#1645605 - 04/24/05 10:45 AM
State of auditions...
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miroslav
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Loc: NY Hudson Valley, USA
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So I've been on the lookout for a band gig. I figured it was time to get back out, since I've been doing nothing but recording music for many years...and I use to really enjoy playing out, and was in some pretty successful bands at the time.
OK...I find some ads out on the local musician's web site...and first thing off, I notice that there are so many bands doing pretty much the same genre...classic rock/pop of the 60s'-70's-80's...etc. You know, the usual "jukebox hits" stuff.
Anyway...I'm not really looking for that...but rather a more "roots" R&R/Blues gig. Yeah, still do a lot of covers...but unique covers, and doing them in a more original way.
Well...hard to find people in that state of mind since most are doing the "jukebox hits" thing...so I figure I'll try one or two of the “hits” bands and see if they at least play some of my favorite hits.
So...I get this one audition lined up...and I tell the girl (keys/vocals) that I've been doing mostly original recording, and that if she wants me to get a few specific cover songs ready...to let me know which ones, since it's been awhile since I played them.
She says "don't worry, we'll just jam a out a bit and mess around"...and doesn't give me any songs.
OK...I go to the audition...and no sooner had I plugged in...and she starts calling out songs off their roster...???
I stop her and remind her that she specifically didn't want to give me any songs...and can’t we at least do a couple of basic jams...some 12 bar blues, or a some R&R progression…just to get warmed up a bit and find a groove.
"No, lets just play the songs...do the best you can", she says.
Well, I'm a bit pissed now, 'cuz I don't remember any of the chords to those songs, even though I use to play them...and yet, off they go, song after song.
OK...maybe someone who is fresh off the "live band jukebox hits" circuit would have jumped right in on most of their songs...
...but I specifically let her know that I've been doing nothing but recording original music for the last several years...and that I could play anything, provided I had a chance to review some of that cover material.
Eh...so I'm pissed now...and to make matters worse, the neck on my guitar decides to give a bit, 'cuz I took the guitar out of my nice, climate controlled environment in to a very humid basement...and so the high strings start hitting the frets in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd positions...
...and now I just want to get the hell out of there and go home.
But...I end up sticking around, and eventually we hit on a few tunes that I remembered fairly well, and was able to do some pretty solid leads to.
Though when we end, she gives me the comment that they really wanted someone who could fall in with them in real fast, 'cuz they were looking to get out and gig ASAP. :rolleyes:
I just shook my head...having clearly explained my position to her form the start, and that I would need a few weeks to catch up to them.
But obviously, she didn't want to audition my playing...but rather how quickly I could learn a song on the spot and sound perfect.
The irony of it all...is that it turns out they have all be practicing....FOR OVER A YEAR!!!...and have yet to get out and play a gig!!!
And so...as sloppy as I came off because I didn't know the material...they were still pretty sloppy too...and that's after practicing for a year!!!
Maybe it really turned out for the better...otherwise who knows what I would have gotten myself into!
Shit...every band I ever played in...we spent maybe only 2-3 months getting polished...and out we went on the club circuit.
I guess I've been away a bit too long...obviously things are done differently now days...???
OK...sorry for the long rant...but I'm still a bit pissed and a bit miffed by the whole process.
But, it will work out, 'cuz I finally lined up a couple of other players who want to do the kind of music I'm talking about...so things will fall into place in a couple of months.
And I bet that other band will STILL be practicing!!! 
_________________________
miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1645606 - 04/24/05 10:57 AM
Re: State of auditions...
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Lee Flier
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Registered: 09/13/00
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Loc: Atlanta,GA,UNITED STATES
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Ahhh sorry to hear that Miro. I'd say don't be discouraged cuz you just hooked up with the wrong type of people. Yes, there are loads of interchangeable "classic rock bands" out there now and they expect that if you play with them you will have been gigging out regularly with other bands pretty much like them and will know all the same songs. I would say don't even bother with those. To them, it's a job, and it's like applying for a job when you haven't been working in the field forever and your skills need honing. Few companies would hire you to do that on company time unless they could underpay you... and bands usually can't do that. But of course, that's only one type of band out of many.
