Bass Audition

[crack-boom]

Hi all at TB.

I have been thinking about what I want to do next year and have decided on doing a Bass Guitar Major at the Excel School of performing arts.

To get into the school I have to audition (see below on what their website says). And for the two contrasting styles of music that I have to play I'm kinda stumped. I've always played a rock style of music so of course a rock song is going to be one of the styles. It'll be Stars by Switchfoot (fun song). It's just for the second song, I was thinking maybe a RHCP song? But I haven't learn't any other techniques apart from finger picking and occasionally messing around with a pick.

So my question to TB, what would be a good song to do for my second style of music that isn't too difficult to learn but still sounds good and would look good to the people on the judging panel??

Cheers,
Thomas

"Auditioning for a BASS GUITAR MAJOR

To audition for a BASS MAJOR, you will need to perform two pieces of contrasting styles, each of about 2 to 3 minutes in length, which will assist us in making a fair assessment of your ability.



Bass guitarists should endeavour to bring their own instrument, amplifier and effects to the audition.



The audition will also involve a short personal interview.



If you wish to minor in another subject ( e.g. vocals, dance, drama or another instrument), you will also need to come with one prepared piece, to give us an indication of your ability in that area.



It is important to realize that the audition is not a test and it doesn’t matter if there are mistakes in the performance. It is simply an opportunity for the Audition Panel to assess whether someone is at the stage where they would benefit from what EXCEL has to offer."

[crack-boom]

Anyone?

[BananaKing]

I had the same kind of requirements to get into my school.

The only difference in this case was that since It was a full time jazz major, I would have to play at least one mid-tempo swing tune.

I did Afternoon in Paris, Little sunflower and Now's the time.

In your case, though, they don't say that you have to do swing or even jazz.

Maybe try doing a latin piece and a blues tune?

Hope that helps .

[crack-boom]

Originally Posted by BananaKing

Maybe try doing a latin piece and a blues tune?

Such as? Sorry I've always played and listened to rock so it's a fully new genre for me.

[FrizzleFry]

You could also do some jazz standards.. autum leaves or something like that..

I had an audition for a school in june.. I played Portrait of Tracy. But apparently I raised the bar for myself a little.

[crack-boom]

would anyone know where i could find a whole lot of sheet music for some of these songs? it would be interesting to see what they're like... my preference being in 4ths 8ths or 16ths just cause i dont want to trip myself up on another timing.

eg im trying to learn a song in 3/4 atm, its causing a bit of grief, im slowly (and i mean slowly!) learning it but it doesnt make me like the song lol

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by crack-boom

Hi all at TB.
It is important to realize that the audition is not a test and it doesn’t matter if there are mistakes in the performance. It is simply an opportunity for the Audition Panel to assess whether someone is at the stage where they would benefit from what EXCEL has to offer."

I dunno, this sounds like a test to me. Have a lousy audition for whatever reason and somethin tells me the school will say ya dont benefit from what they have to offer. I could be wrong.

[crack-boom]

Originally Posted by cassanova

I dunno, this sounds like a test to me. Have a lousy audition for whatever reason and somethin tells me the school will say ya dont benefit from what they have to offer. I could be wrong.

I think what they mean is that it doesnt have to be perfect...

[petersenbass]

You may want to reconsider going into school right away. You may benefit from intensive private study (1-2 lessons a week, practice 4hours a day)for a semester, before you go in. That way you'll have a better idea of exactly what you want out of it.
You may want to block off sometime to do a lot of listening to music.
There are probably 50 CDs you should listen to, to get an idea of popular music, and where in that vast sea of genres, would you like to fall.

Again...that's just my two cents. I respect you for taking it to the next level. I wish I would've been more serious about my career earlier, before now.
I don't have a particular expertise in the subject, I admit.

[crack-boom]

Theres more to me wanting to go to the school than just skilling up. I'll learn heaps there of course but it's a good chance for me to get out of town (leave home), go to a bigger city and get away with not working full time lol... Atm (sob story ahead) I've been unemployed since April. I've been applying at places at least 3 places a week and around 3 times a week I get a email or phone call saying they wont be continuing with my application process...

