Auditioning a drummer

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by jtc_hunter

I dont think you understood my post. If you knew the f-n hell we went thru with our previous drummer, this procedure just found out in a hurry if the new guy had a temper. he took it all in stride very well(unexpectedly). Then we let him in on it after a couple weeks.

So it's OK to take out your problems with some other drummer on the new guy? Sorry, but if it were me, I wouldn't put up with it. I'm nobody's whipping boy.

[Spoek]

We were in a similar situation a little while ago: our old drummer was great and a good friend but wasn't feeling the love (he loves computer games more...but thats another issue!). We'd never had to audtion a drummer before.

Our plan was to meet with the people who replied to our advert BEFORE the audition to "see if we were on the same page musically," in other words to see if he was a moron or not! Foolproof we thought.

So we meet a guy, we get along pretty well, we arrange an audition. We get him to learn two tracks from our Myspace and two covers (Money by P Floyd and War Pigs by Sabbath). Meet for an audition, he smashes all the tracks, we have a laugh and a killer jam. Sorted.

So next practice, again going well. Then... he slips in a couple of mildly racist jokes...hmmm. We didn't really comment, assuming it was one a off thing in poor taste. I know we should nipped that in the bud right then and there, but we didn't - we barely knew the guy at the time.

Next couple of practices theres a couple more comments. Now it's become a real issue with me and our other band member, so I have a practice in an hour and we basically have to sit down and have a nice and awakward chat about it!

Obviously, these things are never simple. If the guy was a Neo-Nazi or something then this would be very straightforward...we'd be doing blast beats on his head with his own sticks and he'd be out period! But I think it stems from genuine ignorance (thats not a justification, merely some kind of explanation) and a sheltered background in a small country town. He actually has several non-white friends as well.

Basically we're gonna tell him to cut those kind of comments out totally. He has just moved to a very cosmopolitan area which should hopefully broaden his mind. We're giving him a month to see if he'll curb his comments and to make a judgement (we're not telling him that yet!)

Thats my story anyway, you guys ever come across this kind of thing? If you have - don't let it slide!

[Michelob_64]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

+10 on getting copies of the material to the drummer so he can be prepared for the audition.

You are assuming they take the time to learn the songs, lol. We've been auditioning drummers for a while now, a majority of them tell us "oh I know 90% of your set list." Then we get there & it sorta goes like this:

Out of 45 songs (figure 90% = a pool of at least 40 songs) ... "uh, no I've never played that one before" or "oh yeah I like that song, heard it on the radio today ... I think I can play that!" Then it goes down hill from there.

Seriously though, if you like the person make sure you get back to them right away & offer them the position. We've lost at least one drummer because the person in charge of try outs, took their time in getting back in touch with the dude.

[paganjack]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

So it's OK to take out your problems with some other drummer on the new guy? Sorry, but if it were me, I wouldn't put up with it. I'm nobody's whipping boy.

i'm with jimmy on this one- i don't think i would appreciate someone telling me exactly how to play it right off the bat- maybe describing the gist of the line, but to barge in on their kit and play it? when you first meet them? i wouldn't do it.

i have given drummers ideas on what the beat was in my head, and played it for them, but that's after playing with them for a comfortably long time. if they think that it doesn't fit at all, i defer to their judgment.

[mattblissett]

Surely you are getting a drummer for the purpose of having a human being interpreting the rhythms within your songs, as opposed to a drum machine? Unless they are doing this as a session gig, you should not be projecting your drummer issues onto them at all.

[Acquistapace]

Originally Posted by fdeck

When you call a drummer for an audition, tell them:

"You just need to bring a snare and hi-hat, and brushes, and a music stand."

"Hey, if you don't wanna haul your whole kit, feel free to just bring what you feel are your bare essentials."