Jazz audition January, I need some stuff to work with.


I want to live, breath and speak jazz by then:hyper:

It depends if you want Bass repertoire or Jazz in general repertoire. For a bass audition Jaco pastorius' version of Donna Lee is a winner.

There are countless anthologies, fake books, "real books", and things like that in stores and online. Google on "jazz standards" for starters. Go find the people in Montreal who make a living playing jazz, and watch them at work. Take a lesson or two from a jazz bassist if possible. If you have Sirius radio or something like that, set it on the jazz channel 24-7. Immersion is a good way to go.

You won't be living, breathing, and speaking jazz by January, but this stuff may help you.
I've been playing jazz bass for a living almost four decades, and the more I learn, the more I find that I still need to learn.

Best of luck to you.... maybe you should post this in the DB forum as well, or move it there.

There are countless anthologies, fake books, "real books", and things like that in stores and online. Google on "jazz standards" for starters. Go find the people in Montreal who make a living playing jazz, and watch them at work. Take a lesson or two from a jazz bassist if possible. If you have Sirius radio or something like that, set it on the jazz channel 24-7. Immersion is a good way to go.

You won't be living, breathing, and speaking jazz by January, but this stuff may help you.
I've been playing jazz bass for a living almost four decades, and the more I learn, the more I find that I still need to learn.

Best of luck to you.... maybe you should post this in the DB forum as well, or move it there.

I have a teacher already and i know I won't be living speaking and breathing jazz by then, i was just saying that for fun.


Seriously could someone just recommend some songs, I got an audition song already I just want some stuff to learn.

McCoy Tyner's version of "Blue Bossa". Smouldering!

Not to unduly rain, but that's really a lot like saying " I want to talk with people, somebody give me things to talk about." Sure, we all could list enough crap for you to talk about for the next century and a half. But none of it's really going to mean much to you, cause it's mostly stuff thats' important to other people (like me or Marcus or that funny looking guy over there) and certainly won't mean nearly as much as you talking about things that really interest you.

So stop typing and start listening. If a tune strikes your fancy, try to listen to as many different musicians playing that tune as you can (Neal Miner talks about tapes that his dad, an amateur saxophonist, made for him that had multiple versions of a handful of tunes. When I did a masterclass with Charlie Haden, he had a tape that was all just different versions of BODY AND SOUL by various folks); the idea is to communicate something personal. And it's easier to start with if you work with tunes that you can hear well enough that they have some meaning for you.

Hey peaveyUser, I didn't realized you were also from Montreal. If you want you PM on this and we can talk more...

Also,
If you could tell us what you are auditioning for maybe we could direct you towards the right stuff.

Seriously could someone just recommend some songs, I got an audition song already I just want some stuff to learn.

Seriously.... If you just want a bunch of song titles, type "jazz standards", "jazz songs", "jazz tunes".... whatever, into Google. It's all been typed by lots of other people before, as Ed said, it'll take a century just to scratch the surface.

A typical night's work for me will entail playing 20-30 tunes from memory with pianist A. Next night, 20-30 different tunes from pianist B. Lather, rinse repeat, night after night. The only reason I can do that is because I listened to jazz constantly from the time I was about five. My dad had me gigging in my early teens, and I haven't stopped since.

Are you starting to get it? You said you want stuff to learn, and you can start with titles, but you're also going to need context and jazz vernacular and all that other stuff. This is before you even address the issue of improvising.

Try the Google thing. I'm telling you.... immersion. January's coming right up.

YMMV.

Also,
If you could tell us what you are auditioning for maybe we could direct you towards the right stuff.

don't worry about that;) I got it down.

Send me a PM, I'm posting right before I gotta go though.

Anyways but to be honest fuqua, I don't know where to start with Jazz there is just so much of it:hmm: I mean i like what I've heard but I'm not a "jazz-head" perse if you know what I mean.


