I'm Auditioning for the U.S. Air Force Band

[@EMCproductions]

UPDATE: I got cut lol ✂️

[@craigcampbell1843]

Maybe they watched this and heard you say you don’t actually want to be in this band and are doing this just for fun in the first 30 seconds of the video and figured advancing you would just be a waste of everyone’s time. 😂

[@elizadegraff_]

Wow 😂💀

[@evansaccount1548]

Here’s what you need to do, once your are completely satisfied with your beard, do the next audition seriously and join for the 4 years

[@leoarevalo6786]

don't worry "this can all be mended"-civitas 2019

[@curtimongous]

They saw your video 😂 and knew you were semi trollin them

[@cyrusadkins9095]

I would see if you can make it to the next round honestly

[@Tanner_Heal]

Yes

[@alkaliwreck2474]

And say you'll go on the condition that you can capture it for youtube; set the line

[@Spike_365]

Ye

[@PhylaMedia]

Why not sneak the GameCube intro into the marimba solo and send it in.

[@jebronlames4600]

Yes, it would be cool to know if this made the cut. I loved every second of it

[@andrewquantum]

In my humble opinion sir this is the best drum set drumming I've seen you perform. Keep up the good work and have a nice day.

[@EMCproductions]

Thanks!

[@RedDogMamaHD]

I agree! You can see that he's been working hard at improving his technique!

[@XXIII_89]

Yeah I was thinking that your set drumming has improved a hell of a lot since I first started watching.

[@redwinedrummer]

I honestly would like to see you have a serious go at the Air Force spot.

[@NonTwinBrothers]

I'd honestly love to see this man succeed. I've been following this channel ever since the Chickens & Demons show, and even met Eric in real life a year after. I'd love to see him audition. He has the skills

[@cymtastique]

Yes! See if you can get live and then if you get accepted say no. Because I need more of this channel! I'm learning to write for percussion, and this is great content!😄😄😄

[@ScottHirons]

You should try to reach out to the band and see if you can interview one of the evaluators. Do a video with them going through your video audition and critiquing it and your comments about staging, drum used, etc. I think that would be most helpful to aspiring AF Band drummers . . .get more detail on what they are actually looking for in drummers to join their band.

[@EMCproductions]

That's a good idea

[@JoshuaWillis89]

Talk about a trip down memory lane. “Yellow After the Rain” could reliably be heard emanating from somewhere walking through the band hall in high school.

[@DanGrossDrums]

Waiting for the follow-up video after the following: Submit video Get called to live audition Go to live audition Email from Air Force: Congrats! You've been accepted to the Air Force Flub Drum Line!

[@peter62709]

Your set playing has definitely gotten a lot better over time, but to me it feels like a weird uncanny valley where it's obvious you're not a set player from your feel and vocabulary, yet you're somehow way overqualified at playing the drums?

[@Nickwaldvogle]

I feel as though there's a stark difference between being a drumset player, and being a percussionist who plays drumset. Drumset players aren't as afraid to make mistakes, and focus a lot more on having a conversation with the other musicians. On the other hand, a perc player having a go at drumset is very within the lines, and focuses a lot more of playing "correctly." Neither are bad of course, but it's hard to find someone who can truly do it all at a high level.

[@jonathanmellqvist2]

@@Nickwaldvogle I think there is a huuge difference between playing a drum set or percussions and playing in a drum corpse band. Playing drum corpse is a completely! different type of musical performance. And you can tell from this guy's drums set playing.

[@Nickwaldvogle]

@@jonathanmellqvist2 You're totally right there. I am pretty unfamiliar with drumline style playing, so I can't really add too much to what you're saying here, but I definitely agree.

[@elbowache]

Really well put. Three were lots of moments where he wasn't quuuiiite in the pocket.

[@MongerOfStrings8222]

Sometimes it feels like he's overthinking and focusing on everything being perfectly on beat, which is fine, but I think a big part of feel is just letting go of everything being 100% perfect and letting yourself find the groove

[@emmjay0506]

dawg im learning yellow after the rain for my Eighth grade PAS and seeing it in a video made my day

[@crushingbelial]

Your marimba rep list made me smile. Good ol Ilijas and marimba spiritual I had fun w those

[@aggiesrecruitingexpert]

Yellow after the rain is a solo and ensemble piece that our JH kids and freshmen use

[@johnsayre2038]

Sounds good man! I was USAF Regional Bandsman from 06-16. Sorry that no one gave you any feedback back in 2012. When I was in the auditions shop for a hot minute at WPAFB, we always made sure to get feedback from the section to give auditionees. Just common courtesy IMO. You have a lot of skills and are a jack of all trades player for sure (a compliment). When I came in things were a little bit different in that they tended to hire either a classical player or a drum set player. I was in during the transition when many of us that were hired to be on the legit side of things were made to become drum set players. So, hats off to all you folks that are auditioning on both sides of the fence. Sting and Wynton Don't have me on speed dial, but if I could offer my two cents it would be to check out those Tommy Igoe books. I think you would get a lot out of going through all those different styles, They are are a great workout when I get a chance to get some practice time in. All the best Marine!

