Rehearsal expectations.... How many songs?

[RabidMusic]

10 songs for an audition is not unusual. I've done this before. I've also been given the full set list, then picked out songs of my choosing at the audition. What is more important to me is how the bands treats me at the audition. I've had bands be totally helpful and friendly, and I have had one band tell me that learning the 40 song set list was a test of my ability and refused to help at all with the learning process. This was after I was hired. I should have taken that as a sign to run. They were a horrible band to work with.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Rehearsal ??? What's that???

 

[BAG]

Sounds like fun!

Yeah, there's nothing wrong with a home space band with no ambitions to gig out.

But like you said, when you don't have a web presence, and an audition candidate asks pertinent questions about the project, the band rep should be able to provide answers and evidence regarding their purpose.

It is fun! And some of the best music I've been involved in for quite some time, but if I didn't respond to people about my expectations up front I wouldn't fault them for not wanting to turn up. It didn't hurt that I've got a really cool studio to entice decent musicians to join up. How hard is it to give a little info when you're looking for a new member.

 

[3Liter]

Sometimes I wonder why I look at CL at all...

Found a local country band in need of a bassist... I've never done new country, but at least I wont be expected to play like Geddy Lee or Steve Harris. The add lists 10 songs. So I reach out to them, ask them a few questions about them etc. Reply comes back asking me if I can learn those 10 songs. I reply sure, nothing beyond my capabilities, and what about your band again? Their reply is to let them know when I learn those 10 songs and I can audition.

10?

I say sure, but can I have some info on your band? What is your skill level? what are your goals? what is your rehearsal and show schedule? Do you have a name? A youtube channel? Give me something to go on, Otherwise I will do 3-5 of your choosing.

I get back... "I had to learn 10 songs and another band I had to learn 30. Sorry you feel that way. Best of luck."

Bullet dodged IMO.

Is it flooding down in Texas? Are all the telephone lines down? After an initial email volley, I'm going to the phones. I hate talking on the phone, but I think that's my new way to sort out people I want to spend time with.

 

[3Liter]

Of course, maybe getting out of the rehearsal space and in front of an audience is not a concern or ambition for them. Some bands roll that way. Don't ask questions or have goals, just show, wank, be a good hang, have fun, and go home. Once a week. Forever.

Hey, that's my band! Until some of the guys said they wanted to gig. Ok, book us somewhere. They did. Oh crap, now I gotta whip this mess into shape. It was a lot of work, but I learned a lot and I think they did too. I'm NO PRO, but good at organizing. All these guys are older than me with more life experience, but they just listened, and I listened, and it just worked. I'm kind of sad we're back to the basement for a while. *I* personally don't want to be out there....we'll learn some new stuff and have fun doing it.

 

[NKBassman]

I mean, 10 songs isn't that much. But, unable or unwilling to provide any basic info on the band upfront? Kind of a red flag.

 

[StatesideRambler]

In 1972 or thereabouts I was invited to sit in with a bunch of guys who were of a mind to put together a country band. I'd never played country, didn't know/had never heard more than three of the songs they had picked but I was game, gave it all I had and in a couple months I'd learned lots of new (to me) music and we were playing in clubs to 300-500 people. Were we good? Not right off. Did we have enthusiasm? Damned right. Did we eventually get quite good? Um, yeah. Would I have stuck with it if it was a train wreck? Nope. The key was that the guys who knew each other were honest about their skills and their prospects and I was as open to dealing with their shortcomings as they were with mine. You don't often find that and I'm grateful that I did.

My view: if they're coy or just not forthcoming then move on. Life is short.

 

[juancaminos]

If it's a gigging band, filling one spot they should send a song list or current set list and let the prospective member choose 5 songs or the band should select 4 songs maximum for all those who are auditioning to allow better comparisons. If it is some major act then a second round with a few more tunes.

This is exactly what we used to do. "here is our set list, pick 5 songs, see ya Saturday at...". If we liked what we heard we would spend all afternoon with the person, if not..well we would say "NEXT".

 

[Gougedeye]

I had an audition 10 years ago and they gave me a list of 10 original songs to learn. I nailed all but one of them and stopped the band to let them know I clammed it to ask if we could go over that section. They said no worries. The following weekend, I played my first of many 4 hour shows with those guys! 10 years and 4 albums later, those three guys are now some of my closest and dearest friends on the planet! Sometimes, it is worth the effort to learn the 10 songs...ymmv.

