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"Live Audition" but not sure I passed - what to do next?

jaywa

jaywa

May 5, 2008
7,702
283
Iowa City, IA
#1
Never really been in this situation and wondering what to do. A few months ago a friend of mine who's been playing bass in a very busy covers/originals band asked me if I'd like to replace him. He's actually a guitarist I had played in other projects with, and the gigging schedule is too heavy for him. At the time I said no cause I was in a band of my own that was keeping me busy enough. A couple weeks ago he called me again and I gave him the same answer. Well the long-term prospects for my current band have recently taken a downturn so now I'm considering this other option.

Friday night I went to check out this band's gig and wound up playing 6 or 7 songs with them, unrehearsed. Good band, nice production, the playing went pretty well and the "hang" felt good. I figured this was basically a live audition and they have some dates coming up soon so I figured if they wanted me to join they would have offered me the gig that night. Well nothing was said, that was Friday night and now it's Monday afternoon and I haven't heard from anyone since then either, including my friend who tipped me to the gig initially.

Should I get back with my friend and see what's up? Or give it a few more days? Or just assume I didn't make the cut for whatever reason?

All thoughts and advice appreciated. Thx in advance.
 
#5
Good thoughts everyone. It's kind of an interesting dynamic cause the lead singer (whose name is on the band), doesn't really appear to be the pro-active bandleader. He'll make the ultimate call I'm sure, but I spent most of my hang time with the drummer and another member who's their de facto musical director. I figure if they both like me, I'm probably in.

The sticky part may be telling them there are a few dates on their calendar that I can't do because of commitments to my current band that were booked last year already. I already clued my friend in on those and am hoping they would be OK with having him fill in for me on those.
 
#6
jaywa said:
Good thoughts everyone. It's kind of an interesting dynamic cause the lead singer (whose name is on the band), doesn't really appear to be the pro-active bandleader. He'll make the ultimate call I'm sure, but I spent most of my hang time with the drummer and another member who's their de facto musical director. I figure if they both like me, I'm probably in.

The sticky part may be telling them there are a few dates on their calendar that I can't do because of commitments to my current band that were booked last year already. I already clued my friend in on those and am hoping they would be OK with having him fill in for me on those.
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You probably have it if you want it. Just let them know you want in.

I have been writing threads about auditioning and your situation is a good one.You had an in because of your friend.That counts for a lot.

Not that your situation was not a challenge, but I am still interested in hearing from guys that are out there auditioning without knowing anyone in the band.
 
#7
drpepper said:
From the story you tell, I don't understand how they would know that your answer still isn't "No" ?

I mean, you've told them you weren't interested as recently as a few weeks ago
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yep.....and they will probably want to know what changed your mind,and your level of commitment.....i'd suggest a face to face,if you wish to express a commitment to the project,and don't be surprised if the have lost interest in you...a lot of folks don't like to hear the word no,even once, even if it costs them a good bass guy....
 
#10
jaywa said:
Yes, and this is even a better situation cause his first love is guitar so there's no awkwardness in him offering me the bass spot or me "taking" it from him.
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You bet, use it to your advantage.

I am what I call a veteran bass player of over 40 years. About 2 years ago I lost to a rookie bass player that had never performed at a live show in his life, didn't know the audition material, knew nothing about stage presence or really nothing about being in a band. This was a working heavily booked band.

But since he was friends with the guitarist he got the job. They fired him within a few months after he joined the band.
 
#12
My friend just e-mailed me a couple hours ago. Said the bandleader wants a couple of weeks to make a decision cause his bandwidth is maxed-out right now on bookings and trying to finish a video (bandleader does music full-time, rest of the band has day jobs). So, whatever... I've got gigs picking up on other fronts and I'm not going to turn those down waiting for this thing to resolve so if it comes together fine and if not I guess it wasn't meant to be.
 
#13
jaywa said:
My friend just e-mailed me a couple hours ago. Said the bandleader wants a couple of weeks to make a decision cause his bandwidth is maxed-out right now on bookings and trying to finish a video (bandleader does music full-time, rest of the band has day jobs). So, whatever... I've got gigs picking up on other fronts and I'm not going to turn those down waiting for this thing to resolve so if it comes together fine and if not I guess it wasn't meant to be.
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Weird story, but it's the way this business is.

I have gotten that we are going to take a couple of weeks to make a decision routine before. It's not cool and to me it's disrespectful of your efforts and time.
 
#14
Well,...you said that you were pretty busy with your own band,therefore you wouldn't be able to make a full commitment.So the question becomes:Do you want to join this band?
If so,then call your friend to check on the status.
In the meantime,if your band is working regularly,stay where you are until you here from them,...that's if you really want to join this unit!
 
#15
Yeah... I get the impression this bandleader maybe would rather not deal with the hassle of making a personnel switch, even though others (including the guy I'd be replacing) have all told me I'm the better bassist and would really improve their band.

Also I told him I would have to play out some existing commitments with my other band throughout this year so maybe he wants to try and find a guy who's completely unattached. Though in this market he may be looking for awhile since 2 bands minimum is pretty much the norm for all the in-demand bassists.

I'm not gonna put a lot more time or thought into it but I will stay prepared cause he seems like the type that could wind up calling me on a Monday and saying, "you're in, and you start Friday night".

Thanks for all the comments.
 

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