Drum auditions

So lets talk about auditions. Do and Dont etc.

I went to an audition earlier this week. I learned the music, charted it out and played it like the recordings pretty much. I felt like I nailed the audition, and they even seemed impressed.

I got the word next day that there was someone else who looked like they were getting it.

I am beating myself up like crazy, and wondering what it was that I could have done different. The only thing I can really think of, is they did not like the fact that I have a day job and a family, so I may be a little more tied down compared to someone who only does music for a living and nothing tying them down.

Sucks, because I wanted the gig soo bad and felt like I had nailed it! I am just second guessing myself and my abilities now.

Sometimes the notes are played right, but something just doesn't "feel" right. I've played with a group for YEARS where everyone simply played the notes, but there was absolutely no groove at all. You may have done everything right, but there may not have been any chemistry there for them.

And the personal stuff can count too as part of the audition. While normal businesses can't discriminate, bands sure can. If you have a group of guys in their 20s with nothing holding them back, a person coming in with a family and a day job can be seen as an anchor holding them back. I was actually thinking about this today...about how my "phone stopped ringing" after my first child was born. When I was in my 20s, I was in two bands that played out in addition to playing at church a few times a week. It was crazy, but I played all of the time.

I wouldn't sweat it. If you have a family and a day job, look for another band that has members with families and/or day jobs. It'll be a much better fit. This is what I did, and it's working out well.

Best of luck!

Their loss mate!

From experience, I think playing well is sometime only part of the process. Other elements get factored in such as - age, commitments, location, musical interests and so on.

Some of which can often be considered more important than your playing ability. A shame really, but that's how it goes. At the end of the day, if you were pleased with your performance, that's all that should matter! There are plenty of other bands out there looking for drummers

Excellent observations from the Miles & Pork (I hope we're on a first username basis!)

The fit is at least as important as the playing. It can be a personality thing, maybe looks/hair/clothes, perhaps your kit didn't look good enough, or maybe it looked too nice. Not every audition works out, and that's fine. If the other players sense that you're not the right fit, that saves you headaches down the line.

Unfortunately, even though you feel you did well, it's really not your call as to whether you're right for the group. keep an eye (and ear) out for other opportunities, and keep at it.

I wrote an article on the topic for DRUM! (July, 2017) Check it out for a little more perspective.

Bermuda

Don't second-guess your abilities. That could be a case of venturing into a negative fantasy land. I do that on occasion. Automatic Negative Thoughts. ANTs everywhere!

If they SAY something about your abilities, give it thought, and come up with a plan to work that out if they have a point.

As others have said, it's not always music ability.

I lost a TON of auditions in the 80s, simply by walking through the door. I did not have a rock or metal "look." My hair was really fine and thin. Near the end of the 80s, I kept it short for my paying Pee-Wee Herman gigs. Boy, NO rock band wanted me then. Playing ability didn't matter. I was usually not even given a chance.

I had the misfortune of parking near a "band meeting" in the parking lot of Sound Arena one night. This band was giving their drummer a really hard time, because he refused to wear full-length, tight leather pants during performances. Anyone here can see the problem with that. They could not. Before I could finish unpacking my trunk, he got his walking papers. I'll bet they ask auditioning drummers if they'd be willing to wear full-length, tight leather pants during performances.

Try to think about it this way: If you fit into every situation that you ever shot for, there'd probably be nothing special about you or what you do.

I suspect that everyone reading this has gotten rejected. The Beatles got rejected.

I've gotten rejected for the crime of playing in a way that sounded too much like the record.

And I've rejected bands, too. Maybe they party too hard, or don't seem to be able to get it together. Something could be wrong, or maybe something just doesn't seem right.

I once even bowed out of an audition because after every song, the guitarist would have a comment about the tempo. That was a bit fast, that was a bit slow. Didn't matter if the tempo was on-spot, he still had something to say. It became grating after a while, so I figured that someone who is a bigger person than me should take the spot. It had nothing to do with his talent at all. I consider it a "lack of chemistry."

Don't be down on yourself. I don't think that you are the problem, or a problem.

