• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Audition for a band.... What to do and don't.

Muziekschuur

Muziekschuur

May 25, 2009
1,770
593
Stavenisse
#1
So I have an audition of a pretty amazing top 40 band. I usually play my own music. And I've done some bands but never a complete coverband with horns and all the shebang and a repertoire of like 45 songs.

I will be playing 3 songs. I've been practicing like mad.

So, what are good tips?

I have gotten three midi songs and imported them in Reaper and I've been playing along them. I allso have been playing with the original Youtube songs...
 
#3
mowburger said:
Wear clean clothes.
Make sure your gear is solid.
Bring a bottle of water.
No playing between songs (but be in tune).
Don't make excuses if you flub a note or something.
Try and have fun/smile.
Click to expand...

Excellent list. I would add to it to chart out the song and try to play it by yourself. You'll find out really quickly if you are depending on audio clues from the original.
 
#4
No noodling!

I'd say that hitting your marks, playing the song, and not trying to over-impress them with technical fills would be key. Bass is the foundation of the band. Good timing and feel wins over pyrotechnics every time. Good tone helps too. Are you using their backline, or bringing your own?

If you flub, laugh about it and move on. That shows confidence.
 
#7
IME with Top 40 stuff, 'professional' demeanor and clean presentation (that great sounding but busted looking old Ampeg might not be the best choice to bring) is key. These Groups can very gear-oriented, so if they like your playing, be prepared to be asked to make some investments in gear in order to get the spot.

And +1 to learn to play the song (the parts) by trusting your own inner clock too (no youtube, backing or even metronome). It greatly helps the confidence and feeling relaxed about the music.
 
#8
Show up a little early to setup and make some introductions.
Be friendly, but also try not to say too much as you don't want to say something that might offend someone.
Be prepared. If that means you need to write out a few charts then do so.
Be dressed for the gig. Think about your age and the age of the band members, who you'll be playing to, the music you'll be playing, etc...
Have all your gear. Nothing worse than showing up and having to ask to borrow a tuner.
Similar to dress, make sure your gear matches the gig. A Fender P or J almost always is acceptable.
Don't noodle.
Don't have an attitude.
Do have fun!
Come prepared with any questions you may have - when do you rehearse, what's the pay, how often are you going to gig, etc...
Don't stick around too long. Do your audition, exchange some pleasantries and business, and then get out of there.
 
#9
Thank you so much. I'm 42 and I'm very nervous... I'll be playing on their amp.

I have a lot to offer, being an audio engineer myself with my own stuff (and I mean a lot of it). But it's not about that. It's about fitting in a band and the former bassplayer is now turning 65 and he wants to slow down a bit. They have a marvellous website and a reputation to be proud of.

I've allways created my own stuff on the side and so I've taught myself bass for the last 10 year. I've played in some bands. But nothing this major. And especially with skilled players like this.

Anyway. It'll be a great experience I'm sure... And with three people who play horns it'll be pretty amazing I'm sure...

Songs I've been practicing;
The Trammps; disco inferno
Golden earring; twilight zone
KC & the sunshineband;That's the way I like it

Again thanks so much... I'll take my precison (Samick Valley Arts). I'll pack an extra amp to be on the safe side.
 
#10
everything posted has been very excellent and worth noting. But i'd like to take a second and re-emphasize the fact that *you* are also in fact auditioning *them*. It sounds like a lovely outfit, but you never know what goes on with people once the stage lights go off. make sure that it fits you just as much as they are doing the same with you.

They might have pre-conceived notions of what gear you need, but then again they might not. I got a job with an Original Soul/R&B + Top 40 cover band recently (well, it's 2 bands in 1), and I did so with a Rickenbacker bass, and their really weak backline amp. just come ready to groove the crap out of the songs, and I think that's the most you can hope for... don't worry about what you think they think you should have!
 
#12
I should have done more than 3 songs. But I was kinda rusty to begin with. I played it safe. Did the 3 songs and had a great time. They were really nice. Had a great great place to practice. A garage with own P.A. two garagedoors behind each other (in front of the practiceplace was this lovely 1970's mercedes in metallic gray). And a big P.A. with harting connectors all over the place.

My competition is a youngster from conservatorium. Don't think they'll pick me. But I enjoyed it big time. Thanks all. It was great you guys being this supportive... I guess many of you stood there one time or another aswell..
 
#13
If you don't get the gig, be gracious and keep the lines of communication open, you never know if they might need you down the road or can recommend you to another band, or side project. Show up at a gig, maybe they'll have you up to jam.
 
#15
All good advice so far.
My last audition was back in Nov. The band was auditioning 5 bass players in one evening and gave me a specific time to be there. I was the last to audition and showed up about 5 min early (they had an amp there and requested I just bring my bass) {I brought along a mic/stand/cable as well just in case they asked me to sing} The guy auditioning before me was still playing the last tune of his audition so I waited quietly in another room until they were done and tuned up my bass. Took me about 3 min to set up since the amp was already set and I had the mic rig all assembled...just handed the guy the cable and plugged me into the PA. I took a Fender P/J - my Aerodyne - and had memorized 12 of their songs, even though they asked me to be prepared to play only 3. We went thru the 3 tunes and then ended up going thru about 6 more, all of which I had worked up and was ready for. They switched a few keys during the audition so I had to transpose on the fly, no problems there. They did ask me to sing so I sang some bkgr vocs and one lead vocal. My audition ended up lasting about an hour, went better than I expected, and when it was done I quietly packed my gear, thanked them for the audition, made sure they had my contact info, and exited. I got a call the next day with the good news that I got the job.
 
#19
3 most important things:
Look
Attitude
Skill

Dress the genre, be friendly and know the songs as recorded not your interpretation of them.
Quick story;
Was in a show band, leader/vocalist was auditioning guitarists. I routinely recorded rehearsal.
It came down to 2 guitarists. One was not dressed to the genre and was sort of grouchy.
The other was very friendly and looked the genre and got the gig.
Later I played back the recording and friendly guy totally sucked but grouchy guy was spot on. Friendly guy's terrible playing caused massive riffs in the band. Group disbanded shortly there after
I guess that's what happens when a non-instrument playing musician makes musical choices
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back