College Audition

[Allmanfan456]

Hey fellow TBers! In roughly a month or so I'm trying out for a college and in order to get into the music department I have to audition. I have to do 12 major scales and arpeggios, play one slow and one fast etude from a standard etude book (Simandl, Hertl), play a standard sonata or concerto (Marcello, Vivaldi, Bach) and then I have to sightread.

But basically my question is do you have any suggestions on a book or books I can get that that would have some decently easy etudes so I can cram it into my head before? Oh and a decently easy sonata or concerto that I could learn? I'm okay (not that good but I can do it) at reading music and I don't know much about classical music and I don't know where to start.

Help would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Ed Fuqua]

Those are interesting audition requirements for electric bass.

[Rockman]

Yeah, those look like requirements for classical double bass. Where are you auditioning and are you sure you looked at the right material?

[Allmanfan456]

Originally Posted by Rockman

Yeah, those look like requirements for classical double bass. Where are you auditioning and are you sure you looked at the right material?

EDIT:

Stupid me I meant to look in the Jazz Section. There are completely different requirements then.

1. 12 major scales and arpeggios, two octaves
2. One slow and one fast etude from a standard etude book (Simandl, Hertl)
3. A solo transcription from any bass transcription book
4. Sightreading
5. Two of the following tunes (or similar tunes): 1. Straight No Chaser by Thelonius Monk; 2. Satin Doll by Duke Ellington; 3. Blue Bossa by Kenny Dorham; 4. Oleo by Sonny Rollins; 5. Ladybird by Tadd Dameron; 6. Tune-Up by Miles Davis

Does this seem right? I might just call the admissions office see if this is the right material for auditioning.

[Ed Fuqua]

It depends on which course of study you're looking at. The only thing that they're possibly going to let you play electric on is the JAZZ STUDIES, and that's a different set of requirements.

Don't get taken by surprise, call or e-mail them and ask them specifically if they accept electric bass as an instrument.

[Allmanfan456]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

It depends on which course of study you're looking at. The only thing that they're possibly going to let you play electric on is the JAZZ STUDIES, and that's a different set of requirements.

Don't get taken by surprise, call or e-mail them and ask them specifically if they accept electric bass as an instrument.

Yeah I just figured that out. Well thanks. I'm definitely going to call them either tonight or tomorrow to verify this stuff.

[Ed Fuqua]

Yeah a quick cruise through, the ONLY program that mentions electric bass is JAZZ STUDIES and those audition requirements are

Bass
A. 12 major scales and arpeggios, two octaves
B. One slow and one fast etude from a standard etude book (Simandl, Hertl)
C. A solo transcription from any bass transcription book
D. Sightreading
E. Two of the following tunes (or similar tunes): 1. Straight No Chaser by Thelonius Monk; 2. Satin Doll by
Duke Ellington; 3. Blue Bossa by Kenny Dorham; 4. Oleo by Sonny Rollins; 5. Ladybird by Tadd
Dameron; 6. Tune-Up by Miles Davis
The other programs don't specify double bass or bass guitar, but for the Sophomore juries they have a requirement of "familiarity with all bow strokes" under bass, and that pretty much speaks for itself.

And not to unduly harsh, but you really shouldn't be relying on strangers on the internet to figure this stuff out for you.

[Rockman]

Originally Posted by Allmanfan456

EDIT:

Stupid me I meant to look in the Jazz Section. There are completely different requirements then.

1. 12 major scales and arpeggios, two octaves
2. One slow and one fast etude from a standard etude book (Simandl, Hertl)
3. A solo transcription from any bass transcription book
4. Sightreading
5. Two of the following tunes (or similar tunes): 1. Straight No Chaser by Thelonius Monk; 2. Satin Doll by Duke Ellington; 3. Blue Bossa by Kenny Dorham; 4. Oleo by Sonny Rollins; 5. Ladybird by Tadd Dameron; 6. Tune-Up by Miles Davis

Does this seem right? I might just call the admissions office see if this is the right material for auditioning.

