Below, is a direct account of how he won the drummer's job with Dream Theater.
“The other drummers and I are friends. Musicians are used to having to audition and there are no guarantees about how a band will feel overall about how any player gels with them, as well as about them being a new member. Us professoinals understand that, or auditions would be pointless."
Here is part of the actual audition.
Read about his audition history in the Biography page.
Mike performed 3 of the band’s songs, an open jam and time signature playing tests with flawless execution.
Contrary to interesting internet banter, he was not a “shoe-in” for the Dream Theater band member job. He did not get it given to him because of “connections,” “contracts” “offers,” “his having a family,” “his living in a neighboring state," or for any other reason, like being from a state close to NY and teaching at a college that 3 DT attended for a year. If any of those things were valid reasons, then the band would not have spent a lot of money to transport and house people from other continents.
Mike simply played well that day. According to him, “I had a great day. I was somehow able to really lock with everyone and play intuitively. I did show up prepared though. I was also able to react to whatever they threw at me. Again, it was good day and I’m fortunate as not all days go like this one did.”
The made up internet narrative is that Mike’s “connections” to D.T. “won” him the job. His strongest connection to D.T. prior to the audition was original drummer, Mike Portnoy. Secondly, Mike recorded 3 albums for singer James LaBrie. But, LaBrie brought in his current solo band drummer Peter Wildoer to the audition mix. Why would he do that if Mike Mangini was a shoe in? Furthermore, Mike had no history with John, John or Jordan.
You can see and hear Mike on his personal studio Video for Untethered Angel.
You can check out Mike’s learning system below:
Please read about them on: http://rhythmknowledge.com/
You can study the systems via: https://vimeo.com/mikemangini
You can buy the books via: www.mikemangini.myshopify.com