Expectations when auditioning for cover band

[gkella]

Amateur cover band guy here:

When we audition players we want 2 covers. The whole band will be prepared to play at least those 2 songs well.

Quality is important. We want the correct part(s) with any signature riffs included. Solos don't have to be note-for-note, unless they are signature solos. Over playing is good if it's good. If it's bad, it's bad.

I do only 2 songs because I want to see what kind of quality the player is capable of. I'm often disappointed by how many bass players and drummers don't bother to learn the correct parts. Some of them want to listen to it on their phone when they're supposed to be playing.

In addition we're looking for people who:

- Have the free time to practice & learn songs (Many don't)

- Are likable and easy to work with.

- Actually put in the work.

- Have gear that sounds good.

Pros (wedding bands etc.) will probably want more than 2 covers. They will expect more commitment.

I am retired and have lots of time to devote.
I think I am likeable and easy to work with...my dog likes me anyway.
Will do my homework.
Have a nice Stingray bass and Mark Bass amp.
So I have that covered.
I will definitely try to find out about their expectations for the audition.

 

[topper]

I also think it's totally fair to ask them to learn a song for you. If there's something you already know, that you think really showcases your abilities, and that fits in their genre, they should be open to learning it well enough to run for the audition, so long as it isn't something crazy complicated or hard for them to learn.

I've been to a few auditions where the band offered that and it always impressed me. Now I'll ask and if the band refuses a relatively easy request, well, you just learned something about the people you'll be playing with.

 

[brianrost]

Generally, what do you think the expecting are?

Unless they specifically tell you that they want you to be ready to play everything or give you a specific list of songs, they probably expect you to play about 25% of those tunes at least as well as they can.

 

[GBBSbassist]

Don't only focus on your playing, but focus on some of the intricate parts that they have to play. If they've been playing the song for a while and still screwing those parts up, I'd be weary.

 

[two fingers]

Nail down half a dozen. I mean note for note. Thay way tou can say "This is how I prepare music." Then you simply explain that you would need a little time to nail down the whole set that way.

I don't want to hear half @$$ versions of 30 songs. I want to hear what your playing sounds like when YOU think you've nailed it. Even if I only get ti hear a few songs, I want to hear your best work. That'll tell me all I need to know.

 

[MrLenny1]

Learn 8-10 tunes really well. Relax, have fun.
Good luck.

 

[DanGroove]

If you can, ask them how many songs they want you to prepare. Also, if they have any songs on line (Facebook, website, YouTube), take a listen so you know what you are going in for.

I wouldn't half ass a song. Better to have 4 or 5 nailed down than a dozen "kinda". That is more likely to make you stand out. Don't worry about being fancy. Nail the parts and lock in with the drummer.

This 100%. Ask them to provide a short list for the audition. If the audition goes well and you get the part, then you can begin the process of learning them all well.

 

[Rib 13]

I am retired and have lots of time to devote.
I think I am likeable and easy to work with...my dog likes me anyway.
Will do my homework.
Have a nice Stingray bass and Mark Bass amp.
So I have that covered.
I will definitely try to find out about their expectations for the audition.

The thing about auditions is that it's a two way street: You are equally auditioning them and they have to meet your expectations as well

 

[LuckyScott]

In the past I have met bands where they got together for coffee or a beer before the audition and discussed the band, the songs, the style, etc. It was there way of screening the possible people auditioning.
I felt this was a good way to do it as I also got a chance to audition/screen them.
Nowadays bands give you a list and ask you to show up and play. How do I know they are a band I am interested in? Maybe they are a horrible band, or a bunch of flakes.
So I learn 5 or 6 songs, thats it. If we do well at the audition then I will learn more. If they ask me to join the band I will learn them all.
Last audition they wanted me to learn 10 songs. I learned 5 and knew one already. I showed up ready to go and the singer never showed or called. Total waste of time.
Why spend hours learning some bands set if you don't know if its going to work out yet?

 

[DrThumpenstein]

We ask people to pick 4-5 of "our" songs (covers) for an audition. That's really all we need to see if they can play or sing. (And we like to spend as much time talking with them as playing, to make sure they will be a good fit.)

Sometimes we'll suggest one of the songs if there's something we are looking for as far as vocal range for a singer or licks for a specific instrument.

How soon is your audition? I'd suggest getting in touch with your contact and deciding on a few songs that you can get dialed in, especially if it's in the next week or 2. Learning much more than that isn't a reasonable ask for someone who isn't a full-time musician. It's one thing to woodshed 40 songs for a gig, but not for an audition.

And always remember: you're auditioning them too! If they are unreasonable or difficult, best to find out now.

Good luck, hope they're a good fit!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

So, I been playing bass for close to four years now.
Up until now, my band experience in bass has been with brand new start up bands.
We are all picking the songs and learning them together.
I left the band I was in for a year because of a conflict with the guitarist.
Regardless, since then, I have tried to get new start up bands going and it is been frustrating getting the right mix of people.
I decided to look for opportunities with existing bands looking for a bass player.
Currently I have an opportunity to audition for a band playing southern rock.
A lot of Skynyrd, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Molly Hatchet, etc.
They sent me their three set lists last night.
I am familiar with 90% of the sings but have never played them.
I guess my question is..
Generally, what do you think the expecting are?
I have been going through the songs all day today trying to figure out which ones are easy to pick up quickly, what ones I find challenging.
Should I get a couple of them down well or learn half assed versions of a bunch of them?
How do you approach an opportunity like this?
Thanks Glen

Learn the first set before the audition, and let them know you're still working on the other ones. If you've got a full set down before try outs, there's not a whole lot of negatives to be said.

