Not a gig report, an audition report.....

[RickyRocknRoll]

Jeeez my life sucks. After reading that story I think i'm jumping into audition mode. Just for the fun of it.

None of that stuff ever happened to me. It would have been hilarious. I don't need to be involved in other bands/projects but I'll do it just for kicks, ya know, for a good laugh.

 

[john_g]

3-5 was the standard back in "my day", late 80's- early 90's. It was not uncommon though, as mentioned above for a couple other tunes to be called or perhaps the band handed you an original on the spot just to test your ears and creativity.

If 20 songs was the expectation or " it could be a selection of any five from amongst the 20" then learning all would be wise. Still, learning 20 songs for a band I might
play with seems excessive.

Exactly. Like I said, if it was for a band that you knew or saw and you really wanted to nail the audition because they have good gigs and players, then I would do 20. Some rando in a golf cart? No

 

[CGremlin]

For a bar band or other regularly performing group, I can see being asked to learn a handful of tunes (meaning half a dozen or so), and I wouldn't have a problem with that. 20? No, I'm not spending that much time on something that's not a sure thing unless it's a really high-profile gig, and as many have already said, that small handful of tunes will tell you whether the person can play, and whether they're a good fit musically and personally.

The whole "auditioning" thing was one reason I never really left the theater orchestra world for playing out. If you were going to try to get a gig at a new theater, yeah, you'd have to audition if they didn't already have a regular bassist, but that generally consisted of being asked to sight-read a page or two from a random place in the score. If you could do that without screwing up, you were good. Once you established yourself initially to the music director and proved that you regularly showed up on time, not drunk/high, no car trouble, no other excuses, you were golden. You'd always be the first call bassist for every new show, so it was an easy way to score 150 or more paying gigs per year for almost no effort other than being able to play and being professional/responsible. Plus, if the MD had a need for a bassist somewhere else outside the theater, you generally had that in the bag too since you were a known quantity at that point. It was almost like the situation with top-end studio players - once you became known as someone that was easy to work with and provided results, they generally called you to come in instead of having to look for gigs.

 

[kjp360]

I once had an audition for a cover band (from an internet ad) who gave me 15 songs to learn and links to . I learned them inside out and knew half of them already but polished them. When I showed up they were all using incorrect chord charts printed off the internet. I probably should have walked as soon as I looked at the charts or at least as soon as heard them butcher...but stuck it out for about 5 to eventually decline. They really thought that they were nailing the songs as well and they were not happy I was declining. That and one other similar experience have made me leery of auditions where I don't already know somebody or referrals. I hope both of my current projects survive this virus so that I never have to browse internet ads again.

 

[Dean N]

Disagree. Whenever I auditioned a player (or was being auditioned as player) I knew within three songs plus around 15-20 minutes of conversation whether or not I was interested in pursuing things further. Expecting someone to learn 20 somgs for a first audition is ridiculous unless you’re a tribute band six weeks out from going on tour.

Any time my bands were auditioning we’d first have a brief phone chat to find out what their goals and expectations were - and to let them know what ours were. If it seemed like a good enough match to proceed to an audition we’d then give the person a list of ten or so song selections and tell them to have three or four (their pick) ready to audition with.


Note: I’ve always insisted on talking to a candidate on the phone first prior to an audition. My experience has taught me that people who lack sufficient personal skills to be comfortable with an occasional telephone conversation, and want to do everything by text, tend to have other issues that don’t bode well for someone in entertainment world. So first part of my audition is the other party’s willingness to take a phone call.

Every flake I’ve ever met refuses voice and insists on text communications. Maybe some people, or even everyone else here has had a totally different experience with that. And that’s fine by me. But I have to go by my own experiences. So anyone who despises to the point of refusing to ever pick up a phone probably won’t ever be working with me.

Ha, to me it demonstrates a willingness to waste a lot of time. People are CONSTANTLY forgetting that auditions are a two way street. Preparing five songs for an audition is pretty standard. Ten songs is out of the way eager and twenty songs is "I'm most likely wasting a whole lot of time here." Because... wait for it... out of every ten auditions I ever did, maybe one of those would be a situation I wanted to get involved with. The rest were all waving red flags of some sort or another, including but not limited to them not knowing the material well, poor quality of musicianship, questionable leadership skills (like this situation) or poor choice of additional material.

