PlayPro - Tips & Tricks

Jam, jam and more jamming, too much jamming is never enough. Jamming gives you an opportunity to learn how to communicate musically and at the same time put into practice some of the concepts and techniques you have developed from this course. Many a good band has evolved out of a jam session.

You see the ad in the paper or stuck on the wall at the local music store and it appears like it’s the band for you. Your first contact with them will usually be by phone, but before you rush off and call them, be prepared. Write down everything you can about your ‘musical’ self - influences, styles, vocal ability, experience and include your equipment and transport facilities. Before you get to the audition, here are a number of things you can do to enhance your chances of being successful:

Check if they have any live gigs and go along. It’s possible you may be asked to sit-in for a couple of songs or a set and get the ‘gig’ at the gig (thereby heading everyone else off at the pass).
Before leaving for the audition, check your equipment - they won’t want to hear, “I left my strap/lead/pick/pedal at home, - or, It was working last time I used it”.
Ask for a copy of the band’s song list (repertoire) and any tapes they may have (including any tapes of the band’s versions or ‘live’ performances). Study them.
Be early for the audition. In fact being really early can sometimes work to your advantage, you get to hear the band, the songs you may be asked to play and how the person before you handles them.
Before getting into their songs, you may want to break the ‘ice’ by suggesting to play a 12 bar blues to get a ‘feel’ of the band.
You’re given the nod for a solo and you go for it - don’t try to show them everything you’ve got in the first few bars - you could end up with nowhere to go (which may be an anticlimax to what you hoped would be a ‘blow away solo’). Listen and play along with any other soloing artist - don’t over play, look for the ‘groove’ and lock into the feel.

Also listen to any advice offered. Even if you don’t get the ‘gig’, if you can walk away from each audition having learned something new, you will be adding to your musical knowledge and experience.