Oh, those auditions ...

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Big Brother

I've played with a lot of these guys, their method is basically to memorize a song as a sequence of moves or patterns. It's like memorizing how to ask questions in a foreign language without understanding what you are saying. You just listen to and mimic what you hear over and over, learn it piece by piece, then replay it from memory like a recorded track.

They aren't playing to a groove though and don't feel the rhythm at all so when they lose their place, they have to think ahead and so they can sync up their 'track' with the rest of the band.

They rely on cues in the original track to keep them in sync and if they don't hear them playing live, they have no idea where they are in relation to the rest of the song.

I knew a guy who could play Eruption so perfectly that you swore it was a recording, he had phenomenal tone technique and speed but if he lost his place he couldn't jump back on track, we had to add an extra beat in the song to accommodate it.

It isn't music, but some of these guys are so good at it that they can carry a show and nobody would ever know.

I agree, the cd is actually steering you, thats not going to happen in a live band situation.

That was one of the " beware ofs" my bass guitar teacher taught me regarding auditions.

Yes, I still take lessons and probably always will.

blue

[jive1]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

I once auditioned for one of the better bands in my area, and the competition for the bass slot was pretty stiff, lots of good players wanted that job. The band provided me the set lists from their most recent gig, and we narrowed it down to 4 or 5 songs to have down pat. Well, I had some extra time before the audition, and some of the songs weren't all that challenging, so I just kept learning. By the time I went to the audition, I could pretty much nail all the material on two full sets either from memory or with a few simple reminder notes written on the set lists. I asked them if we could just run through the first two sets, and they gave me and each other stunned looks. So we played right through, and they were thrilled that they had someone willing to be that dedicated to the project from the word "go."

I'm not saying everyone should do this, but as loki said, going the extra mile usually makes a very good impression.

That's awesome.

I strongly believe in going the extra mile. Even if you didn't get the gig for some reason, by coming in fully prepared to do a whole show, you have a better chance to be called in as a sub. And even if that didn't happen, you improve your musicianship and marketability by learning more songs.

[duff beer]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

I once auditioned for one of the better bands in my area, and the competition for the bass slot was pretty stiff, lots of good players wanted that job. The band provided me the set lists from their most recent gig, and we narrowed it down to 4 or 5 songs to have down pat. Well, I had some extra time before the audition, and some of the songs weren't all that challenging, so I just kept learning. By the time I went to the audition, I could pretty much nail all the material on two full sets either from memory or with a few simple reminder notes written on the set lists. I asked them if we could just run through the first two sets, and they gave me and each other stunned looks. So we played right through, and they were thrilled that they had someone willing to be that dedicated to the project from the word "go."

I'm not saying everyone should do this, but as loki said, going the extra mile usually makes a very good impression.

I've done the same. I was asked to learn 4 or 5 from their set list of 40. I already knew 8 from other bands, and a good 20 of the rest were easy enough to figure out "close enough" after running through them 2-3 times. I was the only person auditioning that night and we ended up playing about 30 songs. It's not that hard at all to learn the bass parts to songs like "Hippy Hippy Shake", "Born on the Bayou", or "Long Cool Woman"...

[oldrocker]

Originally Posted by lokikallas

Looks like I'm doing something right. I am auditioning for a band on Sunday. They have me a list of about 20 songs they are playing and told me to pick a couple. I'm learning 3-4 down pat and giving the rest a run through. I already know a couple pretty well, but I'm learning 3-4 new ones for fun.

I usually do this as well. I always start with a setlist and learn enough for the intitial meet/audition and usually end up learning and able to play through most of their songs. Works really well if its a list of songs I like or wanted to learn anyway.

Good luck on the audition and let us know how it turns out.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by jive1

That's awesome.

I strongly believe in going the extra mile. Even if you didn't get the gig for some reason, by coming in fully prepared to do a whole show, you have a better chance to be called in as a sub. And even if that didn't happen, you improve your musicianship and marketability by learning more songs.

