"Live" audition

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by drpepper

Sure. We all have the right to our opinions. We have the right to express them here, so long as we don't break the rules in the process. And we have the right to comment on each others opinions too.

We can have various reasons for posting our opinions, but when they're posted in the form of advice, the reason would presumably be to help someone by offering them the benefit of your experience.

Opinions are often presented as facts or as having universal applicability. The thing about opinions is that they can have varying degrees of validity in their bases. Opinions based on wild conjecture combined with experiences and circumstances that are unique to you tend to not be very helpful. They can be particularly unhelpful.

Context matters.

Happy New Year!

Anything I advised was probably based on my own personal experience and was meant to be helpful.

I am very suspicious of bands auditioning players at live gigs.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

I don't mean to single you nor this situation out, but I disagree with changing someone's words in a quote that is then attributed to them.

+1

Bluewine

[duff beer]

Originally Posted by drpepper

Your advice to never do live auditions is useless and misplaced. Your suspicions, red flags, and willingness to accept the rationale behind it are irrelevant to the op.

Any band that cares about their audience would never audition a new band member at a live gig. It's unprofessional. You may think differently, but that doesn't make it right.

[MNAirHead]

Originally Posted by duff beer

Any band that cares about their audience would never audition a new band member at a live gig. It's unprofessional. You may think differently, but that doesn't make it right.

I just did one last night ---- they heard my demo... Knew my reputation .... Were good with prep materials

Depends on the band and process

[MNAirHead]

Originally Posted by duff beer

I'd be leery of joining a band that wants me to audition during a live show. To me, that indicates that they are not overly concerned about making themselves look bad.

Only applies if they player has bad skills, bad reputation, bad promo pack

[MNAirHead]

There are some acts that run tons+ songs through their list - they want talent/experience/improv skills

3 people I play for each have a song book of 500-700... No setlists .... The front man just goes --- doesn't call out title or key

Churches often live audition

[tjh]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

There are some acts that run tons+ songs through their list - they want talent/experience/improv skills

3 people I play for each have a song book of 500-700... No setlists .... The front man just goes --- doesn't call out title or key ...

...this would be the ultimate rush to be able to pull something like this off, and do it well, especially on a regular basis ... to me that is the definition of a "pro"

... unfortunately, I am not in the same class as Timmy (MN A/H), and kudos to those that have that kind of talent, experience, and skills ...

[ChrisB2]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Depends on the band and process

+1

Many of the replies against the OP doing this gig seem as though they're based on the assumption that safeguards were not taken to diminish the risk of a bad performance.

Maybe they were, maybe they weren't, there just isn't enough information to know for sure (typical TB/BM thread). But it's just a little short-sighted to suggest that it's ALWAYS a bad idea...

[plankspanker13]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

There are some acts that run tons+ songs through their list - they want talent/experience/improv skills

THIS got my foot in the door, in the fall of 2009. I have had more gigs since then, than in the entire 45 years of my life prior to that time. The first gig was literally a live audition, in a stadium, with a crowd of 6,000 that I brought to their feet, for the final number, when I was given a lead vocal turn.

It really does depend on a considerable number of other variables involved. As I examine the OP's verbiage, I am left with the impression that the OP learns material by rote, and may not have the improv/adaptability skillset that others have. This is not to demean/impugn the OP; just an observation, based upon the evidence available.

[MNAirHead]

Originally Posted by tjh

...this would be the ultimate rush to be able to pull something like this off, and do it well, especially on a regular basis ... to me that is the definition of a "pro"

... unfortunately, I am not in the same class as Timmy (MN A/H), and kudos to those that have that kind of talent, experience, and skills ...

Has nothing to do with hot chops --- just hours and hours of not touching a bass going --- "same chord as Amarillo by Morning..... circling to 1-5-4-3-6-2-5-1"

I can fake through a blunder like a rock star

It is fun ... Going to a band practice is normally a waste of time - it ends up being a music lesson for someone vs practice

My trio practices 3x per year

I promote to low paying venues under a different band name - the venue fully understands its a live audition - they get a deal...

[MNAirHead]

Originally Posted by plankspanker13

. This is not to demean/impugn the OP; just an observation, based upon the evidence available.

Chances are the op is tons more talented at memorizing exact lines - probably expects bandmates to do the same

[jazzgalore]

Seems to me that they must be surrounded by bassists or they're a pretty nimble-headed band. It's not an audition, but, a gig with a free bassist. Without cash, I wouldn't waste my time. One of my most fun gigs was as a fill-in, btw. I got paid!

