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persondude
Pulsing Member
it's going to be one of those "show us what you can do" deals. thing is, I'm entirely self-taught. I'm good at what I can do, but i have no clue how to go about showing that. any tips? 
eraos
Local Spiderman
Can you read music?
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mikeh
New member
Is it audition for a rock band, a pit orchestra, for a music scholarship, etc?
If it's for a band - I assume they play songs. Find out in advance what songs, if they are cover songs, learn the songs. If they are original songs, get a feel for the style and play in that style.
Normally, bands don't care how great you solo or if you can do blazing paradiddles - they want someone who can play a grovve, in time and hopefully someone who is not an asshole. If you can do that, you are as qualified as the next guy.
If the auditon requires reading - well, then you better have reading chops.
If it's for a band - I assume they play songs. Find out in advance what songs, if they are cover songs, learn the songs. If they are original songs, get a feel for the style and play in that style.
Normally, bands don't care how great you solo or if you can do blazing paradiddles - they want someone who can play a grovve, in time and hopefully someone who is not an asshole. If you can do that, you are as qualified as the next guy.
If the auditon requires reading - well, then you better have reading chops.
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Greg_L
Banned
I think mikeh is right. I'm a lot like you; self taught with no formal training or technical expertise. Unless the music really calls for it, you don't need to be a fill-master. Just keep a good groove and play with confidence. Stay within your abilities and keep the beat going strong. If it works, it works. If not, theres a billion other bands that need a drummer.
eraos
Local Spiderman
Yeah, I guess "what's the audition for?" would have been a better first question.
TragikRemix
I am NOT a Gear Whore. ;)
i almost asked what instrument, but then realized we are in the drums forum 
i would get right into a groove. anybody is going to want to see that you can hold a beat and hold it well. start simple and clean. throw a nice fill, go back to the beat, cept' intensify it, do some crazy off beat stuff, let that grow into an all out drum solo and blow their minds thats all anyone can ask for, wether its a band, school etc.
i would get right into a groove. anybody is going to want to see that you can hold a beat and hold it well. start simple and clean. throw a nice fill, go back to the beat, cept' intensify it, do some crazy off beat stuff, let that grow into an all out drum solo and blow their minds
thats all anyone can ask for, wether its a band, school etc.
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persondude
Pulsing Member
Sorry bout the confusion. This is for a guy working at a local indie label. He offered to hook me up with a band he knows or possibly his own project. All mostly middle of the road rock, as far as I know. I can read music, but not well. I CAN play along to most anything if I keep it relatively simple. So I guess that's just what I'll do. Thanks, guys.
Lt. Bob
Spread the Daf!
Timing is the key ..... whatever you play ..... do it in time. If you can keep very good time you'll get the gig. Most bands'll feel they can get you to learn the style so they're gonna mainly go by what the groove feels like so just be sure to be in time.
RezN8
Blick-um, blick-um...
All great advice so far! I'd like to add some tips on preparation. For the next few days before the audition, it's a good idea to spend a few hours working with a metronome at different speeds. Play your basic rock beats as solid and groovin as you can. I'd say do at least 5 minutes each at 80bpm on up to 120 or even 130bpm.
Keep the fills tight and make sure you land back on the one every time.
Good luck! Rez
Keep the fills tight and make sure you land back on the one every time.
Good luck! Rez
BentRabbit
New member
Be sure to try and lock into the bass player's groove...
If there's a chemistry happening between you two, it'll be noticable by everyone involved.
Good luck!
If there's a chemistry happening between you two, it'll be noticable by everyone involved.
Good luck!
JoeyPazera
New member
Definatly find out waht kind of music they play and stuff, and learn any songs you can that they play.
The number one turn off for a new drummer is bad timing. Play slower if you have to to get good time. Dont over do it either, unless you can land everything. Sloppy is bad. Play in the pocket if you know what i mean.
The number one turn off for a new drummer is bad timing. Play slower if you have to to get good time. Dont over do it either, unless you can land everything. Sloppy is bad. Play in the pocket if you know what i mean.
eraos
Local Spiderman
BentRabbit said:Be sure to try and lock into the bass player's groove...
If there's a chemistry happening between you two, it'll be noticable by everyone involved.
Good luck!
Excellent point.
