Should I audition for bass in jazz band?

petchimp123 · #1 12-07-2008, 10:12 AM

So I didn't try out for jazz band during the tryouts because my rhythm was horrible... A friend of mine told me that they still need another bass player to try out. I emailed the band director to see if I could give it a shot. I have about 2 and a half days to practice.

My question is, how can I improve my rhythm? What if I miss a note or two or my rhythm is off? Will this automatically make them not want to take me in?

HaVIC5 · #2 12-07-2008, 10:18 AM

Rhythm isn't your biggest concern, reading is. How is your reading?

petchimp123 · #3 12-07-2008, 10:24 AM

I can read the notes pretty well on the bass clef, its just that I'm not that fast at reading it.

ryco · #4 12-07-2008, 10:26 AM

Go for it. Great fun to be had and an excellent learning experience!

fish slapper · #5 12-07-2008, 10:30 AM

I assume you are talking High School Jazz band???

If so, as one who was in the same situation as you 30+ years ago, I'll also express that your biggest challenge in going into a Jazz situation will be reading. Many of the charts that schools use are similar to show band charts in that many times, each note is written out and there are no chord notations to help you improvise a walking line. Of course, many times they start the measure with the root note of the chord so if you can read fast enough to grab the root, you can walk the rest.

As for rhythm, the best training for that is the metronome. Jazz is full of walking lines of quarter notes. So play scales with a metronome, one note to the beat. Remember, in Jazz, the emphasis in 4/4 is on the 2 and 4 beat so put a little emphasis on those to make it "swing."

Good luck on the audition! I hope your band director is a desperate as mine was. In retrospect, I was over my head, but I learned a lot through the experience!

petchimp123 · #6 12-07-2008, 10:34 AM

yup its highschool jazz band.

Dogbertday · #7 12-07-2008, 10:46 AM

go for it, man!

onlyclave · #8 12-07-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish slapper

I assume you are talking High School Jazz band???

If so, as one who was in the same situation as you 30+ years ago, I'll also express that your biggest challenge in going into a Jazz situation will be reading. Many of the charts that schools use are similar to show band charts in that many times, each note is written out and there are no chord notations to help you improvise a walking line. Of course, many times they start the measure with the root note of the chord so if you can read fast enough to grab the root, you can walk the rest.

As for rhythm, the best training for that is the metronome. Jazz is full of walking lines of quarter notes. So play scales with a metronome, one note to the beat. Remember, in Jazz, the emphasis in 4/4 is on the 2 and 4 beat so put a little emphasis on those to make it "swing."

Good luck on the audition! I hope your band director is a desperate as mine was. In retrospect, I was over my head, but I learned a lot through the experience!

+1. You aren't in the band now so you have nothing to lose. If you don't get in ask the director what you need to improve so you can play in the band.

I think playing in ensemble situations is more important than private instruction. If you have a private teacher, take your charts to him and he can help direct your practice time to make your jazz band rehearsals much more productive.

MD · #9 12-07-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlyclave

If you don't get in ask the director what you need to improve so you can play in the band.

Agreed. If you know where you were lacking for this audition, you'll know what to work on for the next. And maybe in the process you'll meet some people who want to get together outside of school. Always a good thing.

DocBop · #10 12-07-2008, 01:19 PM

Audition no matter what. Auditions are good for learning what to work on, what kinds of stuff people will ask for, and thru doing lots of them learn to relax in audition situation. Also great way to get to know other musicians in your town especially other bass players and drummers.

As for rhythm you aren't going to fix it in two days you need to work on your inner metronome and reading. Remember when playing in any situation if you think your going to step on a note, don't play that note. Don't drop your volume just skip that one note.

In general working on sightreading will help your rhythm. Clapping and singing rhythms before picking up your bass to practice reading some practice piece will help speed the learning process. Practicing sightreading teaches a lot of skills besides reading. It helps your time, knowledge of neck and position playing. As you start getting into read start writing down bass line you already know. Those are familiar rhythms and now you can see what they look like to go with the sound.

Blake Bass · #11 12-07-2008, 01:22 PM

Do it, that is how I got started playing the bass over 25 years ago.

LAPetrarca · #12 12-07-2008, 01:24 PM

Absolutely go for it!

If they're looking for a second bass player, the worst that could probably happen is you'll get second seat. That's OK.....use it as a learning tool and, as others said, ask the band instructor what to work on so you can go for first seat next year......at this point in your life, it should be about fun!

aikakone · #13 12-09-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

Audition no matter what. Auditions are good for learning what to work on, what kinds of stuff people will ask for, and thru doing lots of them learn to relax in audition situation. Also great way to get to know other musicians in your town especially other bass players and drummers.

Excellent words of wisdom. I've been having my own audition jitters lately for percussion not bass, and this calm approach works no matter what.