What school is it for? Also exactly what Ed said, college level jazz programs are looking for double bass players 9/10 times. Even if they do accept electrics, keep in mind they will be biased towards any upright players, because that is the instrument for jazz bass, no matter how much we sometimes want it to be otherwise. Also after looking at your profile I don't see any jazz players as your influence. Basically I'm just trying to see if in fact you know what your signing up for as a music major with a concentration in Jazz. You will learn jazz music, not just music in general. If you don't have a love for the genre to begin with I hate to be a bummer but are you sure that you want to be in a music program and can handle it?

[Allmanfan456]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

Yeah a quick cruise through, the ONLY program that mentions electric bass is JAZZ STUDIES and those audition requirements are

Bass
A. 12 major scales and arpeggios, two octaves
B. One slow and one fast etude from a standard etude book (Simandl, Hertl)
C. A solo transcription from any bass transcription book
D. Sightreading
E. Two of the following tunes (or similar tunes): 1. Straight No Chaser by Thelonius Monk; 2. Satin Doll by
Duke Ellington; 3. Blue Bossa by Kenny Dorham; 4. Oleo by Sonny Rollins; 5. Ladybird by Tadd
Dameron; 6. Tune-Up by Miles Davis
The other programs don't specify double bass or bass guitar, but for the Sophomore juries they have a requirement of "familiarity with all bow strokes" under bass, and that pretty much speaks for itself.

And not to unduly harsh, but you really shouldn't be relying on strangers on the internet to figure this stuff out for you.

Well im confused, im not asking you guys to hold my hand and tell me everything. I dont know where to start so im asking for advice. Different books or something thats decently easy for me. Im not asking you guys to figure this stuff out for me. You guys obviously know more about this stuff than I do thats for sure.

[Allmanfan456]

Originally Posted by Rockman

What school is it for? Also exactly what Ed said, college level jazz programs are looking for double bass players 9/10 times. Even if they do accept electrics, keep in mind they will be biased towards any upright players, because that is the instrument for jazz bass, no matter how much we sometimes want it to be otherwise. Also after looking at your profile I don't see any jazz players as your influence. Basically I'm just trying to see if in fact you know what your signing up for as a music major with a concentration in Jazz. You will learn jazz music, not just music in general. If you don't have a love for the genre to begin with I hate to be a bummer but are you sure that you want to be in a music program and can handle it?

Western Connecticut State University. I didnt think there was just a jazz thing for bass guitar. I looked into it and I thought there would be more for bass guitar. Yeah I like jazz I love to listen to it but I haven't played much of it.

I dont know I might as well just drop the music program and do something else. It seems I'm not cut out for it.

[Rockman]

Originally Posted by Allmanfan456

Well im confused, im not asking you guys to hold my hand and tell me everything. I dont know where to start so im asking for advice. Different books or something thats decently easy for me. Im not asking you guys to figure this stuff out for me on my own. You guys obviously know more about this stuff than I do thats for sure.

We can't help you when we have no idea where you are in your playing. We don't know how much jazz you have been playing/listening to, we don't know if you have a teacher who can teach you. Take a look at the first thing on the list, can you play all 12 major scales and arpeggios in 2 octaves comfortably? Blinfolded? And to extrapolate do you know all your other scales(basic modes)? Are you familiar with bebop scales, half-whole diminished scales? As Ed said we are strangers on the internet, the best source of help you could get is to get a teacher.

[Allmanfan456]

Originally Posted by Rockman

We can't help you when we have no idea where you are in your playing. We don't know how much jazz you have been playing/listening to, we don't know if you have a teacher who can teach you. Take a look at the first thing on the list, can you play all 12 major scales and arpeggios in 2 octaves comfortably? Blinfolded? And to extrapolate do you know all your other scales(basic modes)? Are you familiar with bebop scales, half-whole diminished scales? As Ed said we are strangers on the internet, the best source of help you could get is to get a teacher.

I just started learning scales this year so thats a big fat no. Ive been playing for about 5 years. I havent played much jazz at all let alone listen to it that that much. I do listen to it though. I know my older brother could help me with this and I've already talked to him, hes going to help me but with the way you guys are putting it I might as well just drop the music audition and major and just go for something else. Ive been considering that even before the music department called me and schedualed and audition with me.

