Berklee Bass Audition..need Prepared piece guideline!

bassone234 · #1 01-23-2011, 11:53 AM

hey ive a berklee audtion in around 42days time..Im thinking of doing love buzz on the bass as i know it note by note perfectly..What do u guys suggest?

SoonerMatt · #2 01-23-2011, 12:36 PM

Jazz, classical, or contemporary/rock? I have a friend who got his BMP and MBA from Berklee so I'll ask him.

jsingles · #3 01-23-2011, 12:40 PM

I'm a senior bass major at UML but I also know lots of guys who go to Berklee.

My best advice for you is, whatever you choose, don't try to be flashy with it. They don't want to see you shred, they want to see that you have a good fundamental understanding of jazz, and that you are ready to be taught by them.

Don't be afraid to play the really cliche simple songs like autumn leaves. Your audition won't be judged by the cleverness of your audition piece. Just find things from the real book that you can nail.

bassone234 · #4 01-25-2011, 04:20 AM

the piece i was talking about is an alternative rock song the bass line is very groovy thats why i wanted to try it for my audition..i really appreciate u guys helping out could u please have one listen to it and let me know if its a good choice because i know this piece perfectly and note by note so i think it will be putting my best foot forward here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLthJDXbq6Y.And if u guys think this wont be appropriate could suggest some other songs i could try out but please have in mind i have 39 days to go...and im also trying to perfect other things theyve mentioned in their audition guideline.

bassone234 · #5 01-25-2011, 04:25 AM

And does it matter reduce my points if im playing with a pick?

dlloyd · #6 01-25-2011, 04:38 AM

Is this "Love Buzz" by Nirvana?

With a pick?

For a Berklee audition?

Are you kidding?

Step · #7 01-25-2011, 04:46 AM

weird choice for a song, I'd choose a song with less repetition, this song is the same riff over and over again, and not a really hard one at that

jordie65 · #8 01-25-2011, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Step

weird choice for a song, I'd choose a song with less repetition, this song is the same riff over and over again, and not a really hard one at that

i agree, sure you dont need to play super flashy pieces in an audition but im just at a loss as to how this piece will adequately demonstrate your understanding of the instrument

bassone234 · #9 01-25-2011, 10:34 AM

Im lost with what i should play..could u guys suggest a song then?

bassone234 · #10 01-25-2011, 10:36 AM

Is the pot by tool any good of a choice?

Step · #11 01-25-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassone234

Is the pot by tool any good of a choice?

getting better, but it's something I learned within 1.5 years of starting the instrument, to get into something like Berklee I think you need to demonstrate mastery of the instrument.

Even more important than mastery is vision I guess, meaning that if you don't even know what to play, why do you want to get into Berklee? Does Berklee have a rock/pop program? you might get into that by really nailing something like the pot, but what do you want to do if you get in?

bassone234 · #12 01-25-2011, 11:07 AM

Im confused about what to play its because i dont know what theyre looking for in the prepared piece..should it be jazz?or is any genre fine?Now even the pot i can nail but even if i play it perfectly will they not take it seriously...Im really lost here..

pedroims · #13 01-25-2011, 11:09 AM

I would not play that song its the same riff over and over actually I would not chosse any Nirvana's song, if you dont want to play jazz , what about some funk, R&B or at least some RHCP.

father of fires · #14 01-25-2011, 11:10 AM

I always heard that Donna Lee is a good audition song but that may be too flashy.

Step · #15 01-25-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassone234

Im confused about what to play its because i dont know what theyre looking for in the prepared piece..should it be jazz?or is any genre fine?Now even the pot i can nail but even if i play it perfectly will they not take it seriously...Im really lost here..

why are you asking us what you should play if you're the one auditioning? you of all people should know what the choices are and can be, and in what genres they are.

Anyway, I read the admission guidelines on berklee and you need to be able to read music, can you read music? if so, I'd advise you to learn a piece of music you can read, 40 days is a good timespan to learn a piece of music (for example autumn leaves or girl from ipanema)

father of fires · #16 01-25-2011, 11:19 AM

A guy I knew told me that they had an "open strings melody" course at Berklee so, you don't need to be a master to get in.

If it were me I would pick an easy jazz standard and try to play a solid walking bass line. Maybe a short solo over the changes.

At school, you'll probably end up playing a lot of music you don't like so try to pick a good bass song. Not just a song you like or already know.

I went there once to visit some friends. It really is an inspiring place.

Good luck.

azureblue · #17 01-25-2011, 11:29 AM

that demonstrates:
Your understanding of jazz - this means a good jazz tune with a good set of chord changes and melody line. It does not have to be fast. Donna Lee? Forget it- it is way over done, and the changes are "Back Home in Indiana" something any decent jazz player knows by heart. You'd be better served finding a tune like "Joy Spring", "Tear It Down" (or any other Wes Montgomery tune, but Joe Pass, Herb Ellis, etc. all have great stuff that works well on a bass) ", "Ceora", "Ill Wind", "Can't We Be Friends" (Betty Carter), "Moment's Notice" (MN is good to know anyway, since it contains some of the elements of "Giant Steps"). Even "I Remember Clifford", if you love playing melodic bass solos.

your chops AND musical expression / emotion. And How well you can swing. Admission boards see a wad of hot shots with piles of chops and no feel or heart to their playing. Pick a piece that shows to them how much you love music, not one to impress them.

odin70 · #18 01-25-2011, 11:43 AM

Play music YOU like to play, not what you think they like to hear.

bassone234 · #19 01-25-2011, 11:59 AM

If i were to play a minor melodic bass solo what shows more understanding then ure own piece but how complex should it be?and i tranposed a chordal bass solo for autumns leaves sometime back but it was of about 1.34 mins should i try that?And one last thing i appreciate all u ppl helping out are 40 days enough to master or atleast do all the audition guidelines well enough?

father of fires · #20 01-25-2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassone234

If i were to play a minor melodic bass solo what shows more understanding then ure own piece but how complex should it be?and i tranposed a chordal bass solo for autumns leaves sometime back but it was of about 1.34 mins should i try that?And one last thing i appreciate all u ppl helping out are 40 days enough to master or atleast do all the audition guidelines well enough?

Autumn leaves is a great example. The audition panel may have heard it a million times so see if you can spice it up some.

Forty days should be enough. Just set a schedule, have goals, and stick to it.