I had my first audition for a classic/modern rock cover band last night. I'd spent a week learning the songs and I decided to add a little flavor to some of the more bland ones. Nothing huge just a few fills and pickups. Is this an acceptable practice for being in a cover band? I thought so, but the drummer kept giving me funny looks and now I'm nervous that I may have overstepped some sort of boundary.
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Last Night's Audition
- Thread starter HugeInJapan
- Start date
Have you ever seen the movie Rock Star with Marky Mark?
They are in a Tribute Band and the guitar player improvises a little during a song. Marky Mark walks over to him during the song and says, "There's no lead break after the first chorus..."
So who knows, some people may be into a little creativity, others may not. Maybe for an audition it would be good to just play solid.
They are in a Tribute Band and the guitar player improvises a little during a song. Marky Mark walks over to him during the song and says, "There's no lead break after the first chorus..."
So who knows, some people may be into a little creativity, others may not. Maybe for an audition it would be good to just play solid.
I do just that. I play the song, but add my touches. Because all in all, none of the original artists played the song the same way each time they played it. If they did, the song was probably underplayed or the bass is very specifically set to a certain role for the song. IMO of course.
The looks you got was probably because the drummer was listening for either the studio (or popular version) fills or cues, or he was listening for his old bass player's cues.
If you felt that confident from it, you probably did a good job, as we are all our own worst critics. However, if they turn you down, and they relate to the fact you didn't play what was written, then ask yourself if that is the type of group you want to play with. It may be. And if so, counter with the fact that you are willing to play it as written. Then see what they say.
Nothing is wasted here, you just got good experience by practicing tunes for a week and auditioning. A lot to take away from that.
The looks you got was probably because the drummer was listening for either the studio (or popular version) fills or cues, or he was listening for his old bass player's cues.
If you felt that confident from it, you probably did a good job, as we are all our own worst critics. However, if they turn you down, and they relate to the fact you didn't play what was written, then ask yourself if that is the type of group you want to play with. It may be. And if so, counter with the fact that you are willing to play it as written. Then see what they say.
Nothing is wasted here, you just got good experience by practicing tunes for a week and auditioning. A lot to take away from that.
When auditioning, it's usually best to play as close to the recording as possible. Once you get the gig, you can try to experiment with changing things up.
+1, get the gig first, then improvise later.
I agree, but I think there's also wisdom in testing the waters early. I mean, it would suck to get the gig only to find out that somebody runs the band with an iron fist and flips out if you improvise a little.
I think it shows confidence to improvise a little at the audition, and it's not a bad strategic move. If it costs you the job, you probably didn't want it anyway.
okcrum
in your chest
I just joined a cover project here, and they seem fine with some improv, providing that all the signature bass lines are there. Depending on repertoire that could be only a little or a lot of room for you. If you're going to be singing that might cut down the improv a little too.
OTOH, if you were playing through breaks in the tunes, you might get funny looks.
there are a few songs i improvise on in my band... but we all put a little creativity in everything. that being said... some things need to be played simply or like the record.
Here are a few examples my band plays. Listen to them and i think you will agree with most.
Pink Floyd - comfortably numb ... i play as simple as possible close to the record as possible. but never exactly the same every time.
Balad of John and Yoko:Beatles - like the record
Billie Jean:MJ - like the record
Happy Hour Hero:Moe - i put my own flavor
Can't You See: Marshall Tucker Band - add a little here, take away some during other parts.
then again im a novice ... and my improv is usually an arpegio or an extra 5th now and then. I don't have to chops to even start gettin carried away.
Here are a few examples my band plays. Listen to them and i think you will agree with most.
Pink Floyd - comfortably numb ... i play as simple as possible close to the record as possible. but never exactly the same every time.
Balad of John and Yoko:Beatles - like the record
Billie Jean:MJ - like the record
Happy Hour Hero:Moe - i put my own flavor
Can't You See: Marshall Tucker Band - add a little here, take away some during other parts.
then again im a novice ... and my improv is usually an arpegio or an extra 5th now and then. I don't have to chops to even start gettin carried away.
My approach is this: For an audition, play what is written or what you think the band wants to hear. Which means very little (zero) adlib or improv. When you're on the bandstand, you'll probably have a little more wiggle room. The greatest thing Jaco taught was you gotta play something and play it with enough confidence that you actually convince the bandleader that's what he wants to hear. On the other hand, if you're in a cover/tribute band, just play the parts and keep the flash to a minimum and the improv subtle.
This was also one of the songs we did. I did a good amount of playing during the solo and I think I may have stepped on the guitar a little and probably deserved the look I got for it.
But with everything else I think those who suggest that I don't want the spot if they demand I stick strictly to the recording are right. Thanks for helping me put it in perspective!
