How to Audition Potential Musicians

Video Transcript

"Hi, this is David Jackel on behalf of Expert Village and I'm here to talk to you about holding auditions for future bandmates. Now when you hold auditions, it is very helpful to do so in a place that is considered neutral territory. This is a place that is not someone's house or the other person's house, so no one feels like they are on guard or at a disadvantage. If you don't already have a proper space, renting one for a week or two for the occasion of auditioning is a really good idea and that way you can show that you are serious about what you want to do. Before the audition talk to the people who are coming over and tell them specifically what you want to do at the audition. Have them learn a song in advance so that they will come prepared to do something, something that you both know. In the case of my band, we did some Beetle songs because that was stuff that everybody knew and enjoyed playing. Also, if you get a chance, send a copy of some of your own work to the person who is going to be trying out for your band so they can hear what you are about and see if they can play at your music. If someone shows up at the audition and can't play your song, that is a pretty bad sign. Besides listening to how someone plays, you also want to find out what kind of person you are dealing with. See how quick that person learns, see how they respond to criticism, size up the personality; is this person responsible, look for all the cues that are going to tell you about who you are going to be dealing with, should you choose to have this person in the band. Make it clear from the beginning of the audition that you are not going to come to a decision at the end of the audition, so that way that person doesn't feel the pressure, you don't feel the pressure to make any sort of decision. Tell them that you will contact them is you decide that they will be a good match for you in a couple days and that way the pressure is off for everyone. Holding auditions the right way is very important, because that is where you can test out someone and after that there is no more testing, you are stuck with the person you choose for a while."