Major Auditions ?

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May 15th, 2005, 12:27 AM
CLWarunki

Has anyone ever been to an audition for a major label artist? I'm interested in hearing some stories of how things went, what did they ask, etc. (matricks, now is your chance to share the Vai story with the world [img]tongue.gif[/img] )

I have one in a week, and it's not a cattle call type thing, there will only be a select few... any tips to help me prepare some more?

Local drum hero Daniel Adair (now with Nickelback) got his 3 Doors Down big break when somone working at a studio recommended him and then he was called in on a very casual audition where they told him to play this and that... play in 7... play a polyrythm etc. He's a great drummer and they happened to like him at this "audition", the rest is history.
May 15th, 2005, 01:57 AM
Randy walker

treat it like any audition, they will probably give you a heads up prior to the day at what tunes to be prepared with.
May 15th, 2005, 02:09 AM
Henry II

Quote:

Originally posted by CLWarunki:
Has anyone ever been to an audition for a major label artist? I'm interested in hearing some stories of how things went, what did they ask, etc. (matricks, now is your chance to share the Vai story with the world [img]tongue.gif[/img] )

I have one in a week, and it's not a cattle call type thing, there will only be a select few... any tips to help me prepare some more?

Local drum hero Daniel Adair (now with Nickelback) got his 3 Doors Down big break when somone working at a studio recommended him and then he was called in on a very casual audition where they told him to play this and that... play in 7... play a polyrythm etc. He's a great drummer and they happened to like him at this "audition", the rest is history.

Learn their music as cold as you can. Be totally prepared mentally and physically. Say to yourself over and over and over "I can do it."
May 15th, 2005, 04:27 AM
Tom Hipskind

Chris,

Also remember to bring a good vibe to the band, connect and have fun with them! Don't be tight. That goes such a long way.

It may help to think of it as a "two-way" audition and see if the GIG is right for YOU (as well as the other way around).

Best of luck!
-Tom
May 15th, 2005, 01:36 PM
Lee Collins

Remember to take plenty of homemade cookies to give out to the band members, also, loads of free beer, and remember to slip the bandleader $100. It'll work like a dream. [img]wink.gif[/img]
May 15th, 2005, 03:27 PM
matricks

Quote:

matricks, now is your chance to share the Vai story with the world

Yes! I have to get my pics of that up on here! Nothing like showing up and having Vai slap down the Black Page in front of you when you don't know how to play it... makes you feel weird for showing up in a pink G-string and a feather glow-in-the-dark boa [img]confused.gif[/img]

[ May 15, 2005 03:26 PM: Message edited by: matricks ]
May 15th, 2005, 03:40 PM
Rhythmatist

Don't try to impress; play for the tunes and groove deep. Also, keep in mind there's more to the audition process than how well you can play the material. They will also be looking for a personality fit as well. They'll want to know if your attitude, behaviors, mannerisms even your physical appearance, are in line with the artistic goals and public image they are attempting to convey. Above all, they will be looking for an individual they can get along with as well as be productive.
May 15th, 2005, 04:35 PM
Dazzler

LOL Rudy! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

I can't really add anything to this as I think the guys have got it covered:

Try to find out what tunes they want you to play and memorise them so you feel totally at ease. If you don't get the info, then learn a couple anyway, you may get achance to suggest to them that you'd like do do a couple of their tunes.
They may get you to 'jam' with the band, so this will be a good oportunity to gel with the band members.
Make an effort to look up and make eye contact with the rest of the guys, this will show them that you are alert and attentive to what's going on and what they are playing.

Be musical and play for the music. If there is an opurtunity (withinin the context of a piece) to put a bit of 'you' in there, then stamp YOUR sound on the band. By this, I don't mean that you should whack in a couple of Blushda's for the sake of it! [img]wink.gif[/img]

As has been mentioned, be pleasant and amiable (I'm sure you are naturally!) and take time to chat to the guys and find out where they are coming from both musically and socially - without coming across as too 'schmoozy!'

Have fun and enjoy it. I have had friends that have auditioned for major artists here in the UK and didn't get the gig. This doesn't stop them from being amongs the best musicians I know and at the end of the day, you should remeember that if you don't get the gig, thgen it may not be a slur on your playing or who you are as a person. It could just be that you were simply not right for the band, after all, a new member has to click with the other musicians and not just be a wicked drummer.

Good luck Chris and let us know how you get on. [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/music.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]
May 15th, 2005, 06:14 PM
got_a_matchgrip

Good advice.

