, I say I'm being realistic.

Plus there just my opinions you or nobody else has to agree with me.

No recordings or no specific material to audition in my eyes are potential red flags.

In no way am I raining on the OP's parade. But now that you mention it I probably seem like the typical "older guy".

Blue

[lwknives]

I guess playing for free is like getting raped by a supermodel. or something.
lol, at any rate this has opened up some things to think about. I was hoping more for advice on how to make the band like me than how to make sure I like them. (Im pretty sure I can figure that out).

As far as where I want to eventually be, im really not sure. I think about 2 gigs a month would be about perfect assuming other non-music stuff works out the way I want. I think that these bands could possibly be a good step in the direction I want to go.
I can always move on in a year or so if it doesnt work out.

[Ubersheist]

Originally Posted by Einherjar

Why do you keep repeating this? All groups start somewhere and there are lots of amateur musicians that don't have the skill/knowledge base or equipment to do their own recordings and lack the funding to pay for an actual recording session in a studio. Or are you just the kind of person that will only put in effort if you can ride the coattails of someone else's talent? Not trying to be a jackass, just seems like you're being overly negative and pessimistic. Raining all over the op's parade about getting to audition for a group.

I also agree with Bluewine. He's certainly not alone in this thought. It's a red flag, but not a deal breaker. If someone doesn't have anything recorded, then it's kind of like they showed up to an audition or a gig without a tuner.

Getting material accessible to others is immensely easier now then days of yore. My 10 year old niece can post her silly stuff with her friends online in 10 minutes. She can even cut and paste stuff together and put text in with free video software, too. Surely anyone else can at least get something online, too.

Also, I firmly believe the thing that worse then having only the crappiest of crappy recordings of yourself is to have no recordings at all. If you're a good player, even the crappiest recording will show that you have talent.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by lwknives

I guess playing for free is like getting raped by a supermodel. or something.

Not sure I understand the parallel.

At the end of the day it's like you said, it's something to think about.

There are tbers like myself with a hard " I don't play for free" position to tbers that maintain a " as long as I get to play I'll play for free" It depends on what you want.

Blue

[Stumbo]

Here are a few interesting and informative TB links you may want to check out:
Auditioning for new band
Auditioning for a new band 2
Getting back in the game
Red flag stories
Hilarious/Bizarre audition stories
"Never got to audition"
Audition didn't go as planned

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Here are a few interesting and informative TB links you may want to check out:
Auditioning for new band
Auditioning for a new band 2
Getting back in the game
Red flag stories
Hilarious/Bizarre audition stories
"Never got to audition"
Audition didn't go as planned

Great stuff for anyone new to the business, especially Red Flag Stories.

blue

[abemo]

Ok, I get it. I used to tour and make money (not much) and we never played free. We didn't live well, but we lived on it. Since then I've started a family, and I play in bands to have a presence on the local scene, the money generated by the band goes to cover our promotional costs and such, mostly stickers now, but moving into cd's and such. This is the kind of bands these guys sound like. If it all goes well, you make some good music, some people enjoy it, some bars will pay a bit for it, enough to cover gas and a decent meal. Realistically, that's how most of the "local scenes" operate.

If that's what you're into (and it sounds like it is), then just show up, have a good time, try to pick up the tunes, they won't expect you to nail the changes, mostly start developing parts, and if you can nail a few changes on the fly you just might seal the deal. Mostly just have fun, try not to completely suck, and see if you enjoy the music and musicians. If you're not into it, don't take it, they'll likely do the same.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by abemo

If that's what you're into (and it sounds like it is), then just show up, have a good time, try to pick up the tunes, they won't expect you to nail the changes, mostly start developing parts, and if you can nail a few changes on the fly you just might seal the deal.

True, however if you read carefully what the OP has said about these 2 bands he will have to determine and figure out if they even have a deal to seal.

Hopefully they have something the OP finds value in.

My sense is telling me the OP is going to find out he is musically light years a head of both bands.

Blue

[MarkMgibson]

Surely either of these bands can play "Louie Louie", "Born To Be Wild" or some obvious covers? They should give you some clue, but I suppose they might just have you jam on a 12 bar blues or something. Anyway, I hope your auditions go well.

[lwknives]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Here are a few interesting and informative TB links you may want to check out:
Auditioning for new band
Auditioning for a new band 2
Getting back in the game
Red flag stories
Hilarious/Bizarre audition stories
"Never got to audition"
Audition didn't go as planned

There we go! thanks.

Im used to playing very mediocre music with people who are way ahead of me as far as experience in the pw band. The more established band is blues/rock so im not expecting the music to be very advanced. From what the told me they have more years of playing than I do. They are planing on doing some clapton covers and cover some other bands like that but havent learned the songs because they havent had a lead guitar.
The other band, like I said, is a start-up, it isnt technically a band yet and they are probably more interested in my ability to write than to learn songs. I dont know anything about where they are as far as musical talent.

[bluewine]

Good luck,

Please let us know how it goes.

I'm more interested in what you think of the bands and what they have to offer.

By the way I'm in a blues/ rock cover band.

Blue



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[lustersilk]

Originally Posted by lwknives

Would it be ok to bring a note book to write quick chord charts on or would that be considered unprofessional?

On the contrary, that would be considered very professional.

[lustersilk]

Originally Posted by Ubersheist

It's considered MORE professional if you bring a notebook or pad of paper. Definitely bring one. As they're teaching you a song, make any notes you think would be relevant, and maybe start creating your own chord chart or map of how the song goes.

this

[kozmikyak]

But still, by all means, give it a try. Yes, it's a red flag that they won't provide charts and don't want to learn a cover to ease audition. But stranger things have happened, than finding a fruitful band situation under less than ideal circumstances. The worst that can happen is you say "no". It would have taken me years to build up the experience I gained building up a band from amateur level to semi-pro, if I hadn't taken a chance on less than ideal learning conditions (no charts, no recordings, low amount of theory knowledge).

Yes, seek out pay for your work in the long run. But no harm in going to audition. Every audition is additional experience, and I think bassists often have a sense of entitlement about having the gig basically "handed" to them on a platter with charts and recordings. Any decent bassist should be able to learn the skill of following basic to intermediate level chord progressions by ear, on the fly, without knowing the music ahead of time, as long as the music fits at least somewhat into the confines of a known genre. Yes, some chords won't fit immediately, but you'll get them the second try. Yes, some bits of music defy all known rules of progression, but one can learn to correct those so quickly that nobody notices in rehearsal/audition. And there are ways of picking notes that will fit more than one possibility of the next chord, to ease the first time around. Maybe you'll get to be the one that opens up their minds to the importance of charts, by asking wise questions about those parts that don't fit "the usual".

Let go of the crutch of the chart, and exercise the ears a bit.

[lwknives]

Well the guy who was auditioning me for bass didnt show up. the drummer couldnt make it. I sat outside the guys apartment for 30 min waiting for him, called him 4 times with no answer.
Yay for flacky musicians.

Hopefully the next one goes better.

[hrodbert696]

Originally Posted by lwknives

Well the guy who was auditioning me for bass didnt show up. the drummer couldnt make it. I sat outside the guys apartment for 30 min waiting for him, called him 4 times with no answer.
Yay for flacky musicians.

Hopefully the next one goes better.

Typical. Plan on a dozen like this (or various other kinds of flaming death) before you find one that works out. Patience, grasshopper...

To all the controversy over getting paid and bands that don't have anything recorded yet etc... You can set your own goals. If you want to join a band that's already proven they can do something, more power to you. If you're willing to take a chance on guys who are at square zero and see where they can go, that's your call. Just don't let anyone take advantage of you.