 

[jdh3000]

So, I been playing bass for close to four years now.
Up until now, my band experience in bass has been with brand new start up bands.
We are all picking the songs and learning them together.
I left the band I was in for a year because of a conflict with the guitarist.
Regardless, since then, I have tried to get new start up bands going and it is been frustrating getting the right mix of people.
I decided to look for opportunities with existing bands looking for a bass player.
Currently I have an opportunity to audition for a band playing southern rock.
A lot of Skynyrd, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Molly Hatchet, etc.
They sent me their three set lists last night.
I am familiar with 90% of the sings but have never played them.
I guess my question is..
Generally, what do you think the expecting are?
I have been going through the songs all day today trying to figure out which ones are easy to pick up quickly, what ones I find challenging.
Should I get a couple of them down well or learn half assed versions of a bunch of them?
How do you approach an opportunity like this?
Thanks Glen

I would focus on hooks an just a generic chord progression, ie; just the right chord and feel.

As long as the signature bass licks are present, you'll look good.
The hook on Gimme Three Steps will mean more than if you get all the intricate parts on Tuesday's Gone.
You can always go back and sharpen it up later.

 

[Carl Hillman]

I guess my question is..
Generally, what do you think the expecting are?

You need to ask them, but I'll venture a guess.

If they are a working band, with gigs on the calendar, they probably want somebody who can learn enough of that material to get through a night playing somewhere. But, you say this is an audition, so there's no real reason to kill yourself learning that much music.

Learn like 3 or 4 tunes really well. Situations like this are where it really comes in handy knowing how to read music & make charts of the songs.

 

[bikeplate]

Id ask them exactly what they expect, not us. "Which songs for the audition" would be my first question

 

[el murdoque]

Depending on the band and the competition and the question of how bad I want this, I'd do something between learning 3 songs note for note and a few more half-assed and learning the entire set list note for note.
When I know they will audition others, I'll do more. When they asked me, I'll do three songs so we can see if we click before I put in more work.

 

[basspraiser]

The first think I would do is ask for (or propose) a short list of maybe 4-5 songs for the audition, and I'd learn those really well and as close to note-for-note as I could. Then for all the other songs on their list (or as many as I had time for before the audition) I'd listen to them and get chord charts to familiarize myself with the chord progressions and arrangements. That way, if they called a song that wasn't on the short list, I could say something like, "I haven't learned that one yet, but I'll try to fake my way through it if you want me to," and then I'd at least have a sporting chance.

This is great advice..

Ask them for 4-5 songs they want to audition and know them WELL...

but be prepared for a " why don't we try.....( Full in the blank)?"

 

[gkella]

In the past I have met bands where they got together for coffee or a beer before the audition and discussed the band, the songs, the style, etc. It was there way of screening the possible people auditioning.
I felt this was a good way to do it as I also got a chance to audition/screen them.
Nowadays bands give you a list and ask you to show up and play. How do I know they are a band I am interested in? Maybe they are a horrible band, or a bunch of flakes.
So I learn 5 or 6 songs, thats it. If we do well at the audition then I will learn more. If they ask me to join the band I will learn them all.
Last audition they wanted me to learn 10 songs. I learned 5 and knew one already. I showed up ready to go and the singer never showed or called. Total waste of time.
Why spend hours learning some bands set if you don't know if its going to work out yet?

I am definitely sensitive to wasting my time when it might lead nowhere.
Recently,
I got invited to audition for a band.
They sent me a few songs to work on.
One Phil Collins tune, some No Doubt.
Nothing I would typically be interested in but considered it a nice challenge.
I spent two weeks working on the sings and sent me a e mail saying they went with another bass player..complete waste if my time,

 

[Nevada Pete]

Let them know at the start that you're familiar with most of the songs but haven't played them before. They may or may not want to devote the time you'll need to get up to speed. If they have the time for you to learn them, ask them which 4 or 5 tunes you should work on first. If they don't have the time to devote to allow you to first learn the material, you're off the hook and won't have to learn any for this particular group (unless you want to add them to your repertoire).

This is pretty much how I see it. In that genre, my guess is they'll probably expect that you'll know all the tunes on their set list and be able to play them through at the audition. That's what they'll be looking for. So it's your job to communicate with them regarding where your at, and to express interest and willingness to get up to speed with them.

If they can't find anybody as per the above, then I would learn five tunes of their choosing and chart everything else out NNS, preferably on an iPad so you can use it on stage. Despite what people say, believe me, if you attach the iPad to a mic stand, nobody in the audience will notice. Once the guys / gals in the band see that you've gone to the trouble to do these things you might very well get the gig since you should then be able to play through a show with them until you memorize the tunes. The classic country / southern rock thing is very popular, so they may be a working band. Could certainly be worth the trouble. Good luck.

 

[bigswifty1]

It varies *hugely* according to how bands operate and their "mission". But if I was auditioning someone I would give them 4 songs to learn, and I'm over-generalising here:

* A fast one
* A slow one
* A technical one
* A non technical one (an opportunity to see if/how they embellish)

And I would throw in, on the day, a mystery one to see how their ears are, how fast the pick up stuff, and how they communicate musical ideas and concepts and so on.

 

[Swerve]

Leon Wilkeson was a great bass player. If you get the gig you've got to do the funny hat thing he did. Wizard hats, top hats, etc