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"Live" audition

#84
For me if it's a good band I just wanna play... Especially if it's a local band you know that knows you

Don't do this for a living since the 70s, for some of us its just about playing live...especially if the players are good, why not just get out there

Course in my world of blues - rock not really all that difficult.. Some of best sets ever have been just sitting in w new people
 
#85
I have seen good bands do this; and usually its because there are time constraints/schedules in the players life that they cannot do normal auditions at a home.

I typically am booked for a show with a two-to-five day notice, and I learn the setlist on my own, show up and play the show. And I get hired back all the time. I'm not nervous about it ever, I just put the time in myself to be good enough when I show up. I can typically fill up my calender with dates every month with different bands no problem. After doing this for 5 years now; I have quite the repertoire now in many musical styles and I've made a name for myself as the guy who can play with anybody/anywhere. I'm sure some of this is natural skill playing out; but I think anybody can do it if they put the time in. So; honestly the OP could make it happen. Go for it!
 
#86
It sounds to me like he was at an open mic jam. I use these as training grounds for bands all the time. Find a bar that has open mic but would never book your band. Then play a few songs to get the guys used to being on stage with each other. To me stage presence is important. Its 50% music, 50% stage presence. My last band had a great looking lead singer who could sing. But she had zero stage presence and no interest in improving it. I walked. You aren't getting this out of a basement auditon.

Now I would never do 40 plus songs, 4 hours in a top club auditon. But this isn't what the op was talking about.
 
#89
klokker said:
I'm a weekend warrior type, that plays out a couple or three times a month. I've worked up 20 songs I've never heard before in a week without too much trouble, given the right set list and a week with enough time I might be able to pull 50off and do it pretty well. I'd love to give it a try.

But I couldn't just show up and play songs I've never heard before etc. and pull off a decent bass line. The song has to be in my head, or I'm SOL.
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bluewine said:
Neither could I, many here say it's easy.

I'll believe it when I see someone do it.

Blue
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Nobody said anything about playing songs at the gig that you have never heard before. But if someone sends a set list and they are songs one is familiar with, no prob. Happens all the time.
 
#93
JumboJack said:
Nobody said anything about playing songs at the gig that you have never heard before. But if someone sends a set list and they are songs one is familiar with, no prob. Happens all the time.
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Nowadays with Youtube, MP3s, etc. there's very little reason why someone can't listen to a recording prior to playing a show. Back in the day, we had to somehow get a recording and deliver it to someone. Now, you just download it in seconds.

And there's an old piece of technology used for hundreds of year for playing songs you never heard before. It's called charts. I played at a church for years with no rehearsal, and just showing up and playing from charts. Many of the songs I had not heard until the service.
 
#94
JumboJack said:
Nobody said anything about playing songs at the gig that you have never heard before. But if someone sends a set list and they are songs one is familiar with, no prob. Happens all the time.
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That's right. I was working off a list of about 60 songs. And they had another list with over 200 songs on it I wasn't given.

Most frustrating part of the jam/audition/flustercluck was every song covered on the night was one I'd previously gigged, rehearsed, or played at home for fun. But I was stuck playing the ones I knew how to play "on the night" because I don't retain every cover I've played. I left that jam wishing I knew how the guys who maintain 500+ song catalogues do it.
 
#97
I just had a live audition. I had to learn 63 songs in 2 Weeks. It was painful I put everything I had into it and practiced for five hours a day. My head hurt from wearing headphones. Probably the hardest thing I've ever done. But it paid off. I got the gig and it is a paying one. It is stressful, nerve-racking, and ultimately a beautiful thing. Not for the faint at heart. I am a better player for it. But I can truly understand why someone would say no I wouldn't do it. I seriously had anxiety nightmares before the gig. Minutes before the 1st set I was in total mental anguish. No sound check, no discussions with other band members, and we were off to the races. I am really looking forward to the gigs getting easier as I solidly process the tunes.
 
#99
I tried to use cheat sheets. But the bandleader calls audibles Mid song for the next song. If I was grading my performance I would say I got a B+. I definitely blew parts but I nailed a lot of them also. The bandleader was impressed and I am now full-time member. After three gigs he now wants me to finesse his music. He gave me his recorded CDs done in a studio (I had learned everything from a live gig he recorded). It's an ongoing process.
 
#100
The two bands that I "basement auditioned" for, and was then asked to join, were done over a period of five hours straight on one, and for the other was about 8 hours over two days. I do think, though, that a lot of important things can be learned by seeing how a person performs live. I suppose that some of the decision about auditioning prospective members may be determined by how often that band is playing out vs. hanging out.
 

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