Home › Forums › Guitar Techniques and General Discussions › Bombed a band audition
- This topic has 14 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 11 months ago by Bob S.
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April 29, 2019 at 6:08 am #131658
I have really wanted to join a band for a while now. I play hours everyday. Working on theory, lessons, exercises, etc. I have been playing for a number of years. Really thought I was finally making some good progress, and could see myself advancing. I went to meet a guy about joining his band. I was shocked to find that I couldn’t do anything. Sounded terrible, couldn’t follow simple chord progressions, just froze. It was literally like I just started learning to play. Then he asked me what songs I know, or like to play. Couldn’t come up with even one song I know all the way through. Very frustrating and discouraging. Starting to think that I just don’t know how to practice. It’s been hard getting back to it since this happened last week.
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April 29, 2019 at 6:59 am #131664
Have a cold drink and call it “stage fright”. Keep going and don’t give up. You’re a fine guitar player.
The melody of the notes is what expresses the art of music . 🙂 6stringerPete
It really is all about ”melody”. The melody comes from a language from our heart. Our heart is the muscle in music harmony. The melody is the sweetness that it pumps into our musical thoughts on the fretboard. 🙂 6 stringer Pete
Pete
Active Melody
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April 29, 2019 at 7:11 am #131667
Scotty,
Sounds like you jumped right into the deep end. Maybe find another guitar player you’re compatible with and can work through mistakes at your own pace and without judgement and start building a repertoire. It’s a whole other skill to play in time with somebody else, hear the chord changes and to keep going after a mistake. I’m sure you’re better than you’re feeling right now.
John -
April 29, 2019 at 7:44 am #131672
Yeah, stage fright I would point my finger at too.
You a superb guitarist but like the rest of us we spend too much time worried about what others think of us, what they think is their problem though..
Next one will go better, just don’t forget to breath and all will go well...Billy..
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April 29, 2019 at 8:03 am #131673
It’s happened to any of us that have played in bands…..and that doesn’t even count the mistakes on stage after your in the band!!! Take it as experience and try again. But a few thoughts:
If you haven’t already, play at jam nights somewhere or jam with friends, it will take reduce the nerves and get you used to starting and ending things, songs or extended jams. This is a must before auditioning in my opinion. You’ll get timing and the feeling of a band.
From experience, your gear will not sound the same out there as it does in the house, too many variables, so be ready for that, if you’ve jammed out, then you’ll know what to expect and how you will actually sound out there.
Practice playing standing up, it’s different and causes problems if you’re not used to it.
Take an audition as a job interview with the same seriousness….which means learn about your audience and the decision makers if you can, but at a minimum you should know what type of music they play and actual songs from their set list all the way through including solos if you’re the lead guitar, this is as you now know critical.
I’m sure there’s many more but these are my key items. First auditions are always memorable, I was 14 I think and was asked to play Johnny B Good along with the band as lead guitar, the singer was very good and kind of a local legend….everything was going great got through that intro unharmed, but was so excited I started the solo way too early and cut off the singer mid verse, holy sh……the look I got from him still cuts through me to this day…I was asked to stay, but learned a great lesson on the discipline required on stage to make things work and sound good.
Regroup, start jamming if you don’t, and try again….and again till it works.
be well,
Roberto
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April 29, 2019 at 11:43 am #131683
Hi Scott sorry to hear that. I know first hand what you mean and honestly I have no idea. it happened last year to me and i still wondering. Really frustrating Indeed. I don’t know What happens in those moments..stage fright? It could be, or maybe it’s just our hyper self critisism, maybe who plays with us doesn’t notice our mistakes(I’m pretty sure in live gig most of the people is focused on his performance, is not like listening or watching a recorded tune is it?).
Maybe We should focus on repertoire acting as members of an immaginary band..maybe just 3/4 super famous tunes.
Moreover as john and Roberto said it could helpful a) find someone to build up a list b) open jam sessions; c) play just for fun (always)
Having said that don’t give up because you are a great player !!!
Ale -
April 29, 2019 at 11:48 am #131685
Scotty,
The deer in the headlights experience is pretty normal. You have been given some great recommendations by the others. Also just going to a couple of open Mike Nights or Blues Jams in your area and just watching will help. Hang in there though. There is nothing like playing with others.
Gene
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April 29, 2019 at 1:12 pm #131692
Hi Scotty,
I felt for you when I read your post, but if you’ve never played in a band before, you may well of jumped in too deep too soon. So try not to be too disheartened. I think the advice you’ve been given above is absolutely ‘on the button’
Gene summarised it when he said ‘There’s nothing like playing with others’ and it doesn’t matter how much you’ve practiced on your own, Gene’s comment still holds true.
In order to get you going, I would repeat the advice above and start by playing with perhaps one other singer/player and work up from there.Maintaining a constant tempo throughout a number is the most difficult task when you play for yourself and is also the first thing you lose when you stop playing with other people. That changes when you play with others.
I admire your aspiration Scotty and the first night nerves will soon be a thing of the past. I’m also sure you’ll get there but perhaps with one step at a time.Richard
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April 29, 2019 at 1:49 pm #131693
Lots of good suggestions and shared experiences from AM members.
I’ve been there too, many times.