[@LENNIE-LCO]

In case you were wondering where in CA is Travis AFB, it’s located in Fairfield.

[@Chris-so6qf]

"...which I also got [CUT] from." Love the Banished Beyond throwback lmao

[@EricNakamoto]

Hey man so I'm a bass player with the USAF Band of the Golden West, I have nothing to do with the audition selection process but thought I'd maybe offer some of my own *unsolicited* personal feedback/critique since you've mentioned in past videos you've got cut and never really got any reason. Again, I will say these are my opinions and they are not coming from the drum committee so whatever I say is not an official statement from the band. And please take with a grain of salt (I am a bassist after all!) I don't know much about "classical" percussion so I won't comment and will mainly focus on the drum set. I always suggest to people sending in tapes to use backing tracks as a last resort if you can't get live musicians to play with. (I realize you were half serious in making this video so it's not a huge deal) To me, playing with live musicians best showcases your musicianship because it gives an idea of how you "feel" the beat and how you interact with spontaneous musical creation. With backing tracks, you tend to be a slave to the time and the musical structure (i.e developing a story in the solos, dynamics, phrasing, etc.) When I listen to drummers, I want to hear how they play with bass players. Is the drummer on top, in the middle, or behind a walking line/pocket and how consistent is their feel (This goes both ways for bass players) so hearing how you interpret the time with other musicians is important. Definitely check out great rhythm sections such as Ron Carter and Tony Williams, Scott Lofaro and Paul Motion, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones. One last point about the backing tracks, I would of rather listened to you play over an actual jazz standard or funk tune rather than random free ones you found online (I get youtube copyright stuff is a pain though) I say this because it proves somewhat that you know the Jazz and Funk repertoire. I thought your funk playing was pretty good overall. I think sometimes your open hi hat wasn't quiet in the pocket causing the groove to stumble (specifically in your fill at 7:39) at 8:04 I think you were trying to play a sixteenth note anticipation but it didn't land where it should of. But good job overall, I think this would be passable if not for those tiny things. The jazz portion is what got you cut. I can hear that you're not a jazz drummer which is important because most drummers in the USAF bands have degrees in Jazz Drum Performance so the standard is pretty high. Your ride cymbal feel felt rigid and you hit the bell one too many times for my taste. The fills didnt really use any bebop vocabulary and seemed to get in the way of the swing because they were so snare drum, rudiment heavy. I also think you could stray away from the 2 and 4 snare thing at 9:34 because to me it bogs down the feel and doesn't let the swing breathe (there are times and places for that though) A lot of the times you'll do a tuplet roll thing into different sections (9:38, which to me screams drum corps) Even though the usaf bands do ceremonial and marching band concerts at times, I'd say a good 80% of the gig is playing commercial and jazz music. I'd definitely check out the youtuber 80/20 drummer and watch this video about jazz drums kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIbIZaWVja-Epq8 All I have to say about the Afro Cuban portion is that you need more jazz drum vocabulary in your solo because it did seem a little gimmicky (for lack of a better word) I'd suggest listening to Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Carlos Henriquez, Miguel Zenon, and getting deep into practicing claves. Also I've gotten advice to take dance lessons to really get into the culture of this music. I agree, the audition prescreen material is a little ambiguous in what they ask of you, but I think the standard protocol you should take is to play it like you would in a jazz combo setting. For example, in the swing portion choose a common standard such as Have You Met Miss Jones, or How High the Moon. Accompany a soloist for a couple choruses then trade 4's and play the melody out. Same thing with the afro cuban. Watch any high school grammy band audition tape and you'll get the gist. Anyways, I hope my feedback is helpful not just to you but any musicians looking to take auditions in the future. For this gig I'd almost say you have to the mindset and attitude of a jazz musician with classical chops rather than a classical percussionist who can sort of swing. So many of our performances (especially for percussionists) will be on drum set playing a wide range of genres from polka to country to jazz to pop. **Again this is not an official statement from the USAF Bands I am simply giving my own opinions in hopes it will help you and any other musicians.** Cheers! And no they didn't see this video beforehand haha

[@mdharvey1985]

Put a big smile on my face when Yellow After the Rain came across. That was the first one I learned as well. Bringing back old memories lol

[@danielkurmann3524]

Send it in! Send it in! Send it in! Send it in!

