Members MoreGuitars Posted April 3, 2006 Members Posted April 3, 2006 I just got done running an ad for some musicians in the Los Angeles edition of the Recycler. Got some some replies from some pretty weird people. Some were very odd, and quite frankly, not a cold day in hell I would like anything to do with some of the people who responded..... Since my studio is also my home, where I have a family, I am really weary about bringing some strangers here. I've decided that there must be a better way out there for meeting some musicians to work with. I would like to know if others have similar experienced issues before with auditioning musicians, and some ideas for recruiting some players.
Moderators BATCAT Posted April 3, 2006 Moderators Posted April 3, 2006 Although placing "musicians wanted" ads is often a headache, it's not impossible to have some sucess. I would make sure, first of all, that your ad is very specific... that you feel it's speaking directly to the kinds of people you wish to meet. However, you will get responses from random psychos. When I post ads I use an email contact only. Any responses that give me any kind of a weird vibe go directly into the trash. If someone seems cool, I'll keep corresponding (maybe 4-6 emails back and forth) and then arrange to meet up for coffee of a beer. I never just ask them to show up at my rehearsal space or apartment. NEVER!!! Once we've sat and talked for an hour or so about music and whatever else comes up, I have a pretty good idea whether or not they seem like someone I'm interested in trying to work with. Oh, and you might want to consider www.craigslist.org too. All this said, I do prefer to work with musicians I already know, or friends of friends...
Members zookie Posted April 3, 2006 Members Posted April 3, 2006 This probably isn't for everyone, but the best audition I ever went to resulted from a cold call from a guy who was adding to his band. We chatted on the phone and he said his band was playing at such-and-such and I should stop by and introduce myself in between sets. It was an afterwork crowd in some Mexican restaurant in Manhattan. I showed up and introduced myself. He then goes on stage and announces there's a special guest in the audience and he announced my name. I had no knowledge of this. I was handed a mandolin and jammed with the band for two or three songs and got the job. It's risky, but it weeds out the wannabes who have no intention of playing, it demonstrates who has the cajones to handle the bizarre world of being on stage and who can improvise musically.
Members MoreGuitars Posted April 3, 2006 Author Members Posted April 3, 2006 Originally posted by Actionsquid Although placing "musicians wanted" ads is often a headache, it's not impossible to have some sucess. I would make sure, first of all, that your ad is very specific... that you feel it's speaking directly to the kinds of people you wish to meet. However, you will get responses from random psychos. When I post ads I use an email contact only. Any responses that give me any kind of a weird vibe go directly into the trash. If someone seems cool, I'll keep corresponding (maybe 4-6 emails back and forth) and then arrange to meet up for coffee of a beer. I never just ask them to show up at my rehearsal space or apartment. NEVER!!! Once we've sat and talked for an hour or so about music and whatever else comes up, I have a pretty good idea whether or not they seem like someone I'm interested in trying to work with. Oh, and you might want to consider www.craigslist.org too. All this said, I do prefer to work with musicians I already know, or friends of friends... Theres a lot here I agree with. I have played the past 30 years within a circle of longtime friends. I was hoping to get some new blood here. I think the email only is a great idea. It might limit some people, but it would probably filter out a lot of them I wouldn't want to deal with. The Recycler is a Print and Online publication. I am convinced the weirdos have come from the print side. Don't know for sure, but it's a pretty good "hunch" I will try Craigslist. Thanks
Members Kevin T Posted April 3, 2006 Members Posted April 3, 2006 Methods I've used http://www.harmony-central.com/cgi-bin/musician-query.plthe modeNewjerseyrocks.comThe aquarian classified Dave Phillups online Open mics is a good way to meet folks or a neutral meet to audition. Kevin T
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