So, let me just say this. Anyone who expects you to learn 20 songs for an audition is immediately showing you that he doesn't understand how all this typically works. And really, would it have taken learning 20 songs to figure out that this guy wasn't someone the OP wanted to work with? It sounds like the OP cut his losses appropriately and that also made it easier to spot the flaw in the situation.

These 2 posts contain an enormous amount of wisdom. If they are not a complete guide to band auditions, they are extremely close. If there was a TalkBass Auditions Sub-Forum, these would be the first sticky.

 

[LBS-bass]

I once had an audition for a cover band (from an internet ad) who gave me 15 songs to learn and links to . I learned them inside out and knew half of them already but polished them. When I showed up they were all using incorrect chord charts printed off the internet. I probably should have walked as soon as I looked at the charts or at least as soon as heard them butcher...but stuck it out for about 5 to eventually decline. They really thought that they were nailing the songs as well and they were not happy I was declining. That and one other similar experience have made me leery of auditions where I don't already know somebody or referrals. I hope both of my current projects survive this virus so that I never have to browse internet ads again.

What? They didn't "help" you by sending you those incorrect charts?

Seriously, this is my experience more often than not, which is why I am the way I am.

 

[40Hz]

Better yet, bring in candidate and have entire band learn something new. You go through that process, you got a pretty good idea off what you are working with

Agree.

My bands were originals or heading towards being all originals. We’d pick genre similar covers to give the candidate for audition purposes. But we’d often trot out something of our own and invite the candidate to join in and hopefully they’d add some of their own creative input if they felt up to it. That helped separate the more creative and confident musicians from the general herd. People who could just step into a never before heard tune and rock it with nothing more than their ears and a lead sheet or chord chart to work off of was our ideal prospect for a new band member.

 

[40Hz]

They really thought that they were nailing the songs

Yeah…that’s about the worst situation to ever have to deal with. If a band can’t hear they’re completely missing to boat, there’s a lot of deep remediation needed. And the worse they are, the more resistant to acknowledging and fixing the problem they’ll usually be.

I can’t blame you at all for bailing on that one. You already showed sufficient professionalism and courtesy by giving them a full five before you passed on joining up.

 

[kjp360]

What? They didn't "help" you by sending you those incorrect charts?

Sadly, they didn't or I could have avoided wasting the fuel to get there. When I arrived I wondered if it was a gag or a 'test' or something. We are talking about charts where there were catastrophic ear training issues...like if they can't hear that a chord is a minor 7 and not major then I can't make them

 

[JimmyM]

I'd say that's a normal sane response.

 

[diegom]

I remember holding auditions for a female singer, back in the day...

It is truly MIND-BLOWING how many people think they can sing (and they cannot!)
The worst part is that you cannot (should not!!!) laugh out loud to their faces. I didn't want to be the one to burst their bubble. I remember taking many "important phone calls" during the auditions, so I could walk out of the room...

 

[IamGroot]

Well, the band I'm in has been on hold due to the Corona Virus, and now it looks like it may not get back together again. Even with gigs pending, the future looks cloudy.
So, I'm hitting the band audition trail and thought it might be interesting to post a report. Of course, I would rather be posting a gig report and in true BassCliff style I would show photos of the stage, the food, the beer, and the girls. But this is the best I can do.
Connected with a guy that wanted to bring a bass player into a band with him on guitar, a drummer, and a girl singer. Gave me a list of twenty songs. I knew half of them already so I figured I'm good to go. I never learn more than that because I don't know if I like the band or the people in it. If it works out, I can always learn more. And they can get a idea of how I play with 10 songs. No gigs pending so no time crush to deal with.
The guy gives me an address and says we can play at his place. I show up and I'm in a shopping center???? So I call him and no answer. I text him and no answer. Starting to get worried and he returns text saying I'm at the right place but he is busy with customers right now. After about ten minutes he opens the door and walks out.
Guy was kinda grouchy and rude but whatever. Met the folks in the band, and they were nice enough. Started playing. After the songs I know he wanted to play the rest. I told him I don't know them. He said he remembers every song he ever learned. And went ahead and started playing stuff I didn't know. So I did the best I could, and after a while I decided I had enough. I didn't like the guy, and I knew it would not work out. Told them I had to go, thanks for your time, and took off.

Richard Heade, guitarist, strikes again.

