Jazz course at uni

[Zilla3154]

Sup TB
I've been playing bass for about 2 and a half years now and I absolutely love it. It is my passion. I play for at least 2 hours a day and have done so for the last 18 months, spent all my money on new basses and effects pedals, play in numerous bands, etc etc
In my last year of schooling, I have been thinking about my career and what I should do with my life, and the only thing that is really sticking out for me is becoming a professional bassist, which means going into a Jazz course at either the Sydney Conservatorium of Music or the Australian National University.
The only real problems that I face is that I do not think that I am a good enough Jazz bassist to get in (I would be fine if it were blues or rock). Anyway, I am just wondering as to what your opinion is on the best way to learn how to play Jazz bass, as well as any other advice that you would like to give me.
Thanks

[tomwilliams1983]

you should join a jazz band immediately
it'll be hard at first but over time you'll become a good jazz bassist

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by Zilla3154

...which means going into a Jazz course at either the Sydney Conservatorium of Music or the Australian National University.
The only real problems that I face is that I do not think that I am a good enough Jazz bassist to get in (I would be fine if it were blues or rock). Anyway, I am just wondering as to what your opinion is on the best way to learn how to play Jazz bass, as well as any other advice that you would like to give me.

Well - playing Jazz is a life-long learning thing and not something that can be covered in a few words here!

Jazz requires that you know about a few conventions and a fair amount of music theory - I think a good introduction is the book "Jazz Bass" by Ed Friedland which is worth buying for the absolute basic minimum to get you started.

I would also recommend "The Jazz Theory Book" and working through the examples on a keyboard of some kind. If you are doing a serious University Jazz course they will require you to be able to pick out chords on piano/keyboard as well as playing your main instrument - get started as soon as you can!

Apart from that - playing with other people is a good way to improve quickly as long as you are thick-skinned and don't mind people moaning when you get lost - as you will inevitably!!

[MalcolmAmos]

If you want to become a professional, become a professional, i.e. get a degree. Is that necessary to play jazz, no. But the degree opens doors that would be shut otherwise.

Plus you might learn something.

[Bruce Lindfield]

I think the point is that probably there are no music degrees - except for Classical or Jazz - it is like this in the UK, whereas in the US there are more courses and you don't just have those two choices?

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

I think the point is that probably there are no music degrees - except for Classical or Jazz - it is like this in the UK, whereas in the US there are more courses and you don't just have those two choices?

I tend to disagree, the education is out there if one looks. In the UK if we look at size music education is all round us. Look in the U.S. for example you can travel thousands and thousands of miles for education because of its size. If we think of Europe in the same way other countries only hrs away are an option. In England you can find music schools with ease, and in a good spread throughout the country.

Being good enough to get in is your first lesson, learn and put in place what is required, then move to the next stage. It is no easy thing but if you want it, you will do it in you musical education.
Great article in the link, especialy the last paragraph

http://www.intstudy.com/articles/ec185a14.htm

[onlyclave]

You'd better start working up your double bass chops.

[Fun Size Nick]

I know quite a few people who have studied at the ANU Jazz school, it sounds like a great program and they are killer players (of more than just jazz) for having done it! It's given those people a great foundation for whatever musical direction they wish to pursue. I would highly recommend that you seek out a good teacher who can help you prepare for entrance into jazz school. Playing upright is NOT a requirement for entrance into ANU. Where do you live? If you're in Canberra, I could recommend a couple of teachers.

I studied music full-time for two years at a less prestigious institution and I think that while there were major deficiencies in the curriculum, I benefited greatly from having two years to focus on just studying and playing music. If you're serious about music, I think that dedicating a few years to full-time study is time well spent (I'm thinking about going back and studying jazz full-time next year myself).

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

I tend to disagree, the education is out there if one looks. In the UK if we look at size music education is all round us. Look in the U.S. for example you can travel thousands and thousands of miles for education because of its size. If we think of Europe in the same way other countries only hrs away are an option. In England you can find music schools with ease, and in a good spread throughout the country.

Being good enough to get in is your first lesson, learn and put in place what is required, then move to the next stage. It is no easy thing but if you want it, you will do it in you musical education.
Great article in the link, especialy the last paragraph

http://www.intstudy.com/articles/ec185a14.htm

OK - can you list the full-time music degrees in the UK that don't require you to study Jazz or Classical - that I could start this year?

I have looked into this and there is a big difference between going to a "music school" and doing a degree at University - which is what the original question asked in this thread - which I realise was about Australia - but I can imagine this being a similar and probably more limited picture?

PS - that article you linked, is more than 10 years out of date!!