[@59thfsaviation79]

Retired AF here. Welcome!

[@allegorysplatterpunk1829]

Delecluse #6 won me the Oregon state solo competition exactly 20 years ago at 17 😃 My favorite as well.

[@allegorysplatterpunk1829]

I was pulsing 5's for the 1/4 notes, also. With good sticking it works out. I played it a hair faster than you did. 8ths were slightly crushed into pulsing 3's.

[@chefdannydesteli]

I would actually like to see you attempt to do the live audition and put fourth your best in it and if you are offered you can always respectfully decline. But even if your heart wants to play for the USAF Band then do it. Also Yellow After the Rain is like so traumatic in my life 😅

[@silvialittlewolf]

Like pretty much everyone else, I too would like to see you try the auditions for real. Whether you'd want to join in the end is up to your personal decision. Go with your gut!

[@kanel.6326]

Good luck man!!!

[@brandonpaine1032]

Funnily enough sir, I am actually taking this audition, I'm working on my stuff right now. Military bands are very different than most people expect, grew up military and I hope I can hopefully make it past the screens.

[@coreyhewitt]

Good luck. I won the audition they had in October 2021, but declined the gig as my wife is in a premier band here in DC; I felt like I needed some audition experience. Definitely do not submit you playing "yellow after the rain". Even if you crush it, all it says is "here is the only mallet piece I've ever worked on"

[@kylelipp3170]

Go as far as you can. FULL SEND

[@anthonyle9548]

You got this Man! We all would love to see you try and actually make it to the next round man! Keep up the good work bro

[@camacholeray671]

Oh man. I remember Yellow After the Rain. High school torture coming back to haunt me lol! GG's man. you killed it!

[@terrysmith4129]

I played yellow this year for solo and ensemble and ended up with a perfect! You should send these in just to see what happens. (Also that was the tastiest funk groove I’ve heard in a while. Great job 👏)

[@mR_m1sch13f]

Respect coming from charm city for the marching ravens!!

[@dylyjay]

Your improvement behind the kit with every new video is OUTSTANDING!!!

[@kaceecruson9532]

Send it in!!

[@Bsquared1972]

I served in the USAF, and was based at Travis AFB, heard that band many times. Great audition pieces, I'd love for you to actually send it in and see what happens!

[@drdrums1]

Ah, Yellow After the Rain - first solo I learned on marimba! Gotta pull that out now and see if I still remember it...

[@magicalambiance]

Thank you so much for posting this! Im preparing to audition for the ANG Band of the Midwest and this is perfect for helping me!

[@christinashelby6083]

I was gonna say, they upped the age to enter basic:-D You'd definitely make it! Even if blues don't hold a candle to the red and white uniform you wore in the Commandant's Own. My husband and I agree that is a pretty tough look to beat. Also, I have an uncle who was in the Army, then went into the Air Force, then back into the Army. You can do this:-D

[@WaterNai]

That’s a good idea someone mentioned to interview one of the evaluators. That would make for a fascinating discussion and could also greatly benefit those who are serious about auditioning. My dad was a drummer in the Air Force. I’m not sure if he was in THE Air Force Band or an Air Force band. I’ll have to ask my mom. I enjoyed your playing on these pieces and seeing your commentary on the process and your playing. I would suggest settling back into the groove a bit more on the swing and shuffle. Too on the nose, and it sounds stiff/regimented. Do you dance? If you haven’t tried it, you might enjoy the different perspective and understanding that dancing to the music brings. If your area is free of Plague and you can go out, most swing and salsa clubs have dance lessons before the open dancing for the evening.

[@gregoryjjohnson2]

I'm a veteran myself. I would see if you can do it. Even to see if you can get in the air force reserve or air national guard. And also ask them about your KZbin life.

[@timweiland9376]

Good morning! Send this in!

[@tedrickenator]

You should audition!!! America needs EMC projecting musicality to our international partners - it will help bring peace and stability.

[@trevorhobbs4965]

I love it! My recommendation would be to assemble a purposeful, serious audition, and take it as far as possible. And if you get accepted, but still want to do KZbin, discuss that with Air Force personnel before signing on. See if you can convince them of the recruitment and positive PR that could come from someone highlighting military musicianship.

[@leemcd56]

Eric: "It's been years since I've played any of these, and I'm trying to get at least two videos a week here on KZbin" Me: "I mean, there's always Yellow After the Rain" Eric: "But there's one I do remember: Yellow After the Rain" Me: Eric: "This thing is engraved into my brain forever." Me: "Yeah, buddy... mine, too..."