Originally Posted by duff beer

I've done the same. I was asked to learn 4 or 5 from their set list of 40. I already knew 8 from other bands, and a good 20 of the rest were easy enough to figure out "close enough" after running through them 2-3 times. I was the only person auditioning that night and we ended up playing about 30 songs. It's not that hard at all to learn the bass parts to songs like "Hippy Hippy Shake", "Born on the Bayou", or "Long Cool Woman"...

It's good for people who need audition advice to hear these stories. You have to put yourself in the shoes of the auditioning band. It's usually a grind and a drag. It's a neccesary evil that generally suspends and halts the band's progress. It puts everyone in the band in an unproductive funk. The best thing a prospective candidate can do is prove right off the bat that he will do everything he can to make the transition as smooth as possible. Assuming you have the musicality required, it's all about work ethic, attitude, and helping that band get over the new-member hump quickly and efficiently. Come in with the chops and that attitude, it's almost fool-proof. Of course they want to keep playing beyond the handful of songs you learned for the audition; that's the goal! And like jive said, at the very least, you are honing your audition strategy, a very good skill to have.

[azureblue]

I consider an audition a two way street. You are there to also figure out what the band wants and to assess the band's dynamics. I expect the band to give me at least three songs to learn before hand, in their key and their version / arrangement (preferably a recording of the band playing it live), plus a set list, with the keys listed beside the tunes. When I do the audition, I know the tunes well enough to play them all by myself, and I find places to add something extra - like doubling a guitar lick for a measure, to let them know I pay attention to what the rest of the music is, or find a way to goose the tune up a step or two. If I know any of the tunes on their set list, I will tell them that at the audition, then ask if they want to give it a go. They may have time constraints, or OTOH, they may tired of auditioning, and may be wanting a chance to cut loose, so make sure you can let them know you are willing to cut loose with them, on a tune everyone knows. I think it is important to show (and to look for, from the other players) the ability to think on your feet, musically speaking, and excite the other musicians.

A good example for me, I went to one, and played what they wanted, then they asked if I could play some other tunes, and I did. I paid attention to the band dynamics- who liked what type of tunes, and the guitar player let slip that he loved early Cream. So I asked him if he wanted play "Crossroads", and his face lit up -apparently, they hadn't found a bass player who had the chops to be able to improv on the tune. The band played it, and we had a blast. As it turned out, they were looking for a bass player who could push the band, heat up the tunes, not just play them "stock".

Yet, in another band, they wanted a bass player who was an unshakable monster pocket / groove master - lay down that pocket and have the biggest stones on stage.

I think it is important in an audition to do this- in addition to be able to play the audition tunes, be able to suss out what they are looking for, really, and give it to them..

[lokikallas]

Well my audition was Sunday, and no word yet. They were having a few bassists after me as well so they might have gone with one of them. I was pretty well prepared but I may have attempted a few songs I wasn't quite ready for. I'm not sure if its better to try and fail or just stick to the songs I can nail. I nailed about 8 songs and flubbed American girl and Lagrange. I wouldn't be surprised if I blew it when they asked if I could play the stp songs in their list and I said I didn't bother learning them because I don't consider them classic rock, as the ad advertised. ( no filter here , lol )

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by lokikallas

Well my audition was Sunday, and no word yet. They were having a few bassists after me as well so they might have gone with one of them. I was pretty well prepared but I may have attempted a few songs I wasn't quite ready for. I'm not sure if its better to try and fail or just stick to the songs I can nail. I nailed about 8 songs and flubbed American girl and Lagrange. I wouldn't be surprised if I blew it when they asked if I could play the stp songs in their list and I said I didn't bother learning them because I don't consider them classic rock, as the ad advertised. ( no filter here , lol )

Good luck,

It never stops amazing me how tricky auditions can be.

