It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:15 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 27 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2
Go to page Previous  1, 2
Author Message
Post subject: Re: Auditioning for a band
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 8:29 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:57 pm
Posts: 1803
Location: In a galaxy far, far away.
On Thursday night, I went out check out the band play a gig. It was the last gig with the current guitar player.
He ended up telling me about power struggles and some issues he had with the band.
Fast forward to last night, which is my "test" night.
When I get there, the drummer is the alternate drummer, who I have not yet played with, and a brand new bass player. I told the guy there were a few tunes I was still having trouble with but everything else is coming along pretty good.
I'm all set up and ready to go, when another guitar player walks in. Then the leader says I'll play 4 songs and then he'll play the same four songs. Awesome. I guess its dueling guitars tonight. Some notification would have been nice. I thought I was going to be the only guitar tonight, instead of being put on the spot to challenge someone. I played 2 songs well, two songs not so well. After, I asked the leader if that's it for tonight. He said yes and I could go if I want and he'd be in touch. I stayed for the first song, to hear the other guy and then the bass player needed to listen to a few tracks to figure out the songs, so I left.
This has been one of the most annoying auditions I have ever had. Part of me wants the gig but the other part of me wants to call the guy and say thanks but no thanks.

_________________
Image


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Auditioning for a band
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:15 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
If you let them play you for a chump, even if you get the gig they'll always treat like one.

I know what I would do.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Auditioning for a band
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 12:27 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:38 am
Posts: 12975
Location: Canada
Retroverbial wrote:
If you let them play you for a chump, even if you get the gig they'll always treat like one.

I know what I would do.

Arjay
Yumpin' Yiminy. It sounds like you showed up for a completely different band to audition with. If perfection is what the leader is looking for he should address that right at the beginning. If not, he can at least be up front with you on that too. Creativity and skill doesn't always equate to leadership. I'll tell you this though. All of the different crews and teams I've been successfully associated with is because the group gelled and respected each other with contributions from leadership and teamwork. You'll know if this is the case soon enough. Without knowing these guys, I think Arjay may have hit upon something.

Be careful what you wish for may be appropriate here. Best of luck Yodacaster.

FSB

_________________
Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Auditioning for a band
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 1:08 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2015 7:18 pm
Posts: 463
Location: Tucson
Fender Strat Brat wrote:
Heya, Yoda. A lot of good advice here. I agree that the method they used to place the ad is a poor judgment on their part. Still, it is their ballpark. I just want to add that if you play it smart, have fun, and pickup some stuff, it could still work out in the long run if you roll with it. Nothing is for sure; but, you never know, if it doesn't pan out you may get some good reference that will lead you to another band in that genre, and another guy might just be temporary or a good lead to another group. Whatever the case, best of luck.

FSB
". . . you know it ain't easy. You know how hard it can be." - John Lennon


Good advise... if you can divorce yourself from the emotions... but remember, everyone is ultimately out for themselves... probably if a way cooler opportunity came up, you'd take it... FWIW

_________________
https://markhahnguitar.wordpress.com/
https://markhahn.bandcamp.com/releases


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Auditioning for a band
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 1:38 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:45 am
Posts: 21004
Location: On the loo, regretting that gas station burrito.
I would have walked after the first thing they did when you posted, I would have told them to eff off with that crap and definitely have walked. It's not worth it, to me, at least.

_________________
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Auditioning for a band
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 1:38 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:57 pm
Posts: 1803
Location: In a galaxy far, far away.
I've kind of had an off feeling about this band since the 2nd rehearsal, but I wanted to stick it out to see how things transpired.
After the guitar showdown last night, and the rotating rhythm section, it has further reinforced my feelings.
They are good players, I like the songs and their originals, but I do not like the way they operate.
On a side note, I had a minor altercation with the trombone player about 10 years ago. I'm not sure if he remembers or not, but I have tried be friendly and I've complimented his solos, but he seems to not respond anything I've said to him.
I think my decision is clear. Its just a matter of executing it.

_________________
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Auditioning for a band
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:56 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 2:11 pm
Posts: 820
Location: Iowa, USA
Miami Mike wrote:
I'd go right to the source (the band leader or band as a group) and ask
them why they posted the ad. I don't like wasting time. Good luck!
My thoughts exactly.
If you've been pissing around with these guys for 5 weeks, and don't (at the very least) feel like a "friend" of them, or fit in...sounds to me like they're not worth it any way. Even if you DID (or do) get the gig...are you gonna feel like an outsider, or 'one of the boy's'?

P.S- Forgive me if this has been touched on or asked & answered...I stopped reading once I agreed with Miami Mike on page one.


Edit:
Upon reading further...dump these clowns.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Auditioning for a band
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 6:34 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:57 pm
Posts: 1803
Location: In a galaxy far, far away.
Yep I thanked him for having me out and told him the band was not the right fit for me.
He said thanks, take care, wish you luck.
I'm happy with my decision.

_________________
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Auditioning for a band
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:02 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:45 am
Posts: 21004
Location: On the loo, regretting that gas station burrito.
Good idea. I'm sure there will be other opportunities down the road, anyhow. If you want to play that genre of music, perhaps you should try to start your own thing with that and see if anyone is interested. Let them come to you. I know that can get frustrating, though. I've been playing almost 29 years and I couldn't tell you how much BS I've had to wade through to find people to play with.

_________________
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Auditioning for a band
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 10:42 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
FWIW I think you made the right call. And Paul makes an excellent point about the possibility of you putting an act together from the ground up. Yeah it'll be frustrating at times and for every two steps forward you take, it's likely you'll take a step back more often than not. But the rewards are great for those who manage to pull it off.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Auditioning for a band
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 2:43 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:38 am
Posts: 12975
Location: Canada
Two thumbs up for you, Yodacaster. Lots of good advice here. I'm pretty confident in saying that your experience and good judgment put you in a better place that will work out for the better in the long run.

Look at it this way. No matter how difficult it was to make that decision, you left with a better situation than if it were under other disheartening circumstances that might have happened. You never know. Even if you're not in the same room as those guys, you got to look around, and you may have opened some new doors.

Best,
FSB

_________________
Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Auditioning for a band
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 7:52 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:57 pm
Posts: 1803
Location: In a galaxy far, far away.
Thanks for the advice guys.
If it wasn't for a lack of personal jam space, I would definitely start something. I already know a couple of guys who would be interested, but none of us have a place to play.
Until then, I'll keep playing in the 3 piece rock cover band and hopefully get some gigs soon!

_________________
Image


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 27 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2
Go to page Previous  1, 2

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: