Audition tips?

[Michael B]

Hey all,
I have an audition Thursday.
Cover band. Decent players, similar age and older etc. Good songs overall. P Bass is tip top and using Rumble Stage 800. Gear is ready to go. Learning a dozen songs for audition.

It is my first foray into cover band territory.

Any audition tips or funny stories?

Cool. Michael B

 

[dreamadream99]

1. Be there a little early.
2. Don’t be late, drunk, or high.
3. Know the audition material.
4. Be nice.

Even if it goes badly, don’t burn any bridges. Today’s disaster could be tomorrow’s $2000 wedding gig.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Don’t suck

 

[catcauphonic]

1. Be there a little early.
2. Don’t be late, drunk, or high.
3. Know the audition material.
4. Be nice.

Even if it goes badly, don’t burn any bridges. Today’s disaster could be tomorrow’s $2000 wedding gig.

All this ^ and i'll add two things...

5. Better to be asked to turn your volume up than down
6. Don't be an A-hole (which was pretty much stated already with #4.)

4 out of 5 times i'll bet they pick the player who's easy to work with over some virtuoso d-bag.

Good luck !!!

 

[CallMeAl]

All of the above, plus: better to play simple than to biff a line.

Some may disagree, but my general cover band philosophy is: apart from signature licks/unison stuff, close enough is enough. I hardly ever learn covers note for note. What matters to me is: good time, and good feel for the song. And Follow the changes of course. Now, this does not really apply to "tribute" band. But We play such a wide variety, The audience is not gonna notice.

Maybe this new band wants a note for note bass line, thats another can o worms. but my point is better to play in time than screw up cause youre over reaching.

Oh, and good luck!

 

[micguy]

Be mentally prepared for something you weren't asked to learn - throwing someone in a little over their head, and seeing if they can swim at all in that situation is something that you might get. When I was in an all originals band, we'd throw chords up on a whiteboard for one of our tunes, explain what's going on in each section, and then have the person try to play along.

It's not "unfair" to do this kind of thing - it's a good way to see how fast someone learns. I actually like it when that happens at an audition, 'cause I'm a fast learner (or at least I think I am).

 

[LBS-bass]

Two tips that always seem to work:

1) Learn the material in advance and know it well enough that you're prepared to just run through the songs without stopping.

2) Relax and enjoy yourself. It won't be the end of the world if you don't get the gig, but if you cover point 1 you will most likely be the only person auditioning who actually cared enough to learn the material that well, which will greatly increase your chances because it will have demonstrated to the other band members that you will not need a lot of hand holding.

Also, not a tip, but something to point out. Remember that you are also auditioning them. You might do all that work, walk in, and find out that you don't want to do that gig, anyway. So just have fun with it.

Good luck!

 

[redwingxix]

Leave that ukulele at home.

Also dress and smell nice enough and any other things your mom would tell you. They do matter.

Good luck.

 

[micguy]

Remember that you are also auditioning them. You might do all that work, walk in, and find out that you don't want to do that gig, anyway. Good luck!

That would be, for me, the audition where, for some reason, we're sitting around not getting anything done, while one guy (who's wearing long sleeves in the middle of July) seems to be getting more and more anxious and agitated, until a friend comes by, they go off into another room, for a few minutes, the friend leaves, and the guy with the long sleeves comes back, very calm and glassy eyed. OK, let's play.....

Pay attention to the other folks at the audition. Some you may not want to hang around with, for one reason or another.

 

[EricMordus]

Play for the song, skip the flash, keep it simple, find and stay in the pocket, PRACTICE

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Sub'd.
Same situation here. Auditioning Friday night, good phone vibe with BL. Blues, classic rock, and country. I am not into country, but like blues enough to put up with it and I have listened to enough to have a pretty good idea about common song structures. I have not been in a band for many years, but I've been woodshedding with the intention of moving back in that direction. Sounds like they are auditioning 1 or 2 other bass players that night.

I think you've got great advice above. I also did a dry run setting up quickly and efficiently, to make sure I don't fumble right from the start.

Another thing to consider: don't get too locked in on your fretboard. Make plenty of eye contact with the other musicians, especially the drummer, and stay in the pocket.

I'm still working on fine-tuning a couple of the songs, as they were all unfamiliar to me. I could audition competently tonight if I had to, but I'm going for way better than competent. I particularly like the reminder that we are auditioning them too! (Also, I am DYING to "audition" my WD-800 with 2 guitars, keys, and drums.)

Break a leg!

 

[CallMeAl]

Blues, classic rock, and country. I am not into country, but like blues enough to put up with it

Sounds a lot like me and my band. I hardly ever listen to country, but I sure like playing it. Classic stuff anyway.

 

[Jimmy4string]

Good stuff above.
What i have to add is to look from your viewpoint as well:
Do these guys have there sh$t together?
Are they way the hell and gone for travel?
Are THEY easy to work with and play music you like?
Do they have gigs?
ROCK on and Buena suerte!

 

[tgriley62]

No hats, cargo shorts & especially don't say your song list sucks how about using my list instead Seriously good luck

 

[TexasHeat]

Enjoy the audition and the opportunity to play with new people.

Know the songs on the audition list well. If possible, learn some of their songs not on the list, the extra effort can leave a good impression.

Ask them questions... you're auditioning them as well as they are you.

If you don't get the gig, be cool with it and stay in touch. You never know what might happen in the future.

The P bass and Rumble can cover a lot of songs for a cover band, but adaptability is key. Most songs are in standard tuning, some are in drop-something, others might be transposed to accommodate the singer. Be ready for those kind of changes.

Good luck and have fun,

 

[Kukulkan61]

Well you got he gear covered at least!!

 

[Bodeanly]

4 out of 5 times i'll bet they pick the player who's easy to work with over some virtuoso d-bag.

I recently learned some songs wayyyyy outside of my wheelhouse. When the audition was over, we were laughing it up and trading a couple of stories. It was a blast. Before I left, they said “anyone can learn these songs. We just want someone we can get along with.” They keep sending me material.

 

[REV]

A lot of good advice in this post. I'll add one more thing I've noticed when people audition for bands I've been in. Listen. Don't talk too much.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

One more time for #3: Get the material down. It's how I got the gig I have now: The band auditioned a couple dozen players; I ain't no virtuoso, but I was the only one who showed up knowing the songs they'd asked me to learn. Other useful behaviors: Put on your best manners. Smile, make eye contact, etc. If you hear something you really like, say so. If you hear something you hate, wait until you're back in your car to vent about it. Best of luck.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

I have auditioned for a couple classic rock bands lately. While I was a little nervous going in, it ended up being that I felt I was the most competent of all of them. I knew the material and was ready to go. Frankly, I could care less if they decided not to add me to the band. Just do what you can do and be ready. If it’s meant to be, it will happen.