[longfinger]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I just did one last night ---- they heard my demo... Knew my reputation .... Were good with prep materials

Depends on the band and process

Many would call that a last-minute sub with a musician known via the personal network, not an 'audition'. Did you play last night for free or for pay?

I guess the wording can depend on the time scale. For last night's gig, IMHO you were a last minute sub (hopefully paid), however, you may also have been auditioning for their future gigs in 2013.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by jazzgalore

Seems to me that they must be surrounded by bassists or they're a pretty nimble-headed band. It's not an audition, but, a gig with a free bassist. Without cash, I wouldn't waste my time. One of my most fun gigs was as a fill-in, btw. I got paid!

I agree, I think any of us with experience and are out there in the front lines gigging know something doesn't smell right here?


Blue

[MNAirHead]

Originally Posted by longfinger

Many would call that a last-minute sub with a musician known via the personal network, not an 'audition'. Did you play last night for free or for pay?

I guess the wording can depend on the time scale. For last night's gig, IMHO you were a last minute sub (hopefully paid), however, you may also have been auditioning for their future gigs in 2013.

I was paid -

At the first break the leader pulled up my online calendar and scheduled a meeting and filled in 6 gigs

..... Sounds like a successful audition to me

[MNAirHead]

Originally Posted by longfinger

Many would call that a last-minute sub with a musician known via the personal network, not an 'audition'.




.

Not quite on this either...

I'd met them 3 months back ... Met once.... Saw them 2x.... Took 1-1/2 months to find a calendar date we could both make work

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I was paid -

At the first break the leader pulled up my online calendar and scheduled a meeting and filled in 6 gigs

..... Sounds like a successful audition to me

If a band leader was able to pull up anything on line during a break at a busy gig your playing in a much bigger league than me.

Something still doesn't seem right to me. But what do I know, I'm just a bar gig guy.

Blue

[MNAirHead]

Originally Posted by bluewine

If a band leader was able to pull up anything on line during a break at a busy gig your playing in a much bigger league than me.

Something still doesn't seem right to me. But what do I know, I'm just a bar gig guy.

Blue

The request (from the leader) was to triple check my calendar .... He'd have a list with him... My calendar is setup so that anyone can add a date (without logging in)....

I'm trying to reduce the directions I'm going in

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by drpepper

You don't know that he didn't ask these and many other questions.

Presumably, he's satisfied with the information he has. He didn't say he was getting paid or expecting to be paid. He's planning on doing this and he seems to be somewhat psyched about it. It could be enjoyable and very telling from both sides, what else about it matters to you?

When I responded to the ad, I spoke to the band leader about my experience, his goals for the group and the standard of musicianship he expects. During the conversation, I named a few cover acts I'd played with previously, some he knew of. One group in particualr that I spent close to eighteen months working for had one of his current members in the lineup previoulsy. So the BL knew the credentials of that band and got a feeling I could hit the ground running, hence the invitation.

Then last night, I visited the venue. I met the venue owner and was able to check the backline out. I found out they want Wednesday to be a regular jam night. The band leader is using that jam night as a platform for finalising the lineup for the house band, which I am hoping to be part of.

Originally Posted by plankspanker13

As I examine the OP's verbiage, I am left with the impression that the OP learns material by rote, and may not have the improv/adaptability skillset that others have. This is not to demean/impugn the OP; just an observation, based upon the evidence available.

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Chances are the op is tons more talented at memorizing exact lines - probably expects bandmates to do the same

You guys are correct. I'm not offended. Here's a few examples of my playing:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-aVrXXLhsk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=USPWm5--uxM
www.myspace.com/bassistizzy.

I often consider myself lucky to have had the experiences I've had musically, given my lack of formal training and my strict penchant for rote memorisation and note for note covers

[fdeck]

Most of my paid gigs are subbing or sideman work. In that business, many bandleaders will hire a guy like me for a lower-profile gig, as a way to check me out with minimal risk. Depending on the nature of their material, they might ask me to attend an informal rehearsal as well. It's essentially a cross between a gig and an audition.

I've developed a personal rule of treating every gig as an audition. I get most of my work from word-of-mouth. Sometimes I meet other sidemen on the bandstand, who are also booking their own gigs. Sometimes there are musicians in the audience.

Blue, about booking gigs on the spot, it's not as outrageous as it seems. Every busy bandleader has one or two dates that they haven't filled for some reason or other. The sooner they can fill a hole, the better. And players who accept this kind of work quickly learn that they need to keep their date book handy at all times.

I wouldn't play a gig for free as an audition. On the other hand, I expect that a bandleader should be able to assess whether I can handle their material based on my reputation and background, at least with sufficient confidence to hire me for a routine gig.