I started this thread to get some direction:D


Bahhhhh too much jazz the genre is huge I need to find some good stuff :hmm:

Check some of these out. They are standards: Ipanema, Body and Soul, Blue Bossa, My Funny Valentine, Autumn Leaves, My Favorite things, Blue Monk, Straight no Chaser, Black Orpheus, Night and day, Summertime, All of Me, 'Round Midnight. That should be a good start.

It depends if you want Bass repertoire or Jazz in general repertoire. For a bass audition Jaco pastorius' version of Donna Lee is a winner.

Never play Donna Lee for audition judges. Ever. Every guy who thinks he's a hotshot plays it, but unless you have a very solid and extensive experience and/or training in playing jazz basslines and playing in a combo, you'll sound extremely amateurish playing the head and nothing else.

Anyways but to be honest fuqua, I don't know where to start with Jazz there is just so much of it:hmm: I mean i live what I've heard but I'm not a "jazz-head" perse if you know what I mean.

OK. Good luck with that.

OK. Good luck with that.

buh?

Trying to get in the genre is what I'm trying to do, all i did was ask for some songs to play, i dunno why its so complex:hmm:

Wait it is, damnit this genre is great but it confuses me so much hahah, I guess you can't take the approach as an appropriately "written" song perse since there is so much improvisation taking place.

I mean I could learn the chords but that wouldn't take me as far as actually playing the song write, I dunno I guess I wanted a song that I could learn like any other song:hmm:

Do you exactly NEED other people to learn songs then?


Bahhh real confusing

Jazz audition January, I need some stuff to work with.


I want to live, breath and speak jazz by then:hyper:

What song you pick don't matter all that matters is how you play it. If new to Jazz pick simpler tunes. Playing a great Autumn Leave will impress more than stumbling thru Giant Steps. Also learn the tune inside out. Be able to play the head of the tune and sound like singer or horn player playing. Phrasing is what matters in everything but especially playing heads. Come up with a strong bass line that can stand on its own. A line that clearly establishes the chord changes, but doesn't sound like series of arpeggios. The work on a nice solo doesn't need to be advanced. A solo that again you know where you are in the tune. Simple motifs that you develop. They aren't looking for chops that can be nurtured, they want to hear you handle the changes, phrase like Jazz player, and hold their interest. It's not a battle of super chops. Also if you can talk about how you analyzed the tunes nothing deep. General idea how you approached the song, key centers, chord scales, who you listened to for inspiration.

You probably won't need all that, but if they ask and you can answer honestly you will score with the reviewers.

What song you pick don't matter all that matters is how you play it. If new to Jazz pick simpler tunes. Playing a great Autumn Leave will impress more than stumbling thru Giant Steps. Also learn the tune inside out. Be able to play the head of the tune and sound like singer or horn player playing. Phrasing is what matters in everything but especially playing heads. Come up with a strong bass line that can stand on its own. A line that clearly establishes the chord changes, but doesn't sound like series of arpeggios. The work on a nice solo doesn't need to be advanced. A solo that again you know where you are in the tune. Simple motifs that you develop. They aren't looking for chops that can be nurtured, they want to hear you handle the changes, phrase like Jazz player, and hold their interest. It's not a battle of super chops. Also if you can talk about how you analyzed the tunes nothing deep. General idea how you approached the song, key centers, chord scales, who you listened to for inspiration.

You probably won't need all that, but if they ask and you can answer honestly you will score with the reviewers.

great advice, I know autumn leaves any other standards you guys would recommend.
and any good places/ sites to get the chords to these songs, or will i have to buy a real/fake book?


Also mind posting some good jazz in general for me to listen too:)

Jamey Aebersold books are good

Hi Peaveyuser,
I teach in college and University here in Mtl.
And I know most of the other teachers so.......

_ Billie's bounce is a great head to learn and to walk ( a Blues with jazz changes)

I really love Autumn Leaves as a standard because the melody is easy and the harmony moves on the same grid line alltrough the song. It is easy to apply all the stuff you learn,

Hope this help,

You can PM also but Halx will help out too,;-)

Sylvain

Having done exactly what everyone said, and googling "jazz standards" the first site I got was actually a site called JazzStandards.com and well if you click on a tiny link in the top left you get a list of standard jazz songs with a whole whack of information including: CD Recommendations, Musician Comments, Jazz History Notes, Research Guide, Soundtracks Analysis and Origin.

