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Frustrating audition experience - long rant alert

#61
Okay, first off, based on what you have said, they are not an established band who lost a bassist, they sound like a start up to me. Believe they may have fluffed up the ad to get more interest.

Second, I would walk away from this like yesterday, my originals band is going on hiatus at the end of the year. I would rather spend that off time away from a band than dealing with what you're describing.
 
#62
Sounds like the "been there, done that" road.

Ironically, looking at your info, you are in Ontario Canada. You're not in or around the Niagara Region, are you? Lots of great musicians there, but also a LOT of wannabees and quacks! I have no qualms whatsoever in having left that particular music scene many years ago. But I digress.

Maybe just letting him/the band know that you are rather confused and that if THEY want to see you in the best light, then you NEED to know what songs they want. Failing that, nail the songs you originally were TOLD, then see where they want to go. If they ask about what or why you didn't learn the others, tell them such- you want to get things as right as possible.

If they can't understand that you are trying to be in the best shape to help THEM (always try to put a "them" spin on thing at this point), then just say sorry, cut your losses and move along...
 
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#63
GCPENG said:
Tell me I'm wrong, if you think so. Is it unreasonable to assign that many songs for an audition, or was I being difficult?
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Stumbo said:
If this guy is the BL, he did you a favor by taking you off the list.

If nothing is open for discussion, especially when you factually point out inconsistencies, you've run into an authoritarian control freak type person.
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You are not wrong and yes, he is an authoritarian control nut.

I had a similar experiences and I am sure many of us have.

Upfront they will tell and strongly suggest that you play as you go/like, but after the first song is finished the message often is:
Why dont’t you;
*play softer/harder/more/less/F#/D/4th/8th notes/etc etc.

They want you to play what they want to hear. Happens a lot especially with bands that are together for a long time.
Which I actually understand.

Could be worse though..if the BL is a keyboard player with a very busy and heavy left hand :-)
 
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#64
I cannot remember auditioning more than once for spot in the band, although I have failed to make the grade many a time. When I have auditioned people, it was laways best to be organized, up front, honest (not brutal) and not personal.

When we were auditioning drummers we always new by the end of the third song at the latest. The best i have ever played with, I knew was the guy about 1/3 of the way in to the first song.
 
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#68
richntiff said:
If I asked someone to prep 6 songs for an audition and they couldn’t, or felt that was ‘too many’ - I’d scratch them from the start. If it takes you that long to learn 6, when are you going to be ready to play out?
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I'm lazy, stupid and a terrible musician but I can learn six songs if I know I'm going to perform them; I wouldn't want to make that much effort for a maybe.
 
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#70
The first impression I got was a feel of Condescension on your part..."Weekend Warriors", "Plays Clubs we turned down".
13 songs is a bit much, but if that's what they want, you have two options, Agree to it or decline. And from you wanting to question their approach to it sounds like you weren't wanting to fully commit. I dont know their intentions but it sounds like they were weeding out those individuals who were going to waste everyone's time...
 
#71
ZAR14 said:
The first impression I got was a feel of Condescension on your part..."Weekend Warriors", "Plays Clubs we turned down".
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I understand the impression that you may have gained, but I am a weekend warrior in my main band as well, and I have described that band as such in other threads. I use the term in its most descriptive sense and intended no condescension.

And with respect to the "clubs" comment, this was relevant in that the opportunity wasn't a stellar one to begin with, but I hoped that, if I had joined, I would be able to move them away from these venues to some better ones.
 
#73
Kind of unrelated, but when I’ve auditioned or joined a group, I usually ask why the last bassist left. You can usually tell a lot from the response (even if they aren’t truthful about it!). For instance, if the BL sounds bitter, petty, or demeaning when talking about the old bassist, that might be a red flag.
 
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#74
GCPENG said:
I’ve got no problem with six. I’ve done it before and did it for this band on audition number one. I don’t think that an additional seven songs in a second audition is appropriate, though. Do you feel different?
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If it was a legitimate established gigging band - no, that would be no problem. A headcase with delusions of grandeur trying to start a new 'project'? Then yes - a major difference that I would run screaming from. I apologize if my first message was a bit off point - I think I read your OP too quickly.
 
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#77
richntiff said:
If it was a legitimate established gigging band - no, that would be no problem. A headcase with delusions of grandeur trying to start a new 'project'? Then yes - a major difference that I would run screaming from. I apologize if my first message was a bit off point - I think I read your OP too quickly.
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No apology needed - we're on the same page here. And it was a long post.
 
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