Yeah I know your strangers but your fellow bass players and know more about this stuff then me. Which is why I came here in the first place.

[Roy Vogt]

Originally Posted by Allmanfan456

Western Connecticut State University. I didnt think there was just a jazz thing for bass guitar. I looked into it and I thought there would be more for bass guitar. Yeah I like jazz I love to listen to it but I haven't played much of it.

I dont know I might as well just drop the music program and do something else. It seems I'm not cut out for it.

Don't prejudge-I'd give the audition a shot. When a student comes in to audition for Belmont who is ill-prepared, I'll gently suggest private lessons and refer him to someone in his locale. I'd definitely try to locate a quality Electric Bass instructor and get some help with preparing your audition. If you're close to Hartford or NYC there should be a plethora available. Alternately, contact the instructor at Western Connecticut State and see if you can take a private lesson with him and get a read on the State of the Union as far as your playing goes.
Good Luck!

[Allmanfan456]

Originally Posted by Roy Vogt

Don't prejudge-I'd give the audition a shot. When a student comes in to audition for Belmont who is ill-prepared, I'll gently suggest private lessons and refer him to someone in his locale. I'd definitely try to locate a quality Electric Bass instructor and get some help with preparing your audition. If you're close to Hartford or NYC there should be a plethora available. Alternately, contact the instructor at Western Connecticut State and see if you can take a private lesson with him and get a read on the State of the Union as far as your playing goes.
Good Luck!

I will be getting help from my older brother and he knows a lot and he does teach. I might give it a shot. So far its just seeming like a lot to do for a kid who doesn't listen to much jazz or play it (but I want to) and can't read too well. Well, thanks for your advice.

[Ed Fuqua]

But look, first things first. You want to study a certain thing, so the first thing you have to do is identify the colleges or universities or conservatories that offer what you want to study. Then see if they offer that course of study on your instrument. Then see if you can afford them. Then see what the audition requirements are.

[Ed Fuqua]

ROY - there are some nice players on the faculty, I know Andrew Beals and Deborah Weisz from the city. I don't know Dave Ruffels (the bass instructor), but he's out of the program at William Patterson.

[Allmanfan456]

Well I'd love to do music performance which is where I got the audition requirements in the first place. But it seems they don't want bass guitar to begin with for that area so I'm probably going to call the music department tomorrow and see what courses they offer for electric bass then go from there. Seems like my best bet honestly.

[Rockman]

Hmmm Wesconn. The best part about that place is the players they bring in for their festivals in stuff (I grew up in CT, our highschool Jazz Band would go there). In fact it was there I decided what I wanted to do, after going to a Master Class with the rhythm section from the Vanguard then seeing them for only like 5 bucks! It was a great night. Also saw Jimmy Heath there, what a great old man. But I digress...
I've met Dave Ruffels, he's the kind of guy that wears leather trenchcoats and a tuque, but he's a good player and I had a friend that studied bass there for a while and he liked him. Another option is you could try to take lessons but not be in the music program. Which means lessons would be open to you, and maybe you'd be able to get a spot in a combo eventually. But by taking that route you wouldn't have to take all the theory and music history classes required of a music major. I'd check that option out if I were you. Or go to the audition and discuss it directly with Dave/whoever else is at the audition.

[Roy Vogt]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

ROY - there are some nice players on the faculty, I know Andrew Beals and Deborah Weisz from the city. I don't know Dave Ruffels (the bass instructor), but he's out of the program at William Patterson.

Great! I'd go along with your advice and really look at the school and see if it offers what our young friend here is after. Then I'd get together with the teachers in the school and get a read on their style, how they teach, etc. Blindly preparing for an audition without checking in (not just looking at online requirements) seems to me like inviting needless stress in one's life.
I'm totally cool with a student contacting me and asking about audition requirements, the program, curriculum, whatever. They do it all the time. I think most teachers are as well.

[Roy Vogt]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

But look, first things first. You want to study a certain thing, so the first thing you have to do is identify the colleges or universities or conservatories that offer what you want to study. Then see if they offer that course of study on your instrument. Then see if you can afford them. Then see what the audition requirements are.

That makes total sense to me as well, Ed.