Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

We can't seem to get a drummer willing to load his pony and travel even under 20 miles to an audition. How far would you travel to an initial audition?

Usually the place of audition is the place of rehearsal 20 miles is a reasonable distance, I think a lot of musicians travel longer distances than 20 miles but we all know the longer the distance is the greater the potential scheduling problems are.

Gas prices seem to be a real mitigating factor in people's decision. I don't blame them really, but there's serious potential with the guy I'm rehearsing with. It may be well worth somebody's time and expenses.

My drummer lives about 18 miles away, & that's where we rehearse....WHEN we rehearse...

I've gone 30 miles to audition before, but I prolly won't do it again.

I'm getting ready to start a new 3-piece up with another guy about 20 miles away. I live in the STICKS, so EVERYTHING is far from me.

I was offered a spot in a really good band almost 40 miles away. But, they rehearse a minimum 3 days a week. I figured I'd be spending at least $100/mo in gas. No way. Maybe if they had some gigs lined up and could cover my gas. But, they didn't.

I once drove from Maine to Long Island for a rehearsal.

For the last 5 years, rehearsals and auditions were right in my basement.. Now I have to travel... about 3 blocks from my house .... Man, did I luck out! Everyone in my band lives in the same town!

The last rehearsals I had were 20 miles from me. Me and the band would load up and hit Frisco. Not a bad trip, cause the studio was located about two blocks from the freeway.

celticpiping wrote:I once drove from Maine to Long Island for a rehearsal.

Was gas $3 a gallon then?

20 miles is nothing . . .
I had a singer show up who had a 1-1/2 hour round trip.
And several who had 1 hr round trips.
My bass player commutes 1-1/2 hours to rehearsal every week.
And he has asked if he can come more often . . .
Last week I had a girl from Stamford interested in commuting to Madison (CT), where we rehearse. That's at the other end of the state, about a 3 hour round trip.
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Anyone who refuses to travel 20 miles is . . . . wellllll . . . what are the words I'm looking for?
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Anyone who refuses to travel 20 miles is __________ .

RhythmMan wrote:Anyone who refuses to travel 20 miles is __________ .

Broke? Out of gas? Homeless?

20 miles can be anywhere from a 15 to 30 minute drive(depending on how fast your going). For me it's not a problem. I suspect I'll be going farther in the future. If I ever expect to do any sort of a mini-tour, then I better get used to it.

I am still on a 20% pay cut! Got sooo many bills that just keep getting higher as well as gas which they're saying WILL hit 5 bux a gallon by the summer! Everything else is going up while my salary is going down! Sorry to say, but, As much as I live, eat and breathe music, it just wouldn't be financially feasible to shell out what little I make just to make it to rehearsal! If anything, I would ask the other members for a compromise as I've done in the past with my band "Rat Salad".... They were awesome peeps and we found a studio at the 1/2 way mark... if you are a good enough musician and the other members really consider you an important asset, they should be willing to compromise!

I travel 120 miles just to jam with my old drummer and bass player. We don't get paid, but it is well worth the time an money to play with excellent musicians. I imagine I would pay, even above the gas price, because the enjoyment and satisfaction alone are worth my time and money. But then I'm spoiled.

I refuse to drive more than 30 minutes to any job, music related or not. But I usually host rehearsals.