Help! Jazzschool Institute audition tune suggestions!

improvpwnd · #1 02-24-2009, 03:35 PM

"Students must be prepared to perform and improvise over the following material: a medium-tempo 12-bar blues; a ballad; a Latin tune; and an up-tempo jazz tune of their choice."

The only jazz I have played was in high-school jazz bands about 6 years ago... I don't 'know' anything, but I am a quick learner! I have 2 weeks.

...aaand GO!

headonastick · #2 02-24-2009, 03:54 PM

12-bar blues: St. Louis Blues (though the bridge isn't a 12-bar blues, so be wary)
Ballad: My Funny Valentine, Stardust
Latin: One Note Samba
Up-Tempo: It Had To Be You (have a listen to the Harry Connick instrumental version from the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack), Take The A Train, On The Sunny Side Of The Street

These are just some off the top of my head that should be reasonably easy to solo over. There are so many you could do of course, but these are hopefully a good place to start.

Zombbg4 · #3 02-24-2009, 04:00 PM

Might I ask why you're planning on going to a jazz school if you haven't played it in such a long time? Anyway here's some I like

12 Bar Blues: Sonny's Crib, Straight No Chaser
Ballad: I Remember Clifford, A Child is Born, Body and Soul
Latin: Blue Bossa, Recorda Me (Great Tune)
UpTempo: Cherokee (sp?) Giant Steps

improvpwnd · #4 02-24-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombbg4

Might I ask why you're planning on going to a jazz school if you haven't played it in such a long time? Anyway here's some I like

12 Bar Blues: Sonny's Crib, Straight No Chaser
Ballad: I Remember Clifford, A Child is Born, Body and Soul
Latin: Blue Bossa, Recorda Me (Great Tune)
UpTempo: Cherokee (sp?) Giant Steps

Thanks for your suggestions! I don't really know how to answer your question... only people who play jazz regularly should want to go to jazz school? I am more interested in the fusion-stems of jazz rather than straight up jazz itself, but what better place to start than at the roots?

Ben Wilkie · #5 02-26-2009, 03:09 AM

Are we intreptreting the instructions here correctly? Do you need to chose the blues, ballad and Latin piece or are you just required to be ready to perform a bassline/improvise in that style? Might be worth checking that out with the school. The thing that helps with auditions to to know EXACTLY what they're expecting of you.

Also, don't worry about going to jazz school. You'll probably find that, to begin with, you'll be asked to do simple walking basslines to a straightforward swing (i.e the 'roots')... its really quiet boring, but its useful in the long run. As you learn more, you'll be able to explore your own tastes.

improvpwnd · #6 02-26-2009, 03:49 PM

I have decided that this school is not for me... seeing a video of the students showed me that my middle school jazz band was better than these college students. Anyway, I tried to contact SFSU (where I have BA from) to see if I can get a second bachelor's in music, but they do not accept 2nd bachelors... Arnold and his budget cuts at work.

DudeistMonk · #7 02-26-2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

I have decided that this school is not for me... seeing a video of the students showed me that my middle school jazz band was better than these college students. Anyway, I tried to contact SFSU (where I have BA from) to see if I can get a second bachelor's in music, but they do not accept 2nd bachelors... Arnold and his budget cuts at work.

Private lessons from a working pro?

onlyclave · #8 02-26-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by improvpwnd

The only jazz I have played was in high-school jazz bands about 6 years ago... I don't 'know' anything, but I am a quick learner! I have 2 weeks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by improvpwnd

I have decided that this school is not for me... seeing a video of the students showed me that my middle school jazz band was better than these college students.

So where do you fall in the talent pool?

IdealWay · #9 02-26-2009, 04:27 PM

Do they want you to transcribe a bassline from those genres or play your own? If transcribe, then I recommend getting the progarm "Transcribe!" and slowing them down to get it tight, if original then I would recommend checking out Ed Friedland's book "Building Walking Basslines" and learning the basic theory behind walking basslines over chord changes.

And, can't go wrong with Donna Lee if you can pull it off!

improvpwnd · #10 02-26-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DudeistMonk

Private lessons from a working pro?

Yup, that is probably my next step--one thing with music school though is being able to play with players who are trying as hard as you to be the best they can be...