Any audition advice?

[phatduckk]

honestly... just, show up and play

if it jives it jives

good luck!

 

[robelinda2]

lead singers, you just have to live with em.

once i was in a band with a gay female singer , and i didnt know she was gay. the manager of the band was this extrememley butch woman, fat and ugly, but they had been 'together' for about 10 years, but i had no idea, i was young and played guitar with my head down, didnt ask anything, didnt assume anything, and i made the misktake of one day going up the singer and saying "why dont you sack the fat butch bitch manager, she's crap?"

2 lesbians going at me for about 30 mins. it shouldve been a dream.

 

[Big Poppa]

careful......

 

[robelinda2]

think it was my post that was the problem! true story though



edit- my apologies if i offended anyone. will delete/edit if requested.

 

[candid_x]

Rob, might be a good idea. I deleted mine.

Sorry, BP. Wasn't thinkin'.

 

[Astrofreq]

Easy way to ACE the audition. Get a really crappy player to go in before you with a HOT PINK BC RICH Warlock. You go in next and they'll think you are the second coming.

But seriously, be on time, ask what their goals are (for fun or for career?), do what YOU do, don't try to do just what they want. Also, don't just hang around forever. Play with each other for a bit and leave it at that, especially if they have others lined up after you. Make them think they need you more than you need them. If it's a cover band, snag the good players and start an original band.

 

[jaxadam]

show up with a taco bell sack full of grilled stuffed burritos. they're grilled, so they're good to go.

 

[fogman]

Foggy there are several parents on this forum that have many ebmm's....i thhink that you secretly play a peavey!

The kids thing was meant as a pathetic comeback!
What else can I say?

PEAVEY!!!! My pulse is weakening....... That was a good hit. ... Need help...

Foggy... you OK? Just stay down... don't get back up and fight... just stay down!

I've never auditioned, but I think all the advice here is narrowed down to: be yourself, have fun, and give it your best shot! Sounds good to me.



.

 

[GuitarHack]

OK lets really distill this audition thing

1. Laugh at every single joke that the lead singer makes.

2. Do not tell any jokes that are funnier than the ones that the lead singer tells.

3. Ask the lead singers chick if she can hear the vocals ok

4.everytime the lead singer just give a nod of approval and a confident smile.

5. Tell the lead singer that you like thai food also.

6. When lead singer isnt looking make a sour face at the bass player and drummer that is aimed at the lead singer

BP, LOL, I know this appears to be in jest, but I understand all good humor is based on truth.

I quit two otherwise enjoyable bands because the singer was an arrogant a**hole. I couldn't stand either of them. It was years later I realized, maybe that's what to takes to do that thang in front of people. So the singer has a big ego? Comes in handy when he's got to talk to the people in the seats while I'm fumbling around changing a string, or realizing my pedals are plugged in backwards.

So that is my humble advice; understand the singer may not be fun to be around, but a "look-at-me" ego that needs to be fed is pretty much part of the job description. Don't feel like you have to like the guy (or gal) enough to hang out with.

 

[GuitarHack]

If you're auditioning to be the rhythm guitarist, don't play louder or faster (or better) than the lead guitarist. Once you're "in", the positions will sort themselves out.....

And just remember, it is all for fun - it's gotta be fun or else it is just work, dressed up in a different set of clothing. If they are interested enough in giving you an audition opportunity, they must think you will be a good fit....

+1

I'm usually the guitarist who gets demoted...to tambourine...

 

[SteveB]

1) play in tune

2) don't suck


That should cover it.

 

[Eilif]

Imagine they are all just wearing their underwear.

 

[Ponch]

Imagine they are all just wearing their underwear.

haha that's very funny Eilif..gosh..

but seriously..i think i will never be prepare to any audition..I just simply go to the any audition, crank out your amp, play your guitar and be yourself. good luck with your audition !!

 

[peterd79]

OK... so funny story... i think it applies here... just happened tonight

I'm replying offering advice for a musician seeking advice for auditions...

I say...
Be prepared, check pedals for fresh batteries if you don't use a powersupply... what not... I go into church tonight for practice and I just got my amp re-covered, re-tubed and biased and I'm jacked ready to play...

The drummer gives his counts... 1...2...1...2..3...4.... i hit the first chord nothing... i check everything...
I forgot that my chorus pedal runs off batteries and I forgot to put a fresh one in... it was beyond dead and i just had to laugh...

so... if part of your set up is pedals make sure you've got spare 9v batteries hanging around....

 

[brusdon]

If you were auditioning for my band, I'd just want someone who was interested in the music we were playing, and had some input. There's nothing worse than a band member who just sits there and agrees...

That reminds me... I need to get a new bass player

Good luck!

 

[Jonny Dubai]

Be yourself. Get a good tone and know the songs.

 

[Smellybum]

1. Don't Wear SPandex
2. Be yourself
3. Don't go off to solo land and forget to comeback having fallen to your knees.
4. when you've finished playing offer to split early to let them discuss you

It means you'll be home before they are and ready to take their call!!!

 

[EddieVanZ]

Hi mate,
be tuned
keep your volume a couple of notch below the lead guitarist (hierarchy)
don't complain with the tracklist, even if it contains 'moonlight shadow'
don't miss a beat
never lend your EBMM to the 'other' axeman in the band....

just for a laugh, stay relaxed and you'll got the job.

Break a leg
Marco aka Eddie VZ

 

[SteveB]

Great advice about checking batteries. I've been tripped up by that in the past.
Now I use a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 unit so that I don't have to keep popping 9-volts into my pedals!

Also, if your guitar takes a battery (for piezo or silent circuit or active pickups) put a fresh one in there.

Have extra strings in your case, and take a backup guitar if you have one. Make sure they're tuned the same so that you can swap quickly if a string breaks.

Since you're going for a rhythm spot, make a conscious effort to lock in with the drummer and bass player. Nothing is as devastating as a really tight rhythm section!

Avoid volume wars.

 

[candid_x]

Great advice about checking batteries. I've been tripped up by that in the past.
Now I use a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 unit so that I don't have to keep popping 9-volts into my pedals.

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