35 songs for an audition?

[Fendegibs]

I've been given a week to prepare 35 songs for an audition for a cover band. Am I way off or is 35 songs a bit much to expect for an audition? Yes, of course if I get the gig I'll have the whole set down, but to prep 35 songs to try out? It's been a long time since I've auditioned, but am I way off here? (and please, check your opinions about cover bands at the door)

[spakuloid]

That's a lot for an audition. Perhaps you've already got the gig and they just haven't told you. Or if they are standard bar band classic rock fodder - they might just expect everyone to know them.

[Jack Gilvey]

35 sounds nuts.

[buddyboy69]

Thats a bit much for an audition. Maybe its a list of what they do.

[geetarplayer]

Way too many. I would think something like 5 songs is in order... 5 that represent a cross-section of the style/vibe required of guitar.

Not sure how to go back to them without sounding like a jerk, but you have to ask them to trim it down. Tell them you really want to nail down a representative few of the songs so you can do them as well as if you've been playing them for weeks, which will be true for all of them once you're in. Then ask them to pick a few.

[Fendegibs]

Thanks for the quick thoughts, everyone. My post was meant to be a little tongue-in-cheek, because 35 is obviously a lot.

@spakuloid - some are standard, some are not
@buddyboy69 - that's what I thought, too, until I asked which songs they wanted me to prep and I was told to learn the whole thing!

[mesa/boogieman]

eh, just go in there and nail all 35 of them! They'll be putty in your hands

[Endr_rpm]

bump that noise. 5-6 is my max, and I give them 1-2 of my choice to learn to see if they are open to learning new stuff, new input, etc, or if they just want to rehash the same tired set list, which is probably why they are looking for a new (bass) player anyway....

Not that I have dealt with this a lot or any thing :

[Ash Telecaster]

Depends on the difficulty of the material and I think they are probably assuming you already know most of them.

I have been there and while I think it is unusual to specify "35" songs I have seen an expectation to know a lot of standard fare and at least be able to fake your way through the rest. One cover band I was in expected 12 specific songs. Not too big a deal really. 35 songs is rediculous for a Yes cover band but no so much if you are covering Jerry Lee Lewis tunes.

[Fendegibs]

Originally Posted by geetarplayer

Way too many. I would think something like 5 songs is in order... 5 that represent a cross-section of the style/vibe required of guitar.

Not sure how to go back to them without sounding like a jerk, but you have to ask them to trim it down. Tell them you really want to nail down a representative few of the songs so you can do them as well as if you've been playing them for weeks, which will be true for all of them once you're in. Then ask them to pick a few.

Yes - that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid (sounding like a jerk). Great approach, thanks!

[nosidamde]

How easy are they? If they are 'My Own Worst Enemy' easy than I'd rather learn 35 of them over learning a handful of songs by a band like Tool.

*I'm currently in a Tool Tribute band, hope that explains my response.* :-)

[27sauce]

Having been a cover band guy for a while, 35 songs is not a lot. Unless its a tribute band or a totally different genre, those are likely 35 songs that you should already know.

[arthur rotfeld]

Seems insane for an audition, or at the very least unprofessional.

I could tell if someone if right for the band in one tune, in most cases. Add a second or third and you know what you're getting.

[randombastage]

That happened to me, I learned them in the order of easiest to hardest to remember, figuring I'd never get them all but that method gave me the chance to learn the most I could.
I also quit smoking pot the day they handed me the list...big help... and one of the smartest things I ever did in my life. Not knocking people who smoke it but it isn't an asset...

Anyway, when I got to the audition they only played a few songs off the list and each time they asked me which one I wanted to do next so it worked out good. I got the gig and as I found out later some of them didn't know all the list either! In fact we played out for about two years and never had more than 35 songs that the whole band knew well at the same time due to personnel changes and the fact that the rest of them were druggies to the core.

[crzyfngers]

that's a lot of songs for a gig you may not get. tell them to pick 4 or 5 or audition someone else.