New audition experience...opinions

[Monkey]

Remember, it's you auditioning them just as much as it's them auditioning you.

I think this is important. If you go into the audition with this attitude, you are likely to feel more confident and perhaps willing to confront them (politely and professionally, I suggest) on some of your concerns with the process.

I once auditioned for a blues band where the BL was an arrogant jerk. He put me through the paces, then huddled with the other guys for a few minutes. He then walked over and said, "OK, you passed the audition." I said, "Thanks, but you didn't, " and packed up and left. I saw this guy around the clubs later, and he treated me with more respect.

 

[SherwoodGreen]

Well, every situation/project runs things as they see fit, and if a player wants the job, he/she needs to jump through whatever hoops are put in front of them. That includes sight-reading, improvising; whatever!

I run a rhythm section and we frequently hold auditions for drums and guitar when needed.

I have a five-song ZipFile I send out, they're told that we perform in the key #s as recorded and that our arrangements are tailored to our instrumentation and approach.

At audition, we play the tunes, and it's essential that the player knows the heads, intros, breaks, and form. We fine-tune with the player selected for the gig later at rehearsals.

I wouldn't like the situation you described, too open-ended and disorganized.
However, it's their call-and assuming they have a paid engagement-they get to call the ball.

Good Luck!

 

[Phlipper]

Well, every situation/project runs things as they see fit, and if a player wants the job, he/she needs to jump through whatever hoops are put in front of them.

+1

Just went thru something similar to the OP, country band doing covers and the singer's originals. The singer/BL sent me the setlist the day before the audition, when I was sleeping after a 36 hour shift. I literally had three hours to learn 8 songs, including three originals. Then wound up playing thru their entire setlist including songs I'd never even heard before. So I wasn't my best at the audition but I kept a pro attitude then and in correspondence afterward. I didn't get the call, but will be doing fill-in for them, which works for me. All I have to do is stay up on the list and go play the gig when the other guy can't make it. This gives me time to work with the new country project (lead guitar) I just started on and to work my other bass fill-in job.

Jump thru the hoops ... stay mature/professional ... networking is everything. Good things will happen.

 

[lfmn16]

Well, every situation/project runs things as they see fit, and if a player wants the job, he/she needs to jump through whatever hoops are put in front of them. That includes sight-reading, improvising; whatever!

+1

And if things get too unorganized you can always call and cancel the audition or say no thanks. I've canceled auditions after really unorganized follow-up on the band's part. Just give them plenty of notice, thank them for the opportunity and tell them you've decided not to pursue it at this time. Don't burn your bridges, you never know when someone will remember how professional you were.

 

[jonas_24112]

OP here. I'll let ya know how it goes if I get the call back. Got a fill in gig call yesterday for Friday night. Gotta put the country aside and cram 30 or so variety songs in by Friday. The set list is killer though, so it should be a blast.

 

[bassbully]

OP here. I'll let ya know how it goes if I get the call back. Got a fill in gig call yesterday for Friday night. Gotta put the country aside and cram 30 or so variety songs in by Friday. The set list is killer though, so it should be a blast.

Don't ya love cramming all these songs in such a short notice? Even if the songs are not that hard your brain starts to shut down and I really start to hate music for awhile.

 

[SherwoodGreen]

OP here. I'll let ya know how it goes if I get the call back. Got a fill in gig call yesterday for Friday night. Gotta put the country aside and cram 30 or so variety songs in by Friday. The set list is killer though, so it should be a blast.

Ah, the life of a freelance bassist!

Pretty wild, huh?

Good Luck with that next audition and all the others that follow!

 

[jonas_24112]

Don't ya love cramming all these songs in such a short notice? Even if the songs are not that hard your brain starts to shut down and I really start to hate music for awhile.

