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How To Blow Your Audition

#41
dbsfgyd1 said:
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.
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This is a great point. How the band can blow the audition for me:

Don't have answers for the above points as well as:
  • Tell me the song I need to learn but don't bother telling me you play it in a different key or worse - don't know what key you play it in at all.
  • I show up on time and the band rolls in one at a time over the next 30 minutes.
  • Have a bad drummer or off-key singer.
  • Act like I just committed a felony when I tell you I scheduled other auditions and will get back to you.
  • As I'm setting up my gear, current band member takes a giant bong rip like he's still in college.

    Not a complete list.
 
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#42
brianrost said:
I just want to know if there are gigs on the books as opposed to looking forward to a year or two holed up in a basement before the band breaks up :meh:
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Asking about the gigging and rehearsal schedule (and checking the travel time) is entirely different and a perfectly reasonable question to ask up front. Because those are factors that affect whether or not you’re willing and able to commit. So I totally agree with you on that point.
 
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#43
Kael said:
I've never once encountered an act where asking how they handle finances, how frequently they are playing out, markets being booked in, etc was a problem being asked about upfront that wasn't a hobby/ego stroking act. You do you.
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Is doing us is all any of us can do. In my case I was never involved with a hobby or ego stroking band. But I can only speak from my own experiences. :)
 
#45
I'm pretty sure I blew a basic originals rock band audition
by showing up with a music stand and charts I made.
I kind of get it - the tunes were not so complex as to defy memorization,
and music stands and charts ain't rock and roll.

Conversely one of the best drummers I ever played with auditioned with the same.
I was like "a drummer who actually reads music? you're in!"
 
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#48
40Hz said:
Consider that from the band’s perspective they’re not going to even going to get into discussing money before you convince them you can do the job. You don’t want to waste your time. But neither do they. (See previous comments in earlier posts about ego. ;))

FWIW, I never once ran into anyone who put the money question up front and didn’t turn out to be a major PITA down the road. Nobody admires a mercenary - or hires one if there’s an alternative. Just sayin’ :)
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and this is how you get good players to not play with you.

Kael said:
I've never once encountered an act where asking how they handle finances, how frequently they are playing out, markets being booked in, etc was a problem being asked about upfront that wasn't a hobby/ego stroking act. You do you.
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when i see no jobbers, we invest gig money in gear or we are going to be stars i just run as fast as possible. just give me the info up front. if i get a call about a gig the first thing is pay and expectations.
 
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#52
Kael said:
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.
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It’s just not customary to address pay before you’ve established mutual interest in a working relationship. I don’t know how it came to be that way and I can’t say whether it’s right or wrong, but maybe the nature of customs is that they transcend those two points.

Now I’ll play the other end -

I have played in bands where the guy who owns the PA takes an extra cut. I don’t get that. As someone else said, nobody paid for my rig. Also, in this particular band every player was expected to help pack out the PA, which was a nice one with IEMs, mixers, synchronized lights, etc. It took an hour to strike. I’m giving up a cut AND I have to pack the damn thing out?
 
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#53
Altitude said:
It’s just not customary to address pay before you’ve established mutual interest in a working relationship. I don’t know how it came to be that way and I can’t say whether it’s right or wrong, but maybe the nature of customs is that they transcend those two points.

Now I’ll play the other end -

I have played in bands where the guy who owns the PA takes an extra cut. I don’t get that. As someone else said, nobody paid for my rig. Also, in this particular band every player was expected to help pack out the PA, which was a nice one with IEMs, mixers, synchronized lights, etc. It took an hour to strike. I’m giving up a cut AND I have to pack the damn thing out?
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What's not to get? Supplying your own equipment is expected. Supplying a PA which was a "nice one with IEMs, mixers, synchronized lights, etc" is for the benefit of the whole band, not just the singer (or whoever owns it) Why should the whole band not chip in for the PA?
 
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#54
newwavefrank said:
What's not to get? Supplying your own equipment is expected. Supplying a PA which was a "nice one with IEMs, mixers, synchronized lights, etc" is for the benefit of the whole band, not just the singer (or whoever owns it) Why should the whole band not chip in for the PA?
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I imagine the bass amp benefits the whole band too, no?
 
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#56
Altitude said:
It’s just not customary to address pay before you’ve established mutual interest in a working relationship. I don’t know how it came to be that way and I can’t say whether it’s right or wrong, but maybe the nature of customs is that they transcend those two points.
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How am I supposed to gauge my interest in a potential music BUSINESS relationship without addressing the business? Why would I waste my and their time with an audition when there could be a fundamental difference that could preclude us being able to work together. The only time I've seen people balk at talking about business is when they are playing for a hobby and expecting free labor. Doesn't compute.
 
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#57
RCH said:
I once auditioned for a country band. We hit it off fine until I mentioned that I was willing to wear one of those funny shirts, but I refused to wear a cowboy hat. I never heard back from them, but it was a relief.
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Gee, I wonder why. The band made a good choice...

Why would you expect a band to hire you or even associate with you if you mock the way they dress, groom or present themselves?
 
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#59
The add said: 'Wanted: A solid bass-player with a sense of humor'.

The band: 3 amazing female singers, 1 female on keys. Guitar and drums, both male.

The audition went very well musically. 'You fit right in, awesome!'

Then they asked : 'Why did you leave your previous band?'

My answer: 'My previous band had a female singer, and I can not get along with females at all in a band'


They threw me out of the door in the blink of an eye.
 
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