Applying at Humber, some help and advice please? :)

[thecool]

Hey all,
I've decided to audition for humber and I think I've got a pretty decent idea about how I'm gonna do the audition video. But I'd appreciate some suggestions none the less about these parts.

PREPARED ETUDE: Play a piece which demonstrates your musicality and instrumental ability (eg. Bach cello suites,
bass studies by Hrabe, Simandl, Bille, etc).

JAZZ REPERTOIRE: Perform 3 jazz standards -1 ballad, 1 medium swing and 1 bossa nova. Play the melody and bass
line on the chord changes to each tune. It is suggested (not mandatory) that you play with a small group such as drums
and piano. In the medium swing tune, please play in "2" for a chorus, then play a walking bass line (in “4”) for a chorus.
Soloing is optional.

I do listen to jazz but if you could recommend me some tune choices I'd really appreciate it. Suggestions for the prepared etude would be especially helpful.

Also I think I know what they're saying with "In the medium swing tune, please play in "2" for a chorus, then play a walking bass line (in “4”) for a chorus." But if someone could give me a better explanation of this or perhaps an example, it would really help.

Any advice is welcome I can use all the help I can get,
Thanks!

[Mark Wilson]

Hey man,
So I'm actually at Humber right now. There are a couple TBers who are at Humber.

It's an INCREDIBLE school. i'm more than happy to explain anything you want to know.

I BELIEVE that the audition VIDEO is limited for the Intro program. NOT the degree. Check into that depending what you want. I did the intro program and I do NOT regret it one bit.

Anyway, what i was told coming out of the Intro program is that you want to show Mike Downes that you can play. But, you want him to think "oh! I haven't heard this song done before/yet/recently" you want to surprise him sort of. My personal jazz tune was "What a difference a day made"

Classical is straight up. Play an etude that shows your facility of the instrument.

Something really common for jazz bassists/drummers is to "Play in 2" this means not playing a straight up "walking" feel (ie. 4 quarter notes per bar) but instead, playing two HALF notes per bar. Maybe with a skip beat once in a while.
Typically, this is done on the head into the song.

Also, be careful. Mike Downes is a frequent viewer on Talkbass.
So HI MIKE! I MISS YOUR MASTERCLASS!

But for real. IMO, Humber is one of the, if not THE most incredible programs in the country, maybe even Continent. It's absolutely incredible. you'll love it. NO Question.

Anyway, feel free to shoot me a PM if you want to know anything!