Auditions

[Andy Marshman]

I've never been asked to know more than 5 songs for an original tryout session, but I was supplied with the band's larger set lists and I came prepared to do double that number - and they were songs I was familiar with, even if I hadn't played them in a band setting before.
One suggestion that may help - if a certain song is requested (for you to be prepared for) and it has a certain special tone or effect on it, it can help your chances if you can duplicate that.

 

[ChrisB2]

Know the rhythms, know the changes, and you're 95 per cent there.
The other 95 per cent is 'don't be a jerk.'

Dang that's 190%, and here I thought giving 110% was good enough!

 

[TreySonagras]

Show up on time and sober.
Know the tunes.
Play in time with a good sound that’s not too loud.
Be friendly.

Do these and you’ll move to the front of the line.

 

[Pocket Dave]

Great advice here.

And remember you're auditioning them too.

 

[ChrisB2]

I am interested in what your experiences have been; whether, trying out for a band yourself, or putting other musicians through auditions to join your band.

The previous posts are right on. I've been on numerous auditions and never been asked anything about scales or theory. Be prepared, be cool, and you'll be fine.

They will likely give you either a list of a few songs to learn, or their whole list with you choosing a few to play. But don't be surprised if they ask you to wing a few that you weren't planning to play. If you can do reasonably well on your toes like that, it makes a great impression.

Just do it! You'll be glad you did when you "get in with the right bunch of fellows"

 

[Wesley R]

I've flunked out of many auditions, and a fair amount. Walked out on one.

Just like a job interview. Clean up, show up, think, be a good hang, play your best, get along with the drummer, don't mess with anybody's women or there men. Quickly try to get a feel for who is who In the hierarchy.

 

[chazolson]

The problem with "open auditions" is that there may be (will be, actually) reasons the "winner" is chosen that have nothing to do with music (the guy we chose has a rehearsal space, you're too young/ too old, you're not good looking enough, I don't like your shirt, etc.)

I've lost auditions where I know I was the best player (because I knew the other applicants). Some times you lose because you're too good! (This is why I don't audition for strangers any more.)

 

[ChrisB2]

Some times you lose because you're too good!

Yep. A band I was in was auditioning drummers. One came out that I knew from school, one of the area's top drummers with the rep to back it up. He declined, but we also decided not to hire if he wanted in, because his ability and reputation meant he wouldn't stay with us even if he joined. Not that we wouldn't have been happy to work with him, but we knew it wouldn't last.

 

[LowWay]

The last time I auditioned for a band it was an alt rock/grunge/garage band playing originals. They wanted to be a 3 piece so I played with just a guitarist/singer and the drummer. The drummer was terrible. Had bad time and could barely play. I was eager for a way out of the audition. They were clearly looking for someone to pound out pedal notes and roots with a pick, so I started playing more interesting (to me) melodic parts and slap parts. The next day I saw flyers up advertising for a bass player with the stipulation: no jazz guys or funksters please. They eventually found the bass playing equal to their drummer…

 

[Auspuff]

Hi all,

I never successfully auditioned for a band before. I currently play in my church's praise team, but I didn't have to audition to join. I unsuccessfully auditioned for a band when I was ultra new to bass about 30 years ago, but bombed due to not knowing crap about anything. Since then I've learned a lot songs and tuned my ear well enough to pick out the bass lines and know what notes are being played, but I have never taken time to learn to read notes, memorize all the scales, and the like.

Basically my question is, what are the paces you've been put through when applying/auditioning for a band as a bass player? Do people expect you to know all your scales, know triads, be able to read notes, or are most bands more interested if you can pick up and play songs to cover easily, and are generally more content with that?

I'm asking because I have been pondering on trying out for a rock/pop band vice playing in my church band. I am interested in what your experiences have been; whether, trying out for a band yourself, or putting other musicians through auditions to join your band. - THX!

In my experience, the guitarist, or keyboardist, just shouted out chords/notes, and they were thrilled if you could follow.

Basically, all they were looking for was: 1) Do you know where the notes are, on the fretboard. 2) Do you have a musical ear.

I was never put through the, "Michael Anthony Test," so anything beyond that, I cannot share.

 

[Sarge79]

The last time I auditioned for a band it was an alt rock/grunge/garage band playing originals. They wanted to be a 3 piece so I played with just a guitarist/singer and the drummer. The drummer was terrible. Had bad time and could barely play. I was eager for a way out of the audition. They were clearly looking for someone to pound out pedal notes and roots with a pick, so I started playing more interesting (to me) melodic parts and slap parts. The next day I saw flyers up advertising for a bass player with the stipulation: no jazz guys or funksters please. They eventually found the bass playing equal to their drummer…

Now that's a pretty entertaining audition.

 

[skyline_01]

Typical cover or original bands won't do much more than have you play through a list of songs, for the most part.

I answered a FB ad from a very talented young artist in my area last Summer, who has been playing various parts of the US for years. She sent me some YT links to her music and asked me to send her a video of me playing along with one of her songs.

After being impressed with the video, she invited me to audition in person with her drummer and gave me a list of 3-4 songs to have ready. I proceeded to do so and ended up getting the gig (which I'm still doing and love it).
That's about the most I've had to do in an audition process, and I'm totally fine with that level of effort.

 

[jimmydean]

Ask for a song list and the keys , arrive early and don't be a jerk .

 

[juancaminos]

We always looked for attitude, behavior and such over chops. Of course the candidate had to be able to play the songs...