Blue

[oldrocker]

Originally Posted by lokikallas

Well my audition was Sunday, and no word yet. They were having a few bassists after me as well so they might have gone with one of them. I was pretty well prepared but I may have attempted a few songs I wasn't quite ready for. I'm not sure if its better to try and fail or just stick to the songs I can nail. I nailed about 8 songs and flubbed American girl and Lagrange. I wouldn't be surprised if I blew it when they asked if I could play the stp songs in their list and I said I didn't bother learning them because I don't consider them classic rock, as the ad advertised. ( no filter here , lol )

Pretty funny about you telling them STP is not Classic Rock For better or worse STP songs tend to end up in classic rock band repitoire. Some interesting basslines in some of their songs, but you're attitude may be enough for them to think you're not interested or to pass on you if they have other options. I would usually just say that I didn't get a chance to learn all the songs yet but I could learn them for next time.

I've found American Girl to be a pretty easy song - just hard to remember the chord changes for the chorus so I'll use a chart if I haven't played this one in a while.

La Grange is just a feel thing in A and then C with that one breakdown part in the middle that I always forget so I've used a chart for this one as well.

How did they leave it with you? Did they give you a time frame on when they'd get back to you. If you want the gig you could contact them and reconfirm your interest and commitment to learn the songs.

Good Luck

[lokikallas]

Originally Posted by oldrocker

Pretty funny about you telling them STP is not Classic Rock For better or worse STP songs tend to end up in classic rock band repitoire. Some interesting basslines in some of their songs, but you're attitude may be enough for them to think you're not interested or to pass on you if they have other options. I would usually just say that I didn't get a chance to learn all the songs yet but I could learn them for next time.

I've found American Girl to be a pretty easy song - just hard to remember the chord changes for the chorus so I'll use a chart if I haven't played this one in a while.

La Grange is just a feel thing in A and then C with that one breakdown part in the middle that I always forget so I've used a chart for this one as well.

How did they leave it with you? Did they give you a time frame on when they'd get back to you. If you want the gig you could contact them and reconfirm your interest and commitment to learn the songs.

Good Luck

Yeah, I knew I was stepping in it, but if I didn't do it now, I would have said something later. I can't keep my opinions to myself. I mean, black crows make sense to me, maybe even the black keys, but STP seems silly to me. I didn't get a time frame, which is why I'm not too hopeful, but I will send an email out tomorrow, at least letting them know I can be a sub on call if they found a better fit. I shouldn't have tried AG and Lagrange. I could play along with the CD, but I only gave them a couple run throughs at home, so I didn't have the counts memorized. I think they were impressed that I learned 10 songs pretty pat in about 2 days, but I got a vibe from the band leader that I might be rubbing his ego the wrong way. Cest la vie. I'm looking for a group of people that keep the drama away, and can just smile and have a good time together. No biggie, but we will see.

[bluewine]

I'm feeling these guys wete not your cup of tea?

Blue

[JoeWPgh]

I dunno. I don't much care if someone can nail the parts, cold. I'm more interested in how they play the instrument, handle themselves, how quickly they pick something up, and how good they can fake it. In the long run, that's the stuff that matters.

[lokikallas]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I'm feeling these guys wete not your cup of tea?

Blue

Nah, not that, it's more of a so close yet so far thing. I'm looking for more of a fun bar band thing willing to try some deeper cuts and they were a generation older, had already been through that and were looking to do more of the corporate/wedding thing. The ad was fairly vague, so it was worth a shot. I could see jamming with them, but they might find someone a little more corporate minded a better fit.

[busmandan]

Originally Posted by Finsterino

I bet I am not alone in these situations. Where you go meet the band, they pull out the playlist, and they want you to just jump right in.

Actually, that's happened to me quite a bit. Walk in and someone hands me a playlist and asks what I know. If it's a style I've played before it's generally not an issue.

