Let’s face it, whether we are auditioning for that next big tour, a spot with your favorite band, a studio position, a University music program or even your high school talent show, auditioning can be a nervous yet rewarding experience.
A friend of mine (who I’ll remain nameless) once had an audition to tour with Frank Zappa. He found out about the audition from a studio engineer/producer who was working with Zappa. It was legitimate and it was by invitation only. This audition, as well as most auditions, was not advertised in the local paper or in the music classifieds or on a flyer hanging at the local music store. This was from the insiders and people close to the artist. So the story goes...My friend showed up at a specific time and place. He checked in with the coordinator and entered the warehouse room for his “official audition”. He was given thirty seconds to look at a piece of music that he had never seen before and was expected to play it on sight (known as “sight reading”). After thirty seconds of glancing over the music, he launched into it and performed it masterfully. The person who was observing his performance commented on a “job well done” and asked him to continue to the next phase of the audition. He was led to another room, and he again had to sight read another piece of music, this time slightly harder than the one before. Well this continued for several more times and each experience progressively got harder. Finally after the fifth room or so, he walked into a smoke filled room and there sat Frank Zappa. Frank didn’t say much, but my friend could tell by the amount of smoke and the few things Frank asked him, that he was the first person to have reached this far in the audition. If he wasn’t nervous before, he certainly was now. He looked at the music and it was in 15/8 and it shifted meters and keys frequently. My friend was not only uptight because the music was challenging, he was also nervous being in the presence of Frank Zappa. Sadly my friend couldn’t cope with this nervousness and pressure and it resulted in a poor performance. After hearing my friend perform, Frank Zappa thanked him and said those dreaded words, “we’ll be in touch” as he ushered him to the exit door. My friend didn’t get the gig and needless to say, he was very disappointed.
Now granted, not all auditions work like the Frank Zappa experience. Every audition has its own demands and expectations. From reading music, to having prepared pieces or from simply being able to jam and improvise on the spot. Each audition can be as unique as the artists you may be auditioning for. Below, I have listed a few key points that you should consider before your next audition:
KEY POINTS:
* Know the music. Go that extra mile and memorize your part. In addition, learn the other parts such as the drum groove, the keyboard, the guitar, the melody, the harmony, the vocal line, the lyrics. Be able to voice the chord progression of the song on your bass. In other words, REALLY know the whole song not just your bass part.
* Come prepared. Bring extra chords, tuners, strings, batteries, straps, stands, amps and anything else that may be necessary.
* Make sure your equipment is setup and operating properly. No buzzes or equipment issues/malfunctions should be tolerated.
* Have a press pack with biography, CD of your work, picture. At the very minimum have a business card with your contact info.
* Be on time! In fact be early. There is never a second chance for first impressions!
* Expect that you will be nervous. Learn how to handle and cope with this energy and use this energy to your advantage. There are many books on the subject, one I would recommend is, “The inner Game of Music” by W. Timothy Gallwey and Barry Green.
* Finally, once you get the gig, the work has just begun. Be professional and prompt and always go that extra mile to keep the artist happy.
* Know the music. Go that extra mile and memorize your part. In addition, learn the other parts such as the drum groove, the keyboard, the guitar, the melody, the harmony, the vocal line, the lyrics. Be able to voice the chord progression of the song on your bass. In other words, REALLY know the whole song not just your bass part.
* Come prepared. Bring extra chords, tuners, strings, batteries, straps, stands, amps and anything else that may be necessary.
* Make sure your equipment is setup and operating properly. No buzzes or equipment issues/malfunctions should be tolerated.
* Have a press pack with biography, CD of your work, picture. At the very minimum have a business card with your contact info.
* Be on time! In fact be early. There is never a second chance for first impressions!
* Expect that you will be nervous. Learn how to handle and cope with this energy and use this energy to your advantage. There are many books on the subject, one I would recommend is, “The inner Game of Music” by W. Timothy Gallwey and Barry Green.
* Finally, once you get the gig, the work has just begun. Be professional and prompt and always go that extra mile to keep the artist happy.
The reality is that you are always auditioning, even if you already have the gig. I recently heard another story that pertains to this very situation, about a nameless trumpet player that was touring with Michael Jackson. This trumpet player had aced his audition and had already played dozens of shows with Michael Jackson. While touring, they had a few days off from performances and the musical director decided to call a rehearsal to go over some finer points in the show. Well this trumpet player arrived fifteen minutes late to the rehearsal already in progress. Nothing was said and no one pointed him out. He thought nothing of it and finished the rehearsal and headed back to his five star hotel. The next day, he arrived at sound check before the concert. In his place, was another trumpet player he didn’t recognize, and as he approached the stage to see who it was, the road manager handed him a plane ticket and directed him to the waiting taxi driver .
In short, he was fired for being fifteen minutes late to a rehearsal. So before your next audition, make that great first impression and maintain it! Take those key points to heart and always be professional on every level. Remember just because you may pass the audition and get the gig, doesn’t mean it’s permanent.