If that site doesn't directly answer your question about what songs you should check out, then I don't know what will. Happy Hunting!

J

PS. here is the link for all 20 pages of songs: http://www.jazzstandards.com/compositions/index.htm

Jazz audition January, I need some stuff to work with.


I want to live, breath and speak jazz by then:hyper:

Check out Miles Davis and in particular, the album, "Kind of Blue." All the songs on that album are great. While none of them are outright chop busters, they are great vehicles to access the world of Jazz. They are songs which you can find transcriptions of relatively easily. These are just a few of the songs which would be excellent to learn and will serve you well for audition purposes. Work on these with a piano player. Learn the chords/charts, and if possible, be able to play some solos on these songs.

As a rule of thumb, it is MUCH better to play something simpler WELL than to play something more "technical" POORLY. The judges at the audition will (or should) be looking at your musicality and comfort/solidity of your performance. Just "eeking by" on Donna Lee will be much less impressive (despite a notes-per-measure advantage) than a compelling and comfortable performance/reading of Davis's "All Blues."

Living an breathing Jazz, while having a starting point, does not have an end point. It is a lifelong thing, IMO. But it's always good to start somewhere. Welcome to the club of Jazz afficionados and Jazz musicians!

If it matters, I'm still working on, as you say "speaking Jazz" 10+ years later, as we all are... Enjoy the journey.

Trying to get in the genre is what I'm trying to do, all i did was ask for some songs to play, i dunno why its so complex

Heh. Welcome to Jazz Gnosticism. We normally think of music as being fun and enjoyable--with jazz, you first have to get past the black-hooded ushers exuding deadly and deadening seriousness to prove your worthiness to enter the Jazziest of Jazzy :D

But for the rest of us, try out that Tyner Blue bossa album. It takes some of those stale standards and makes em sizzle. Charlie Mingus' Better Git it in your Soul is fun. There is Weather Report with Jaco of course. Their song "Birdland" is famous and not terribly hard to learn.

Try "Take the 'A' Train", a classic big-band number and typical of song form and progression.


And hot tip: Learn all the parts of the song on bass. Especially the melody.

Heh. Welcome to Jazz Gnosticism. We normally think of music as being fun and enjoyable--with jazz, you first have to get past the black-hooded ushers exuding deadly and deadening seriousness to prove your worthiness to enter the Jazziest of Jazzy :D





LOL... I like that image. :D I'll admit it; after all these years, maybe I'm one of those guys who takes it too damn seriously. For what it's worth, I have a blast playing jazz bass every day.

the chicken

peavey... what tune(s) are you playing for your audition?

Check some of these out. They are standards: Ipanema, Body and Soul, Blue Bossa, My Funny Valentine, Autumn Leaves, My Favorite things, Blue Monk, Straight no Chaser, Black Orpheus, Night and day, Summertime, All of Me, 'Round Midnight. That should be a good start.

+1 What he said

Best to own a copy of the non legal jazz fake book volume 1 and learn a tune a day - melody, changes, etc.

The better players have this stuff in their head. Also understand that there are certain things - like the intro to "All The Things You Are" that arent written out. You learn them on the job.

Playing jazz bass well on the standards is a serious undertaking. Expect to pay your dues.

Also mind posting some good jazz in general for me to listen too:)

The Miles Davis Kind of Blue CD is a classic and great examples of modal Jazz. Cannonball Adderley's Autumn Leaves is a classic tune that teachers have students transcribe and study, it is on a his greatest hits and other CD's. For great phrasing check out John Coltrane's CD called Ballads. Get some Jazz Blues for Funky Jazz check out Jimmy Smith organist or Crusaders. Jazz bass get some Ron Carter and Ray Brown two masters of Jazz DB. Coltrane stuff with Paul Chambers on bass is great. Chick Corea Acoustic Band has a couple CD and nice mix of Chick's tunes and some standards. Return To Forever's Light As A Feather is great newer sound.