[zfunkman]

Originally Posted by obimark

This may seem pretty straightforward but ask them for 3-4 songs to audition on in advance so you can learn them? (IF you don't know them)
Go play THOSE 3 songs, and if they like you they will offer you the position.

I would never go to an audition with out 3-4 songs prepared in advance. (and I also would NEVER learn 20 songs for an audition, unless it was with Bon Jovi or something)

+1 Agreed. The band you are auditioning for should give you 3 or 4 songs to prepare.

[Beersurgeon]

Originally Posted by Finsterino

And cheatsheets: I like to keep a chart with me of the playlist which includes the key and verse / chorus patterns. That info just does not stick in my head (or fingers!). Or, maybe I use them as a crutch - and should ditch them ...

I LOVE chord charts!!! I'm a visual/auditory learner: I need to see and hear a song to learn it correctly. So for home practice, I'll use chord charts and if I don't have one, I'll make one. Beware of tabs/chord charts from the internet, i.e. ultimate guitar, 911tabs. I find that these sites often have the wrong info. These sites are a place to start, but I find many blatant mistakes with the tabs/chords. And after transforming the song into my own chord chart, I general will have the song down pat and don't really need the cheatsheet at this point.

When I have gone to auditions, I'll bring my cheatsheets and a music stand, but will survey the scene first. If the band is using cheatsheets, I'll set up the music stand and use my sheets. If they band doesn't need them, neither do I.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Beersurgeon

I LOVE chord charts!!! I'm a visual/auditory learner: I need to see and hear a song to learn it correctly. So for home practice, I'll use chord charts and if I don't have one, I'll make one. Beware of tabs/chord charts from the internet, i.e. ultimate guitar, 911tabs. I find that these sites often have the wrong info. These sites are a place to start, but I find many blatant mistakes with the tabs/chords. And after transforming the song into my own chord chart, I general will have the song down pat and don't really need the cheatsheet at this point.

When I have gone to auditions, I'll bring my cheatsheets and a music stand, but will survey the scene first. If the band is using cheatsheets, I'll set up the music stand and use my sheets. If they band doesn't need them, neither do I.

I never use tabs, as they are often wrong.

I think tabs are dangerous for those that can't hear that what their playing is wrong.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Beersurgeon

I LOVE chord charts!!! I'm a visual/auditory learner: I need to see and hear a song to learn it correctly. So for home practice, I'll use chord charts and if I don't have one, I'll make one. Beware of tabs/chord charts from the internet, i.e. ultimate guitar, 911tabs. I find that these sites often have the wrong info. These sites are a place to start, but I find many blatant mistakes with the tabs/chords. And after transforming the song into my own chord chart, I general will have the song down pat and don't really need the cheatsheet at this point.

When I have gone to auditions, I'll bring my cheatsheets and a music stand, but will survey the scene first. If the band is using cheatsheets, I'll set up the music stand and use my sheets. If they band doesn't need them, neither do I.

A music stand at an audition is probably not a bad idea especially if your in pocket and nailing the songs. If not I would think there would be several raised eye brows.

Blue

[obimark]

The funny thing is by definition all 90s rock is now "Classic Rock" We do more 90s stuff in my current band and I am warming to it some, but yeah, STP is good because that guy was an incredible bassist and actually did some cool things in there songs.

Compare that to "Better than Ezra" Good... not a lot of room to mess around,althgouh I still do some...

[Beersurgeon]

Originally Posted by bluewine

A music stand at an audition is probably not a bad idea especially if your in pocket and nailing the songs. If not I would think there would be several raised eye brows.

Blue

I agree with you 100%. I do feel pulling out a music stand and then messing up the songs shows that you are not prepared and unprofessional. I have not used a music stand the last 2 auditions that I went to because: 1) nobody in the band was using one, 2) I knew the songs front and back making my chord charts.

Originally Posted by bluewine

I never use tabs, as they are often wrong.

I think tabs are dangerous for those that can't hear that what their playing is wrong.

Blue

Wow, I have to agree again, 100%