[@MiniGeoMan]

I recently had the honor to be conducted by the conductor of the U.S. Airforce Band at a District Clinic. It was brilliant!

[@RedDogMamaHD]

I attended a *Christmas Concert by the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West* in early December at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. It was very good, however, I've gotten spoiled seeing *The Commandant's Own and The President's Own* in person! And, the *uniforms are not as flashy as the Chucks* *Yes, you should audition* Even if only to get a trip out here to California, then extend your trip, and see some West Coast sites.

[@cqnrad]

definitely your best kit drumming yet! those marching chops definitely shine through lol

[@A166-b7x]

I retired from Travis, Go Air Force! So, yes apply and see if you get to the live audition. But, I hold a reservation to your drum kit 'sense' - there's a, how do I say, intuitive play connection that I feel you need to establish. Tommy Igo or Dave Weckl finesse. That would get their attention. The rest of your skills is without question, obviously. Hope you go for it! The AF band of the Golden West is a fantastic talented group. God bless

[@dominickcuccia921]

Hey bro, Sorry I'm seeing this a year after the fact! Thanks for playing Rhumba for Gus...you picked a fun one and rocked it. Stay well!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DC

[@sloozyc]

I think you should send it in and see if you make it to the live audition. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Enjoy seeing your videos.

[@bman233451]

you are a beast on all drums, nice work! Send it in, the comments section is never wrong lol..........

[@philliprobinson9481]

SEND IT IN

[@babsoreilly1]

I went to the high school near that base (a long time ago) and the Commander of the Band of Golden West guest conducted. Gave me a compliment on my trombone playing that I still treasure to this day. If their culture is still as awesome as it was back then, it’d be a great place to play. Also, Travis is pretty well located almost smack dab in between SF and Sacramento.

[@nickpisarczyk]

Were those.. signature EMC sticks I saw in the “click that like button” section?

[@joshpaolozza5715]

I'm completely blown away by your playing in this one ( once again,) but I noticed you played traditional for the marching snare and matched for the concert snare, why is that

[@ericgueniot3846]

Wow, Yellow After the Rain takes me back. It was my first four mallet experience, played it in 1985.

[@matthewprieto884]

Please join the Air force! 🇺🇸

[@caniborrowyourdog3681]

I would recommend going through with sending these in. Lovely vid as always ;)

[@kaziiqbal7257]

I kinda want you to go for it but my heart doesn’t want you to join the Chair Force. You’ll always be a crayon eating jarhead to me, ooorah

[@primenaoeur3323]

You should definitely go all in!

[@lane2063]

You just brought back vivid memories of hours spent in the practice room for Yellow after the rain. That will be rolling around in my old head for the next several weeks. 😱😆

[@chancellorpercussion4464]

I’ve actually been preparing the same audition and this was a cool video to pop up in my life lol

[@joekeefe7378]

LOL you chop out and groove so nice on all the drum stuff, then play a kinda OK Yellow After the Rain. I died.

[@cadenleeripbergerpremium]

I honestly would love if you went back to one of the bands

[@thecadencecaptain5652]

Next video: Space Force Band auditions

[@ross102591]

@EMCProductions How are the physical fitness requirements of the Air Force different from the USMC?

[@williampletcher8091]

Definitely try to get to the next round, then come to California to do some sight-seeing after your audition. (I got an ad for 1 hour 36 minutes! actually a video blog!)

[@HE360]

LOL some of the people who are going to be judging the audition might be people who are subscribers or watch your channel and they might know you before you play anything. Afterall, your channel is famous in the drum/percussion world!

[@natomatic3794]

Correct.haha

[@MichaelsLife]

You should send this in!

[@JamesThatcher]

honestly, if the AF let's you do videos and pays you... do both...

[@miakelley6424]

Go for it! I'd love to see if you made it into the Air Force band... Also, I think a behind the scenes of the live audition process would be cool to watch.

[@SergeantTeabag]

I remember Yellow After The Rain very well. I didn't learn or play it, but one of the people in the percussion section was always staying after school to practice it for a solo contest. I never remember hearing anything past the permutations, though.

[@grtdrmmrs]

i live next to Travis.... lol if u got sent there odds are you will spend a good chunk of your career there lol. btw you are a hell of drumset player

[@crazyfehc]

Go for it

[@JamesThatcher]

Aim High man... Aim High

[@jdtubaman]

Love the "I'm with the band" tshirt! Miss being in that band.