I've also had private lessons 1 a week since March, and feel I would benefit from the school, as they have private lessons there but also everyone gets together for one day a week and has a band class, so I would get to play constantly with other musicians. Also for the second year a select team goes on a tour doing on average 5 8/12 shows a week for 20 weeks. Which is what I would aim for as well.

But petersen bass your comment is appreciated (I listen to music every night when I go to sleep), thats why I thought maybe RHCP, not really my fave type of music, but one of their songs could be fun. Maybe one of Fleas solos from the Live At Slane Castle DVD...

[petersenbass]

Is your teacher trying to prep you for school? I'm curious what you're working on.
I'm just thinking that some schools are going to want you to know how to read a basic chart. For example, how to walk a bassline on a standard like Autumn Leaves (as FrizzleFry mentioned). Buy "The New Real Book" for bass clef.
You mentioned being primarily well-versed in rock. I'm thinking these admission folks might want to hear that you can play basic blues,jazz, and pop music, i addition to rock.

I didn't mean to imply you didn't listen to music
I just though you may want to diversify your listening selections.

Again, kudos for signing up. Where and what schools? Are they all based in New Zealand/Australia area? Or are you planning on coming to the States or Europe?

you should play some r&b, and mabey some heavy metal that has fast bass parts, eh idk. but defenietly some r&b

[kebbs]

Crack-boom: you should definitely try to play something outside of the rock idiom. As suggested before, try doing some blues at the very least. What about "The Chicken"? I know it's somewhat jazzy, but I've seen people simplify it to large extent and still keep it real.

I understand that this is not mandatory, but it will leave a better impression and will demonstrate that you are interested in other genres too. Just my two cents. Good luck!

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by crack-boom

Hi all at TB.

I have been thinking about what I want to do next year and have decided on doing a Bass Guitar Major at the Excel School of performing arts.

To get into the school I have to audition (see below on what their website says). And for the two contrasting styles of music that I have to play I'm kinda stumped. I've always played a rock style of music so of course a rock song is going to be one of the styles. It'll be Stars by Switchfoot (fun song). It's just for the second song, I was thinking maybe a RHCP song? But I haven't learn't any other techniques apart from finger picking and occasionally messing around with a pick.

So my question to TB, what would be a good song to do for my second style of music that isn't too difficult to learn but still sounds good and would look good to the people on the judging panel??

Cheers,
Thomas

"Auditioning for a BASS GUITAR MAJOR

To audition for a BASS MAJOR, you will need to perform two pieces of contrasting styles, each of about 2 to 3 minutes in length, which will assist us in making a fair assessment of your ability.



Bass guitarists should endeavour to bring their own instrument, amplifier and effects to the audition.



The audition will also involve a short personal interview.



If you wish to minor in another subject ( e.g. vocals, dance, drama or another instrument), you will also need to come with one prepared piece, to give us an indication of your ability in that area.



It is important to realize that the audition is not a test and it doesn’t matter if there are mistakes in the performance. It is simply an opportunity for the Audition Panel to assess whether someone is at the stage where they would benefit from what EXCEL has to offer."

I would pick two pieces of music which musically, can stand on their own, not simply as bass lines. I would put my best foot forward and take on something that is a bit of a challenge (not merely just fun) but is not so over your head that you cannot execute it comfortably in an audition.

I'm not sure when your timeframe is for your audition, so that is really the most critical factor. If you have time, I would look at a classically oriented piece of music, like a transcription of a Bach piece or something. The transcription does NOT have to be expert level, as there can be something like "easy Bach solos for Bass Guitar" or something.

For a contrast?

Then I would try something in a Rock, Pop, or Jazz style that is a fully formed musical thought, and not just a bassline to a song. Even a solo version of "America The Beautiful" or some commonly known tune with some chords/harmony and melody will go over very nicely.

And lastly, remember a confident, comfortable performance that clearly demonstrates it, is much better than a performance in which a note is not missed but is otherwise tense or displays anxiety. It's great to aim to get every passage, and that should be the goal, but in the end, you have to be a performer (not a practicer) and make music, not just successfully observe all the black dots on the page.

I hope this helps.

[thecapm]

If you want to do rock, your contrast should be jazz.

