San Diego State Jazz studies

[03leigj]

UK student wanting to know if anybody has any information about the course, and where you should be at in terms of ability, and how essential is double bass over electric?

[SLaPiNFuNK]

I am unfamiliar with the program there, but anywhere you go, playing upright and Jazz, you are going to get more attention from other jazz musicians. And that means you will get more experience playing in jam sessions and stuff.

[Kobaia]

I know a hand full of people that have gone through that program, non of them seem to get off the ground, or out of the city. San Diego isnt really a good city for music. UCSD would be a better choice if you have to stay in san diego. but my suggestion is go somewhere where there is music for your masters. that way you can go to school and establish yourself as a musician in that area.

I agree w/slapinfunk about the upright

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by Kobaia

I know a hand full of people that have gone through that program, non of them seem to get off the ground, or out of the city. San Diego isnt really a good city for music. UCSD would be a better choice if you have to stay in san diego. but my suggestion is go somewhere where there is music for your masters. that way you can go to school and establish yourself as a musician in that area.

I agree w/slapinfunk about the upright

I agree. And I'm an SDSU alum.

[03leigj]

Thanks for the quick responses, my main reason for san diego state was that it's the nicest place that's financially within reach in california that I've seen, as for going to university I want the experience, it looks like a decent place for that.

What's the course actually like? ( jazz scene aside) A in terms of you saying it hasn't got a good scene is that all music or just jazz, cause I'd be cool with playing contemporary music. Plus if the scenes so bad I could transfer to long beach, which I'd been looking at before due to the better area, only problem being they don't accept video auditions and I won't be able to do a live one befcause of my location.

So yeah, any info on how good you need to be? And scholarships?

[Kobaia]

There are tons of bands. mostly metal, reggae or some combo of the two. No one, I mean, no one pays their bands to play shows at their club, restaurant, or venue. there are about 10 musicians who get all the jazz gigs.
Peter Sprague
Duncan Moore
Bob Magnusson
Kevin Freeby
Gilbert Castillanos
Mikan Zlatkovich
Jeffery Keezer
Gunnar Biggs
Justin Grinnell
and Rob Thorsen

unless you're in with those guys you dont get many gigs.
I'm leaving the area in august for greener pastures.

[aqsw]

Originally Posted by 03leigj

UK student wanting to know if anybody has any information about the course, and where you should be at in terms of ability, and how essential is double bass over electric?

Have you thought of Canada? Doubling gets the gigs. You probably will not succeed here without double bassing.
The jazz scene is getting real popular in Winnipeg.
Some pretty good profs. Steve Kirby is the bass prof.
Jimmy Greene, etc.

University of Manitoba - Faculty of Music - Jazz Studies