Advice for Auditions

[Sean]

Hi Folks, 

 

I've got an audition for another covers band coming up next month and thought it would be a good opportunity to gather and collate advice from the collective on the broad subject of auditioning, so that could become a resource. 

 

I've had a brief search and didn't find a comprehensive thread on auditioning. 

 

My new audition is:

 

1. Long established (>10 years) reasonably busy (30 gigs a year), 5 piece (vox, 2 gtr, bass, drums) covers band with good rep playing a broad mix of rock/pop/indie covers to decent bar/pub/club/functions.

2. The audition looks like they are doing slots on an evening to try out a few bassists. It's a proper rehearsal studio.

3. I've been given 4 very different songs to learn. E standard, all as per the original recordings. The songs appear to me to have been chosen as they require a certain level of competence. This makes a lot of sense to me.

 

 

I've never played the songs before although after spending the day yesterday doing charts and getting any tricky bits in my fingers, they should be straightforward and they're all fun to play (or will be on the night, hopefully).

 

I always regard auditions as a two-way street inasmuch as it's as much about the the auditionee picking the band as it is about the band picking the auditionee. 

 

What advice would we give on auditioning?

 

My tick list for a starter would be:

 

The Material:

 

1. Learn the material to the standard required for the audition. Don't skimp. If they're expecting replica/tribute bass lines, learn it inside out, if they're expecting your interpretation, learn that, know the structure, leave nothing to chance. 
2. You shoud know the material to gigging standard. If you need an aide memoir, make sure it's discreet and you understand it at a glance. Sheet music and extensive charts on music stands can, in many situations, freak out bands. If reading score off stands is part of the expectation, go for it.
3. Don't be afraid of going back to clarify or check if they have endings/deviations that are specific to their band. 
4. Don't showboat. Unless they've requested it.
5. If possible, send them recordings/videos of your playing in a live band context when/before applying. Sending recordings of recent live band performances got me a very rapid and positive initial response this week.
6. Find out what the expectation is for you doing backing vocals. 

 

Logistics and Gear at Auditions: 

 

1. Take your own gear to the audition as much as possible and make sure it all works before you go. Don't rely on rehearsal studio gear unless you have no option.
2. Turn up early. It's better to get there 30 minutes early and sit in the car browsing Basschat than it is to be stressed out about running late. 
3. Don't play a bass that you aren't familiar with at an audition. Play the one you learned the material on.
4. If it's a band with "a look" or "an image" and assuming you want the gig, try to fit in. If it's a tribute band that wears costumes or specific gear, then obviously you're not going to go in your full demon make-up or wearing just a sock to cover your bits. 
5. When you get in the room (or before, preferably) establish how long you've got and what the format of the audition is. 
6. Take your own mic if required.
7. Don't use any gear you're not 100% familiar with. Don't be the guy who bought an HX Stomp last week and give it its first outing without fully understanding how to use it in a live scenario.

 

 

Other Stuff Related to Joining a Band:

 

1. Understand the nature of the gigs they play. If it's a band that does quite a few "freebies" for charity, decide if that's OK with you. I've done a few over the years to keep the peace that cost me a day, 50-100 miles of fuel and on one occasion a lot of grief that was unnecessary. If you're not into "freebies" it's best to find out up front. 
2. Have a look at the band's social media. What do they wear? What kind of gear do they use? Is the band all IEM? 
3. Check why the previous bassist left. Try and understand the space that you could be filling. I've replaced previous incumbents that were: Not up to the job,  b. Recently deceased,  c. Moved abroad,  d. Set up their own band, e. Taken a 6 month cruise contract. This could give you insight. 
4. Check how the band communicates. WhatsApp group, shared calendars, who does socials? How are bookings arranged? Do they use agents? I've been in a band that had a WhatsApp group for band business and they also had a WhatsApp group for the band with one member not included (me!).
5. Understand the dynamic of the band. Leader? Who calls the shots? 
6. Who owns the PA? Is it co-owned? How does that work?