[@JDKrug]

Yellow After The Rain is probably like the standard first 4 mallet piece percussionists learn. I used it for my undergrad audition as well.

[@brycegriffin9561]

You should go all the way!

[@lowandslowshow]

Damn that mallet solo took me back. I remember senior year of highschool lmao.

[@BigBurgerBoy557]

Literally badass!

[@peternielsenmusic6498]

Okay so this is going to be a brutally dry review and opinion, and full disclosure, my main two instruments are sax, guitar, and piano so I may just be full of it! First off, everything is good enough for moving through the auditions, I'm just putting this one under the microscope :D. Amazing Rudimental and snare solos! In terms of the kit work. The funk needs to be tightened juuuuust ever so slightly, that's the biggest thing with funk, is the rhythm section as a whole being water tight, and nearly robotic while sitting in the pocket. For the swing, the call and response is good but what I'm looking for more in a swing drummer as a sax player is that hi-hat, that's the heartbeat of a swing band. The Afro-Cuban sounded good to me but like you pointed out, the track detracted a little bit hah. For the shuffle, It needs more snare, think of ghosting the upbeats off the ride a bit more with the snare, but the drive on it is there and that's a REALLY important part of a shuffle. The bossa sounded good, but the only thing I'd call out is the fills transitioning between the hat and ride feel just a little stiff. I don't have enough experience working with classical mallets so you called out anything I would have heard! Again, this is all super nit-picky stuff, it all sounds great and I think you'd have a great shot at getting in!

[@codyatchison8827]

Some kids at my high school play that mallet solo and I think it sounds awesome

[@stanventure5279]

Defiantly to the the in person interview. But You are right with a change of outfit and possibly a clean beard.

[@mjbreuer123]

Man your set playing has come a long way. That funk solo was killin!! Bebop not so much lol but still great overall. Keep up the good work.

[@cameronrick9823]

I would love to see you put it in just to see what the air force thinks of it

[@blobbler8940]

I think you should send this in, but beyond that is definitely your choice. Great job!

[@myotiswii]

Ill be auditioning for my first orchestra soon. It's my unis orchestra (and my uni has no music students) but I feel like the level is pretty high nevertheless. I have played marimba for a couple of years now and very actively, but only solo, and drums for 11 years. I have also played in a drum ensemble for 7 years, a rockband for 6 and a kids orchestra for one weekend (it was like a short project). But I have never auditioned anywhere and I don't have the slightest idea what they expect from me. I never did any competition either. Something that confused me is when applying they ask about if I have been in an orchestra before. Like I didn't really get the chance... I decided to play cool from west side story on vibraphone and afrocuban medley for drumset. Both of these aren't really classical but I don't really what else to play lol. Other things are either very boring, or way out of my league. I might just practice a year longer and audition next year, not sure yet. I could also apply for a big band, as percussion since they need that right now, but I think that is kinda boring. I would love to play vibraphone in a bigband, but I don't currently own an instrument. Oh and I also never played timpani lol.

[@Darthvhagar]

You should do a worse drummer/beginner drummer contest. Idk what that would look like but I’m sure you could pull it off.

[@tonysolis9616]

Would be cool to see you audition for one of the premier bands in DC.

[@coreyhewitt]

With yellow after the rain as his featured solo lol?

[@entrayer]

I would love to see you relearn white knuckle stroll. I played it for my high school senior year and barely got it close to tempo. I would love to see what you could do with it

[@dylanjc]

I wish I could be as impressed with my own playing as he is.

[@theTenorDrummer]

Well played all around, sir!

[@proddbyjr2024]

When you said you did some mallet solos, do you mean Conversations by Chandler Wilson? Because I play that song for LGPE.

[@thumuslol]

Your drum set has improved so much. Most insanely good percussionist???

[@DrummerKeithScott]

Great drumming! What a workout!

[@marioenriquez7460]

Very talented, go for it and audition

[@KrtanRn]

NO BALLS,YOU WONT SUBMIT IT!!

[@mightymrmousempls]

Ayyy military bands FTW 451 Army checking in

[@daveh.354]

I think you seemed happier when you were in the corps. Might be nice to be in a band again.

[@ferretyluv]

I agree. He seemed a lot more passionate and he even said he was passionate about the marines.

[@outdooroperator714]

Travis Airbase in Fairfield,CA. Fairfield always had Good junior and high school band programs back in the day. Shout out OG Sullivan Drumline. Fairfield HS Scarlett brigade is Legendary. Alot of those students become Concord Blue Devils down the road.

[@gustavocaceres5728]

Go for it !! Submit it and go to Cali!

[@adamriser3639]

It would be cool to go to the next round