And yeah, don't "whack in a couple of [img]redface.gif[/img] -das for the sake of it"...[there's a reason why they call it that]...
[img]wink.gif[/img]

[ May 15, 2005 03:15 PM: Message edited by: got_a_matchgrip? ]
May 15th, 2005, 06:14 PM
Groovesmitty

I auditioned for Britney Spears.
Ricky Minor called me to do it. One thing I realized is that they kind of know who they want before the auditions actually begin.
I was told that Teddy Campbell was the guy, but they were still checking people out. Some auditions I've been on, they don't prepare you at all, they want to hear your instincts.

Vai put the Black Page in front of you? Why? He should know that most professional drummers have played that already. I have it memorized. I consider it an advanced drummers "Syncopation" or "Stick Control". I love when they put something like that in front of you, and you already know it, but you don't let on.

Good Luck, and remember most wedding bands are more lucrative and have more work than most new major label acts. I've been playing weddings on LI for over 10years and I make around 2,000-3,000 per week and I get to stay home. Being on T.V and radio get old after a while. Especially when the money is short.
Have fun, and try not be nervous.
May 15th, 2005, 06:46 PM
Timbata

$2000 - $3000 a week in a wedding band!! Wow, You guys must really play the Sh*%t out of the Electric Slide & Y.M C A.
May 15th, 2005, 07:50 PM
got_a_matchgrip

Quote:

Originally posted by TImbata:
$2000 - $3000 a week in a wedding band!! Wow, You guys must really play the Sh*%t out of the Electric Slide & YMCA

LMAO

DAY-ammmm...don't 4get "[HEY,] Macarona [Aaaa-AH!]"

...& mebbe [Don't You Know that You're My-] Hero...[I guess that's the same as "Wind Beneath My Hindquarters -er, Wings"]

... & [still] After the Lovin', Mac the Knife, & NY, NY... /;cp

Or...Like A Virgin... /;cp

If I never hear the ES, YMCA, Macarooni, & Wind Beneath My Hero again in my life, it'll be almost like paradise. Oh yeah, & I'm Too Sexy 4 My Shi[r]t by Nuff Said, Freak. [j/k - or am I?!]

I think KGee outghta release a smooth-j*zz duo version of I'm Too Saxy for My Shirt, with a healthy side order of Yawny ivory [but not necessrily ebony] tickling... j/k, i jest.

I possibly expect another visit from mat or 5, & mebbe a couple others, b4 we get this ship back on course...mebbe.

Didn't mean to veer over into the corn field; just had to follow TIm's [AWA mats] incredibly comedic lead.

[ May 15, 2005 09:39 PM: Message edited by: got_a_matchgrip? ]
May 15th, 2005, 08:39 PM
benrand

Do you guys know any Skynyrd?
May 15th, 2005, 08:46 PM
troutbrooke

Quote:

Originally posted by Groovesmitty:
Vai put the Black Page in front of you? Why? He should know that most professional drummers have played that already. I have it memorized.

You have it memorized? Yikes! That's impressive, but I can't help but wonder why anyone would have it memorized. Did you work on it that much? I remember ordering the sheet music for the Black Page back in the early eighties, and working on it for a few weeks and playing it, but I don't think I EVER had it memorized (except for the first half - MAYBE).

Did you actually play that in a band? Live? In front of an audience? That must have been exhilarating AND rewarding.

Although I don't think of The Black Page as a masterpiece or anything, it's definitely a challenge to 'hear' those groupings. I would have to disagree with your statement that most professional musicians already know it though.
May 15th, 2005, 10:00 PM
Groovesmitty

I expected those responses, I'm laughing out loud.
Yes, the repetoire can be a bit, let's say, unattractive.
I'm also a partner in the band, but we pay the musicians who aren't partners around $600.00 per 5hour reception. And we play around 4 gigs a week. I get to stay home, see my wife and children, while still making music my life.
I studied at PIT and all the students at the time were learning the Black Page. I worked on it under the guidance of Ralph Humphrey. I have never played it with a band. I do know it from memory as do a few other drummers that I went to school with.
I wasn't saying that to brag. I'm not what I would consider a great player. I thought that learning the Black Page was common amongst drummers who are into odd groupings.
I'm more of a jazz drummer than anything else.
Best of luck CL, keep us informed.
May 15th, 2005, 11:00 PM
troutbrooke

Quote:

Originally posted by Groovesmitty:
I wasn't saying that to brag.

I didn't get the feeling that you were bragging, just being matter of fact, but still, having that piece of music memorized after all those years is impressive.

