• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How To Blow Your Audition

bass joke.jpeg
 
Not asking what you need to prepare musically and what sort of gear you will need for the audition.

One thing, just because I show up to audition does not mean I’ll take the gig if offered. Pay, amount of gigs, rehearsal schedule, general work load, as well as the quality of the product all work into the equation. It’s better to have this ironed out before agreeing to sign on.
 
It is a constant puzzle to me how people approach auditioning for bands. I've auditioned plenty of musicians for the bands I've been in, and the most common red flag to me is the one that seems to be the easiest to fix, too: showing up prepared. Say I give a guitarist five songs to learn for a cover band--nothing too difficult, and their audition is two weeks away. Without fail, without fail, they will show up not knowing at least one of the tunes. And when that tune comes up to play at the audition the usual "you know, I didn't have time to learn this one. But if you guys start playing it I can work my way through it." Bravo. Great that you can play by ear. Know what? I'd be more impressed if you actually did your homework.

The other red flags like weird personalities; tardiness; faulty equipment; bad attitudes; egos; etc, I can usually live with if they just show up and know the tunes.

As for me, I've auditioned for plenty of bands, too. I've had success in most, and all I do is show up on time; have the tunes prepared; have the right equipment; and have a good attitude. That's it.
 
It confuses me that people think asking about pay is call to lose an audition. Hell, I'm not prepping a damn thing until I know if we are on the same page regarding money. I know a few acts that like to sink all their pay "back into the band". In my experience that is code for band leader takes all the pay. If we are not on the same page about money then charting your music, listening or even reading your set list is a waste of my time.