Rock And A Hard Place

[HumesC]

Dear All,

OK, this is not strictly playing guitar, but it could involve that shortly. I've been contacted by a production company in London who are looking for new singers, not your technically perfect R&B type but someone with a bit of personality. My singing influences are Tracy Chapman, Julianne Regan and Susanne Vega and believe it or not I sound sort of like a mixture of them all!

They want me to go in this Saturday to test out for them, but the problem is that I have always learnt tunes by ear, and I have a horrible feeling that they're going to expect me to sight-read to a backing track.

I know I'm going to have to tell them, and I've got tomorrow to do it, but how do I tell them in a way that does not make me look like a complete klutz?

Shame is I have a voice and I pick up and play with tunes extremely quickly, but not in the way they're going to want me to I think.

Aaargh. Any help appreciated.

Gloomy,

Cath http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/stern.gif

[5stringer]

any chance they will let you have a copy of the sheet music / score beforehand?

[BlaZinChoPs]

Hey Humes, I don't think there are many guitar players out there that could go in, listen to a backing track and play it like a pro. I wouldn't expect this to work out like that either. Just prep yourself. Make sure you have your setup squared away and go in with a positive attitude.
You could be a great guitarist with a bad attitude and loose the gig.
It's all about positive vibes. Good luck and I hope it all works out in your favor, and if you get in the right mood, it will.

chaiyz

[Bossaking]

Hey Cath!

I wouldn't tip my hand if I were you, you may be jumping the gun by admitting you can't sight read.

I'd call first and ask exactly what the set up is going to be. They surely can't be expecting vocalists to come in cold and perform to a backing track in their best voice on a first take. So, you will have a couple of chances to work through the material I would think. That has always been the case in any auditions with which I have been involved.

Find out exactly what the piece of music is going to be. Perhaps it's a classic that you already know, perhaps not. However, I am sure the production company has had dealings with people that can't sight read. It actually isn't as uncommon as one might think.

My advice would be to try a get as much information from them as possible before you say anything about yourself. You already have the audition and that must be based on something, right?

If it is your voice in which they are interested, I am sure you will be able to work something out!

Well, Good Luck and don't forget to let us know how it goes!

BK

[HumesC]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your advice - I took it and emailed the company advising that I have been used to learning new repetoire in a different way to how they were suggesting, and I had this answer:

"Dear Catherine,

Thanks for the E.mail. Don't worry, the material you have to sing is very short and basic and is designed for us to judge the vocal quality of your voice as opposed to judge your ablity to quickly learn material you have never seen before.

I'm sure everthng will be fine if you relax. Any problems, please call and we will have a chat.

Kind Regards
Des Webb"

How nice is that??!! Needless to say, I'll be going tomorrow.... Wish me luck!

Cath xx http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

[Lukus]

goooooooood luck

[Bossaking]

Good Luck Cath!!!!!!!

BK

[HumesC]

'ello. Well, it's a few weeks later and I thought it went well.... they obviously have a different opinion. I've heard absolutely nothing!!! But hell, who writes a "jazz" song in a major key with an up-tempo beat with depressing words and wants the singer to sound miserable?! But, despite that, I didn't freeze or jibber, which is good!

My other half reckons they were unprofessional - he's so sweet!

This was a nice way of getting back into a recording studio and familiarising myself with all the new whizzy electronic equipment - and I've already had another enquiry, so who knows!

Thanks for all the good luck wishes.

http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/smokin.gif