Need advice for an audition

[Bear_Bass]

Hello TB,

I am going to be auditioning for a Jazz band in the New Year and need advice regarding song choice.

I can either do a song i can play well 80% of the time (something like Teen Town or Opus Pocus) or something that i can play well 110% of the time like a song with a good over all bass feel, something like Runaway by Jamiroquai or Sex in a pan by The Flecktones.

I feel that playing something like Teen Town would blow them out of the water as i am a lot younger than them and might need the 'it factor' to get in. But if it doesn't go well i'll kiss my hopes good-bye

Advice would be greatly appreciated as well as song suggestions if you have any

-Bear

[malicant]

My advice would be to start off with the tunes you know you'll play without a hitch. then, if you confidence is up, have a go at the more complex tunes afterwards.

My own experience of auditions is that it's never a good idea to start with the most complicated song because a mistake early on could spoil your chances. However, if you play a few songs very well, you could risk a Jaco song knowing that even if you make a mistake, you've demonstrated that you can play well before hand.

Good luck either way.

[MalcolmAmos]

Will you be auditioning by sitting in during a rehearsal? If so find out what they play and get up to speed on their music.

Can not speak about auditions in New York, but, in East Texas its more come to rehearsal and let's see what you can do with what we play.

Good luck which ever way it goes.

[narud]

nobody cares if you can play teen town. they care if you can competently and confidently play what is needed in whatever the group may be. focus on what it is they do.

[FretlessMainly]

^ spot on.

Your purpose should not be to wow them, it should be to demonstrate that your style and ability match what their music needs. So ask yourself; which would you rather hear after the audition?

"This guy's really good but just not right for our style." Or

"This guy's really a great match for us."

[skwee]

I can't tell what level you are playing at, but if I was auditioning a bass player for a jazz outfit, I'd want to know if a cat could swing, play bop, solo, and walk in as many keys as we could think of. Is this in your bag?

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by Bear_Bass

I can either do a song i can play well 80% of the time (something like Teen Town or Opus Pocus) or something that i can play well 110% of the time like a song with a good over all bass feel, something like Runaway by Jamiroquai or Sex in a pan by The Flecktones.

Are you only allowed one tune? If not, I would play the ones I REALLY know, then tell them you've been working on Teen Town, and ask if they would like to hear it.

[GeoffT]

First off you need to find out what kind of stuff they play. When I hear the term "Jazz band" I think of guys playing Jazz standards. None of the songs you mentioned would really fit into that category. While all three of the bass players you listed are great bass players, you are not auditioning for a group of bass players, they probably won't be nearly as impressed as you might think. Simple lines played well usually go over much better than flashy things played not so well. As mentioned above, they are probably looking for someone that makes the group sound good rather than the next big name in bass playing.

If it is people playing Jazz standards, your best bet would be to learn one that they all know. I've seen a number of discussions in the DB forums on which ones would be a good place to start. Autumn Leaves, All the Things You Are, and Stella By Starlight come to mind.

Also, when you say that you can play those songs well 80% or 110% of the time, I get the vibe that you are talking about playing them note-for-note or very close to that, especially since you mentioned Jaco. Jazz is much more about being able to come up with interesting lines on the fly when given a set of chord changes.

If they play mostly standards, you won't find a better place to start than this.

[bertbassplayer]

Originally Posted by skwee

I can't tell what level you are playing at, but if I was auditioning a bass player for a jazz outfit, I'd want to know if a cat could swing, play bop, solo, and walk in as many keys as we could think of. Is this in your bag?

+1 to Geoff T as well, they might not want any of what your looking to play. Jazz bass is all about being solid and keeping time. Most auditions I've done for jazz outfits have been more about can I do good walking lines. Do I know my standards and styles. Can I play quick bebop lines. Do I know my keys, my chords, scales, modes, etc. Can I improv. Can I read music well.

I can tell you that if I went in playing songs the Jamiroquai and Flektones, I probably would have been told "We're a jazz band, not a rock band." If I went in playing Weather Report I might have been told "We're a jazz band not a funk band." It's hard to tell what they looking for. Best thing is probably to ask. All auditions I've done have all had set music, or a play one of these three type things. Usually at least one swing standard and one bebop tune.

[So Low Bass]

The majority of band auditions are a two way street… you're auditioning them too. The ideal situation is to go to one of this bands public gigs, with your bass. Get a drink, relax, listen and watch. What is this bands following… family and friends, neighbors, “real” public? How does the band play with each other? How do they dress? What kind of “club” is it? Is there a core of alcoholics at the bar totally disinterested in the music? How does it treat musicians… is the house music turned off before the band starts? Watch and see the band where goes on their breaks. Are you welcome to tag along? IF, after all of this unfakable information, you’re still interested…

Get up with your own ax when invited, close your mouth, open your ears, and play your best… you’re not going to lose a body part. Don’t try and be anyone else. (It’s also good to know what happened to the last guy.)

[sammyp]

always play what you can play perfectly or close .....then you are pro and you will be viewed that way!

if there are parts that you can't quite nail....simply them that way YOU always sound and play good! they never hear you sweat!

Sweat is for the woodshed! I wish i knew this when i was 20 or so ....

The other guys make great points - jazz is not just about Jaco .....alot of 1/4 note walking lines ....standard jazz tunes

It sounds like you're not 'really" into jazz yet in the standard sense ....learn some tunes the others have suggested ..no technical difficulty but alot of chords and walking ....autumn leaves, satin doll, take the a train etc

[henry2513]

I'd play material appropriate to the genre, If I was auditioning for a Jazz band I wouldn't go in playing Jaco. Jaco is far from what you'd call traditional Jazz, I'd stick with jazz standards - playing the heads, walking and soloing.

[Bear_Bass]

thanks for all the advice guys.

i think im going to go with one of the ones i can play confidently

i should of made it more clear in the thread, but its not all traditional jazz, there is other forms thrown in.

Anyway thanks for the tips everyone