 

 

• What advice would you give me and others?
• What's gone wrong for you in the past and what did you learn from it?
• What audition-related stories have you got?

 

 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Sean
Corrections

[Dan Dare]

Have a few beers beforehand to steady your nerves 😀

[MacDaddy]

Remember it's a two-way street, you are auditioning the band.

You don't have to join.

[cetera]

Speak softly... and carry a big stick. In other words, be approachable and genial and make light friendly conversation on arrival...... but know your worth and don't feel intimidated. You are auditioning them as much as they are auditioning you.

 

Chat with the drummer and keep eye contact with him. You will be seen to be locking in, he will appreciate it.... and his could be the vote you need if it comes down to you and one other.

 

Let them know what other skills/useful things you bring to the table. e.g. are you great at listings, social media, have a following of your own, do you own a PA/van etc....

 

Good luck!

[itu]

Before the audition: While going through the songs, use a looper to get a thorough understanding, how do you really sound. 

 

Be in time - I repeat this from your excellent notes. 

 

I read most of the songs from a tablet. Quite many push the bluish light level very high and look like some people with excessive cheapo makeup in an early metro. Beware. 

 

I wouldn't connect myself to an unknown PA if I hadn't the possibility to adjust it before playing. Last week I had a gig where I didn't hear anything, but boom. Gigs from hell. 

 

All cables and a spare one have to be with you. Others will not have the one that you need if it isn't with you. You know this if you look at the g-word players. 

 

Be professional and polite even though they aren't. 

 

Stories are stories, speak less and let the playing show your abilities. Time for funny stories is later. 

 

You can tell a very short story about yourself, remembering your musical education, and experience. 

 

What else is needed? A car? Do you have to pay rehearsal room? Anything special from their side? Side projects? 

[Sean]

26 minutes ago, itu said:

Anything special from their side? Side projects? 

Good point. The band I'm meeting don't want a bassist with other band commitments that limits their flexibility with booking gigs. 

 

This could be a showstopper for some. 

 

It's certainly a consideration if you're joining a band that does say 2 gigs a month and then something else comes along that's similar or more. 

[terryj]

3 hours ago, Sean said:

Hi Folks, 

 

I've got an audition for another covers band coming up next month and thought it would be a good opportunity to gather and collate advice from the collective on the broad subject of auditioning, so that could become a resource. 

 

I've had a brief search and didn't find a comprehensive thread on auditioning. 

 

My new audition is:

 

1. Long established (>10 years) reasonably busy (30 gigs a year), 5 piece (vox, 2 gtr, bass, drums) covers band with good rep playing a broad mix of rock/pop/indie covers to decent bar/pub/club/functions.

2. The audition looks like they are doing slots on an evening to try out a few bassists. It's a proper rehearsal studio.

3. I've been given 4 very different songs to learn. E standard, all as per the original recordings. The songs appear to me to have been chosen as they require a certain level of competence. This makes a lot of sense to me.

 

 

I've never played the songs before although after spending the day yesterday doing charts and getting any tricky bits in my fingers, they should be straightforward and they're all fun to play (or will be on the night, hopefully).

 

I always regard auditions as a two-way street inasmuch as it's as much about the the auditionee picking the band as it is about the band picking the auditionee. 

 

What advice would we give on auditioning?

 

My tick list for a starter would be:

 

The Material:

 

1. Learn the material to the standard required for the audition. Don't skimp. If they're expecting replica/tribute bass lines, learn it inside out, if they're expecting your interpretation, learn that, know the structure, leave nothing to chance. 
2. You shoud know the material to gigging standard. If you need an aide memoir, make sure it's discreet and you understand it at a glance. Sheet music and extensive charts on music stands can, in many situations, freak out bands. If reading score off stands is part of the expectation, go for it.
3. Don't be afraid of going back to clarify or check if they have endings/deviations that are specific to their band. 
4. Don't showboat. Unless they've requested it.
5. If possible, send them recordings/videos of your playing in a live band context when/before applying. Sending recordings of recent live band performances got me a very rapid and positive initial response this week.
6. Find out what the expectation is for you doing backing vocals. 

