I had two auditions today...

[Busker]

I've never had two in one day before. The first was for a classic rock band, the second was for a country band.

I learned two songs for the rock band (that's all I had time to learn specifically) although we played numerous others, some of which I already knew, some I learned on the spot as best I could. The songs I learned before the audition were Down On Main Street, Bob Seger (ooh I love this song, nice bass lines too), and Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen, Santana. I thought I did pretty good on this audition but they were noncommittal. They are pretty good and I sure wouldn't mind joining that band, but they want to look at other bassists too they said, so maybe I didn't blow them away.

I didn't even practice anything for the country band, since I've been playing that kind of stuff for almost a full year. They offered me a job right then and there. I was hoping they would have to "sleep on it" so I could see if the rock band would call, but oh well, I said I would take the job. Once I get up to speed on their material, there will be gigs. They are talented, very good players and singers, and I get to work with a keyboard player for the first time. I could do a lot worse than these guys (and have before).

[Stingray_EB]

Ha good for you man, you're just gonna have to hope the rock band dont say you blew us away ! Wait..........you dont want that ...you know what I mean lol

[Lemoore-on]

What are you gonna do if the rock band calls you back and offers you the gig?

[Busker]

Originally Posted by Lemoore-on

What are you gonna do if the rock band calls you back and offers you the gig?

I'll just have to tell them, sorry, another band wanted to hire me and asked me before they did.

Let's face it, they said they want to look at other bassists before they decide. Which is fine, they should, if they have others to look at. But that means (to me), that my chances of getting that job aren't great. If I blew them away, they might have offered me the gig and stopped their search.

[Laserman]

Well,

You never know. Myself, I would prefer they try out a few others then come back to me and sak me to join. That would show me professionalism on their part and the to the other bassist they asked to audition. Who wouldn't like knowing you were the best option they have?

Barry

[GianGian]

Can't you join both? It always good to play with a lot of people, if you can play and learn all the material well.

[QORC]

I've never joined a band where I wasn't asked on the spot. If they really like you, they will tell you right away. When they say "we want to look at some other ones as well", they are telling you that you didn't blow them away and at best you'll be maybe what they settle for.

who wants that?

Yes, you can always impress them after getting a job, but honestly, it's like dating. You (and they) should know pretty damn quick whether it's a fit

[Busker]

Originally Posted by QORC

I've never joined a band where I wasn't asked on the spot. If they really like you, they will tell you right away. When they say "we want to look at some other ones as well", they are telling you that you didn't blow them away and at best you'll be maybe what they settle for.

who wants that?

Yes, you can always impress them after getting a job, but honestly, it's like dating. You (and they) should know pretty damn quick whether it's a fit

That's a pretty accurate assessment, IMO.

For whatever reason, (it seems) I failed to impress. I felt I played fairly well. No, I didn't play everything perfectly, but heck, I did learn two songs for them, plus I knew a few others on their song list, and "learned" some others on the spot. We played for nearly 2 hours.

I'm trying to make myself feel better about it by telling myself that even big time pros don't get every gig they audition for, so i shouldn't feel too bad.

[Rathead123]

The band Im in now, auditioned 5 bass players, I was 2nd, and was told that they want to look at other people. After the other 3 were tried, I was called back with the job. And was told I was the best of the bunch and knew the songs, and the "fills" good enough that we giged within a week. You never know they might call yet..

[invader3k]

Originally Posted by Busker

I'm trying to make myself feel better about it by telling myself that even big time pros don't get every gig they audition for, so i shouldn't feel too bad.

It's nothing to fret over. There's so much that goes into a band selecting new members, that it's basically out of your control. All you can control is how you present yourself, and how you play. Everything else is out of your hands. There could be stuff going on behind the scenes with the group that you would have no knowledge of, that could factor into their decision.

You never know...they could have already promised other people a chance to audition, and feel obligated to give them a shot before committing to someone else.

I've auditioned for bands I really liked, and didn't get it for reasons that had nothing to do with my playing. It happens.

[QORC]

band selections are a weird process. Bands are formed by musicians, who usually are flakes.

Who the hell knows what they are really looking for??


So you don't worry about it. There are usually SO many opportunities for even the average bassist that if one opportunity doesn't work out, another will come along.