Perhaps you could thank the band for the audition and ask a favour, ask them for feedback from the band and what it is that they didn't like about your playing? If there was something genuinely wrong with what you were doing such as racing, pulling back, hitting too hard, hitting too softly etc. you can work on that or choose to ignore it.by which I mean ask at your next audition, "was that ok? Was it loud enough or too loud?" for example. And if the band just didn't feel any chemistry then that's something else that's fairly easy and inoffensive enough to answer you with.
I was a part of enough auditions back in the day when after a bass player or singer left the room we would all look at each other and just go, "nah". Not a reflection on their talents, just the way it is.

Dude, never second guess yourself. Attitude and perception go a long way in defining your sound.

Part of the drumming game is confidence, and it's not even always the best players that make it or even get the gig, it's the guys who have the confidence to keep going even after they come up short.

Imagine playing with Steely Dan for example:

In the late 70's, they would have as many as 10-15 different drummers come in to record a single track, and they would put them through the ringer. In the end they'd pick the best track and that would go on the album. So you'd have guys like Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdie, Peter Erskine, Jim Keltner, or Jeff Porcaro recording takes that DIDN'T get chosen to be on the album. These are some of the greatest guys to ever touch the instrument and even they were having sometimes lesser known players chosen over them.

Yes, you are over-thinking this. There are just some things in life and this universe you will never know why it happened. Don't beat yourself up.

Say meh... You gave it 100%.

When's your next audition/challenge?

You're getting good advice here. I'm currently also auditioning with bands for the drum chair. It's hit & miss on all sides which is expected and OK. A couple years ago, I wasn't chosen on an audition that I thought I killed it. Went & saw the band perform 6 months later and have to say I was glad I didn't get it. The band just wasn't the right feel for what I was looking for and by then I had found something much better.

Remember also, that in every audition, you're auditioning them too. I auditioned this week with a seemingly promising band but left the audition feeling like it really isn't quite what I'm currently looking for.

It's like dating, it takes a while to find the right situation. And, a lot more is involved than just playing abilities. It's also worthwhile to take your time because, hopefully, you're going to live with the choice for a while and invest significant time & effort in a band project.

PS. I'll also add that some of the most productive feedback I've gotten is asking for what they liked/didn't post-audition. I've specifically worked on noted deficiencies and become a MUCH better drummer in the last few years because of it. It can sometimes be hard to hear, but if you can get past initial defensiveness, the feedback you get can be a goldmine for improvement.

A good way to think of it is that you are applying for a job.

You are most likely being judged by the $ potential you bring not your ability or how good the art is that is produced as an effect of your participation.

The truth of that decision will likely never be known to you...or even if the business decision is ethical.

Use the motivation you can take from the situation for the future - and be glad you didn't get into something you might not have wanted once the glad handing smoke clears.

Like others said, don't overthink it. I had few occasions when I didn't get the gig on the first try but I got called in a bit down the road. Just send them a thank you note for the addition, wish them good luck with their search and let them know that if they change their mind and you are still available, will be happy to give it a try. You can even follow up in few weeks if you are really into what they are doing. Just ask if they managed to find the right fit. Be curious and friendly, not desperate tho
Drummers are always on demand, so don't worry one bit. Good luck!

Hi 93civEJ1. If you did your best, don't beat yourself up over it. Chalk it up to experience and move on. You could ask them but, I would not because, it might make you look like you might be insecure. You don't know if someone in the band might need a drummer later on or pass your name on to some else but, that's just me.

Is that band a traveling band? or a weekend band? Back in the early 80's I replaced a drummer that his girl friend just told him a day before they were to play before recording executives at a club that she was breaking up with him. From what I found out, they had tempo and groove problems and now no recording deal. First thing they ask me was I married or did I have a girl friend. If I had either at the time the band did not want anything to do with me. I also found this with most bands that were working clubs, Holiday Inn's, Hilton's etc. at the time. It was the mental state of mind thing. Just concentrate on the music nothing else. Right, wrong that's the way it was back then.

Bottom line, don't over think this, kiss your wife and kids that's more important than playing IMO. They need you and believe me you need them.

Being in a band is like being in a relationship. Only with multiple people all at the same time. Sometimes it's a match and sometimes it isn't.

A lot of bands become a revolving door for members. When the chemistry is right you'll know.

93civEJ1 said:

I felt like I nailed the audition, and they even seemed impressed.

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Then you probably nailed it. But sometimes, the band auditioning doesn't really know what they're looking for until they see and hear it.

I auditioned once, and played well. The material wasn't too difficult, but I could tell they weren't going to choose me. So I asked them what, besides good drumming, they were looking for. They said "be interesting on stage". So I nodded, and showed them some stick tricks. Got the gig. Probably there were better drummers than me that were turned down.

