Band auditions and first impressions

[Jazzdogg]

I like playing with grownups who underpromise and over-deliver.

Folks who look for ways to help and fit in.

People who take responsibility for the energy they add to the musical and interpersonal equations of band life.

Musicians with good ears who show up on time, ready to go. Nice people who see themselves as part of a larger whole. Musicians who pay attention to group dynamics, stage volume, and musicality.

Great listeners are far more attractive to me than shred monsters.

I'm looking for great collaborators who are fun to be with and take their responsibilities seriously, but don't take themselves too seriously.

 

[Ostie]

You can change how you dress, your hairstyle, your clothes, but you can’t fake talent. Attitude is important, as is personality. If someone is rude or arrogant or disagreeable at an audition, it ain’t gonna get better in a band setting.

 

[bigswifty1]

Often, people hear what they see.

This is so true. Many years ago I attended a first audition with my Sadowsky. The band was a bunch of very old pros. Undoing the case, they peered in ... "S A D O W ..... never heard of it". I took note and attended the second audition with a Roadworn Jazz "Ahhh nice" and "Gotta love the old ones".

I played with that band for 10 years

 

[pepj]

Heard that before. A gtr guy...who really knows his sounds especially regarding his own kit and also P.A asked if I had a Fender.
I do but it is nowhere near making my gig rosta. I showed him my FSO which is a modern build of a vintage Fender...and no one does it better, imo...
and all the gtr could say was, the name on the headstock is wrong.
I like and respect the guy but all I could say was, 'we are going to disagree so best leave the conversation here'

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Martin Barre forgot his amp but did bring a flute. He still got the job.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

You can change how you dress, your hairstyle, your clothes, but you can’t fake talent.

Damn, that's my best skill

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I never really paid much attention to gear at auditions unless it was really crummy/broken or really fancy.

The other end of the spectrum can be a concern with regards to insurance costs. I'd rather they had a Squier CV Strat than a 1963 original so guards aren't required backstage at gigs. They can keep the 1963 at home and get a CV.

 

[hrodbert696]

Brand names on gear, no, I don't care, as long as they can play and get a good sound out of it. I've heard great bassists in venerable blues clubs playing Squiers and sounding fantastic, and there's Khruangbin's bassist's SX. I HAVE had occasion when I've looked at the gear of an old friend's band and thought, "wow, what crap." But that was after I had heard them play some songs and they sounded terrible. If they had sounded great, I would have thought, "good on them for getting good sound out of cheap gear."

Grooming and personality are another matter. I can allow plenty of leeway and not be super demanding. But if it's going to grate on me to work with these people, if they're obnoxious and unpleasant to be with, that would be a red flag. The "hang" is one leg of the tripod a band stands on. And I do need some confidence that these people can deliver a great show, because for me the end goal is performance. You don't have to be pretty to have a great stage presence, but you do need to be able to have some kind of presence.

 

[L7L]

If they message you on Facebook after seeing your performance videos and say they play the drums and would like to get with you, but in their avatar they look like a biker with their middle finger at the camera, it's a NO.

This is too specific to not be a real occurrence

 

[Deleted member 394181]

My old band auditioned a new guitarist once. Dude showed up with his own car, his own gear, understood how to set up his pedalboard for good tone. He wasn't dressed like a slob, just dressed "normal" in jeans and a T shirt. He showed up on time, wasn't intoxicated, didn't smell bad, was newly married and easy to get along with.

The best part? He had looked up our songs online and learned like four of them without us even asking him to do so. Nobody had to tell him to do his homework, guy understood the assignment. After we played those songs, we just jammed with him for a while to see how good he was improvising, and just like that, he was in. We're all still friends to this day.

That's how you make a good first impression.

I think what your describing should the norm. I failed auditions when i did all of those things, but the people auditioning ME werent ready.!?

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Playing ability is the most important factor, personal sympathy comes next.

I'd reverse the order. If offered the choice between an exceptional player who is unpleasant and a decent person who is merely good, I'd pick the latter.

 

[mambo4]

Gear matters less if they can deliver.

As for appearance: Some players think they are "authentic" and thus are unwilling to dress up for a gig.
Sometimes this can be hinted at in their personal grooming style (or lack there of).
Outfit expectations are a good thing to clear up at an audition.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

This is too specific to not be a real occurrence

I'd find the excessively healthy living and lycra to be offputting. (Might be a real experience). Oh they meant MOTOR biker!

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Gear matters less if they can deliver.

As for appearance: Some players think they are "authentic" and thus are unwilling to dress up for a gig.
Sometimes this can be hinted at in their personal grooming style (or lack there of).
Outfit expectations are a good thing to clear up at an audition.

Much easier for the Dave Clark Five, et al. Also gear choice: the current sponsor.

 

[mambo4]

If offered the choice between an exceptional player who is unpleasant and a decent person who is merely good, I'd pick the latter.

Ditto. I simply consider "plays well with others" as a necessary aspect of musicianship.
Being a jerk or loosing your poop at other band members is as bad as failing to learn the material.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Being a jerk or loosing your poop at other band members is as bad as failing to learn the material.

I can't remember whether this was while I was still with the band or just after I left, but a member was fired for personal issues. Good player, but disruptive to the band's harmony.

 

[Spectrum]

Ritchie Blackmore has entered the chat

 

[DWBass]

Don't care about their gear! As long as it sounds good. And as long as they can play the music with conviction, I'm good. Positive personality is also a positive. Last rehearsal, I used my Squier Debut P-Bass. Nobody even cared!!

 

[Marc valero]

This is too specific to not be a real occurrence

Yeah about a month ago. Nothing against bikers, but the finger avatar is a no.

 

[retslock]

On the other hand, many times the pre-audition chat has gone well, influences were discussed seeming appropriate, artistic sensibilities seemingly aligned only to wince at the immediate reality that crashes in from the first few bars.