Audition process pet peeve

[sears]

I’m seeing a lot of bass machismo in this thread. As if it’s a given that a.) playing music means playing standards, b.) playing well = being able to play anything, and c.) that throwing random songs at someone is a valid test of musicianship.

I back up a lot of singer-songwriters. I work hard to realize their vision, which sometimes means something more than the most obvious jump-in-and-play-by-ear choices. Their songs aren’t familiar standards, and often quirky in their own way. My attunement is to their individuality, which perhaps means my ear isn’t as well-honed as other players.

I recently had a successful audition with an all-original band, anchored by an incredibly talented singer-songwriter. I showed up ready to play four of their songs, one of which was a song in development which allowed me to demonstrate my original bassline writing skills. If they had broken into a jam or Mustang Sally, I’d have been annoyed: that’s not what I was there for. Different music, different demands, folks.

Haven't singer/songwriters whipped out their own songs from a few albums ago and wanted you to play them?

 

[Eilif]

...I’ll have to disagree with your characterization. Because it’s not about being macho at all...

...So who’s really getting all macho about things? The band who asked someone to show what they can do? Or the guy who’s getting all bent out of shape and feeling insulted about it because the band is looking for someone who can do more than karaoke?

Very much agreed. It's not a macho or unrealistic expectation on either end to do something unrehearsed at an audition. Careful preparation is of course a valuable part of musicianship. However so are...
- Sight-reading
-Improvisation
-Familiarity and command of the musical vocabulary (forms, changes, turnarounds, etc) of a given genre/artist.
-Ability to comp or play by the numbers.
-Playing by ear.
-Knowledge of the standards within a genre.
-Transposing
... All of which can be assessed best by going beyond a set of requested songs.

Some folks may play in groups where they only rehearse/audition/play songs learned ahead of time. That's fine but it's not the norm
and I submit that there there is always useful information to gain about a musician seeing how they handle unrehearsed material.

 

[wazzel]

I suspect you cover the requested material quicker than expected and they still had time at rehearsal. The fact they wanted to play more and did not usher you out as soon as done should be a good sign.

I had an audition last night for an original band. Because of the short time between when they contacted me (Tuesday night) and when we got together (Thursday night) I did not prepare anything. Before each song I got notes/direction from the singer and off we went. It was a great time.

 

[wellshuxley]

For a gig where I’m more of a hired gun: no thanks.

For an original band where I am auditioning to become a creative collaborator: definitely yes.

For the latter case, working through new material together on-the-spot provides a vital signal both for me and the rest of the band.

 

[And I]

How about "no but I'll give it a shot"?

 

[MNAirHead]

For the past 10ish years, I've played with acts that never practiced...

We'd either toss out things on the fly OR just say "hey can you listen to XYZ song"

 

[31HZ]

Sometimes I join bands to mime basslines in the interest of providing a commercially-viable service, and sometimes I join bands to express myself musically, provide counterpoint, and react in real-time to what those around me are doing.

I enjoy both, but guess which one I ultimately find more satisfying?

 

[BtaylorTheRogue]

...the ability to remain effective - even when you don’t completely know what you’re doing - is a good indicator of your level of professionalism. And the ability to turn on a dime is a valuable skill to have.... It’s a good indication of the player’s degree of experience and musicality IMO.

This is the bones of it

 

[Plain Old Barry]

In my last band EVERY GIG had songs pop up on the tablet that I'd never played before. That'll keep you on your toes!

BTDT. I found it challenging but fun, and skill improving at the same time.

Way before he was the Bass Whisperer, Ed Friedland once wrote "Bass players aren't paid to play fast, they're paid to hear fast."

True dat!

 

[fishdude101101]

This (bolded emphasis mine) is it exactly. If I say to an auditioning bassist "let's try a few tunes" I'm not going to be a dick and start playing 21st Century Schizoid Man or anything but if it's a simple rock tune and they can't get the gist of it by the second verse that's a problem for me.

Another possibility. They give you 10 songs. Everything goes well with them. You've played for maybe 45 minutes. Does anyone really want to show up for 45 minutes of rehearsal. See if you can get through some more songs and soon you'll be at whole set. Plus the fact that they even want to further the audition is a good sign.

I'm like the OP in that I really really dislike "jamming", but I've also had to play songs on the spot, at gigs that I'd never played before.

 

[Bonafide]

Now here is my pet peeve. Without fail, most auditions I've had and ones I've participated in when auditioning other musicians, inevitably leads to this scenario: we play the tunes, and it goes smoothly. After covering all the audition songs, the bandleader suggests "hey, let's do these tunes." Or, "hey, do you know these other tunes? No? Okay, well let's jam through them. You'll pick them up." Okay, guy. So, you asked me to learn songs for the audition, and now you just expect me to fumble my way through some tunes I don't know? Oh yeah, this is a great use of everyone's time.

I can't speak to your level of musicianship or experience, but as has been said - yes, this is a great use of the audition time. Both relevant and to the point. It reveals more about you, your prep habits, your work ethic and your abilities than the worked out tunes (which simply show your basic ability to learn and play). In any professional environment, learning the audition tunes plus several more is basic prep if you want the gig. Its a good thing to learn as you develop as a musician. Had you done the work in advance the remaining audition would have been alot more fun and potentially bonding. All the best.

 

[lfmn16]

I like to play with professional, polished, rehearsed bands. 99% of the time when I see a band "wing" a song, it doesn't go near as well as they think it does. If people recorded themselves and listened back, they'd probably rehearse more and wing it less.

