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Normal wait time after an audition

neo 7

neo 7

The bass player doesn't get a sandwich
Aug 22, 2011
2,747
3,413
Erie, PA
#1
I know most bands will never get back to you if they're not interested, but sometimes, someone will call and say, "Hey, thanks for trying out, but we went with someone else."

What do you think is an acceptable time to hear from a band after an audition?
 
#2
When I auditioned for the band I'm in now, I got a call on my way home from the audition asking me for a second one. Then on the way home from the second one I got a call asking if I would join the band.

I'd think the acceptable time should be within 24 hours. Have everyone else hang around and talk about it after the potential new guy has left, and then let them know that day or the next.

No reason to be wasting someone's time.
 
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#5
It also depends upon how many other auditions are after yours.

If you're a possibility for them, they may want to hear the other competition before making a decision.

Could be 24 hours or two weeks.

EDIT: Ask what the situation is before you leave the audition.
 
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#8
Just my experience, but I've always been told right away.......I've never had to wait. One time I was accepted and then rejected a few days later (what went on there I'm not sure), but I've never had to wait.

In my current band, I was accepted right away, but I wasn't REALLY accepted until after my first gig. The BL came over and said, "Ok, now you're in". But I thought I was already in anyway.
 
#13
I've gone on lots of auditions, and I've gotten lots of gigs. I agree with @thewildest, as that's been my experience. There is no normal. There's what I'd like to consider "considerate", which would be a week, give or take, but I've gotten gigs long after the audition. And it wasn't always for the reasons I thought, ie. they're looking to see if they can find someone better. More than once a band was settled on having me as their bassist, but wanted to iron out a bunch of other stuff before pulling me in. They were in fact being respectful by getting their stuff more together without putting me through the process with them.

A couple of other times, I auditioned and didn't hear back at all for a couple of months. Either they DID go with someone else and it didn't work out, or they just needed time for reasons unknown.

What I've started to do now when I audition is let go as best I can of the outcome. Move on as though I don't have the gig. If something comes up that seems like it might conflict, I'll check in with the band and tell them I need to know what they're thinking as I'm about to move forward and want to do so with a clear head. I'll wait at least a week before that email.

I'll also trust my judgement. I can tell if I fit with a band or not. If I have any question about whether or not it was a match made in heaven, I'm okay with just moving on. Don't want to sound like a jerk, but I get most of the auditions I go on. Because I go in beyond prepared. I make sure I know the songs better than the band themselves. I've learned also how to get along nicely with people :). I don't have a big mouth, I play well, I'm not an eyesore... I did however not too long ago go audition for a band I'd really have liked to have been a part of. Had no clue walking in that they were like 19-20 yrs old :). Incredibly talented though. We talked, I know they liked my playing, but it was pretty clear we weren't a match. I didn't call them, when they didn't call me.
 
#15
There is no "normal" wait time. If the band has their act together it could be a couple of days. If not it could be six months or never. They owe you nothing. If they are courteous, they will call you and let you know one way or the other. If not, you will have to contact them.
 
#16
Our lead vocalist audition process took over a month (truly talented lead singers who are a good fit for my project are kind of rare in these parts). I was very careful to let our prospects know that we had to work through the entire process and hear all interested candidates before making a decision, and I respectfully thanked them for their patience. I also let them know that if something else came along in the meantime, I would understand if they pulled their name out of the hat. But the "finalists" got a little different treatment. I stayed in close contact with them until the final decision and diplomatically asked them if we could call them should we need a second vocalist or a fill-in.

I agree with others who have said there is no normal, but I would expect some kind of time frame and would be discouraged if the band didn't stay true to their word and left me hanging.
 
#17
I've only auditioned once, and they never even said anything to me. It was just assumed that I was in, and I started showing up for practice. Some of the other guys we have auditioned have taken a week, but we stay in communication with them during the week.
 
#19
When I auditioned for my present band I was accepted straight away. I would have quit if they accepted one of two singers auditioned at the same time though. Since then we have had auditions for drummers 5 times....

We have told drummers auditioning before that it may be 3 weeks as we only audition at our rehearsals and have up to 6 lined up. In every case it was the last person in the last week and we have known who the 'one' was before they left. We have told those that don't fit straight away.

In the case of our new (current) drummer we auditioned a year ago and said yes. he was incredibly unreliable for the 3 weeks he was in the band (with excuses but we didn't have time for them) We auditioned his replacement in a rehearsal that he couldn't get to at the last minute.

Our drummer of the last year has left and after several auditions we have given him a second chance and it is working out significantly better.
 
#20
What do you call a drummer without a girlfriend?

homeless.

I thought I had totally nailed an audition for a really desirable group, was well prepared, compatible musical styles, took my best sounding gear, yadda yadda.

Didn't hear a peep for three weeks. Gave up expecting a response and was exploring other possibilities. They finally called, asked "still interested?" with no explanation for the delay. I took the gig.
 

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