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

OK - can you list the full-time music degrees in the UK that don't require you to study Jazz or Classical - that I could start this year?

I have looked into this and there is a big difference between going to a "music school" and doing a degree at University - which is what the original question asked in this thread - which I realise was about Australia - but I can imagine this being a similar and probably more limited picture?

PS - that article you linked, is more than 10 years out of date!!

The article was to show the interest there is and why education happens, because of demand. As of 10 years ago the demand was growing, if it has slowed, stopped or reversed then the question should be why?
We in the UK are European, so music degrees are all around us within a thousand mile radius, i don't think there are many places in the world can you find such a density of music? With that knowledge the competion for students education requirements can be off set againt the economic strength of that country. So a student may get more for there money say in paris than say London. With cheap travel and the ability to move threough E.U. countries easy these days, that is a big consideration.

Australia, and the U.S. for that matter are in effect isolated, so they cater for their isoation in a way that cannot be acheived in Europe, because Europe has so much to offer with different critera attached.

So to your question,

OK - can you list the full-time music degrees in the UK that don't require you to study Jazz or Classical - that I could start this year?

I don't understand this , why would you not want to include classical or jazz in your studies?

As said look at the area covered,
USA 3'787'425,000 sq miles
Austrailia 2'966'153,000 " "
UK 94'241 " "
Now just consider that a number of U.S. states are larger than the UK and with population densities taken into consideration that argument on music education not being there in the UK does not add up.

Normaly that statement of "not there" means near me or affordable. Well thats tough and that situation is in most education subjects not just music.
For me i would say if you want a music education then go get one, its your education, so it is your business and your solution.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

I don't understand this , why would you not want to include classical or jazz in your studies?

Well you have missed my point and I think you need to keep up with the discussion and see posts in context!

So - the OP said that he wanted to do a music degree and would be fine with blues or rock, but was doubtful about Jazz.

Another person then said that he didn't need to do Jazz - but I replied that virtually all music degrees at University, would require you to study Classical or Jazz!!

You seem to be disagreeing with my point and I was maintaining that in England - all such degrees, do require study of Jazz or Classical!!

Now you are saying ...."why would you not want to include classical or jazz in your studies?""etc etc !!!!


I see why Jeff won't respond to you now!! [Joking!]

[Fergie Fulton]

Sorry Bruce but if i am lost it is because the i can't see the problem, so it is the person explaining the problem to make it clearer.

The OP makes it clear that there is a course but he feels he is not up to it because he feels he has not the ground work in his education to do it. Not a problem, do the ground work. In Australia that i would suppose going to where the education is best. The OP has his answer it seems do what is requiered to gain entry.

You asked about the UK, completly different question and situation. The question you posed was

OK - can you list the full-time music degrees in the UK that don't require you to study Jazz or Classical - that I could start this year?

To me that now makes it about you starting a course not the OP so the question was to you about why would you not want a musical education that covers these things. I don't understand what i'm not keeping up about, you clearly see ther is another way apart from these options, which i would consider the best options. As i said why would you not want classical or Jazz?

If it is about a music education any of the music schools in the UK can give you a foundation and then take it further with better school if you so wish. If not then there are any number of performance school that will give you recognised qualifications to continue in the seach of knowledge.

P.S. Jeff does not answer me and never will because his answers will show he has a lacking in the understanding of what is involved in music education.
We all know what to teach and what is required learning, there is no dispute in that. I agree with Jeff about players not being qualified to understand what they should learn.

Anyone who thinks it is the taxpayers responsibility to fund their music education is on a losing argument. Anybody that wants to use there own money to fill any void in music education is welcome to do so, as Jeff has done. That one gesture alone by Jeff should have everyones full support in music, as the school from what i have read about is a fantastic place for music. I recommend it to others if they have the funds and time, so no probelms there.

For the record i have actively seeked to get Jeff back on the web and talk about music. Some of his points he talks about now, i made to him in years gone by....he quotes me for his own purpose LOL. It is his personal views and the way he trashes music education that does not conform to his idea i have issue with, only ever had, and only ever will, which is why we are having this conversation...i think LOL

Talking sorts out thing, if anyone does not talk then there has to be a reason.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

get a degree. Is that necessary to play jazz, no. But the degree opens doors that would be shut otherwise.

To Fergie - if you follow the thread, I was answering this post and saying that my view was that to get a music degree, then it would be necessary to study Jazz or Classical!

Hence the reason the OP could probably not avoid Jazz....

[Fergie Fulton]

Thanks Bruce i see where it got confusing, sorry for the confusion but without the quote you were answering to, it seemed like another point being raised.