The more room we have to fill space, the more we think we should fill. That reasoning is almost always wrong - especially with the bass. You have to be disciplined, but its always about the song and complementing, not showcasing. Its a fine line, but we all know where it is. Discipline.
A "good amount of playing" works in some, but not all, scenarios. One of those scenarios that it probably doesn't work that well is during another instrumentalist's solo. Especially during an audition. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. I think Wil Rogers said that.
How many other instruments in the band?
If it’s three-piece, I might try to fill more space, four/more, I’d stay minimal at least for an audition, just to play it safe.
My band is just guitar, bass, drums, and front-man toys. No way I could get away with playing the stock bass line, the guitarist would freak having to carry the rest.
I don’t noodle, but I enhance the bass line as much as possible without compromising (too badly) the integrity of the original.
If it’s three-piece, I might try to fill more space, four/more, I’d stay minimal at least for an audition, just to play it safe.
My band is just guitar, bass, drums, and front-man toys. No way I could get away with playing the stock bass line, the guitarist would freak having to carry the rest.
I don’t noodle, but I enhance the bass line as much as possible without compromising (too badly) the integrity of the original.
I wouldn't read too much into it. Some drummers take their cues off bass lines, and sometimes it catches them off guard when you improvise a cover line and they're not expecting it. Keeping time usually maintains faith in drummers
Marko - it was a 4 piece, guitar, bass, drummer, and singer. So filling space was also a consideration. The original band I'm in is a 3 piece so I'm used to having a larger section of real estate to fill.
Personality wise it went pretty well. I clicked really well with the singer a guitar player, hard to read the drummer. They are auditioning one other guy tonight... should know something tomorrow!
Personality wise it went pretty well. I clicked really well with the singer a guitar player, hard to read the drummer. They are auditioning one other guy tonight... should know something tomorrow!
Well, in my mind, thats a three-piece w/front guy, but in any case, the point is that one guitar could use a little help filling out the sound.
(Keep in mind that Im not necessarily one to give advice on auditions, as Ive never had to do one, at least formally.)
As for stepping on the lead, I cant know how he felt, but were I auditioning you, and felt that you were otherwise a reasonable fella, Id figure I could remedy the situation by just speaking to you about it.
Im also feeling that if the other bassist gets the gig, its not because you did anything wrong, but I'm sure you'd do better the next time.
Best of luck.
My own take is to show them exactly what they are going to get stylistically, fills and all.
Hi, I'm me, this is how I talk and this is how I play. My own style. Hope it fits in with yours. Everybody's different.
Hi, I'm me, this is how I talk and this is how I play. My own style. Hope it fits in with yours. Everybody's different.
That sounds cool, but theres also nothing wrong with being willing to accommodate, at least to a point.
A younger, less-experienced guy being cocky from the outset might not be the wisest way to get where he wants to go.
Imho.
I enjoy playing in cover bands, however, I've no interest in being in cover bands that think they need to recreate songs note for note.
Make the song recognizable... nail the hooks and important licks... enjoy playing from there IMHO.
A cover bands approach and outlook on this is something I ask about before I ever set up an audition.
IMHO... the crowd doesn't recognize or warrant the difference between a recognizable cover tune, and a note for note cover tune.
If you're a Tribute band, then it's a different entire story.
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Make the song recognizable... nail the hooks and important licks... enjoy playing from there IMHO.
A cover bands approach and outlook on this is something I ask about before I ever set up an audition.
IMHO... the crowd doesn't recognize or warrant the difference between a recognizable cover tune, and a note for note cover tune.
If you're a Tribute band, then it's a different entire story.
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I'm in the camp for playing the tunes straight in audition and then modifying them down the road, unless the band specifically asks me to do something in a different way.
This is part of playing with other people. You have to realize that they are listening for queues for their parts. Getting really busy with your lines is ok if it fits; but, you have no way to know going into an audition. Same is true when the band is working up new material. Both situations call for keep it simple stupid. IMO.
Now, whole separate discussion is to what extent the other band members are open for changing things up. IME, there is a whole broad spectrum running the gamut from bands that want it like the juke box to bands that just want a certain feel and go from there. There are fantastic talents in both camps and across the board.
This is part of playing with other people. You have to realize that they are listening for queues for their parts. Getting really busy with your lines is ok if it fits; but, you have no way to know going into an audition. Same is true when the band is working up new material. Both situations call for keep it simple stupid. IMO.
Now, whole separate discussion is to what extent the other band members are open for changing things up. IME, there is a whole broad spectrum running the gamut from bands that want it like the juke box to bands that just want a certain feel and go from there. There are fantastic talents in both camps and across the board.
