Is it possible for me to join Jazz Band?

petchimp123 · #1 03-19-2008, 06:33 PM

I've been taking lessons for a year and a half, then I quit because I just kept learning a bunch of songs with my teacher. It has been 2 years(6 months after I quit) and I saw some guy playing bass in the jazz band at my school.

I didn't even know you were allowed to pick your instrument and I thought bass guitar was too "informal" for school music, but this made me want to learn how to play. I am a sophmore currently at my high school. If I pick up on lessons this summer and learn my music theory(i know none) during this three month course, will I be ready enough to try out for jazz band?

I want to do this because it seems fun, I want to expand my knowledge of music and music theory, and I want some extracurricular activities that will look good for when I apply for college.

mikeyswood · #2 03-19-2008, 06:37 PM

There is no better way to learn than to jump in. Go for it!

petchimp123 · #3 03-19-2008, 06:45 PM

Thanks but i really need to know if its possible for me to just "jump in" and learn all this in approximately 12 bass lessons(1 every week for the summer) with practice in between.

WillBuckingham · #4 03-19-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petchimp123

Thanks but i really need to know if its possible for me to just "jump in" and learn all this in approximately 12 bass lessons(1 every week for the summer) with practice in between.

Sure. The main variable here is the "practice in between" part. If that means a few hours a day then you've got the right idea.

Find a teacher who works regularly in high-profile jazz gigs in your area and who has a number of students.

petchimp123 · #5 03-19-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillBuckingham

Sure. The main variable here is the "practice in between" part. If that means a few hours a day then you've got the right idea.

Find a teacher who works regularly in high-profile jazz gigs in your area and who has a number of students.

Well my teacher seems good enough, he has been playing bass for 30 years and teaches double bass also, so he seems like he would know music theory well. He's the only teacher I know in my area. The only reason i quit is because i thought i already learned most of the stuff for bass.

ryco · #6 03-19-2008, 07:27 PM

Even if you don't get in this semester you would be even more prepared for next semester audition/challenges.
Maybe you could get in as a second backup bassist. Talk to the teacher. Or sit and watch the class if your schedule allows.

For a headstart here's a Free Jazz Handbook with lots of good info. Check out his other stuff, too. Esp Vol 1, 2 & 3

mkrtu9 · #7 03-19-2008, 07:42 PM

you can do it...you just have to make up your mind if you want to put in all the work for it. It will take a lot of work, but you'll get it done.

good luck

Jim Carr · #8 03-19-2008, 08:51 PM

Listen to a lot of Jazz, all different kinds. Especially check out the great bassists of the 50's, 60's, (and later) like Paul Chambers, Scott Lafaro, Ray Brown, Dave Holland, Milt Hinton, Chuck Israels, Percy Heath, Richard Davis, Glen Moore, Charles Mingus, Oscar Pettiford, Rufus Ried, Steve Swallow, Eddie Gomez, Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorius, etc.

Of course there are many many more, but ask your teacher to guide your listening and recommend recordings. You may even find many of them in the Library. Find a local Jazz station, and listen. Go hear live players, especially if there are free concerts outdoors this summer. Practice! If you fall in love with it, learn double bass.

DocBop · #9 03-19-2008, 10:49 PM

Track down the bass player in your school Jazz band and ask him if you can hang out at a rehearsal so you can see how much reading is involved, any soloing, watch the teacher conduct the band. Get a feel for what's involved. Then you should be able to talk after rehearsal and get some tips on what to practice over the summer. After that I would hunt down the teacher who runs the band and let him know you're interested and ask him advice for what to work on. After that you can find a bass teacher and know exactly what you want to work on.

phektus · #10 03-19-2008, 11:30 PM

Just do it. If you fall short, you'll get the benefit of experience. Then try again. If you get in, don't forget to continue your lessons for improvement.

hbarcat · #11 03-20-2008, 12:49 AM

Provided you're honest with the band you're joining that you're not very experienced, you should go for it.

It's exactly what I did 20 years ago, joining an experienced small jazz combo at college that was short a bass player and had to settle for someone with less than 2 years experience at bass.

I practiced 20 hours a week on my own for months in order to learn the tunes and be able to keep up but it was well worth it when we played songs at shows and it sounded good. The fastest way to learn is to jump in the deep end.

Chebass88 · #12 03-20-2008, 10:11 AM

Absolutely!!

You can absolutely learn enough to be in your HS jazz band in 12 weeks. I did the same thing back in 8th & 9th grade. Here are some things that helped me:

1. Most HS jazz band charts are written out (all seemed to be arranged by "Sammy Nestico"). If you can read bass clef, you're ahead of the game & will do fine. If not, learn this summer. A written part saves you the need to play & create at the same time.

2. Scales. Scales are a great way to learn how to connect chords in a big band chart. Learn as many scales as you can (hint: there are only 12 keys, so only 12 major scales...).

3. Know what chord symbols mean & how to play them on your bass. For example, if you see a Cm7(b5), you'll know that the chord notes are C Eb Gb Bb, and now you have 4 notes you can make a walking line from.

