Any audition advice?

[peterd79]

I've been using a OneSpot power adaptor for the longest time; however, my chorus pedal won't work with the OneSpot... so i need to run a 9v to it and i didn't even think about changing it last night... it was really comical...

I guess I was in the "Rock Star" stance... and really went after that E chord and no volume... lol....

 

[SteveB]

Steve, have you used the "sag" feature on your Voodoo Pedal Power?

Bruce,

I haven't used it yet. I don't run a distortion or overdrive pedal at the moment, but I would like to try that feature! I had an old DOD pedal years ago which sounded better (to me) after the battery had lost a little 'juice'.

 

[candid_x]

Bruce,

I haven't used it yet. I don't run a distortion or overdrive pedal at the moment, but I would like to try that feature! I had an old DOD pedal years ago which sounded better (to me) after the battery had lost a little 'juice'.

Steve, I've found that even a chorus can get something a bit magical when the battery is fading, and a wha can also be more subtle, but it doesn't last long. Be curious how it works for you when you get around to trying it. If I ever go back to pedals, Voodoo Power will be a must have.

 

[kbaim]

Bringing an extra guitar is genius.
Also, have something of your own in the pipeline in case they ask to hear or wanna play something of yours.

Also
It never hurts to aim a few discreet farts in the bass player's direction. Best to do this during songs. Not between songs.

 

[SteveB]

LMAO at kbaim's post... man, I needed a laugh! Thanks, Keef!

 

[slukather]

All l can say is, just have fun, if it's not fun there's no point being in a band.

But other things l'd suggest,

1. Be on time, they more than likely have other guitarist before and after you and have more than likely booked times for these other guitarists to turn up.

2. Make sure you set up in the least amount of time, with minimal problems, cause if you roll up and setup and you are having all these problems with your gear, they'll be thinking, Is he gonna have gear problem while on stage."

3. Make sure you know the songs, there can be error for nerves though.

4. Don't hang around chatting for too long, as they might have other auditions.

5. Get to know the band members a little bit, your not only joining their band, you have get along with these people too, and maybe one day have to go on tour with them and be around them all the time.

6. They are not only auditioning you, you are auditioning them.

7. Be straight forward in what direction you wanna head (music wise), don't lie, just be yourself.

That's all l can think of for now.

But goodluck and enjoy it.


Here's a story from one of the auditions l went for about a year ago.

A band answered to my ad about myself looking for a band, anyway, l spoke to one of the band members, he sent me a couple of songs, and told me to turn up on a specific day of their rehearsals at a specific time, l turn up, they were a half an hour late, they start unloading their gear, so l start unloading mine, and the singer/guitarist says "oh you brought your gear??" l said "Yeah, well this is an audition, and l'm not here just to have a chat, l'm here to jam too" So we set up our gear have a quick chat and whatnot, do a soundcheck, and then the singer guitarist is trying to compete with me, l'd play a lick and he'll try to outdo me, l didn't think much about it as l was just getting the volumes on my channels setup right and made sure it all sounded good but anyway.

So they choose a song to go over, which was one they didn't send me, so l ask the guitarist whats the chord progreesion, and he just turns and rudely says "ask the bass player", so the bass player tells me the chord progression, and we start jamming, and l pick their songs up real quickly, and l add my own flavour of backing guitar, and it all sounds great. And the bass player and drummer keep saying, let's do another one, it's quite obvious by now that the drummer and bass player dig what l'm playing, and the singer/guitarist doesn't, somehow he is threatened by me or something l guess, cause he kept trying to stump me, by playing weird stuff like odd time sign. and such, but not to toot my own horn, l have alot of experience in all odd time sign. weird chord progressions etc etc.

I had a chat with the bass player later on, and he says to me that he wants me to join the band, and gives me his number, l thank them for their time, but l never did end up calling them back, as there's no way l'd be able to handle one kid like behaviour for any longer. It was a shame cause me and the bass player hit it off as soon as we meet, and he was a really cool guy.

Sorry for the long post, and that was just one of a million auditions l've been too, and that was kust one bad one out of a handfull, so l don't mean to put anyone off auditioning for bands.

Scott.

 

[Krell]

I've read every post so far and my thanks to all those that responded.

I should be at the audition right now but in talking to the drummer last night he said his wife was due any day so they cancelled practice. I was supposed to audtion last Friday, so this is the second time they've re-scheduled me. Now it's looking like next Friday, which is fine because it gives me another week to pick up a few more songs.

I'll keep reading though, so keep the input and stories coming!

 

[slukather]

I've read every post so far and my thanks to all those that responded.

I should be at the audition right now but in talking to the drummer last night he said his wife was due any day so they cancelled practice. I was supposed to audtion last Friday, so this is the second time they've re-scheduled me. Now it's looking like next Friday, which is fine because it gives me another week to pick up a few more songs.

I'll keep reading though, so keep the input and stories coming!

It's a pain in the ass when an audition gets rescheduled, l like to get them over with asap, but l can understand, if the drummer is waiting for the birth of his child.

Scott.

 

[candid_x]

Now it's looking like next Friday, which is fine because it gives me another week to pick up a few more songs.

I'll keep reading though, so keep the input and stories coming!

Life happens.

Mr. Capiello, my first and only music teacher from Jr. High School daze, taught me: Practice, practice, practice. But when it’s time to play, forget everything you’ve learned, and just play.

About fitting in with groups, I think it either happens or it doesn’t. Any compromise that’s made in the beginning will still be there down the road.

hang in there
Bruce