Jazz is like Rock there are a lot of sub-categories so hit the library or something like Pandora.com and check out a bunch of stuff and find the styles of Jazz that appeal to you. My first Jazz experience was from some hard core cats in school playing me Coltrane Impulse years, Charles Lloyd, and early Weather Report. I though if that's Jazz I don't like it. Then a Jazzbo friend talked a bunch of us to going to see Jimmy Smith with him. I was a Jazz fan ever since. So need to find the stuff you like and as you listen and learn more you develop an ear for more adventurous forms of Jazz.

Check out Miles Davis and in particular, the album, "Kind of Blue." All the songs on that album are great. While none of them are outright chop busters, they are great vehicles to access the world of Jazz. They are songs which you can find transcriptions of relatively easily. These are just a few of the songs which would be excellent to learn and will serve you well for audition purposes. Work on these with a piano player. Learn the chords/charts, and if possible, be able to play some solos on these songs.

I'm just going to chime in here to not learn Kind of Blue.* This is a wonderful album and very fine to listen to, (although I'm sort of a Money Jungle guy myself), but would be excessively difficult as a beginner. It's often cited because, I believe, there aren't a huge number of chords in the songs, and So What features a prominent bass figure in the head. Still, the space in most of those songs is too much. Think about learning to walk, (no pun intended). If you have a very narrow path, taking the first steps with direction and purpose will be easier than a baby thrown into a huge open space. The lack of chords in tunes like So What, in my opinion, represent a very difficult obstacle. I suggest tunes with more traditional jazz changes.

Also, have you read the lessons posted here at Talkbass? Have you explored some of the threads in the DB side of the board.

*Freddie Freeloader may be the exception to this rule, if there is one.

Gershwin tunes, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock (all phases), to give you a menu of fairly distinct choices. Get Sirius satellite radio and start listening to their Classic Jazz station - and alternate with their other jazz stations.

Here's an interesting group playing Mingus. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIzqYXg2C-o) They're pretty young - and they are very much "immersed in jazz." When I was that age - and playing in jazz bands of that size - I was spending hours a day getting to that point.

But the catalog of composers/standards we worked on to "immerse ourselves" was enormous - hundreds of pieces, dozens of composers. I think our teacher made sure we had a bit of every famous jazz composer/performer somewhere in our mental databases - we weren't anywhere near as good as the girls in that video, but we were learning.

Monk, Basie, Marsalis, Montgomery, on and on.

Oh - and if I had to choose one single jazz bass player for you to study right now, it would be Ray Brown (my own bias) - and do go over to the Double Bass forum. They're amazing on jazz over there. My goal is to sound and play like Ray Brown on my electric bass - yes, that's the Impossible Dream of the Day.

Start with standards such as Autumn Leaves, Blue Bossa, Work Song, Blue Monk, All Blues, I Got Rythmn, Tenor Madness, C Jam Blues, So What, etc. etc. Base your work on different jazz genres etc..... the list is endless and the choices are endless. Ed Friedland has written some good books on playing Jazz, check them out for good guidance and training.

BTW... Ed Fuqua, whom you met earlier in this thread, has written a great new book on walking bass which is available from Sher Music. Worth checking out.

http://www.shermusic.com/new/1883217504.shtml

I'm just going to chime in here to not learn Kind of Blue.* This is a wonderful album and very fine to listen to, (although I'm sort of a Money Jungle guy myself), but would be excessively difficult as a beginner. It's often cited because, I believe, there aren't a huge number of chords in the songs, and So What features a prominent bass figure in the head. Still, the space in most of those songs is too much. Think about learning to walk, (no pun intended). If you have a very narrow path, taking the first steps with direction and purpose will be easier than a baby thrown into a huge open space. The lack of chords in tunes like So What, in my opinion, represent a very difficult obstacle. I suggest tunes with more traditional jazz changes.