 

Logistics and Gear at Auditions: 

 

1. Take your own gear to the audition as much as possible and make sure it all works before you go. Don't rely on rehearsal studio gear unless you have no option.
2. Turn up early. It's better to get there 30 minutes early and sit in the car browsing Basschat than it is to be stressed out about running late. 
3. Don't play a bass that you aren't familiar with at an audition. Play the one you learned the material on.
4. If it's a band with "a look" or "an image" and assuming you want the gig, try to fit in. If it's a tribute band that wears costumes or specific gear, then obviously you're not going to go in your full demon make-up or wearing just a sock to cover your bits. 
5. When you get in the room (or before, preferably) establish how long you've got and what the format of the audition is. 
6. Take your own mic if required.
7. Don't use any gear you're not 100% familiar with. Don't be the guy who bought an HX Stomp last week and give it its first outing without fully understanding how to use it in a live scenario.

 

 

Other Stuff Related to Joining a Band:

 

1. Understand the nature of the gigs they play. If it's a band that does quite a few "freebies" for charity, decide if that's OK with you. I've done a few over the years to keep the peace that cost me a day, 50-100 miles of fuel and on one occasion a lot of grief that was unnecessary. If you're not into "freebies" it's best to find out up front. 
2. Have a look at the band's social media. What do they wear? What kind of gear do they use? Is the band all IEM? 
3. Check why the previous bassist left. Try and understand the space that you could be filling. I've replaced previous incumbents that were: Not up to the job,  b. Recently deceased,  c. Moved abroad,  d. Set up their own band, e. Taken a 6 month cruise contract. This could give you insight. 
4. Check how the band communicates. WhatsApp group, shared calendars, who does socials? How are bookings arranged? Do they use agents? I've been in a band that had a WhatsApp group for band business and they also had a WhatsApp group for the band with one member not included (me!).
5. Understand the dynamic of the band. Leader? Who calls the shots? 
6. Who owns the PA? Is it co-owned? How does that work?

 

 

• What advice would you give me and others?
• What's gone wrong for you in the past and what did you learn from it?
• What audition-related stories have you got?

 

 

 

[terryj]

Be yourself and make sure your gear is up to scratch but most importantly.....be yourself. Go for it and the best of luck.

[stewblack]

I approach these situations as if I'm auditioning them. Which when you think about it is true. You wouldn't join a crap band would you?

The resultant aura of supreme confidence tends to make them desperate for you to join.

[paul_5]

Don't learn the songs until 'they should be straightforward' - learn them until you KNOW that they're straightforward, this should cancel out any nerves/unexpected nakedness etc...

[chris_b]

All you have to do is turn up on time, know the songs inside out, find out what they want of you, be pleasant, efficient and to the point.

 

I haven't done many auditions in the last 25 years but one stands out. I arrived on time, to find I was the first one there. Only half the band bothered to turn up and when we started, nearly an hour late, I discovered I was the only one who knew the songs! Even the guy who wrote the songs couldn't remember the arrangements on the record! The record company guy who was in attendance spent most of the evening apologising!! @MacDaddy is right, you are auditioning them as well. They failed!

 

 

[Lozz196]

2 hours ago, cetera said:

 

 

Chat with the drummer and keep eye contact with him. You will be seen to be locking in, he will appreciate it.... and his could be the vote you need if it comes down to you and one other.

 

 

Agree, as well as the above at auditions wherever possible I stand on same side as hi-hat & snare so as to really keep an eye on the drums and lock in. 

[Steve Browning]

This is always my priority. You and the drummer are going to be the foundation of the band. Be seen to be aiming to lock in with them.

 

The drummer and the sound man. Your two biggest friends on a stage.