jive1
Commercial User
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How many song to learn is reasonable for an initial try-out?
- Thread starter Mattosaur
- Start date
I'm with Jarrett - If they sent me 17, I'd be ready to go with 17. But then, I've been playing for years and years, and learning songs comes easy to me. Don't forget to check the Interwebs for bass tabs and YouTube instructional videos to give you a head start. What I recommend is putting in as much work as you possibly can, however far that gets you, and if you don't get the gig, at least you know it wasn't because you didn't try as hard as you could have.
You want me to learn 17 songs for an audition?
How about I put together 3-5 that you want to hear and we go through those those in 1/2 hour, then chat for 15 mins, then I split and you guys can talk... and then I learn 50 the next week after you decide you want me in the band not.
How about I put together 3-5 that you want to hear and we go through those those in 1/2 hour, then chat for 15 mins, then I split and you guys can talk... and then I learn 50 the next week after you decide you want me in the band not.
I should probably caveat that by saying, I don't audition with just anyone. I look very careful for bands that fall into that "like minded" category. I request a set list and look it over, if I dig it, I call them. We have a somewhat in depth talk about the band, the members, the goals. At that point, I know if I potentially want to work with them or not. If I don't, I don't learn one song and tell them thanks for their time and good luck on their search. If I do, I learn all their songs and show up with them charted out and playing them cold for the audition. That usually helps in me getting the gig.
jive1
Commercial User
For you semi-pro guys that work a full time job and have other various "real life" obligations, how many songs can you reasonably learn in a week?
I'm working full time and taking 12 hours of college courses and I feel like I never have any time at all for music anymore.
I'm a very busy guy, and I usually can only commit to a few hours to learning songs in a given week, so I cram where I can and create cheatsheets if time is tight before the gig.
Most of my work has been done beforehand in that I spent time learning how to learn songs, and I seem to learn songs pretty quickly (although remembering them is another thing).
jive1
Commercial User
My last two 'auditions' were at paying gigs, one of them being in front of a crowd about about 200. Both gigs required about 40 songs. One of them I learned about 20 songs in about 5 days, with the other 20 being ones I already knew and had performed before. The other I learned about 25 songs in a week, with about 15 of them being ones that I already knew.
I find that the more songs you know, the easier it is to learn others. Lots of cover band songs consist of standard "money chords", so when you learn one, it's easier to fake your way in another that has a similar progression.
I find that by learning as many songs as I could in the last 20 years, I don't spend nearly as much time learning tunes anymore because I've gotten better at learning tunes, and because there's alot that I have already learned and are ready to go. I do subbing for bands, and I find that for most cover bands, I can confidently say I know about 50% of their set without even looking at their songlist. 99% of the time it is the case, even for the guys who "don't play what the other bands play".
Learn songs, and have a positive attitude about it. There is really no harm in it.
I find that the more songs you know, the easier it is to learn others. Lots of cover band songs consist of standard "money chords", so when you learn one, it's easier to fake your way in another that has a similar progression.
I find that by learning as many songs as I could in the last 20 years, I don't spend nearly as much time learning tunes anymore because I've gotten better at learning tunes, and because there's alot that I have already learned and are ready to go. I do subbing for bands, and I find that for most cover bands, I can confidently say I know about 50% of their set without even looking at their songlist. 99% of the time it is the case, even for the guys who "don't play what the other bands play".
Learn songs, and have a positive attitude about it. There is really no harm in it.
I've got no problem with this. At this point, I mostly just want to play with other people. I'll count the entire thing a success if I get to play with people a few times a month, whether it's in front of other people or not.
I'm at the point where I just want to play with others and learn as much as I can. I've listened to the drummer's other project, and he's pretty good. Even if all I get to do play with a competent drummer for a few months, that's more than I've got going on at home.
themacinator
Always looking for the perfect gig
- Oct 8, 2009
- 1,511
- 138
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Babicz FCH Hardware
Sorry but there is no way that someone who, is admittedly still picking up his bass skills, can learn 17 songs in 10 days, and do them well. Totally unrealistic. And frankly I don't think many of these people advocating that could do it either, and sing backup.
Stick to less is more. Blow them away with a few tunes and you will get the gig (if you want it) and be invited back.
Stick to less is more. Blow them away with a few tunes and you will get the gig (if you want it) and be invited back.
Sure but if nobody launches startups there wouldn't be any bands to play in at all.
Frankly I get REALLY pissed at this kind of attitude. "You guys go take all the risks, do all the work, spend the time, come up with the concept, build a setlist that works, do the marketing and build relationships with venues and a fan base, get a steady stream of paying gigs going. THEN I'll step in to play with you -- and I expect to take the same share of the money as you get."
Gotta agree with this, depending on song familiarity.
Someone just really starting who's never played in a band situation, 5 is reasonable.
We're all busy, and unless you already know these songs pretty well, 17 is way too much for a week, unless you have the week off work or something.
For a seasoned pro like Jive, no problem.
Someone just getting their feet wet, it's a bit much to expect, and it's really their responsibility (given they know your curent level of skill) to base the audition on a reasonable platform of what they think will be a good cross-section of their material.
Unless of course they are thinking that giving you too much to learn in a short time is a good test of your response and attitude.
I'd ask them to be clear if they expect you to learn all 17 or are giving you your choice from that list.
Really? I had one band ask me to learn 35 songs for a gig that was happening in five days (20 of which were originals). I ended up making $300 for the night plus all their tips, and guess who's there on call bassist now.
I'd say it depends on the potential of the band.
I agree - I wouldn't request someone to do this for an audition, at least not at this level. But if I did give someone a list of 17 songs and said come ready with 5-10, and he came ready with all 17, it sure would impress me.
And I agree, I would not expect a beginner/intermediate to be able to do it, even for easy rock/pop songs like the ones listed. Like I said, he should put in as much work as he can, and get as far as he thinks he can, and then he'll know that he gave it his best shot.
And I agree, I would not expect a beginner/intermediate to be able to do it, even for easy rock/pop songs like the ones listed. Like I said, he should put in as much work as he can, and get as far as he thinks he can, and then he'll know that he gave it his best shot.
I would assume they are not very experienced. Why do I want to learn 17 songs before I have heard you? What if I don't LIKE YOU?
My time is more valuable than that.
Of course, I don't tend to audition for bands. I like to RUN bands, and DO the auditioning.
But I would NEVER make anyone learn more than 6-9 songs.
Like I said, 3 you can really NAIL, and we'll do those first.
3 more you can get by on, and we'll do them next.
After that, I've already decided whether there's any need to continue, and we can free jam, and if I love what I hear, you will be coming back.
At that point, maybe you SHOULD learn 17 songs.
Nah, even then, that's a bit much.
10 would get you the gig.
Depends on who the other players are.
Back in prehistoric times, when I was busting to get gig time under my belt, I'd show the work ethic and learn Everything. Over the years, I have gotten older, more tired - and disillusioned by the large quantity of non-achievers out in live music land.
So, if I Know they are productive, good players - yeah, I'll go the distance. If I don't know much about them, then - they get 5 from me, and we'll take it from there. If that's not good enough, they can find someone dumberer than me.
Back in prehistoric times, when I was busting to get gig time under my belt, I'd show the work ethic and learn Everything. Over the years, I have gotten older, more tired - and disillusioned by the large quantity of non-achievers out in live music land.
So, if I Know they are productive, good players - yeah, I'll go the distance. If I don't know much about them, then - they get 5 from me, and we'll take it from there. If that's not good enough, they can find someone dumberer than me.