Also, have you read the lessons posted here at Talkbass? Have you explored some of the threads in the DB side of the board.

*Freddie Freeloader may be the exception to this rule, if there is one.

I guess we can agree to disagree on this one. "Kind of Blue" is a great album for not only the accesibility of the music for the listener, but also the player. And there are sections in "Kind of Blue" that can walked, much like any other Jazz standard. Some songs have a whole lot of chords (read: Donna Lee), and I get that a sane individual would not advise that as an entry into Jazz, but a Jazz song with too much "space?" I don't get that. "Kind of Blue" is excessively difficult as an album to wade into Jazz? Sure, there are some songs that don't lend themselves to walking (read: Ballads), but the rest are, IMO, completely reasonable and fair game, and not biting off too much to handle for the uninitiated who are interested.

Again, I guess we can agree to disagree on this one, with all due respect.

Best.

I guess we can agree to disagree on this one. "Kind of Blue" is a great album for not only the accesibility of the music for the listener, but also the player. And there are sections in "Kind of Blue" that can walked, much like any other Jazz standard. Some songs have a whole lot of chords (read: Donna Lee), and I get that a sane individual would not advise that as an entry into Jazz, but a Jazz song with too much "space?" I don't get that. "Kind of Blue" is excessively difficult as an album to wade into Jazz? Sure, there are some songs that don't lend themselves to walking (read: Ballads), but the rest are, IMO, completely reasonable and fair game, and not biting off too much to handle for the uninitiated who are interested.

Again, I guess we can agree to disagree on this one, with all due respect.

Best.

The changes to Donna Lee are actually fairly straightforward. stays in 3 or 4 keys, pretty much all V I, and II V I chord motions. Taken at a slow tempo it and omitting the melody it would make for a fine beginner tune.

The changes to Donna Lee are actually fairly straightforward. stays in 3 or 4 keys, pretty much all V I, and II V I chord motions. Taken at a slow tempo it and omitting the melody it would make for a fine beginner tune.

It is actually all in one key (two if you count a temporary modulation to the relative minor). All the non-diatonic chords are secondary dominants, relative ii's of the secondary dominant, tritone subs or passing diminished.

It is actually all in one key (two if you count a temporary modulation to the relative minor). All the non-diatonic chords are secondary dominants, relative ii's of the secondary dominant, tritone subs or passing diminished.

There is a ii V I in Db, you could still say that is in Ab major....but you could also say its in Db.

I have Kind Of Blue, infact it was the first Jazz album I got into, I'll check some of the chord structures with that later.


Bahhh so much advice

To be honest i'm just trying to get more familiar with this genre.

Also hate to sound like a close minded *** but I can't really get into vocal jazz much, I liked the genre more as instrumental.

People have their preferences. Nothing wrong with that. Seeing as how you're just getting into the genre, you should just try to find out what it is exactly that you like and focus on that.

Actually no matter what tune you'll play,the judges will evaluate your time feel and your notes choice. So start with a blues and practice on 2&4. And after like some have suggested go for So what. It is a tough piece to walk creatively.

Sylvain

There is a ii V I in Db, you could still say that is in Ab major....but you could also say its in Db.

Tonicization isn't the same as modulation.

There is definetely a key change to Db major because there is a ii-v-i in Db implying a Gb note in the harmony. So we are no longer in Ab during that passage. Jazz tunes are full of temporary modulations in the harmony

Sylvain

There is definetely a key change to Db major because there is a ii-v-i in Db implying a Gb note in the harmony. So we are no longer in Ab during that passage. Jazz tunes are full of temporary modulations in the harmony

Sylvain

It's for a grand total of two bars. I don't want to get into a big, grand argument about this, but there is a definite distinction between tonicization (your "temporary modulation") and modulation. Modulations are for a lot longer periods of time, where the tonic is not only established by a relative dominant (or ii-V) pattern, but re-established by more dominant patterns, diatonic chord movement, or more importantly, length of time in the key. In a tonicized pattern, you can still plainly hear the original tonic as the tonic, whereas in a modulation, you are forced to hear the new tonic. Technical difference, but it comes down to your ability to hear the original key in the chord progression of the moment.