 

[darwin-bass]

Wait, you can't just walk away yet. You have to fire the drummer first.

 

[Sid Fang]

Sounds like communication could have been better all around. If you're evaluating someone, it's good to leave some room for over-achievement - one of my bands has been known to audition guitarists by giving them a full setlist that we're going to run in rehearsal anyway, and have them play on as many as they've learned, without specifying a number. If they only learn one or two, that's a bad signal on work ethic (or maybe talent). If they nail them all, they're hired - but that's never, ever, happened. Already learning 10 would be respectable in my book, and more than I'd do myself, in general.

 

[60bass]

I would've walked on that one for sure but before I did I'd say hey here's a song I know let's try it. Put the shoe on his foot. Why do I get the feeling that list of 20 songs are all the songs the dude can play?

 

[kmon]

Regardless I would have At least made a run at learning the songs I didn't know. To me it demonstrates a degree of commitment and work ethic (nobody's playing right now anyway) as opposed to a degree of arrogance. What if it had been a dream band situation and you had to admit you didn't trouble yourself to learn all the music, to the disappointment of the others. That's just my thoughts, anyway.

I've lowered my expectations to the point that I don't believe my dream band exists...it's just varying amounts of BS and frustration to deal with in exchange for some magical moments.

Re: auditions, from my point of view as a complete hack, learning new tunes is a significant time commitment. That's probably somewhat different for more experienced players. Last audition opportunity was a fairly casual band and the guy wanted me to learn thier first 2 sets, 25 or 30 songs. Lunatic. I politely declined.

For the very much non-pro bar bands I've been in we've never asked anybody to learn more than 4 or 5. If there's a question, maybe have them come in with a couple more ready for a second audition, but that's been pretty rare. 4-5 tunes and an hour or two of hanging out playing has always been plenty.

 

[mikewalker]

Maybe his band really cannot BUY a bass player, and the only way they can ever have a 'rehearsal' is to con somebody into learning/playing 20 songs with them...

 

[Wood and Wire]

How many golf cart stores does one town need?

Fore!

 

[Yellow Bang66]

I don't disagree with anything you're saying, except attempting to learn the 10 songs the O.P. didn't already know. What else is going on right now anyway? That said I agree that discussing before jamming can render all else a moot point if the match just isn't there. But if it is, and it seems great? Myself I'd rather go in prepared, if it was something I felt was really iimportant, for reasons beyond simple proficiency.

Once Me & an old guitarist friend got together to start up a band, we agreed to play mostly 90's Heavy rock.
2 weeks go by & he found a drummer! Shes a female drummer, A really good drummer,he added. shel'll play 90's rock if we play some Rage against the machine! I agreed. we planned a jam & decided what songs to play. Each of us choose 2-3 songs, so about 6 song total(a good starting point). we got together about a week later, just a ittle background I struggle learning songs ive never heard before. but I got the new songs down as most of them were fairly familiar. the RATM were a couple of deep cuts with a lot of tight syncopated breaks, but i think I got them down. as I pull in to the rehearsal studio, I see the guitarist outside looking nervous, okay, Did you get those songs down? yeah, I think so. hes making me nervous cause he usually pretty calm guy. he hurriedly helps me unload my gear, then I meet the "new" drummer... she's very cute, wearing a mini skirt, I think cool. we talk a little she seems shy but it s a audition we're both a little awkward. I start to set up & notice the guitar player is taliking a bit more than he usually does, Nerves? He kind of talked up this drummer, as kind of a studio rat. okay, whatever. her set is on the floor in the middle of the room( not on the riser) I set up to her right a little behind her , hes on her left. we settle in and hes raring to go & tears into wake Up. were off & running! I struggle to hear her bass drum b/c guitar is turned up so loud! I settle in by her ride cyymbal, looking down at her right foot(bass Pedal) so I watch her bass beater. I tried moving in front of her bass drum but quickly lost it & had to move back. we jammed through our small set list and it sounded awesome! we go through it a couple of times it was still a little bit awkward as we were still trying to see if we "fit". we didnt have a singer & that seemed to be a major concern. during a break we joked around and seemed to be getting along. she mentioned she was married to me twice. I let it go, cause I didnt feel like I was being flirty with her, & backed off. Driving home after that rehearsal, I wondered did she think I was Staring at her legs or skirt? I guess should have explained I was "looking at her bass foot, cause I couldnt hear her bass drum, but that seemed kinda critical at that moment. I consciously try to hold back any critizisms until we get more rehearsals in. It just kinda struck me as strange she had to tell me she was married twice. I thought the guitarist was being more flirty with her. we jammed 1 more time before it kind of died out b/c No singer. we were all pretty busy & didnt have time to pursue side bands. Sad cause we sounded really good. I hoping it wasnt because of me.

Well, the band I'm in has been on hold due to the Corona Virus, and now it looks like it may not get back together again. Even with gigs pending, the future looks cloudy.
So, I'm hitting the band audition trail and thought it might be interesting to post a report. Of course, I would rather be posting a gig report and in true BassCliff style I would show photos of the stage, the food, the beer, and the girls. But this is the best I can do.
Connected with a guy that wanted to bring a bass player into a band with him on guitar, a drummer, and a girl singer. Gave me a list of twenty songs. I knew half of them already so I figured I'm good to go. I never learn more than that because I don't know if I like the band or the people in it. If it works out, I can always learn more. And they can get a idea of how I play with 10 songs. No gigs pending so no time crush to deal with.
The guy gives me an address and says we can play at his place. I show up and I'm in a shopping center???? So I call him and no answer. I text him and no answer. Starting to get worried and he returns text saying I'm at the right place but he is busy with customers right now. After about ten minutes he opens the door and walks out.
Guy was kinda grouchy and rude but whatever. Met the folks in the band, and they were nice enough. Started playing. After the songs I know he wanted to play the rest. I told him I don't know them. He said he remembers every song he ever learned. And went ahead and started playing stuff I didn't know. So I did the best I could, and after a while I decided I had enough. I didn't like the guy, and I knew it would not work out. Told them I had to go, thanks for your time, and took off.

I auditioned once, with a friend(akeyboard player) they asked for me to tag along.
I was very rusty just getting back into it from a looong break. I knew a few songs in their set, those went real well, but I crashed on the majority of the ones I didn't know. The 2nd guitarist was their orginal bass player, he was stand offish with me, being jerky & rolling his eyes & sighing every time I missed a change... I told them to give me a list of songs to learn & it will go much better "next time". They Recoiled in horror" whoa, whoa, were not gonna go any farther". okay, okay I'm just saying It'll be a lot better if I know the songs first. I left & never heard from them. I remember the reaction from their og bass player, was enough for me not want to play with them ever again!
It was a clear case of playing in the wrong league! these guys were seasoned players with many years of experience, and here I come fresh off sabatical, Rusty as hell!
My friend tried consoling me,saying "hey they liked your playing initially & wanted to hear more... unfortunately, you just didnt know their set! Its stupid of them to write you off after 1 jam!" He was more upset than I was.
I later found out they broke up soon after b/c the BL had a bad rep for being real jerky with everyone. seems I dodge a bullet there! Life's too short to deal with @ssholes in your spare time! GL

 

[Sid Fang]

Once Me & an old guitarist friend got together to start up a band...I struggle to hear her bass drum b/c guitar is turned up so loud! I settle in by her ride cyymbal, looking down at her right foot(bass Pedal) so I watch her bass beater. I tried moving in front of her bass drum but quickly lost it & had to move back.... Driving home after that rehearsal, I wondered did she think I was Staring at her legs or skirt? I guess should have explained I was "looking at her bass foot, cause I couldnt hear her bass drum, but that seemed kinda critical at that moment. I consciously try to hold back any critizisms until we get more rehearsals in...

This is one of those occasions where overcommunication is better than undercommunication. I'd like to think I'd have had the presence of mind to formulate it as "do you usually mic your kick?" and ask the guitarist to turn down so that you can hear it, given the limitations of the setup.

It just kinda struck me as strange she had to tell me she was married twice. I thought the guitarist was being more flirty with her. we jammed 1 more time before it kind of died out b/c No singer. we were all pretty busy & didnt have time to pursue side bands. Sad cause we sounded really good. I hoping it wasnt because of me.

Did she act or dress any differently the second time around? Good that you're sensitive to not wanting to come off as a creep, but it does sound like that wasn't the real issue. Also sounds like your guitarist may have had some kind of agenda - and maybe those comments about being married weren't *really* for your benefit.