I too went through a period where I didn't play out in a band for a few years and it was extremely stressful and nerve racking to get back into it, more than I would have expected. I'm normally not lacking in confidence as a player or a person but that process made me feel like a loser, I was so appalled by how out of shape my playing and equipment were (even though I'd been playing regularly in the studio) and so anxious to make a good impression on people I played with that I thought were great. It did take about 4 months of regular practice to really get back in fighting shape for gigs, and I had to get all my guitars and amps worked on, buy new cables, etc. All the stuff you don't really think about because you're used to everything being in the studio and workign fine. It was all a pretty humbling process, worse than dating.
Glad you seem to have found some other players who want to do your thang, that's probably the way to go! That's what ended up happening for me. My bandmates' former band had just broken up and they didn't have anything booked, weren't expecting somebody to just jump in with them. We were forming a whole new band with our own sound, and everybody knew that would take awhile to develop. They also understood that I hadn't played out in awhile, so it was all cool. We spent a few months woodshedding and then it all worked out great. It's now been almost 4 years for us. 
Good luck and keep us posted!
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#1645607 - 04/24/05 01:30 PM
Re: State of auditions...
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GZsound
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Registered: 01/17/01
Posts: 6074
Loc: Somewhere in Oregon
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You need to do what I do. Just learn one lead in every key.
When you audition, you just play that one lead in whatever key they are in.. Of course, being a sax player means I don't have to worry about learning the chords and I always have the excuse that if I played in the wrong key, unlike guitar players, I can't see my fingers so it's not my fault..
Seriously though. When we audition for new members, we always do what you expected. In fact, the last time we auditioned for bass players, I mailed the musicians a set list and a CD of some of the songs we do well before time to audition.
In addition, when we first get together, to make the musician more comfortable we just do a couple blues jams to feel each other out.
Sounds like you had a bad experience. Don't sweat it, keep trying.
_________________________
Mark G.
"A man may fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame others" -- John Burroughs
"I consider ethics, as well as religion, as supplements to law in the government of man." -- Thomas Jefferson
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#1645608 - 04/24/05 01:32 PM
Re: State of auditions...
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miroslav
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Registered: 05/23/00
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Loc: NY Hudson Valley, USA
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Originally posted by Lee Flier: I too went through a period where I didn't play out in a band for a few years and it was extremely stressful and nerve racking to get back into it, more than I would have expected. I'm normally not lacking in confidence as a player or a person but that process made me feel like a loser, I was so appalled by how out of shape my playing and equipment were (even though I'd been playing regularly in the studio) and so anxious to make a good impression on people I played with that I thought were great. It did take about 4 months of regular practice to really get back in fighting shape for gigs, and I had to get all my guitars and amps worked on, buy new cables, etc. All the stuff you don't really think about because you're used to everything being in the studio and workign fine. It was all a pretty humbling process, worse than dating.
I know my live chops need a bit of work...gotta’ get the rust out.
But...I also know my talents and abilities...so I was just a bit disappointed that I found myself in an audition situation where I probably had more talent (and I’m not just saying that) than all the other people, with the exception of the drummer, who I knew was a good drummer.
Anyway, I plan on sticking to it and I know I will persevere...'cuz I know what it takes to have a great live band.
Just wish people would be more up front about what they want/expect...rather than set you up for some unexpected situation...and then judge you by it... :rolleyes:
_________________________
miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1645609 - 04/24/05 01:53 PM
Re: State of auditions...
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miroslav
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Originally posted by GZsound:
You need to do what I do. Just learn one lead in every key.
Plus...with covers...most people expect to hear the original lead...like on the CD... :rolleyes:
Seriously though. When we audition for new members, we always do what you expected. In fact, the last time we auditioned for bass players, I mailed the musicians a set list and a CD of some of the songs we do well before time to audition.
In addition, when we first get together, to make the musician more comfortable we just do a couple blues jams to feel each other out.
When I was playing in bands...we always did it that way when we were audiotioning people.
I always got more about a person's ability, from hearing them jam and improvise...rather then how well they copped a lead off of an album.
_________________________
miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1645610 - 04/24/05 05:47 PM
Re: State of auditions...
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GZsound
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Registered: 01/17/01
Posts: 6074
Loc: Somewhere in Oregon
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Originally posted by miroslav:
[QB] Originally posted by GZsound:
You need to do what I do. Just learn one lead in every key.
