Jazz Audition Dilema

[Nami]

I'm going to be auditioned to the military service "Excellent Musician" that means I won't have to give up playing while I'm in the army. I really want to pass this test because playing is everything for me and I can't imagine giving it up. The selection is pretty harsh, 7-9 get in from 50-60 jazz players maybe more, but because it's so hard to find double bassists in here, there is always at least one that pass the auditions. Since it's hard to tell what will the level of the others be I had to think about what to play really hard and what to focus on, they published a list of tunes and i thought it's may be good to take things from the list to make sure they can easily judge me.

They asked for:
One ballad and one bop tune that i have to play - Theme->Walk->Solo
and one modern tune and one Latin tune that they will tell me what to play during the audition.
They asked for short archo solo too in one of the tunes.
They Recommended to take on a-symmetric or triangular tune.
so i took
ballad- Body&Soul which i play theme + short solo with the bow.
bop- Donna Lee in which i play the theme also (the unison).
modern- Litha that i only walk and solo.
latin- Spain that i play the unison also.

I can play by the time all those tunes good enough but isn't looking at those tunes make you say "God... This bassist thinks he's playing the Saxophone or something..." and it makes me think they won't let me pass for being less bassist and more a leader (although i have the chance to show them a great lines in stuff like Litha that are really hard to play good).

it's a tough call if i should go there and do those tunes or take a step back for being a bassist.

BTW
Taking easier tunes is not the problem. it doesn't matter what tunes it will be I'll work my butt of 'till it will sound like i was born to play it but i don't want it to be to flashy.

Cheers....
Gal.

[Sam Sherry]

Gal --

Play pieces that you love and that allow you to reflect your love of music, jazz and the bass. Don't waste time trying to figure out what the panel "wants" to hear.

The songs you have chosen are not "sax" or "bass" tunes or "any instrument" tunes. They are all well-known pieces in the jazz standard canon. They have all been performed and recorded by some of the greatest virtuosi of jazz bass, including Oscar Pettiford, Steve Swallow, Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke. You are following in the footsteps of giants!

All good luck with your audition. I mean no insult to any past or present soldiers when I say that the chance to study music, rather than war, is an opportunity worth struggling for.

[Nami]

Thanks Sam, your comment really got me inspired. You're right, musically i feel great playing those tunes and if i feel good with them and proud about the way i play them i should play them and the panel will sense it. I also think that i have to earn my chance to practice music (war isn't my thing at all no offense).

Have a great day.
Gal.

[David Kaczorowski]

Originally Posted by Nami

I can play by the time all those tunes good enough but isn't looking at those tunes make you say "God... This bassist thinks he's playing the Saxophone or something..."

If you can do that, more power to you. In my opinion that is something to strive for.

[oliebrice]

[quote=Nami;4867547] (war isn't my thing at all no offense).QUOTE]

then get a 21 profile, and play as much as you like... worked for me.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by Sam Sherry

Gal --

Play pieces that you love and that allow you to reflect your love of music, jazz and the bass. Don't waste time trying to figure out what the panel "wants" to hear.

The songs you have chosen are not "sax" or "bass" tunes or "any instrument" tunes. They are all well-known pieces in the jazz standard canon. They have all been performed and recorded by some of the greatest virtuosi of jazz bass, including Oscar Pettiford, Steve Swallow, Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke. You are following in the footsteps of giants!

All good luck with your audition. I mean no insult to any past or present soldiers when I say that the chance to study music, rather than war, is an opportunity worth struggling for.

Agreed 100% - I would add that I go to a lot of Jazz gigs in the UK and although mostly the leader is a sax, trumpet or piano player - there are often bands lead by bassists - who write or arrange all the tunes and act as featured soloist!

I've even seen Jazz groups lead by drummers!!

[Rosenfield]

Originally Posted by Sam Sherry

Gal --

Play pieces that you love and that allow you to reflect your love of music, jazz and the bass. Don't waste time trying to figure out what the panel "wants" to hear.

The songs you have chosen are not "sax" or "bass" tunes or "any instrument" tunes. They are all well-known pieces in the jazz standard canon. They have all been performed and recorded by some of the greatest virtuosi of jazz bass, including Oscar Pettiford, Steve Swallow, Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke. You are following in the footsteps of giants!

All good luck with your audition. I mean no insult to any past or present soldiers when I say that the chance to study music, rather than war, is an opportunity worth struggling for.

I agree with all the above. I don't know how this kind of audition is organised, but I suppose you will play with (say) a piano player and a drummer, and that there is no time to rehearse? If so, I would choose tunes that would work under this rather strange situation. Body and Soul would be no problem, but for me, it would be hard to predict what would happen with Spain with me and two other players which I've never heard or played with (even if they were very good, which they probably are in this case). I'm not saying Spain wouldn't be a good choice for you, though.