I'd like to compose my own little polyrhythmic tour de force a la Black Page someday.

As for the gig doing weddings and casuals, I can relate to that too. I used to play with a wedding band over ten years ago, and this band was charging between $5,000 and $8,000 per night back THEN. The band was amazing, with great players.

I could only handle playing that stuff for a few months though. It wasn't for me. I didn't become a musician just to make a living. Music means too much to me and I need to be playing music that I love. If I can't play music that means something to me, I won't do it. It got to the point that I started hating playing.

This isn't a slight against wedding bands either...I got the same feelings playing with various pop and rock bands too. It's a curse.

It's one thing to be given free reign to be creative within a framework, but merely being a human timekeeper is an insult to a drummer/musician.
May 15th, 2005, 11:29 PM
CLWarunki

[quote]Originally posted by drumming sort of person:

Quote:

It's one thing to be given free reign to be creative within a framework, but merely being a human timekeeper is an insult to a drummer/musician.

I totally agree. Infact I passed up a major gig when I was 19 because of this... then again if I get the gig I am going for now I have a feeling it will not be very creatively rewarding, but I can play in the minor leagues and be creative all my life and not make a cent... you need to go pro at some point. Look at Bozzio, he is one of the most creative drummers of all time but when he started with Zappa he was playing Zappa's music and note for note. Now where is the creativity in that!? Now he can do whatever the hell he wants and there are no limits. You know what I mean?
May 15th, 2005, 11:50 PM
troutbrooke

Quote:

Originally posted by CLWarunki:
Look at Bozzio, he is one of the most creative drummers of all time but when he started with Zappa he was playing Zappa's music and note for note. Now where is the creativity in that!?

There may not be much creativity there (the same could be said for the role of a musician in any orchestra playing the classics) but there is still interpretation of music that one believes to be important, not to mention the challenge of pulling off something technically difficult.

He was hardly being a 'human timekeeper'....

[ May 15, 2005 08:50 PM: Message edited by: drumming sort of person ]
May 16th, 2005, 12:31 AM
got_a_matchgrip

GS, that's not bad $ for sidemen in a wedding band, at least down in the SE-US neck of the woods. I do realize you're on LI, so your marketing strategies [AWA the band] sound pretty on. I know there's a lot of wealthy dads [& moms] marrying off their daughters [& sons] in that neck of the woods... ;c)

Quote:

Originally posted by benrand:
Do you guys know any Skynyrd?

LMAO

"FREEEE BIIIIRRRD!" [coming from the back of the room, by one of the "wet"-bars]

["You guys do any Zeppelin?"]

Now back to the regularly scheduled topic.

[ May 15, 2005 09:43 PM: Message edited by: got_a_matchgrip? ]
May 16th, 2005, 01:40 PM
Groovemeister

WOW!

That is sooo much money to be making a week out of weddings!!! HA HA HA!!! MAN!!! [img]rolleyes.gif[/img]

Anyways,

think how many people can play the music you're auditioning for. I'll bet every single one of us on this board could play it upside down. The point is, how you click with the band.

If you walk in smiling, compliment their songwriting, (whilst not kissing ass) keep your eyes on the other players the whole time and remember to smile - you stand 150% more chance that the guy who plays the same parts (however musicially) and does none of this "extra credit" stuff.

Remember, if you are going to be in a bad with them, they've got to like you!!

MP
May 16th, 2005, 02:08 PM
Gary Linieres

I totally agree with Mark P on his comments. We have been auditioning bass players for my band and we have seen a bunch of them. I would say at least 50% of them are technically up to it...but none of them have really made us feel comfortable enough that we want to let them into our lives and spend the hours and hours that you have to when touring, recording and rehearsing.

It is 50% ability and 50% personality....both of those factors need to be under control and well presented in the most natural way you can muster.

I think you should be yourself and relaxed as if you were jamming with a bunch of friends and the rest will take care of itself...if it doesn't the next one will....or the one after that.

Don't stress about it....that's when we aren't ourselves.
May 16th, 2005, 07:09 PM
got_a_matchgrip

Quote:

Don't stress about it....that's when we aren't ourselves

That's one of the best things I've seen in here [of the many]. Too [img]cool.gif[/img] .
May 16th, 2005, 07:13 PM
CLWarunki

Yeah great point - but then again at the same time you don't want to look like you are bored or don't give a damn, you know? So I guess it's about finding that balance.
May 16th, 2005, 07:19 PM
got_a_matchgrip

Quote:

it's about finding that balance

There's another one... [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]cool.gif[/img]