Orangutang Music

The Auditioning Process (Part 2)

Remember, first impressions count for everything.

In “The Auditioning Process (Part 1)” I outlined the three steps to the auditioning process and dealt with the first two steps in detail. Now, this post will deal with the final step – Face To Face Contact!

Let’s set the scene here.

You’ve fielded phone calls from prospective bass players and whittled it down from a cast of thousands to a handful of possibilities. It’s time to meet them face to face.

Before you start though, make sure you have a really good idea of what you want from a band member. Things to consider could be:

• Same playing level and experience as the band.
• Someone who knows what they are doing.
• Reliable equiptment
• Applicant mixes well with others members
• Shows committment to the project
• Anything else that you and your bandmates find important

On the day make sure you arrive at the designated rehearsal spot early and set up giving yourselves plenty of time. I say this because you are going to be just as nervous as the applicants that will be coming through the door. Relax and enjoy the day.

You are going to form a band. This is supposed to be the exciting part!

From the time the first applicant steps through the door here is the step by step process.

1. Did they arrive early, on time or late?
If they arrived late that is a bad start unless they contacted you beforehand. Don’t tolerate lateness, it’s not professional and that’s the reputation you and your band is trying to attain. Isn’t it?

Remember, first impressions mean everything and almost always what you sense in a first impression is usually correct. Musicians are notorious for being slack, don’t allow your fledgling band to perpetuate the stereotype.

2. Introduce yourselves
As a gesture of goodwill you might offer to help bring in the stuff from the applicants car. This is a good time to check out the reliability of the applicants car for yourself.

3. Warm up with a jam
This allows everyone to have some fun to start with and it also allows you to check out the applicants confidence and improvisational (jammimg) skills. This is very important for band songwriting sessions. You never know you might write the bands first collective song at this point.

4. Go through the pre-determined songs
Both you and the applicant over the phone agreed to learning two songs for the session. If the applicant says “Sorry, I didnt have time to learn it” then stop the session and say your goodbyes. The reason for the task was to see how much initial committment the applicant has to the project.

If the applicant is keen to show off their wares at this time then play the songs. This is where things could click together and the fun really starts.

5. Put down the instruments
You’ve seen what the applicant can offer your band, now is the time to make your offer to the applicant. Down the tools, find a comfy place and start talking about:

• Group direction
• What the band goals are
• What are the applicants expectations
• Rehearsal expectations

What you talk about here is a very individual thing and varies from band to band but what you want to do is to lay everything out on the table for the applicant to see.

6. Set a time in which you’ll call back with an answer
Thank them for their time and make sure you honour that promise. Call them back either way

7. Band debriefing – This is essential!!
Make sure that in your audition schedule you leave some time for everyone to get together (without the applicant there) and ask questions like:

“Well guys, what do you think of that one?”

Band consensus is everything in the auditioning process. And now for the last step.

8. Next applicant arrives, start again from step 1
Make sure that the process is the same for every applicant to ensure efficiancy and consistancy.

There you have it. It can go one of two ways.

Either you have to start the whole advertising and phone interviewing process again or you have found someone that you all agree would be a perfect addition to your band.

Once again I can’t stress strongly enough the importance of calling everyone who auditioned and letting them know either way (make sure you call the successful applicant last so you can end on a high note).

Once you have made you choice and contacted your new bass player with the good news it’s time to say…

“Congratulations, you now have a band!”

Until next time,

Corey Stewart
Orangutang Music

Keywords: indie music, independent music, music industry, music business, music marketing, music promotion, free band promotion, orangutang music, corey stewart

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