Having said that, I think it's totally legitimate to ask you to play a couple of tunes you haven't prepared during an audition.

 

[Kevorargh]

Interestingly enough, I have never done the audition with a band thing in 35 years, but I have jammed with prospective BLs, done open mics which have led to invites to bands, etc. In all of those situations, I was learning songs on the fly. There was no predetermined list of songs.

I remember one BL just started playing his original songs, no explanation of what key we were in or how the song went - I was expected to pick it up. I've been on gigs where a BL has said to me multiple times in a row - "we are in such and such a key - hang on!" and off we went. Being able to jam is a fundamental skill for a musician, and can be an awful lot of fun! It has certainly raised my skill level.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

I think, in some circumstances, improvisational skills are important and therefore, should be part of the audition/interview process.

Have you never been a band where someone from the audience offered the band (extra) money to play a certain song?

I get the feeling you and I might share something in common: I despise not being prepared for any situation. I get that, but as a musician, I've been asked to "think on my feet" more than once.

I understand your trepidation, but my vote was: "Yes, but I prefer not to"

 

[Crash 56]

I have been in enough bands to know that there is always the chance that you will be asked to play something you don't "Know", so I think its reasonable to see how a prospective bandmate would react to that. Suck it up and do the best you can, no one will expect perfection.

 

[JRA]

you asked me to learn songs for the audition, and now you just expect me to fumble my way through some tunes I don't know?

maybe they want to see how someone does when they are put on the spot and are forced to improvise

Am I in the minority in this situation?

depends on the group with whom you are identifying: players with a lot of experience wouldn't bat an eye. newbies and wannbes might be more likely to balk at the opportunity.

How many of you have experienced this, and what was your response?

if you've ever played jazz in a serious way it's de rigueur --- put on your game face and away we go....
and then there's this:

......they cop an attitude about it because the simple fact of the matter is - they can’t.

per the OP: lots of players love a challenge. i voted "yes, and i enjoy the process."

 

[morgansterne]

"Well how about I pick a song you all don't know and I get to see how quickly you pick it up? Its called Paranoid Android."

It's unfair to the person auditioning and in my experience not relevant to actual band playing.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, it's been quite a while since I've auditioned, but I'd be up for playing something after the list is finished.

If I know it, fine...what key?
If I don't know it, just give me some chords and hum a couple of bars.

I also like playing songs that I've never done before at gigs.

 

[two fingers]

I need a little insight with the audition process for joining a band. First, my general view and thought process:

I look at an audition the same way I look at an interview for a job: you have some ideas of what you are getting into (job description), you prepare some material (resume), you perform with the band (interviewer ask questions), then you socialize and see if your personality is cohesive enough with everyone else. This might be over more than one meeting, but you get the idea.

I pride myself on being prepared for auditions, and I generally learn everything by ear and notate it out, note for note. Later on after getting the feel for the song I might change things up and interprete it in my own way. I will learn the songs that are given to me for the audition, and that's that.

Now here is my pet peeve. Without fail, most auditions I've had and ones I've participated in when auditioning other musicians, inevitably leads to this scenario: we play the tunes, and it goes smoothly. After covering all the audition songs, the bandleader suggests "hey, let's do these tunes." Or, "hey, do you know these other tunes? No? Okay, well let's jam through them. You'll pick them up." Okay, guy. So, you asked me to learn songs for the audition, and now you just expect me to fumble my way through some tunes I don't know? Oh yeah, this is a great use of everyone's time.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm often inclined to respond with "why don't I just learn these other tunes at home on my own time [because I value people's time], come back and then play them? That way they sound better, and we don't waste anyone's time."

On the other hand, I understand maybe they want to see how someone does when they are put on the spot and are forced to improvise. I don't feel like this is as good of an approach when you are playing cover songs, since fumbling through something doesn't do the song justice. I really try to avoid the "jam" crowd of players that don't prepare for gigs and just show up thinking they can "play by ear" and just embrace mediocrity.

Am I in the minority in this situation? How many of you have experienced this, and what was your response?

I have to note that also, I have learned from this and have taken the initiative to learn 2 - 3 songs from the band's repertoire that they don't suggest for the audition, expecting this scenario above to occur.

1) You are not "wrong" for feeling the way you do.

2) You are also likely not a good fit for those kinds of bands.

I chose the third option in your poll. I LOVE being thrown a curveball. It's part of the fun for me. I'm also in a band that will "try stuff" in front of people if the tip is good enough. You walk up with a $100 bill and say "Y'all know any (fill in the blank with whatever artist you choose)?" and all I'm going to do is ask if any of my band mates know the words. We can fake the rest. And, yes, I tell the guy with the hundee that we don't "really" know it but we're gonna play it anyway.

That's how my band works. If you were to join my band, you would have to be OK with that. Not every band has a rigid set list. (Our prepared set list is, however, NAILED as close to perfection as we can get. I'm certainly not saying that we do "good enough" versions of our prepared material.)

Short version: I'm not right or wrong about this. You're not right or wrong about this. You simply need to find people to play with who are as rigid as you are when it comes to things like this. ("Rigid" seems like a derogatory term here, but it isn't. I simply mean that you are non-negotiable about how you want to learn songs. You do you. Again, it isn't wrong.... just different from me.... and, apparently, most of the bands you have auditioned with recently.)

Find a band made up if people like you. If you can't find one, START one.

 

[74hc]

They gave me the lead sheets and said here, go for it. The audition happened throughout the gig. I didn't even get paid.