TONE TIPS FROM THE ROAD
PETER STROUD
The Big Audition
So you’ve received the rare audition call for
a band or artist that is actually recording
and touring. COOL! Whether they’re well
known or preparing for their first album
tour, the same amount of preparation is
necessary. I’m asked quite often about this
subject, so here are my suggestions, drawn
either from personal experience or that of
others. Obviously, I’ll be speaking from a
guitarist’s perspective, but the same applies
to any gig, really.
don’t. No wanking! More likely, the artist
prefers their songs to be played exactly as
recorded, or at least starting from there. It’s
always best to learn the material verbatim,
right down to the tones.
4. Practice the songs by playing along to
the CDs. They’ll probably ask you to work
up four to six tunes, maybe more. Make
sible, but with everything you need to get
the job done. If you can keep it down to a
few guitars, a simple pedalboard and one
amp, great. Or a couple of smaller amps
if you’re doing an A/B rig. Don’t come in
with a rack of fifteen guitars, a wall of amps
and a crew hauling your roadcases. They
won’t be impressed.
1. Do your homework. If it’s a famous artist, you may get the call from their management or from the artists themselves
(Don Henley called me… slight choke.) If
the latter, be careful not to be a goober
or a “fan.” If that’s the first impression
you make, the next call may be from the
management saying, “Thanks, but they’ve
found their guy.” Feel free to ask the questions you need to prepare properly and
get a feel for what they’re looking for, but
don’t be over the top. If you’re dealing
with the MD (Music Director), you should
find it much easier to cull necessary pointers and ask questions about the artist. You
can research a lot on your own. Buy all
available CDs (they may offer to send them
to you, but don’t expect it). View any live
DVDs they may have; this is the best way
to get an idea of what they may be looking
for and how to play the songs. Hit You Tube
for any live footage or interviews, read any
press or interviews on the internet. Do you
have any acquaintances who are personally
friendly with the band or artist? Find out
everything you can about them. Know who
(and what) you’re dealing with going in.
There are many
factors involved
in any audition,
but mainly the
artist is just
looking for that
unspoken “fit”—
a mix of playing
ability, feel with
the band, sound
and personality.
7. Don’t play too loud. If anything, make
them ask you to turn up. Try to balance
your volume against the drummer or the
other players. If you’re a drummer, gauge
how loud you play around the singer (if
you’re lucky, you’ll avoid the dreaded plexiglass!) and the rest of the band should then
hopefully set their volume around you. Or
at least the singer will tell the rest of the
band to turn down!
8. And finally, act like you own the gig. Not
cocky, but displaying total confidence, with
your head up. No shoe gazing or uncertainty. Be a good hang, but be aware if they’re
on a time frame. Make your lasting impression and get outta there.
the songs and parts come to you as second
nature. Then, learn more of their material
they may not have asked for. You’ll seriously
impress them if the audition is going really
well and they want to keep playing.
2. Try to schedule your audition to allow as
much time as possible to prepare. If they
must have you in the next day, plan on
staying up all night! I previously made the
mistake of scheduling an important audition (Don again) that required learning nine
songs with only two days to prepare. I survived on catnaps and eating meals standing
with a guitar around my neck.
5. It might help to make lead sheets for each
song (printed on a computer, big and bold)
with simple arrangements, the key (tuning
or capo?), which guitar or instrument to use,
and any notes on pedal or amp settings.
Anything to take the technical thinking out
of the picture so you can concentrate on just
playing your best. You’ll be surprised what
you’ll forget under pressure.
After the audition, when you’ve left the
building and your heart rate settles down
to normal, it’s then down to fate and circumstance—especially if they’re auditioning
a ton of players. Don’t take it personally if
you don’t get the gig. There are many factors involved, but mainly the artist is just
looking for that unspoken “fit”—a mix of
playing ability, feel with the band, sound
and personality. If you’re understanding
when they call to say you didn’t get the
gig (always an uncomfortable call for anyone to make), they’ll be way more likely
to refer you to someone else. It’s a small
community out there. Most artists, bands
and management look for cool personalities, exceptional or unique players and “low
maintenance,” meaning you don’t whine or
expect “star” treatment. But if you get the
gig… Then hats off to ya!
3. Unless you absolutely know the gig calls
for free-form playing and improvising,
6. Keep your audition rig as simple as pos-
Peter Stroud
Peter is co-founder of 65amps.
sherylcrow.com
65amps.com
