Hi, so I see a lot of advice on what to do when you get an audition but what I'm always stuck on is how to get the auditions in the first place, especially the high profile ones. Is there any way other than word of mouth? Again, I've heard a lot of great advice on what to do and how to prepare for the audition but not much on how to get the big auditions.
Thanks! (This site is awesome)
What are you looking to audition for?
Look at the list of websites as the bottom of our Musician Jobs page. They all list auditions. If you're looking for a cruise gig, try applying at Proship or Oceanbound.
I'm basically (like everyone else) just looking to make a living playing guitar. I live in NY and I've joined some great bands through craigslist but nothing that pays money. Ideally I'd like to hop on a national tour or something higher profile and play guitar in the back up band of a solo artist (or at least get the opportunity to audition for something like that). I'd like to play guitar for Broadway shows, basically anything that allows me to play guitar and make a living do it. I'm from Long Island, NY, graduated from the Berklee College of Music with a degree in Guitar performance, and now I'm back on Long Island and spending most of my time in the New York city. So basically that's my situation! Any advice? (I read the article about music contractors and I'm in the process of looking into that more because it's great advice)
Hi,
I'm a professional violinist. I freelance in the MD/DC/VA area and I also come to NYC frequently to do lots of playing. I play classical and I stroll and I improvise. Keep on doing what you've been doing. Persistence and promotion will pay off for you. And keep strong and believe in yourself and know that you are excellent on the guitar. Don't let anyone tear you down and don't get discouraged. Yes, look into the music contractors. Here's another thing that I would suggest for you. In between paying gigs, I play at musical showcases/open-mics in NYC. It is a fantastic way of getting your name and your talent out there. You will meet lots of people, make close friends and get lots of contacts, some of them very illustrious. As mentioned so many times, the best way to get many jobs is by word of mouth - through people who you know well and friends. That's the way that it is in this business, unfortunately. It's hard, but if you want this more than anything else, you will continue to persevere like crazy until you get it. And little by little, things will start building for you. Getting back to the musical showcases/open-mics in NYC, there are some fantastic ones. I play regularly for Jim Caruso's "Cast Party" at Birdland (every Monday from 10 pm - 1 am - sign-up begins around 9:15 pm), the musical salon at the Algonquin Hotel (every Sunday from 7 pm to 10 pm - sign-up begins at 6:30 pm) and Trudi Mann's musical showcase at Butterfield 8 (every Sunday from 1 - 4:30 pm - sign-up begins a little before 1 pm). I also play for the open-mic at Don't Tell Mama's piano bar (every night - 9 pm into the early hours of the next morning). Good luck.
Carolyn Ohlbaum
I don't know for certain in NY.. but I'm hopefully moving from the UK to LA in July and I've got some great contacts out there who've hooked me up with some band coordinators, who are contacted by labels to set up bands for artists.
I know it's not quite the same in London, its far more word of mouth and knowing the right people (alot of so called top musicians over here aren't actually all that good), but maybe it's similar in NY.
Try asking pro muso's out there, find someone who has your dream job but on a different instrument, tell them your situation and ask what the best way to get into their line of work.. I did it with Robbie Williams' bass player when I was 14 and didn't have a clue how to get into the business, nice bloke!
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