93civEJ1 said:

The only thing I can really think of, is they did not like the fact that I have a day job and a family, so I may be a little more tied down compared to someone who only does music for a living and nothing tying them down.

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Could be. They might think they want a full-time musician, but a full-time pro usually has to juggle more than one band, and they're likely to grow tired of that.

You can (should?) call them to thank them for their time, and to please think of you if there are any changes down the road. Nice gestures like that get noticed sometimes. Or maybe you'll get a referral out of it.

It sounds like you nailed it and I bet you did. But imagine, maybe it was a tie...and they flipped a coin.

You know, Aynsley Dunbar could have had the gig with Hendrix instead of Mitch Mitchell, but it came down to a coin toss (so legend would have it)

I know nothing about drumming auditions, but my band auditioned for a lead guitarist.

Player 1 turned up with his rig which contained one or two pedals, and played very nicely.

Player 2 turned up with his rig that contained the Death Star of pedal rigs and played very nicely.

There was nothing between them playing wise, and they both seemed like nice guys. So I offered the position to player 1 simply because I had concerns that the player with the mahoosive pedal rig would be spending all his time fritzing with pedal setting, and all was good.

But wait...there's more! Before he'd even had a proper rehearsal with the band, player 1 called to say he had joined another band. At which point I called player 2, to tell him that things had changed and if he wanted in, he was welcome.

Oh, but wait, there's even more! A few weeks later player 1 called to say that his other band had fallen through, and was there still a space for him? My answer whymed with "cough".

Point to this story... As others have said, getting the gig often has an awful lot to do with things besides how you play, and those things may be completely arbitrary. As it happens, player 2 still plays with a rig that is only slightly more complex than the Death Star, but he never screws around with it during rehearsals or performances. Which just goes to show, those arbitrary judgments can be way off base!

93civEJ1 said:

So lets talk about auditions. Do and Dont etc.

I went to an audition earlier this week. I learned the music, charted it out and played it like the recordings pretty much. I felt like I nailed the audition, and they even seemed impressed.

I got the word next day that there was someone else who looked like they were getting it.

I am beating myself up like crazy, and wondering what it was that I could have done different. The only thing I can really think of, is they did not like the fact that I have a day job and a family, so I may be a little more tied down compared to someone who only does music for a living and nothing tying them down.

Sucks, because I wanted the gig soo bad and felt like I had nailed it! I am just second guessing myself and my abilities now.

Click to expand...

Not knowing if this was some kind of professional touring situation, I can only say that a majority of auditions will have mostly all drummers coming in and "nailing" it. In fact, "nailing" it will be the easiest thing to find. You can say it's elusive that "thing" others are looking for, but it could be something as simple as whether or not they felt comfortable with you personally. People display their vibes more than you know. If you're an easy-going guy, willing to please and pleasant, with a quick joke to ease tension, then would you pick someone who made you feel uncomfortable or tense? Those are factors.

I've also lost auditions because of trying too hard. Like being so eager to get it right that's it's the wrong vibe. Playing music is supposed to be fun and something that makes everyone relax and enjoy life. If your "I really want this gig" vibe is overpowering, then there you go.

Don't sweat it. There will always be other auditions, and maybe this audition opens other doors you didn't know about. I also went to one audition, didn't;t get that, and then someone else at the same audition calls me for something unrelated. That's cool too.

Instead of beating yourself up about and just assuming things that might be the reason they went with someone else you should just ask them, it could have been a number of different things that you'll have no idea about until you ask.

The band I'm in is a two-piece with me on drums and a singer/guitarist and we've been playing together for a few years, we've tried out a couple different people on bass and for totally different reasons none of them worked out. One guy didn't work out because we didn't really vibe well with the guy, he seemed cool and he was a great bassist but he didn't fit personality wise.

If you put that much effort into learning the songs it probably had nothing to do with your playing.

There can be a million reasons why they picked someone else. Have you thought of asking them why? Not that they would tell you the truth. When you see/hear them with their new drummer, maybe it will become clear.

Keep auditioning and you'll find the right situation soon enough, assuming you've got the requisite skills and personality.

Not impossible that they already had a drummer in mind, but were auditioning more as a formality or "just in case" they find a better fit. I have had that happen.