Hey Carlo!

as DocBop said, head over to www.pandora.com and set up a few jazz stations (I'm listening to Christian McBride as I type this).

hm... standards... well, most of the ones I'd suggest have been said already. I'd also suggest Sunny (Bobby Herb) and Caravan. Check out the song Recorda Me. I dunno how well known that one is, but I love it!

if you don't know how to play double bass, LEARN!!! it is imperative to your survival in the jazz bass world.

hey, check out the song Will You Be by the Brian Patneaude Quartet. Just heard it, and it is AWESOME!!!

I think that finding some good stuff to listen to is absolutely the first step, find out what YOU like because jazz is an immense genre. Personally i'm digging on the hiphop/jazz stuff that people like robert glasper, christian mcbride (monster bassist), roy hargrove, the Philadelphia experiment (don't even get me started on how good)

but see what you like...because this stuff that i'm really digging, is still jazz through and through, but it's a long way away from big band and there is everything in between so see what suits you.

And then start learning it!

Where to Start? There are others with more experience than I but his is a Novice's suggestion: Learn a few 12 bars (simple 12 bar, a minor blues and say a Charlie Parker blues) something with the Rhythm Changes, a couple of different feels (say All Blues - it covers your minor blues and 6/8), Body and Soul is good to know, Satin Doll and All of Me are fun and straight forward. I also like Tiime after Time by Chet Baker. Also something modal - eg "So What" and "Maiden Voyage". That should keep you busy for a while.

Where to Start? There are others with more experience than I but his is a Novice's suggestion: Learn a few 12 bars (simple 12 bar, a minor blues and say a Charlie Parker blues) something with the Rhythm Changes, a couple of different feels (say All Blues - it covers your minor blues and 6/8), Body and Soul is good to know, Satin Doll and All of Me are fun and straight forward. I also like Tiime after Time by Chet Baker. Also something modal - eg "So What" and "Maiden Voyage". That should keep you busy for a while.


All Blues is a regular blues, not minor.

Footprints is a 6/8 minor blues.

Hey Carlo!

as DocBop said, head over to www.pandora.com

BTW... I've heard that Pandora is not long for this world.

All Blues is a regular blues, not minor.

Footprints is a 6/8 minor blues.

Ooops! I stand corrected!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Blues
:o

Ooops! I stand corrected!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Blues
:o

What? You don't trust me? You needed wiki?

How about Charlie Parker Ornithology?

It's for a grand total of two bars. I don't want to get into a big, grand argument about this, but there is a definite distinction between tonicization (your "temporary modulation") and modulation. Modulations are for a lot longer periods of time, where the tonic is not only established by a relative dominant (or ii-V) pattern, but re-established by more dominant patterns, diatonic chord movement, or more importantly, length of time in the key. In a tonicized pattern, you can still plainly hear the original tonic as the tonic, whereas in a modulation, you are forced to hear the new tonic. Technical difference, but it comes down to your ability to hear the original key in the chord progression of the moment.

Yes I hear you on this. I like to be able to hear thinks two ways when I solo: In the changes by using all the importants notes in the harmony AND
solo over the changes by going mainly by the tonality.

This gives me differents options,

Sylvain

BTW... Ed Fuqua, whom you met earlier in this thread, has written a great new book on walking bass which is available from Sher Music. Worth checking out.


Hey peavey.

An excellent alternative to Fuqua's book would be Ed Friedland's "Building Walking Bass Lines". He has a follow up book "Expanding Wlaking Bass Lines" as well. I am (slowly) working my way through the former. Ed's presentation and instructional style is clear and efficient. He has a knack for layering skill upon skill like coats of paint. The included play-along CD is exceptional.

Good luck and don't let those hooded ushers get ya!

What? You don't trust me? You needed wiki?

