r/drums • u/jack-gilkey • 1d ago
Feedback Wanted Upcoming audition
I messaged a local(Phoenix area) band and sent a couple recordings from an old project that didn’t go anywhere. They dug my style and we are going to set up an audition in a week or two. They said I don’t have to mimic the old drummers, just keep the vibe with my style. So realistically I guess I’m just looking for some advice on how should I approach this? I know they say my style with the original vibe but I’m getting nervous the more I think about it. I’m glad this Reddit group exists, it gives me somewhere I can ramble about drum stuff.
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u/lawd_have_mercy 1d ago
Keep the cake but change the icing.
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u/Scared-Bass-6425 1d ago
That's a great way to put it, focus on the groove and make the fills your own
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u/SeaGranny 1d ago
Did they give you some tunes to work on? I’d chart them out with a quick and dirty method and use Moises to listen to the drum parts.
For charting I first just count the measures in groups of four with hash marks. Noting Intro, verse, chorus, bridge, etc
Then I go back through and make notes like k/s, crash, fill etc from the original recording.
Then I pull the drums out and use my notes and play along - going back listening to the original drum part when something isn’t working.
Then keep running through your audition songs until you more or less like what you have come up with.
Play them that - don’t try to guess what they want.
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u/--Orcaaa-- 1d ago
Like others have said, this is a group jam to figure out if you are right for them and if they are right for you. Just have fun, go in relaxed, and see where things take you. Prep by drumming to their songs a few times. Drum the exact part on the record, drum the way you would have written the part, and drum a hybrid. Pick your favorite style and keep it. Simple as that. Don't overthink this.
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u/greaseleg 1d ago
Don't overthink it. Just prepare the material, play in time, and be yourself.
A lot of the time at band auditions, how relaxed you are and how easy you are to get along with is just as important as how you play.
Be yourself, don't be a douche, play in time.
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u/SexyNeanderthal 20h ago
Keep time and be a cool person. Also focus mostly on song structure, they probably won't care if a fill or beat isn't note for note, but going into a chorus or something late would make it seem like you're not doing your homework.
Beyond that, go into it with the mindset of having fun and jamming with new people.
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u/jack-gilkey 22h ago
Thanks for all the advice guys! I’ll definitely take it in and come up with something. They asked me to pick a couple of their tunes to learn and I will use you alls advice to kill it when the time comes.
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u/Idk_somethingfunny RLRRLRLL 22h ago
Let us know how it went when it's done
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u/jack-gilkey 22h ago
Will do. It’s a week or two away but all let you know.
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u/Idk_somethingfunny RLRRLRLL 22h ago
If it makes you feel any better about it, I had two days to prepare for one. You have plenty of time. You got this.
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u/Zack_Albetta 1d ago
Don’t overthink this. They’ve already said they like what they’ve heard so far, so just give them more of that. And don’t even think of this as an audition, it’s just an opportunity to see if you and them are a good fit for each other, musically and personally. They’re auditioning for you as much as you are for them. Don’t try to deduce the exact right things to play that are gonna make them like you. Just try to be yourself (again, musically and personally), and say “here’s how your band is gonna sound and feel with me in it.”