Learn 10 songs for an audition?

[Eilif]

Are they original songs or covers? 10 originals is excessive, 10 covers I would call a good exercise.

This is my take exactly. I doubt they're expecting anyone to nail every nuance, but if it's an active cover group, being able to jump right in with 10 covers in a couple is probably not much more than they expect their own members to be able to do.

If this is an originals band then it's just ridiculous.

It's on the higher end of acceptable, but not excessive.

Definitely. I don't see the point to having someone learn more than 5 songs to audition, but if they want you to be able to jump in and have 30 covers down in a few weeks, then 10 songs makes sense.

The last time I tried out for moderately active country band they sent me 7 covers with recordings. 3 they said were to learn and 4 for extra credit. I liked that approach. Seemed to respect both my time and theirs.

I didn't have a ton of time to woodshed, but I hit the 3 almost note-for-note. The other 4 I at least nailed all the changes and concentrated on playing tastefully with the drummer.
Got the gig.

 

[Bass Viking]

Not a big deal if they are cover tunes. Not a big deal if they are originals and you have an appropriate amount of time to learn them. Not a big deal if you learn songs quickly. Especially not a big deal if you're not at all interested in the gig and nothing about the ad pertains to you... smh... Why do you care if you're not even interested? Just trying to get a mob riled up with their pitchforks? Ironically, the overwhelming response seems to be people saying that, though it's a lot to ask for, 10 songs for an audition is not excessive. I had to learn an entire 2 hour set list for an audition once... It happens. If you're into the gig, you just do it. If you're not, then you ignore it and move on with your life.

I don't think there's anything wrong with asking the question, this is a discussion forum after all, but more information in the original post would definitely help with the answers.

 

[Bass Viking]

One important detail that I don't think was mentioned yet: When the band sends you their list of audition songs they better specify what keys they're in. Nothing worse than learning that tune in the original key of E only to learn that the band plays it in E flat because it's more comfortable for the singer!

 

[WaynerBass]

Done that. Probably more like 100 in 8 weeks, only to put about half of them into rotation for the gigs that year.

I once auditioned for a band and spent the evening showing them the right way to play their tunes. No thanks.

Yep, in rotation. It was a working band that was gigging 2x a week. Was in that band for 12 years lol

 

[lfmn16]

Many of us here know where you're at. Good on you having' time to be in a band at all. But....Maybe that is one thing the 10 song audition is determining. If someone doesn't have time to learn 10 songs in say a week, do they have time to be in that band? I been a few bands that faltered because someone thought they could squeeze it into their schedule, but turned out they couldn't find time to come to rehearsal or do their homework.

+1

Another thing I was thinking about - If you don't know any of the 10 songs, you might not be a good fit for the band, depending on the genre of course. If it's a bar band, you should probably know at least a few of the 10 songs.

 

[JimiLL]

I've never had a thread take off like this!

Also, not that I can't or won't learn 10 songs, but time constraints tell me the time spent had better come to fruition

 

[tmw]

Nope.

Not excessive. Better get crackin'.

Good luck with the audition.

 

[JimiLL]

*facepalm*

 

[Steve]

Come to the gig and sit in. We'll drag you under the bus for a few blocks and see how much hide you have left. You'd be surprised how fast or how well the cream rises to the top

 

[Gluvhand]

I auditioned for Gary Moore and had to learn 10 songs... And we played ALL of them...

Very cool. Moore is my favorite guitarist. How did it go?

 

[40Hz]

When I audition it's to look for talent, not work ethic.

Sounds like a prescription for future disaster to me.

Talent you can find anywhere. Nothing more common than musical talent. But a person with talent who wants to work, and who you can rely on, is another story.

Also, if I were to learn 10 songs and showed up for audition and everyone sucked, I'd be s bit peaved

If that's the case, best stick to doing your own thing and not bother with auditioning for somebody else's.

Just keep in mind that particular sword cuts both ways.

 

[Dbassmon]

The truth is that auditions are usually over in the first 30 seconds. So learning 10 songs is a waste of everyone's time. Before you do anything, have you heard this band? I would not be willing to put in anytime unless I wanted the gig. Sounds like you know nothing about these guys, so if that is true, find out if this is something you could be excited about being part of. The Klan regalia is deal killer.

 

[jp58]

I don't know if I think 10 is excessive or not.

I do feel like 10 songs gives you pretty good insight into a band's set list, especially as 10 songs will work out to being roughly a set's worth the material.

I'm currently working with a vocalist, and we have to play a set fairly early in 2017. I'm putting out feelers to drummers in the area, and I'm including the entire set list and the pay we're supposed to receive.

As we only have a month-ish to get someone on board and up to speed, I'm fully expecting them to have several of the tunes down when they come in.

I feel like it's fair because they know what to expect coming in. They know what we need, they have the full list of songs, and they know what the pay is. They can make the decision if it's worth it or not.

If I wanted the gig, I wouldn't have any problem learning 10 songs. If it was for a band that was just getting up and runnning, or a small local originals band, or a band without gigs on the schedule, I don't know that I would want to learn 10. I guess it just depends on how attractive the playing situation is to me.

 

[Bass Viking]

Talent you can find anywhere. Nothing more common than musical talent.

LOL, I beg to differ! Finding people who think they're talented, that's another matter.

 

[EdO.]

Talent you can find anywhere. Nothing more common than musical talent. But a person with talent who wants to work, and who you can rely on, is another story.

Maybe not anywhere but ability IMO does seem to be a lot more common than work ethic. Finding both together is really the issue, which IMO is what @40Hz was referencing. Gotta go with 40Hz on this one. You can find people who can play, but can they play AND are they willing to do all of the other work required to make a band successful. MUCH more difficult to find.

 

[BaileyMan]

Are they original songs or covers? 10 originals is excessive, 10 covers I would call a good exercise.

Honestly you shouldn't be expected to be good with 10 songs in anything under 1-2 months at most because you need to play them with the full band.

I disagree. There are plenty of people who could learn 10 songs in a week or less. I agree if they're covers, it's probably easier than if they want you to learn someone else's bass part note for note. I know folks who've learned 24 songs in a week. They're professional musicians. I also know folks who, if they're lucky, get one rehearsal in and totally rock it.

 

[thebreakman]

For an audition, extremely excessive IMO. 3-4 is about my limit. The audition is not the only time you are "auditioning". Over the next few rehearsals is a period that you get to see what they are really about and that's when you are or should be given a few more songs.

 

[JRA]

the thread and most of the responses have to be referencing a rock gig, i assume. seems like rock folks want that "how many tunes do you know that our band already does?"

right?

 

[jp58]

the thread and most of the responses have to be referencing a rock gig, i assume. seems like rock folks want that "how many tunes do you know that our band already does?"

right?

That's the gist of it. That covers about 90% of my experience though, so that's all I know.

 

[40Hz]

Maybe not anywhere but ability IMO does seem to be a lot more common than work ethic. Finding both together is really the issue, which IMO is what @40Hz was referencing. Gotta go with 40Hz on this one. You can find people who can play, but can they play AND are they willing to do all of the other work required to make a band successful. MUCH more difficult to find.

Precisely. It's like that old joke "I love my work, it's my job I can't stand."

The music is important. But it's only one item among the several other things it also takes to become a successful band or working musician.

Sadly, the things that torpedo it most times have absolutely nothing to do with music. Because you can have the best idea or product in the world. But if you don't have the sales and management infrastructure - or the delivery mechanisms in place to get it to your customers - you're sunk before you've even stepped out of the starting gate.