Yes, at last count I was up to around 180 new songs Learned since Jan 2012. There's usually a 10-15 song overlap between bands, but with them adding new material all the time it's hard. I'm definitely gonna have difficulty Fri might as there are many songs with signature bass lines. Just gonna concentrate on the roots and just try to groove the best I can.

 

[bassbully]

Yes, at last count I was up to around 180 new songs Learned since Jan 2012. There's usually a 10-15 song overlap between bands, but with them adding new material all the time it's hard. I'm definitely gonna have difficulty Fri might as there are many songs with signature bass lines. Just gonna concentrate on the roots and just try to groove the best I can.

I feel you. I will do the same this Saturday in my Country band. Although I know 90% of the material in 3 weeks there are a few weird breaks they do on songs and the BL is known for changing up songs on the fly and adding solos etc to keep the folks dancing. Luckly I played with him for almost 2 years but that was 4 years ago . I feel after a few songs I will feel it but will be on my toes most of the night.

 

[oldrocker]

Last year I had the best, most professionally conducted audition ...

I ended up not getting the gig (rockabilly, and they were looking for a stand-up bass player), but it was absolutely a great experience.

***, how could this have been a great experience if you were eliminated from consideration before you even played one note? What a waste of time, unless wanting a stand-up bass player was just an excuse for not being selected.

 

[BlueTalon]

***, how could this have been a great experience if you were eliminated from consideration before you even played one note? What a waste of time, unless wanting a stand-up bass player was just an excuse for not being selected.

Perhaps I phrased it poorly. I went through the entire audition process, and it wasn't a sham of any kind. They were legitimately listening and considering. After their run of auditions, though, they went with someone else. They had nothing but praise for my skills, preparation, adaptability & improvisation, and attitude. But they told me I didn't really have the tone they were looking for, and in the end, they preferred another bass player for the band.

I don't begrudge them that decision. And it's absolutely true, my electric bass guitar can't get the same tone as an acoustic upright bass. And as a rockabilly band, that also might have been the image they decided they want -- again, I don't begrudge them that choice.

I believe I was the only bass guitar player to audition. There was nothing in the audition notice specifying a stand-up bass player, and they certainly didn't act like my bass guitar was unwelcome while I was there.

 

[RicosoundRabbit]

Remember, it's you auditioning them just as much as it's them auditioning you.

This!

Ever now and then I'll see an ad on craigslist or on some similar musicians' wanted/available site, that says something like "we are auditioning you, you are not auditioning us" and it makes me laugh (and not respond if I happen to be in between bands).

 

[bluewine]

Perhaps I phrased it poorly. I went through the entire audition process, and it wasn't a sham of any kind. They were legitimately listening and considering. After their run of auditions, though, they went with someone else. They had nothing but praise for my skills, preparation, adaptability & improvisation, and attitude. But they told me I didn't really have the tone they were looking for, and in the end, they preferred another bass player for the band.

I don't begrudge them that decision.

I do, I think that should have said they were really looking for an upright player.

Blue

 

[BlueTalon]

I do, I think that should have said they were really looking for an upright player.

Blue

I'm pretty sure they really didn't know that until after they heard the alternative live in their own band context.

At any rate, things worked out, and we're on good terms. I'm in a different band now, and tonight I'm actually going to go see the band that auditioned me perform at a local club.

 

[bluewine]

I'm pretty sure they really didn't know that until after they heard the alternative live in their own band context.

At any rate, things worked out, and we're on good terms. I'm in a different band now, and tonight I'm actually going to go see the band that auditioned me perform at a local club.

Cool, your more than generous.

Blue

 

[jonas_24112]

OP here- sub gig went well. Got to play with one of the best drummers I've ever met (he was a sub too). He actually plays for one of the top regional country bands around here that I auditioned for last Fall. He's the one who got me the sub gig. I had the gig with that country band until the BL got some label interest, so the bassist decided to stay on and help him out. The band got more bookings out of the gig, so it must have been pretty good out front. And I made $120 at a gig 20 miles from home......priceless!