I noticed a sign at the guitar store yesterday and there's a band looking for a guitarist. I'm going to give the band leader a call later today. I'm going to find out a few things first, like what kind of music they play, whether they have any gigs and when they practice. If it seems like it could work than I might ask to join. I've never really been in this position before and if anyone could give me some advise about what questions to ask and how I should act if they let me in on a practice I'd really appreciate it. [/list]

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Haha, that's awesome!!!! Congratulations!!!!

I don't have any advice other than this:

Make sure the personalities of everyone in the band is a good fit. If the personalities aren't a match, then I can almost guarantee that life in the band will be very tumultuous and unpleasant.

Hope that helps! 8D

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"If it's planned, it's boring." - Freddie Mercury

Man, This has to fit for all involved. Leave any ego at home, and just be yourself and see if its a fit. Don't overplay, you may turn them off, but if they give you an opportunity to let it all hand out, show em your stuff. Act thrilled to be there. You will be fine

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

First, make sure you want to do it. Then, make sure they are people you want to be around.

And then, just be someone cool to hang with. I've stolen many gigs from far better players by being good enough, and more fun to kick back with.

If they have a cd or demo, get a copy or for a cover band get their song list and know the songs.

And don't be nervous. you're all guys who dig music, so it's cool. And if you don't get the gig, your life isn't over. You know what you can do, so be confident in what you can do.

Most of all, have fun.

Dang, missed saying that in my post!! And that's my motto I live by, too!!!! XD

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"If it's planned, it's boring." - Freddie Mercury

Yes. Having fun is a must. If you don't have fun you won't last. Good luck.

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"You won't part with your's either"

Fender American Standard Stratocaster 2006

Fender Standard Telecaster 2007

Forget about personality clashes. Some of the best bands i've been in are where everyone hated everyone else. The best live bands i've played in were all like that, 3 of em. Your not there to be friends, your their to play your guitar, do a job, and hopefully earn some money doing it.

Ask for 4 songs that they play and a few days to learn them. Learn the songs and go to the audition with no preconceptions about what is going to happen. Just go with the flow, do your job and weigh the situation up. Deciding how it should be before you get there is a pointless frivilous activity that will detract from your performance at your audition. Your not only being auditioned by the band, your auditioning them cept you dont want them to know that is your perspective.

Concentrate on getting a good sound out of your amp, plenty of mids to cut through and keep your amp volume low at the audition. Let them ask you to turn up. It is a subtle way of getting them to listen for you without you hammering your guitar into their ears. When they consider you they will think 'hey a guitarist that didnt deafen us, thats unusual'.
Also dont overplay too much, let them ask you to show off. You dont want to tread on toes but give the impression that your there to be in the background until its your time to step forwards.

Or are you going for the vocalist/guitarist position. If so its all practice practice practice on the vocal chords. You want a voice like Dio meets a choir of angels, and more confidence than a pitbull in a chicken coop.
Also look for the bands website and press shots, suss out what they wear live and go to the audition wearing a rough approxiamtion of that get up.

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No no and no

I was talking about it with one of my best friends and it turns out that she's already in the band. She said that the band leader is the singer, they have a drummer and my friend plays guitar. What they really need right now is a bass player. I'd actually be fine with playing bass, I really need band experience on bass. And hopefully one day I could play guitar if they find a better bass player. My friend said that the drummer doesn't seem very into it so I could end up playing drums down the road with them. I'm glad I learned to play other instruments besides just guitar. I left a message with the band leader, if she doesn't call back by tomorrow afternoon I'm going to try calling again.

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I completely agree. My band is not a hatefest, but we have the unusual arrangement of not being friends outside of the music. We get together and play or gig once or twice a week, and the extent of our communication is a text message or two for working out the next practice date. It works really well, as the drama and tension of a group of friends is non-existent. That said, they're good guys and I enjoy seeing them, but the music is our priority.

Niki wrote


Great advice I second that. Good Luck Texas I'm sure you'll do great whichever instrument you audition for. Let us know how it goes...

If the band is doing original music, concentrate on playing parts that fit in with the songs and the style of music that's being played. Back in college, my band jammed with a bassist who was exclusively into speed metal. He wasn't bad, but his parts didn't fit in at all with what everyone else was playing (we were more of an alternative-rock-type outfit). Obviously, he didn't last very long with us.

The band will be much more impressed with a guitarist who adds something to the songs rather than someone who's trying to steal the spotlight with a bunch of fancy licks and solos.

Sounds awesome man Just make sure they play the right genre of music you play, and Yeah relax when your there your all guys that play and enjoy music so theres nothing Bad that you can play, and like others said just be cool be yourself and have fun!

I think everyone already said what I would've said. Best of luck!

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"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi

Owner of:
-2008 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola Red
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-Fender CD-60 Acoustic (Sunburst)

I'm fairly sure it's going to be a modern rock or hard rock band, because that's what my friend is into. Or it could very well turn out to be a pop band.
I'm more of a classic rock/blues guitarist, but I'm going to try to fit the band's style while staying true to my own. That's what I do when I play praise and worship music. You'd be surprised how good it sounds when you add some blues to it. So hopefully they'll be OK with that.

But if I play bass than I don't have to worry about my style or anything, because I just play root notes and octaves.

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You dont necessarily need bass experience in a band if you are a guitar player!!!

Just givin ya a hard time!!

Good luck with it!

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