• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Pay To Audition?

#123
honeyiscool said:
True.


But if it was me and a couple of us starting a band, and we were going to jam for 2 hours to see if it works, I think it's reasonable to think people should pitch in.
Click to expand...

Yabbut, that's not how it was presented to the OP, from what I can see. I can understand something like this, presented this way from the start: "Hey, let's get a bunch of strangers together, rent a studio together, and see what happens. We'll split the cost."

Not presenting it as an audition (what I described above is a jam, not an audition) and then talking about cost-splitting after the fact. At best, it's merely unprofessional. At worst, it's a deliberate ripoff.

I'm assuming it wasn't presented up front as a shared-cost jam, since the OP has a question about it now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3Liter and honeyiscool
#124
MrBassman17 said:
After several weeks of texting back and forth with the guy who contacted me to come try out for the bassist in a country band he is forming, this coming Sunday, it looks like it will happen. We will be meeting in a local studio, and the time is charged at a reasonable rate. I just found out today, that we (prospective band mates) will be expected to split the cost of the time! It's a small amount ($12), and that's not the issue, so I'm still going to the audition, but shouldn't he have mentioned this before? The last time I was invited to that same studio to lay down a track, there was no mention of money! The new guy responded that 'it's a new band - who's gonna pay?', and I said 'usually the band leader/organizer does!'.

Has anyone ever heard of this? First time for me!
Click to expand...


Splitting the cost of studio time is fairly normal as far as I am concerned and it's good manners to at least ask how much you need to contribute to the cost of the studio if it isn't brought up (nothing in life is free you know).

It would be different if it were an established band with gigs and they were looking to replace a member, but it doesn't sound like thats the case.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheReceder
#126
MrBassman17 said:
After several weeks of texting back and forth with the guy who contacted me to come try out for the bassist in a country band he is forming, this coming Sunday, it looks like it will happen. We will be meeting in a local studio, and the time is charged at a reasonable rate. I just found out today, that we (prospective band mates) will be expected to split the cost of the time! It's a small amount ($12), and that's not the issue, so I'm still going to the audition, but shouldn't he have mentioned this before? The last time I was invited to that same studio to lay down a track, there was no mention of money! The new guy responded that 'it's a new band - who's gonna pay?', and I said 'usually the band leader/organizer does!'.

Has anyone ever heard of this? First time for me!
Click to expand...
It depends on who it's for, but no, I've never heard of such a thing. Sounds like he's trying to make some money for his studio.
 
#130
MrBassman17 said:
After several weeks of texting back and forth with the guy who contacted me to come try out for the bassist in a country band he is forming, this coming Sunday, it looks like it will happen. We will be meeting in a local studio, and the time is charged at a reasonable rate. I just found out today, that we (prospective band mates) will be expected to split the cost of the time! It's a small amount ($12), and that's not the issue, so I'm still going to the audition, but shouldn't he have mentioned this before? The last time I was invited to that same studio to lay down a track, there was no mention of money! The new guy responded that 'it's a new band - who's gonna pay?', and I said 'usually the band leader/organizer does!'.

Has anyone ever heard of this? First time for me!
Click to expand...



Personally I wouldn't, but that's me.

If I did pay though, I'd expect a decision promptly and if I made a final lineup of let's say, 3 bassists, I'm not paying a second fee.

I would also expect to be ushered in promptly with a set appointment time, otherwise they are wasting my time. The last thing I want to do is pay money for an audition and then be sitting around cooling my heels because others aren't prepared.

My Physician used for being late to my appointments, I'm not late. I also leave if my appointment isn't on time, though I don't mind being notified if they're late, so I can make a decision whether to reschedule.

But seriously, I'm not paying to audition.
 
#132
LBS-bass said:
Yabbut, that's not how it was presented to the OP, from what I can see. I can understand something like this, presented this way from the start: "Hey, let's get a bunch of strangers together, rent a studio together, and see what happens. We'll split the cost."

Not presenting it as an audition (what I described above is a jam, not an audition) and then talking about cost-splitting after the fact. At best, it's merely unprofessional. At worst, it's a deliberate ripoff.

I'm assuming it wasn't presented up front as a shared-cost jam, since the OP has a question about it now.
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree with everything you said.

But it's also possible that the OP misread the situation a bit, too, right.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3Liter and LBS-bass
#134
Yeah, I'm the red flag camp. My last audition was actually in a rented practice space and I was not charged.

When I made the band, the BL mentioned the monthly contribution for the practice space, to be taken from gig money, but since we weren't gigging yet we'd all have to chip in.

So I suggested we rehearse in my basement instead. They all liked that idea a lot!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back