I've only done two or three auditions although I do not like the term. I have always reminded them, in friendly terms that I am auditioning them as well. One particular band did not accept me but turned me on to something that was more of a fit in the end. Which was great.

 

[Geddyfleaharris]

Funny you should ask this as we auditioned a new guitar player last night at rehearsal. One of ours had to bow out due to medical reasons. We gave him a list of 6 songs to learn a week ago. Plus, the BL gave him a couple of set lists to get a flavor for what we did overall. FYI, if you will.

He brought a weird rig set-up, more of a PA than anything else, no tuner, played out of tune all night and literally did not know one song all the way through from the list we sent him. Kept asking if we knew this song or that song from a list he had. Then he would fumble around for a bit.

To make matters worse, the BL asked me to give him a ride to rehearsal. On the ride home he kept asking how he did and musing about needing an image, preferably with a hat, and a sound. He felt he needed to find both. I told him to wear Alice Cooper make-up with a top hat. From there talk, his talk descended into Covid conspiracy theories.

Do the exact opposite of everything this fellow did and you should have a good path.

P.S. I did know this fellow from 20 years ago so that is why I agreed to give him a ride. That's the new band rule tho.... no more rides until after the first rehearsal. haha

P.S.S. The BL apologized to me today for asking me to transport him to rehearsal. All good.

 

[Dr. Keebs]

I auditioned once. We all knew each other. Came prepared with their songs, auditioned well. When they notified me later, they said I was too good. Code for ‘not the right fit’. We laughed, high-fived, drank some beer, and moved on. So yes, be prepared with whatever material they give you in advance and have good vibes. It’ll work out just fine.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hi all,

I never successfully auditioned for a band before. I currently play in my church's praise team, but I didn't have to audition to join. I unsuccessfully auditioned for a band when I was ultra new to bass about 30 years ago, but bombed due to not knowing crap about anything. Since then I've learned a lot songs and tuned my ear well enough to pick out the bass lines and know what notes are being played, but I have never taken time to learn to read notes, memorize all the scales, and the like.

Basically my question is, what are the paces you've been put through when applying/auditioning for a band as a bass player? Do people expect you to know all your scales, know triads, be able to read notes, or are most bands more interested if you can pick up and play songs to cover easily, and are generally more content with that?

I'm asking because I have been pondering on trying out for a rock/pop band vice playing in my church band. I am interested in what your experiences have been; whether, trying out for a band yourself, or putting other musicians through auditions to join your band. - THX!

I've been playing bass for over 50 years ( boy are my fingers tired..ba dum) and found out every note I've played beyond personal practice is an audition. Either it's for joining a band, playing in a band, staying in a band or performing with the band before a paying audience, it's all an audition cause if you screw it up, your done.

Your practice time is just preparation for "your next audition" nothing more. Preparation being the key word. You need to have the material down, your chops developed to the point you can cover the material at hand, and you gear needs to be serviceable and in presentable condition before stepping out the door.

Having been a band directer for 20 years in a fairly large church with multiple services, my experience playing commercially is the scope of the material is much broader, but really not that more difficult. Knowing some basic theory, scales, and fingering techniques will certainly help.

As for an "audition" with the intent of being in an band and preparing for it, you need to find out what they expect you to have prepared, the songs with key signatures, will you will be asked to perform something you've not prepared and how that would work, and what gear would be appropriate and or needed.

As for the song you are required to prepare, At a minimum, you need to know all of the chord changes in the correct order, the song format ( where all the individual parts are), the intro, endings (if cold), and any bridges or pre-chouruses. If there are any key bass runs you need to know them note for note because you are are going to be judged closely on that.

If you are having trouble figuring this out, there is an app called Chordfy where you get a chord chart, and you can slow it down if needed in the correct pitch. Costs about $20 a year, but it is a great tool for learning new material. I highly recommend it.

The last thing and probably the most important thing is to have fun. If you know your stuff and display a positive can do attitude, it will go a long way, even if you make a few bobbles.

Best wishes.

Any best wishe

 

[micahwc]

Army band audition:

4 pieces of music given to 3 days before the audition. 1 was a chord chart, 1 was a score, 1 was "play a samba in this key", 1 was something else I forget. In addition to this I had to play, from memory, four pieces of contemporary music in different genres, and then there were about 5 short pieces of music I had to sight read.

Current church audition:

Take as much time as you need to memorize this song. Play it on stage using IEMs for the first time ever with the recorded track. The song was "In Tenderness" by Citizens and Saints. The worship leader told me after they chose this song to see how well I paid attention to the bass line in the recording, because it isn't a straight forward song. (still one of my favorites to play)

 

[instrumentlevel]

Some times you lose because you're too good!

Aaah…That’s why I’ve had so much audition success—I’m not too good!

But seriously, great wisdom in what folks have said so far.

The only thing I’d add is that if there is a simple way to add something a little extra, that never hurts. So, if a band leader mentions a particular song, or asks about something, but it doesn’t end up on the song list, maybe be ready to do it anyway. Or, if the band plays originals, pick up something from their latest release. You don’t want to come off as lapdog desperate (“look what I did!”), but then again, in my experience, everyone likes it when you listen and show you are interested in what they wrote or love.

 

[johnnynitro]

I had to audition for three cover bands just recently. Most will give you a song list to pick three to five songs. Go in play them with the band. And then wait for a call if they don't give you an answer on the spot. Many times it might not be a fit for you. Remember, Your auditioning them too. Most want some sort of media ( Vid of you playing/ Or some sort of audio) before they even let you in the door. Original can be done many different ways ( Jamming/Learning covers within their style ect)