Plus...with covers...most people expect to hear the original lead...like on the CD... :rolleyes:
Actually I was joking. Except for signature sax leads (Like Pink Floyd's "Money", "Spooky" etc.) I don't think I have ever done the same lead twice..
But I agree with your idea of how to conduct a professional audition.
_________________________
Mark G.
"A man may fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame others" -- John Burroughs
"I consider ethics, as well as religion, as supplements to law in the government of man." -- Thomas Jefferson
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#1645611 - 04/25/05 09:34 AM
Re: State of auditions...
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Botch.
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Registered: 08/17/00
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Loc: Ogden, Utard
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Just remember, not only are they auditioning you, you are auditioning them! You've already learned that a) they're not very upfront, and b) they've put a lot of time into getting not very far.
I've always looked at failed auditions as simply a learning experience, the only loss is carrying my keyboards across town and back. In the early days I was rejected more often than not, in the later days I rejected the band more often than not, that's just part of being a gigging musician. Good luck!
_________________________
Botch "Eccentric language often is symptomatic of peculiar thinking" - George Will http://www.puddlestone.net
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#1645612 - 04/25/05 02:38 PM
Re: State of auditions...
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GTRBass
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Registered: 12/03/03
Posts: 598
Loc: Los Angeles, Ca
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Botch is right. It's a mutual audition. If you didn't get a good vibe, there's other bands out there to play with. Don't settle for a situation where you get even a hint of a bad vibe from the start. You'll be miserable.
Let's see, they've been together a year (as a cover band) and expect you to audition, but can't (or won't) give you a specified list of audition songs and stick to that. From what you've recounted, they're morons. Don't waste any more of your time.
About ten years ago I get a call from this European singer who'd relocated to LA and got my number from someone (she wouldn't say who). She asks me to meet with her at a coffee house in Burbank to "discuss" playing with her. We agree to meet at 7PM that Saturday night. I show up and wait for an hour, and she's a no show. A month later I get a call out of the blue from her and she's acting like our conversation never took place. I nicely tell her "you made arrangements to meet me and never showed up". It's totally obvious to me (she was a really bad liar) that she intentionally blew me off and now the short list of bass players has reached its end. This girl then belligerently asks me would I meet with her again, or not. I very nicely tell her "you know what, I don't think so because this sets a bad precedent with me and I doubt it would work out." She's absolutely appalled at that and slammed the phone down on me. I was like OK princess, good luck with your career. Audition over. You failed sweety.
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#1645613 - 04/25/05 03:54 PM
Re: State of auditions...
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miroslav
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Well that's what kinda' I told them.
That I wouldn't be too upset if I "made the band" or not...
...but that was already disappointed at how they ran their audition...
...and that I would keep on looking for something else, that met MY expectations.
Believe me...I had some reservations about the whole thing before I ever showed up...especially the part about them being together and practicing for over a year...and still no gigs to show for it.
It was just a bit enticing 'cuz they had a female on keys/vox...and another as a backup singer...
...and I thought there was some decent potential to pull off material that one really can't with an all-male guitar-only band.
_________________________
miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1645614 - 04/26/05 03:24 PM
Re: State of auditions...
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Cozmicslop
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Registered: 09/10/02
Posts: 367
Loc: Chicago
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Let's see, they've been together a year (as a cover band) and expect you to audition, but can't (or won't) give you a specified list of audition songs and stick to that. From what you've recounted, they're morons. Don't waste any more of your time.
After they called out the first tune, I'm already packing because I haven't known you for five minutes and you're already lying to me.
I don't waste ANY time with people who lie to me.
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#1645615 - 04/28/05 12:49 PM
Re: State of auditions...
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BluesWithoutBlame
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Registered: 11/12/04
Posts: 774
Loc: Oslo. Norway
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It sounds like a couple of things here...ONE of them you have control over the other you don't.
You have control over which kinds of bands you audition for. Being "pissed" didn't help you at all, I guarantee it...and it is similar to going out on a first date and being pissed that the date did't turn out to be your type.
What is the best way to handle both those cases? Relax and just try and have a good time, have as much fun as you can. It's nobodys fault, even if
THEY could have been more mallable and helpful, that showed you you wouldn't want to play with
them...
