If it's a cover band, I'd ask for their song list -- see which ones you know already and go from there. I wouldn't kill myself to learn 10 new songs from scratch unless it's REALLY a band I want to be part of.
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Learn 10 songs for an audition?
- Thread starter JimiLL
- Start date
Honestly, if I learn 10 songs for your audition, you're going to have to lose the Klan regalia.
I got a list of 12 for my first audition for the band Im in . I think we only actually do about 4 of those as weve gradually dropped or replaced most of them .
my time is too valuable to learn an hours worth of music simply for an audition in a bar band. especially as a bass player, there are no shortages of bar bands needing a bass player.
if the band can't ascertain my ability after 3 or 4 songs, then i dont see what difference 10 or 20 is going to make. mosy likely they will know if im a good fit before the first song is done.
if the band can't ascertain my ability after 3 or 4 songs, then i dont see what difference 10 or 20 is going to make. mosy likely they will know if im a good fit before the first song is done.
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actually, I bet they want their cousin, Li'l Marty, to move from kazoo to bass and they need someone to teach him the 10 songs in their set.
ITZATRAP!
ITZATRAP!
I should explain. It was an ad I saw on cl for bass player. Serious cover band,lots of tubes and weekly gigs. I'm not interested in the gig, I already have a full plate. It just struck me as a bit much.
Anytime I auditioned somebody I never suggested learning more than 4 or 5 songs; I didn't want to come across as demanding or waste anyone's time. Learning 10 songs won't give me any more insight to your playing than if it were 5. When I audition it's to look for talent, not work ethic.
Also, if I were to learn 10 songs and showed up for audition and everyone sucked, I'd be s bit peaved
Anytime I auditioned somebody I never suggested learning more than 4 or 5 songs; I didn't want to come across as demanding or waste anyone's time. Learning 10 songs won't give me any more insight to your playing than if it were 5. When I audition it's to look for talent, not work ethic.
Also, if I were to learn 10 songs and showed up for audition and everyone sucked, I'd be s bit peaved
10 is not excessive, it is a test, and be mentally prepared for surprise songs "Do you know this one" and the rest of the band takes off with or without you. In a pro context, all bets are off and the songlist goes out the window. Google "audition for Steve Vai" or similar.
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Back in 2006, I was happily "semi-retired" from bands and being a fulltime Dad & career engineer. Got an email from a guitarist I'd played with in and out of bands in New Orleans for over 15 years that said:
"Can you learn 100 songs in a month? We just fired our bass player and have an important gig in a month. Let me know."
So I sat wifey and 2 still-at-home, high school age children down and we talked. Dad would be gone 1 night per week and probably a zombie the following day. They all said "Do it Dad!". So my audition was a surprise birthday party for the BL's longtime friend and business associate. I passed.
PS: when we(me and the above guitarist) had to audition drummers, I would ALWAYS make it a point to toss in a "not on the recording" bassline in the middle of a song that fell in-between the drummer's snare and/or bass drum timing to see if they'd screw up. The ones that train wrecked or lost time walked. The ones that kept going like a clock or answered my bass rhythm or just looked at me and laughed had a much better shot at making the grade.
Invalid Link Removed
Back in 2006, I was happily "semi-retired" from bands and being a fulltime Dad & career engineer. Got an email from a guitarist I'd played with in and out of bands in New Orleans for over 15 years that said:
"Can you learn 100 songs in a month? We just fired our bass player and have an important gig in a month. Let me know."
So I sat wifey and 2 still-at-home, high school age children down and we talked. Dad would be gone 1 night per week and probably a zombie the following day. They all said "Do it Dad!". So my audition was a surprise birthday party for the BL's longtime friend and business associate. I passed.
PS: when we(me and the above guitarist) had to audition drummers, I would ALWAYS make it a point to toss in a "not on the recording" bassline in the middle of a song that fell in-between the drummer's snare and/or bass drum timing to see if they'd screw up. The ones that train wrecked or lost time walked. The ones that kept going like a clock or answered my bass rhythm or just looked at me and laughed had a much better shot at making the grade.
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If you want the job you'll learn 'em, simple as that. Seems reasonable in order to get a paying job playing music.
I got a call for a fill-in earlier this year. The band was in sudden, dire need of a bass player. It turned into sit-in for all the gigs all year. I got a call on a Friday, rehearsal the following Wednesday, gig the following Friday. 13 originals.
If a gig, audition, or phone call comes up, I would do whatever it takes/whatever is needed, if you want the gig that is.
If a gig, audition, or phone call comes up, I would do whatever it takes/whatever is needed, if you want the gig that is.
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Given the added info, that's not excessive. Sounds like you don't want the gig anyway, so why waste their time.
I was just in a similar situation, and then they called me a week earlier to change the audition date and gave me only 3 days for about a dozen songs (some was pretty challenging material). I really wanted the gig, so I sucked it up. What I did and what I'd advise if you DO want the gig is to learn as much as you can, perfectly, and them tell them you didn't learn the rest. Floor them with 5 or 6 songs and I believe you'll land the gig. I did. Half ass 10 of them and try to wing it, or think your bass expertise will win them over, and you lessen your chances significantly. This, I'm certain of.
But you learned 10 songs that you didn't know before. You might not get (or take) the gig, but you'll now have 10 more songs in your repertoire. How is that a bad thing?
Right on the money, Two! It's been over 30 years, and I'm still learning 'YYZ' seems closer in my rear view mirror, than it actually is...
MDBass
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Dig the PS bit, that's absolutely something I'd do as well.
That being said, auditioning for Steve Vai and for a local cover band are literally opposite ends of the musical spectrum
10 is more than I've seen having been on both sides of the equation more than once. 4-6 has been the norm when there's more than a few people scheduled in a night.
But it's about right for a 45 minute set. Maybe they want to just bang out a set in order to see if a player can hang or not.
But it's about right for a 45 minute set. Maybe they want to just bang out a set in order to see if a player can hang or not.
This is the actual correct answer. You never "waste time" learning songs. If any ONE of those songs is a style or approach you've never used, you just increased your repertoire; also, time spent practicing is always valuable.
MDBass
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That's literally telling them that you don't have time for them...usually something to avoid if you want the job.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Depends upon how quickly the band intends to get up and gigging. If they give you a week, and the songs are not insanely difficult, you should be able to do it. Bring notes or a chord sheet if needed.
I hate showing up, playing the 2 or 3 we agreed on and then having to fake my way through other jams because we are having a good time. I prefer they give me all the songs they play. I'll at least have the chord progressions down so we can rock.
I'd learn 10 songs for a paying job... I guess it depends on how badly you want to play out.
