Having a band pick someone underqualified over you.

[Stanley Design]

Recently a local band here put an ad out for a new bass player...

*snip

-Must have your own gear
-Must be at least 19 years old
-Touring/Recording experience isn't a must, but expect to do these things with us
-Must be able to commit, ie - not going to school, or anything that would interfere with you practicing 2-4 times a week, touring, etc.

*snip*

...and since I currently am not gigging or commited to well.....anything I figured "why not, I'm more than qualified and it might be fun" so we set up an audition, I learn their songs off their site through and through. Then the day of my audition they cancel it and say they found someone. I said "Okay cool" because obviously it's their choice and maybe they had good reasons for making it, but the guy is a guitarist and doesn't even own a bass :/ I completely was ready to step up to this and could play the living crap out of those songs. I'm just a little bummed that they chose a guitar player over me without even giving me a chance to show them. Alwell, off to the next project I suppose. Has this ever happened to you?

[Edwcdc]

The guy they gave the gig to may have been a friend of the band. Maybe he could provide vocals or maybe he just had a hot girlfriend with hot sisters.

They are selling themselves short by not hearing you before they made a decision. You might have walked in there and blew them away. You might have not done so well but they should have at least given you a shot.
If you like there music, let them know that you are interested if the other guy doesn't work out.

[Stanley Design]

Yeah I'm not saying that I'm better, just that it would have been nice to at least be given the chance. I hope the new guy works out for them though, they have a great attitude as musicians and I've seen them getting better the past year or so.

[steveksux]

I try to make it a point to at least go over everyone who set up an audition.

But sometimes someone that someone in the band knows is available, someone they worked with in the past. The added bonus being if they worked with them in the past, they know what to expect as far as drama and professionalism, drugs, reliability, how he gets along with the rest of the guys. If he's also more than adequate as a player, the search is over.

Even if you outplay him, they don't know if you're into drugs, drinking, drama, etc. Its no contest. Playing ability is almost a relatively minor aspect compared to the rest, once they pass the "good enough" hurdle.

Plus when you're auditioning people who answer an ad, the vast majority are a waste of time. You find one someone that fits well, after 2-3 days of auditions, and have 2-3 days of auditions left, its no contest. You stop the auditions. Grab the good guy while he's still available. They don't always stay available for long.

Tell them you're sorry it didn't work out, keep you in mind if the new guy doesn't work out. Go see them, find out what band the new guy left, see if you can get an audition with them.
Randy

[MazeMouse]

Doing auditions from both angles I've seen bands pick other players on several reasons which had nothing to do with playing ability.
-Looks (Long hair, bandshirt. Got rejected for some rock-band for looking too metal)
-Friends (Nuff said)
-Ambition (Play and gig versus "TAKING OVER THA WORLD!". I'd like to keep a realistic goal)
-Personal (They just didn't like me. Can happen, not everyone has to like everyone )
-Gear (If you don't own Fender/Gibson/Ibanez you're not good enough :P)
-Showmanship (I didn't play like a total maniac in rehearsal so they figured I didn't have it to look the part on stage)

So don't feel too bad about it

[IanStephenson]

Its a bit rough they set an audition, then cancelled on you but if theyd already chosen the other guy theyd just have been wasting your time. then you'd really be pissed off!

It happens. You know its not you, so just let it go...

Ian

[tlwaps]

I had an audition for a band once where I live and they had a huge list of "Don'ts" if you want to play for them. I remember one was no drugs, yet when I was jamming with them they were all standing around smoking weed. Anywho, they said they've never auditioned a bass player before and had no idea what they were doing, so they decided to show me a riff to a song. Well they showed me the riff and expected me to play it flawlessly literally the first time they showed it to me and when I couldn't they all got really pissed off. So instantly I knew I wasn't going to play with these guys, whether they wanted me to or not. Once I got home I sent the guitarist an e-mail stating that the feeling was mutual that I would not be playing with them...etc. I was as professional as I could be with it and all i've heard them do is run their mouths about me behind my back.

[JimmyM]

Bands tend to pick the first person they find that fits the bill.

[badstonebass]

Sucks that they blew you off.

I would suspect they went with someone they "knew".

Sometimes "bassists" are not what a band needs. I am a converted guitarist in a cover band. I always tend to play the parts as they were written BECAUSE I use to hate it when a bassist just could not help adding a run or pop in an AC/DC tune.

Remember everything happens for a reason. if you were meant to be in this band it would have happened. i usually find that when I don't get a gig....I find a BETTER one really soon after.

[invader3k]

Yep. Best thing to do is not take it personally, and keep looking. Something right for you will turn up eventually.