But the main thing is it sounds like you haven't figured out, or aren't being completely true to yourself in what you want. From your own description of what you are in to, I couldn't
for the life of me figure out why you were auditioning for THAT band, that style of cover...sounds like you want to make a go
of original music. That band would never have gone with that, so you are saved the wasted time.
The other thing, you had no control over what they did...but if you had rolled with it, relaxed, and just not been so stressed it would have helped (I know this from my own experiences, and have been through
what you describe...nowdays before a concert, gig, or audition, just before I get there, or go on, I remember to myself "I'm doing this for FUN...so try to remember to have FUN! with
it, it isn't THAT serious" even though I take music seriously, just smiling and getting into it makes it all better, and improves my playing.
So consider yourself lucky...you were able to get a little acclimated to auditions again, make all your mistakes with a band that you really wouldn't have wanted to be in....think if it
was a band you REALLY wanted to join, and you had the "getting back into audition" jitters?
I've been more and more convinced, when I audition, I will learn MAX 3 songs for it, prefer just ONE...(that's fair that they can see how quickly you can pick up songs), it's nice to have a song list and it depends on the band
music style (all cover, originals, mixture, jam band...there are all kinds out there) but generally, I like to jam with the band on auditions. Also can be efficient as far as finding out about them to work on a song arrangement together for a little while, see how they work.
Auditions are a two-way street, while they are auditioning you, you are auditioning THEM too.
Again...I think the key maybe is first really deciding what kind of band you want to be in.
Covers?, one style only (metal, blues, R&B, Hard Rock) or jack of all styles?, driven or take-it-easy-and-just-have-fun?...
Because it really is like finding a mate. Only times four or five. The more you know about what you want the less time you'll waste.
One thing I hadn't thought of until lately, I am in one now, but if I had to do it over, or next time, I believe I would like to be in a band without a "singer"...I mean one that only sings. Reason being, I love to be able to do instrumentals, also love to sing a little myself, but don't feel I have a powerful enough or good enough voice to carry a whole show. I'm happy with a few songs here and there.
My band now has been accomodating about it, but they have a very weird position on only playing "blues" which I cannot figure out...since it isn't all blues in their own reportoire even..
Anyway, good luck! Don't settle (unless you have to for a while)
_________________________
==================================================== Check out my original music at http://www.soundclick.com/bands/jacker "In theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but not in practice."
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#1645616 - 04/28/05 02:54 PM
Re: State of auditions...
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BluesWithoutBlame
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Loc: Oslo. Norway
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I didn't mean that to sound critical of you...actually it was more like thinking out loud, to myself as well.
It struck me too that the girl doesn't necessarily have to be the bad guy...that maybe they were not used to auditioning folk and were afraid that if they "just jammed" they would have shown that they couldn't do it...
She should have said it, they were unprofessional, but I hear also that (of course..I've been there too, after spending a lot of time recording alone, you get insecure a little even if you know you CAN play) you reacted. That is the part that is most important for you.
I go back to the "have fun"...I bet you are a good guitarist, and are out of practice playing with other folks. It will all come back to you with a few practices, for sure.
But again, I think you are picking the wrong type group to try out for.
I wish you luck!
_________________________
==================================================== Check out my original music at http://www.soundclick.com/bands/jacker "In theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but not in practice."
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#1645617 - 04/28/05 04:23 PM
Re: State of auditions...
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miroslav
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Registered: 05/23/00
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I agree that, deep down...I would prefer a different kind of music. But, it's hard to find that "perfect" band situation...especially since most of the people out there are VERY concerned about how many gigs they can get...
...and I think going the "Top 40" “Greatest Hits” cover route makes them feel a bit more comfortable...more acceptable.
And yeah...I had 2-3 songs/jams ready to go for the audition that would have clearly showcased my playing ability...and a couple of songs to showcase my vocal ability...but, she (the leader) just wanted to do stuff off their roster...quite probably because she is not capable of just "jamming".
My buddy who knows her/them…confirms that this is her first real band attempt...so, I guess that alone should have been a red flag.
But hey...it's water under the bridge now, anyway.
I already have something else lined up with a couple of guys that feel more like I do...that want to try and do something a bit more unique/original, rather than just the same-ol’, same-ol’ "Top 40" "Greatest Hits" repertoire.
I asked them if they wanted to focus on any specific songs...and they said we would just jam a bit and check out the vibe first...
...so, I'll see how this one goes.
_________________________
miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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