My solution was twofold:First, I developed my own short set list of basic “songs” that anyone else could play:
I-IV-V slow blues
I-IV-V blues shuffle (same as slow blues but uptempo with a different rhythm)
I-IV vamp (Santana’s Evil Ways; SRV’s Lenny)
Learn them cold in the regular keys (E, A, C, G, D) – ps CAGED system really comes in handy for this
So now I’ve got 3 “songs” under my fingers that everyone can play, and with my well-rehearsed solo on each.The second part of my strategy is also mentioned above: find a music buddy (2nd guitar, or bass, or keyboard), someone to jam with once a week and just nail these 3 “songs”; then go to an open mic as a “band” and now you’ve got a pre-rehearsed set and moral support and then you just do your thing.
Also, doing this gave me a lot of confidence and it’s been fun and it’s like a solid framework that I can just step into. So someone asks me what song I know, I say “slow blues in A” and away we go.
I put together my 3-song set list a long time ago and just keep going back to it over and over, keeping it fresh under my fingers.
I still stumble through stage fright but at least this gives me a fighting chance, and lots of satisfaction.
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April 29, 2019 at 3:29 pm #131701
Scotty,
I feel you brother, It happens to everybody. It’s part of the plan. Don’t get discouraged. Just keep at it and then all of a sudden it will happen for you, I promise.
hint: learn 3 songs that you like and learn them well. Then go to the open mics.
Rgds,
Pat FALL IT TAKES TO WRITE A SONG IS........3 CHORDS AND THE TRUTH!
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April 29, 2019 at 4:22 pm #131703
I recently asked a guitar player from a band to play me a song, and he couldn’t. He didn’t know a single standalone song, but he knew the parts of the songs he had to play with the band. I Know about 10 standalone songs, but I can only play about half of them with no mistakes immediately. The other half, I would have to play them through a couple of times to refresh my memory. On the other hand, if you put on a basic jamtrack like Moose mentioned, I could play some licks that would fit reasonably well. Stuff like the 4-note lead we recently did for a monthly challenge is easy to play with a jamtrack, and sounds pretty good. If I were interviewing a guitar player for joining a band, I would want to know:
(1) Can this guy keep a rhythm?
(2) Does he have reasonably nimble fingers?
(3) Does he have a decent lick library?
(4) Does he know several styles of music, or is he a one-trick pony?So if I were going for an interview, I would try to put myself in the interviewer’s position and find out what things he wanted to know. I would find out what songs the band played, and practice some of them before the interview.
Sunjamr Steve
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April 29, 2019 at 8:06 pm #131711
Scotty,
I’ve never tried to join a formal band so take my advice with a grain of salt.I don’t know your experience or musical tastes, but if most of your playing is on your own, it’s quite different playing with others. The first time I played with a drummer, it took me a chorus or two to realize I wasn’t the time keeper.
I know a lot of folks on AM are blues fans. The blues is an easily accessible form of music. But I would not want to be a lead guitarist in a blues band. It takes a lot of experience to craft interesting blues solos for an hour (or more). If that’s the type of playing you aspire to, then I wish you luck.
For cover bands, you really need to learn songs. I have a friend who is a great piano player. When she visits, we usually end the night playing some music. A few months back she was over, and we played some generic blues. I had a piece of sheet music on the piano for Clapton’s unplugged Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out. I’ve played the rhythm part of that song for a long time and thought I could play the song. But soloing was another matter (not just pentatonic). Fast forward and she had a dinner party last week. Wanted to join with a singer and play some tunes. A singer adds another dimension because everything has to be scripted. The only way to do it is to practice together or play to the recording. We actually rehearsed a couple of times which I have never done before. I played Clapton’s solo and was tense leading up to it, but I had played so many times that it wasn’t that big a deal. Being super prepared is a start to overcoming anxiety.
So building repertoire is important, but you have play like it will be performed.
Hope that helps.
Bob -
April 29, 2019 at 11:24 pm #131733
Thanks everyone for the tips. All good advice. I think Bob nailed it,all of my playing and practice is by myself. This is why I am trying to evolve in to playing with others. It’s just been really hard to find people. Most of those I have met online want someone who already has experience with others, and is ready to jam. Most people aren’t looking to help out someone who needs experience playing with others. It’s like the whole job experience thing. Everyone wants you to have experience, but where do you get it to begin with…
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April 30, 2019 at 6:26 am #131747
Scotty, one thing that I feel was instrumental (pun intended) to me being more prepared in a band environment was the home recording projects I did on my own. Understanding how a song goes together, orchestrating not just different instrumental parts but different guitar parts into a song where everything has its own space is helpful, if not critical to transitioning into playing along with others. The cover songs and lesson challenges I have posted here in Active Melody were 100% played by me (with exception of drum tracks or piano tracks but they were still created by me). This will give you valuable insights into which parts can be or should be combined into what you might play, as well as how it would fit with what the rest of the band would play.
Another thing is having some experience playing in front of others, even if by yourself. Having the comfort level of playing to your ability when there are many sets of eyes on you is valuable experience that will come in handy down the road in a band situation.
Don’t give up on it… Hope this helps!
Mark
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April 30, 2019 at 11:09 am #131760
Scotty,
One additional thought. You might look into music schools or community groups were you live. I live in a small town, and the music school here had something called guitar orchestra. It was a group of adult guitarists who learn set arrangements to pieces culminating in a public performance. I spoke to the instructor and the only requirements were to have some experience with the guitar and to be able to read tab. Sometimes playing in a group of guitarists is easier than be the main player, and would certainly give you experience in playing with other musicians. There is also a rock choir group who perform at public events. Maybe you can find something along these lines in your area.
Bob
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