You are right! It's not a minor blues but the variations confused me. Wiki just cleared it up for me ... I'm mainly self taught and there are (quite a few) gaps in my knowledge. I do like the tune though!

Footprints isn't really your standard minor blues either - the turnaround is significantly different, unless you're playing the old, wrong Real Book changes (D7 - Db7)

Footprints isn't really your standard minor blues either - the turnaround is significantly different, unless you're playing the old, wrong Real Book changes (D7 - Db7)

It's still a minor blues. There's just substitutions in the turnaround, but it's still a 12 bar minor blues.

Jazz audition January, I need some stuff to work with.


I want to live, breath and speak jazz by then:hyper:

I would say since your audition is in January, and will be here sooner than you know it, investment and interaction with a good, knowledgeable teacher will ideally be able to help you focus your efforts not only in terms of what material to learn but approach and how to play it in a way that only a focused one-on-one with a good teacher can provide.

TB is a great resource, don't get me wrong, but I believe a good teacher will be worth the expense, time, effort, etc...

It's still a minor blues. There's just substitutions in the turnaround, but it's still a 12 bar minor blues.

True true, it's way more the minor blues than All Blues.

BTW... I've heard that Pandora is not long for this world.


meaning, what, it's gonna be closed down soon? MAN! That would be a bummer! I've heard so much awesome music through that site!

I am a beginner jazz bass player and this is what has worked well for me. The Aebersold books w/cds are great since they have theory/scales included as well as the tunes in bass clef. Check their website, I would start w/#1 and the Maiden Voyage volume as well as Nothing But Blues. IMHO the primary role of a jazz bassist is to lay down solid time w/good walking feel and know the chord changes inside out, that means knowing your chord theory as well as knowing your instrument. Soloing will come later once you get these basic skills down. Band IN a Box by PG Music is an excellent tool. You can down load jazz standards and print in bass clef you can also print the bass line and practice that. You can subtract the bass part and play along, slow down or speed up the tempo. I use it every day, it is awesome. I would stick w/a small group of tunes you can play real well w/good time and feel. Blue Bossa, Take the A Train, Misty, In A Sentimental Mood, NIght and Day, MR PC, Moonlight in Vermont. Learning the heads is essential, ballads are great for developing feel, time and your melodic skills. Bossa's are relatively simple but require a good feel. Modal jazz is very repititious requiring you to vamp in one key/scale. Jazz blues are bread and butter. Bebop are crazy fast tempos and are a real workout. It is all good

Never play Donna Lee for audition judges. Ever. Every guy who thinks he's a hotshot plays it, but unless you have a very solid and extensive experience and/or training in playing jazz basslines and playing in a combo, you'll sound extremely amateurish playing the head and nothing else.

Wow... the thread evolved since my last time here...
I actually asked what type of audition original poster was going for. A good bass player could play "Old MacDonald had a farm" and still show a lot of musicality. Within the first 3 bars you'll know if he can play or not.

My point in choosing a harder song AND LEARN IT INSIDE OUT AND THE MOST ACCURATELY YOU CAN is to show that not only you're a good player but you are someone that is willing to work really hard and that's something teachers like to see.
I could go to an audition unprepared and if it is for a band, simply playing Bye Bye Blackbird or any other standard I know I can show my musicality. But if it is for school, teacher usually don't like students that are just good but don't practice and learn stuff the teacher give them.

I'm pretty sure SlyBass will agree with me as he is the one who tought me this important lesson.

The Aebersold play-a-longs are great, as Powerbass said. I messed around with those when I was a kid (they've been around a loooong time). They're a good way to get a feel for playing jazz in a group, and probably more fun than a lot of other methods.

meaning, what, it's gonna be closed down soon? MAN! That would be a bummer! I've heard so much awesome music through that site!

The rates for streaming music are going up so he may not be able to afford to keep Pandora going. Nothing is free so needs advertisers and subscribers to pay the bills.

Sorry, Icon, missed your post. I read on the MIMF forum that Pandora was having some problems with licensing.