Pay To Audition?

[BassFishingInAmerica]

A new one on me!...
Although one could borrow a room for the day, a couple of playing accomplices, set up loads of people to do a fake audition at say 15 bucks a pop...how many could you fit in.....

That would be the worst way to earn $50 bucks. Audition people all day long at $12 a pop, and then have to split it 3 ways. You'd be better off playing a gig.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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!

Just how many guys are auditioning? $12 is a really nominal figure. I don’t get it, unless he’s expecting to need a beer or two after listening to you... I think I would lie down and avoid this one.

 

[Kmonk]

I have never asked anybody to pay to cover rent during an audition.

 

[Renaissance]

I will start online auditions for my band for only $6.00 (you know, to pay for my internet service). Any questions beyond the first email will be an additional $1. Suckers - excuse me - successful applicants will be notified by email (for an additional $1).

 

[RobTheRiot]

Even though it's not a lot of dough (so why can't they/he cover it?) I'd be concerned the guy putting it together is a real hair splitter, nitpicker, & cheapskate... Maybe true, may happ not, but it would be kind of a red flag for me.

I think this says it all ^^.

(Yet I’ll still add my 2 cents! Ha!)

**Not a lot of money, which is true, so why is BL even asking? - RED FLAG

**This is a BAND function - (trying to find a member) - a band YOU ARE NOT a member of yet - the band pays.

**Still Worth going if you see this as a good opportunity? - Yes, but def would be observing a little more closely at the band dynamics, and trying to see if there is any strange business going on behind a functional & professional facade.

 

[LBS-bass]

That would be the worst way to earn $50 bucks. Audition people all day long at $12 a pop, and then have to split it 3 ways. You'd be better off playing a gig.

It sounds to me like BL is convening a whole group of newbies. So it’s $12 x however many come out for the audition.

 

[TheReceder]

Please note that the title to this thread is "Pay to Audition?" not "Split Costs to Jam in Rented Space?"

Good thing people are always accurate in the titles of the threads

 

[TheReceder]

I think this says it all ^^.

(Yet I’ll still add my 2 cents! Ha!)

**Not a lot of money, which is true, so why is BL even asking? - RED FLAG

**This is a BAND function - (trying to find a member) - a band YOU ARE NOT a member of yet - the band pays.

**Still Worth going if you see this as a good opportunity? - Yes, but def would be observing a little more closely at the band dynamics, and trying to see if there is any strange business going on behind a functional & professional facade.

"What if" it's 5 guys that have never been together. Sounds like they've been communicating for quite a while to get something going. In this case should one guy foot the bill for all 5? If the other 4 were willing to share the cost, would you want establish the rep of being the one that was "petty"?

 

[AcadianBassman]

I've never had that happen. If I was looking for someone, I certainly wouldn't expect prospective members to pay a fee to try-out - even if that's not how it's being presented. Makes me think of getting a phone call about a prize and having to pay a fee to claim it. Best of lu.... uh.... break a leg with the audition

 

[Bass Viking]

For $12 I would demand the right to call the audition tunes!

 

[red_rhino]

Asking you to pay to audition seems utterly stupid and disrespectful to me.

You had me at "utterly stupid". So he is forming the band and is expecting you to pay his costs? Someone doesn't understand the concept of "band leader". (Hint: It's not you.)

I would reply that I am happy to audition, but won't pay for the privilege. (And actually, as others have said, this is a sign of things to come; I'd probably just pass and not bother to audition.)

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

It sounds to me like BL is convening a whole group of newbies. So it’s $12 x however many come out for the audition.

I guess I didn't catch that they all are auditioning. Still would be a lousy way of earning a buck.

 

[SLO Surfer]

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!

“Hey! Wanna come over for a beer?”
“Sure!”
“Great! I like microbrew IPA. Bring enough for you and 5 other people!”

 

[beaglesandbass]

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!

You'll never finding me paying to play, let alone paying to audition.

 

[BassinCT]

I would decline the audition. I would also never ask a prospective member to pay anything.
For $12, I think it is highly unlikely that they are doing this to make money.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

Very lame. You’re already investing your time with the full knowledge that nothing may come of this. I’d say “I’m not interested if I have to pay for this”. It’s so half assed, I’d be too turned off to pursue it.

 

[MrBassman17]

Thank you all for your input on this. I will be going to this audition, and am hopeful I get the position. I think I'm the only bassist auditioning, there are three drummers coming, a lead guitar and singer. All in all, I am confident that the BL is just covering the studio time, but it does chaff me a bit to have to pay to play! hanks all y'all! I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[LBS-bass]

I guess I didn't catch that they all are auditioning. Still would be a lousy way of earning a buck.

Yeah, I don't think it's likely. Worst case, like I said. But there are lots of people out there who will prey on musicians with stars in their eyes. Depending on how many people he gets out for how many "auditions" could be a lucrative scam. But I doubt it.

 

[MrBassman17]

Very lame. You’re already investing your time with the full knowledge that nothing may come of this. I’d say “I’m not interested if I have to pay for this”. It’s so half assed, I’d be too turned off to pursue it.

I came very close to telling the BL just that! Decided that it would be a fun project, and it could lead to some consistent gig's down the road. You never know!

 

[MrBassman17]

Just how many guys are auditioning? $12 is a really nominal figure. I don’t get it, unless he’s expecting to need a beer or two after listening to you... I think I would lie down and avoid this one.

As far as I know there will be three drummers, a lead guitar/vocalist and singer auditioning. As far as I know, I'm the only bass going to be there. So, including me, that's 6 + the BL; 7 x 12 = $84, and we have the studio for 2 -3 hours, I think.