[BradyEB]

Hey fellow NZer!
I've never heard of the course you are auditioning for? Whats it like?
Theres some great advice in this thread! Have a look and a concideration into all of it!
You are a Christian Praise & Worship Bassist Club Member? Well maybe do a challenging tune from one of your church pieces?
I'm not well educated with worship music but a down tempo, soul-full tune could work with a driving, rock track like a RHCP piece?
They match your strengths and interests!

[daffy]

If you are going to do some SwitchFoot as one then I would go some classic RnB for the other. Something like "What's Goin' On" by Marvin Gaye, bass line by James Jamerson.

You'll find a transcription of that piece in one of the older Bass Player magazines, or in "Standing In The Shadows of Motown".

Good luck!

[Martin Bormann]

Originally Posted by cassanova

I dunno, this sounds like a test to me. Have a lousy audition for whatever reason and somethin tells me the school will say ya dont benefit from what they have to offer. I could be wrong.

Depends on the school. A lot of these places will take just about everyone. Which in itself isn't a bad idea, especially if you're the school wanting to pack seats.

But what I think they meant there was to tell the students that it's not a test so they don't go in there with butterflies in their stomach and bomb. I really don't agree with that because if you can't get it together in front of an audience of 1, you probably will be just as bad if not worse in a packed house of 2k.

[Martin Bormann]

Originally Posted by crack-boom

Theres more to me wanting to go to the school than just skilling up. I'll learn heaps there of course but it's a good chance for me to get out of town (leave home), go to a bigger city and get away with not working full time lol... Atm (sob story ahead) I've been unemployed since April. I've been applying at places at least 3 places a week and around 3 times a week I get a email or phone call saying they wont be continuing with my application process...

I've also had private lessons 1 a week since March, and feel I would benefit from the school, as they have private lessons there but also everyone gets together for one day a week and has a band class, so I would get to play constantly with other musicians. Also for the second year a select team goes on a tour doing on average 5 8/12 shows a week for 20 weeks. Which is what I would aim for as well.

But petersen bass your comment is appreciated (I listen to music every night when I go to sleep), thats why I thought maybe RHCP, not really my fave type of music, but one of their songs could be fun. Maybe one of Fleas solos from the Live At Slane Castle DVD...

Don't expect to throw yourself at this school thinking it's going to make you. If you're not ready and they let you in, you're going to struggle, do poorly and eventually drop out with the cost of this course over your head. I think you should get a private instructor and maybe attend a community college music course until you're ready. The prepared parts though typically in auditions are only part of the whole thing. They're going to want you to play scales (probably at least 2 octaves) and they're going to demand you sight read.

Also I don't know how appropriate auditioning a RHCP song would be. Is there a list of recommended pieces for you to audition with?

[crack-boom]

Originally Posted by Martin Bormann

Don't expect to throw yourself at this school thinking it's going to make you. If you're not ready and they let you in, you're going to struggle, do poorly and eventually drop out with the cost of this course over your head. I think you should get a private instructor and maybe attend a community college music course until you're ready. The prepared parts though typically in auditions are only part of the whole thing. They're going to want you to play scales (probably at least 2 octaves) and they're going to demand you sight read.

Also I don't know how appropriate auditioning a RHCP song would be. Is there a list of recommended pieces for you to audition with?

The only things that are expected of me at an audition is that I play 2 pieces that are of different contrasting styles and go for approx 3 mins, that I bring my own gear, and that I have a short personal interview...

The following is quoted from the page.
"To audition for a BASS MAJOR, you will need to perform two pieces of contrasting styles, each of about 2 to 3 minutes in length, which will assist us in making a fair assessment of your ability.



Bass guitarists should endeavour to bring their own instrument, amplifier and effects to the audition.



The audition will also involve a short personal interview.



If you wish to minor in another subject ( e.g. vocals, dance, drama or another instrument), you will also need to come with one prepared piece, to give us an indication of your ability in that area.



It is important to realize that the audition is not a test and it doesn’t matter if there are mistakes in the performance. It is simply an opportunity for the Audition Panel to assess whether someone is at the stage where they would benefit from what EXCEL has to offer."

Also I do not believe it will "make" me since I already am who I am. It will certainly give me opportunities that I would not get if I stayed here. I have been taking private lessons all year and have a heavy bill ($400+) to show for it lol.