 

[SactoBass]

They could be a super tight high caliber pro group, or just a bunch of garage hacks.

TE: the latter is the most likely scenario. If they were in the former category, they would have provided their band info without you even having to request it. Based on their communication skill level as outlined in this thread, I would say they haven't even made it to the garage yet.....they are still in their mom's basement.

 

[Renaissance]

Bullet dodged, no question about it!

Let's say you learn the 10 songs, go to the audition, play great, get offered the gig and at the end of the night find out they only want to play out once a year. Maybe they want to play out 60 times a month. Whatever the issue, you don't want the gig.

I don't think learning songs is a waste of time so I don't care about having to learn songs but I do care about organization. Why would a band be willing to waste their own time auditioning players when they could weed out "non-starters" with a little information?! How are they going to be a gigging band if they can't figure out how to audition players? How are they going to be a gigging band if they can't figure out how to keep from wasting their own time?

Besides, it's been my experience people who spend a lot of time trying to hide things often have things to hide!

Hard pass and it has nothing to do with how many songs they want me to learn.

 

[M0ses]

10 songs seems impressive but it is 100% amateur. Literally anyone can learn ten songs. A professional will know if you fit into the band thirty seconds after you start playing. 10 songs isn't an audition, it's a hangout.

That being said, if you want to be in a band, and they ask you to learn 10 songs, DO IT. Problem is the guys gave OP absolutely no reason to want to be in the band.

 

[SactoBass]

it's been my experience people who spend a lot of time trying to hide things often have things to hide!

^^^THIS!

 

[jdh3000]

I'm more along the lines of they hire me, I'll learn their songs. I usually won't venture too far out from where I can swing an audition on what I already know.

But were I to do so, maybe learm a few, but unless it's some kickin' band that everyone wants to gig with, they can size me up on a few on the fly tunes.

Doesn't sound like they have their stuff together anyway, not forthcoming with info... I'd say better off.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, a few hours of your life that you DID get back.
If they had a gig, a plan, or a clue...they would have shared it.

 

[CoffeeLove]

Sometimes I wonder why I look at CL at all...

Found a local country band in need of a bassist... I've never done new country, but at least I wont be expected to play like Geddy Lee or Steve Harris. The add lists 10 songs. So I reach out to them, ask them a few questions about them etc. Reply comes back asking me if I can learn those 10 songs. I reply sure, nothing beyond my capabilities, and what about your band again? Their reply is to let them know when I learn those 10 songs and I can audition.

10?

I say sure, but can I have some info on your band? What is your skill level? what are your goals? what is your rehearsal and show schedule? Do you have a name? A youtube channel? Give me something to go on, Otherwise I will do 3-5 of your choosing.

I get back... "I had to learn 10 songs and another band I had to learn 30. Sorry you feel that way. Best of luck."

Bullet dodged IMO.

10 songs is totally fine. However, the weirdness about not answering any of your questions or giving insight into the band, just dumb. Yes, you dodged one, they sound difficult to work with. I am in it for fun, and that type of attitude would suck all the fun out if it.

 

[richntiff]

TL DR:

maybe they want to do those 10 songs better than 95% of hack garbage bar bands. Consider this. They might be 10 country/southern rock/etc songs - but to truly play them with any justice to the original is worthy of respect. Not every song is YYZ - but they all deserve to be played well. Even Florida Georgia Line. Yes. I DID just say that.

 

[Sonicfrog]

What everyone else said. The fact that they were reluctant to provide their info to you is really all you need to know.

 

[lokikallas]

I will no longer audition for or audition anyone without seeing a video of their current or past work. If you can't at least send me a clip of you playing along to the songs on your phone then I'm not going to bother.

 

[LBS-bass]

And for some of us that's all we want (although I did remove a couple of your points).
The current group I play with I put together with the intent that it was just to enjoy playing good songs well with no pressure to put together a song list and look for gigs. It's been going very well. Good people, good hang, great music once or twice a week.
After being convinced to do an open mic recently we were immediately asked to do a weekend gig at the venue. We'll do it sooner or later but are still in no rush.
BUT...... this was all spelled out right from the start.
They fact that they didn't want to tell you anything about themselves or their aims is a BIG red flag.

Exactly. Nothing wrong with getting together just for the hang, but if that's the situation, just say so. Why be secretive? Sounds like this bunch either doesn't know how to communicate or has some other dysfunction that makes that impossible.