Once you know these things, you can DEFINITELY play in your HS jazz band.

Don't give up - it is hard & frustrating at first, but it becomes more fun! I played my first jazz gig (the HS jazz band while I was in 8th grade) after only playing for 6 months.

Best,

imp

202dy · #13 03-20-2008, 10:23 AM

Listen to what Jim Carr and Doc Bop said.

Listen to the music. All of it.
Find a teacher who will teach you to read.
Practice every day.
Use the teacher and band director as mentors

If there is any way to get the teacher and the band director to communicate you will be further ahead of the game. Usually, your teacher will have to contact the band director. That way the school charts can be incorporated into the course of study.

Oric · #14 03-20-2008, 02:41 PM

If it's anything like mine, learning to read music in bass clef and lead sheets is a good start.

Jazz band in high school for me was how I learned to play- my band director (I played tuba) handed me a bass and said "rehearsals are on Monday and Wednesday"

petchimp123 · #15 03-20-2008, 05:06 PM

ok one more question... in the program of studies booklet which lists all the classes we can take at my school, it says i have to be in concert band to be in jazz band, but my friend who is really involved in music told me there is no requisite to jazz band. Could anyone tell me more about this? Or should i just meet with my counsler for questions?

Also is the type of bass I own going to matter? I have a Squier and a recently bought Behringer 180 watt amp. I mean I have until the second semester of next year to buy a new bass. Is my amp good enough to use for this?

Jim Carr · #16 03-20-2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petchimp123

ok one more question... in the program of studies booklet which lists all the classes we can take at my school, it says i have to be in concert band to be in jazz band, but my friend who is really involved in music told me there is no requisite to jazz band. Could anyone tell me more about this? Or should i just meet with my counsler for questions?

Also is the type of bass I own going to matter? I have a Squier and a recently bought Behringer 180 watt amp. I mean I have until the second semester of next year to buy a new bass. Is my amp good enough to use for this?

Your amp and instrument are fine.

Don't just talk to the counselor, they can be misinformed. Also talk at length to the current bass player, other Jazz band members, and the director. What you want to know is: "How can that requirement or prerequisite be waived (ignored) in this case?"

However, if you want people to do things like that, you have to be able to deliver basic bass services. The sooner you get that together, the smoother your sail will be into that Band.

Don't be afraid. Everyone actually WANTS you to succeed. The prerequisite stuff is there because they are trying to make sure the best players also stay in the concert band. Since there is no role for the electric bass in most concert bands, the prerequisite should not be applied to you. BTW, are the keyboard or guitar player in the concert band? No? I didn't think so....

Beast · #17 03-20-2008, 05:47 PM

Little off-topic, but do you live in the SoCal area?

Cause I played a show with my high school jazz band 2-3 hours before you posted this.

If you did by some weird chance of fate happen to be there, I'd be more than happy to give you some help, maybe copy some of the jazz charts so you see what it's like.

fish slapper · #18 03-20-2008, 05:50 PM

I'll chime in but your already getting great advice here already.

I did a similar thing 30 years ago and like other's here it was a life changing experience. One piece of advice I will second (or maybe third), work on your bass clef reading skills. Lots of charts don't have chord notation and you gotta be able to figure out what they want. I was able to fake for a while by figuring out what root was needed and going from there. But, that's going to be your number one challenge.

I was fortunate enough to have a desperate band director who put up with my lack of reading skills (although, even then, I was a hell of an improvisor).

Have fun, this is a great opportunity.

D.Don · #19 03-20-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petchimp123

I've been taking lessons for a year and a half, then I quit because I just kept learning a bunch of songs with my teacher. It has been 2 years(6 months after I quit) and I saw some guy playing bass in the jazz band at my school.

I didn't even know you were allowed to pick your instrument and I thought bass guitar was too "informal" for school music, but this made me want to learn how to play. I am a sophmore currently at my high school. If I pick up on lessons this summer and learn my music theory(i know none) during this three month course, will I be ready enough to try out for jazz band?

I want to do this because it seems fun, I want to expand my knowledge of music and music theory, and I want some extracurricular activities that will look good for when I apply for college.

Since you ask the question, why do you doubt? If you consider no, it's a no, if you just want someone else to confirm your yes, then go for it.

D.Don

Equin · #20 03-20-2008, 06:00 PM

I'm a sophomore in high school and I am one of the TWO bass players in our jazz band. We switch off during gigs. We don't NEED two players, but we both want the experience. I joined freshman year, but I was an amateur (couldnt even discern notes on the bass clef, had just barely picked up bass). I've applied myself quite a bit, however, and I'm adept at the bass clef now. Try and see if you can pull off what I've done...if your music director is forgiving enough, he will let you switch into that class so you can jump into the heap of things and get yourself on the right track. It really is great motivation.

What is essential for you to learn is the bass clef (providing you do not know how already). You also need to be able to read different rhythms. Get some sheet music, listen to the actual song, then play with the song via reading the sheet music.

To reiterate-- listen to jazz! In the car, at your house (http://www.jazzandblues.org/index.aspx listen to this station if you can), in your bathroom. Immerse yourself.