Got a berklee audition coming up...

SixStrings · #1 02-11-2008, 12:31 PM

And I want to do a good contemporary prepared piece. Right now my bass teacher and I brainstormed and came up with either Cliff Burton's Anesthesia (made easier by the fact that I learned the first half two years ago) and a Jaco piece (pretty much my bass teacher's idea, I don't think I'm good enough w/ harmonics to do them justice). And we've got the idea of doing a selection from one and then a selection from a Bach cello suite.

I just wanted to know if anyone had any better ideas/what you think of this one...

Note: My slap bass isn't very good either. So anything fingerstyle would be ideal.

bass_fish · #2 02-11-2008, 12:40 PM

no clue if you like it: something Rush related ?

Lesfunk · #3 02-11-2008, 12:45 PM

Are you auditioning for a scholarship?

SixStrings · #4 02-11-2008, 12:45 PM

I would like it. What would you recommend (my experience with Rush goes no farther than simply enjoying their music when I hear it)?

Didn't see this before I posted:

Quote:

Are you auditioning for a scholarship?

It's an admissions & scholarship audition rolled into one.

Lesfunk · #5 02-11-2008, 12:49 PM

I never auditioned for a scholarship. But if you want to attend Berklee, all you really need is money. If you can play Mustang sally you are already qualified to study at Berklee.
I believe if you are trying for a scholarship, Your audition will carry more weight.
I was accepted at berklee but did not attend.

Lesfunk · #6 02-11-2008, 12:51 PM

I think Working up a Bach Suite or something might be appropriate but let's see what some others have to say...

bass_fish · #7 02-11-2008, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SixStrings

I would like it. What would you recommend (my experience with Rush goes no farther than simply enjoying their music when I hear it)?

couldn't recommend you one, I just love their music in general and geddy's playing never seems to amaze me...

SixStrings · #8 02-11-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

geddy's playing never seems to amaze me

I hope you meant ceases instead of seems, I really do.

Lesfunk, when did you apply to Berklee (I've heard similar sentiments from many)?

I believe now they have rolled their admission and scholarship auditions into one. So should I just drop the contemporary stuff and bust out a movement from a suite IYO?

jsingles · #9 02-11-2008, 12:59 PM

my bass instructor advised me AGAINST jaco peices with harmonics in them, because in order for those pieces to sound any good at all, you need ideal amp settings.. and you dont want to HOPE that your harmonics come out at the audition... too risky. simple fingerstyle is best.

They arent looking for technical skill

They are looking to see if you can GROOVE

j.a.e.r.i.p · #10 02-11-2008, 01:02 PM

i think if you played Come On, Come Over-Jaco Pastorius, that would show groove, good influences, and there are no harmonics, not to mention that is an absolutely awesome bassline.

Lesfunk · #11 02-11-2008, 01:03 PM

Shucks, Must've been fall of 1984.... Back in the stone age. I can hardly remember.
The point I'd like to make is that I don't think it should stress you too much.
Pick a piece of music that you like; work it up and play it for them. They really just want to hear how you play so they can place you in the program That benefits you the most.

Angus · #12 02-11-2008, 01:04 PM

If you want a scholarship, playing something like Anaesthesia or Portrait of Tracy is NOT going to get it.

They're going to want to see something more like if it you can walk and/or groove comfortably through a set of changes, if you can read, and MAYBE if you can solo a bit over the same set of changes.

Solo pieces aren't going to do it unless they're really impressive or written by you (and impressive).

Those pieces definitely aren't going to do it.

How long have you been playing?

Edit: To be honest, chances are you aren't going to get any sort of scholarship. By the sounds of it, you just aren't at the point what they consider scholarship-level students. There aren't many, so it's mostly saved for very advanced and highly-tuned players. That's ok- it's unlikely that you won't get in, so really all you need is cash.

Also, based on what your teacher suggested...I'd get a new one. Anaesthesia? Really?

Yankeesfan1115 · #13 02-11-2008, 01:12 PM

i'd recommend arranging an all-bass version of a classic song
i recently arranged eleanor rigby for bass, and it sounds insane

but to echo what everyone else said, they probably want you to groove

Angus · #14 02-11-2008, 01:16 PM

Still, not so much groove as be able to handle chord changes. But you'll have to do more than just "handle" them to really get a serious scholarship offer.

jbiscuti · #15 02-11-2008, 01:16 PM

Not Berklee, but for my school I auditioned with an arrangement of Bach's "Suite #1 in G Major", which is originally for cello IIRC, and got a nice scholarship.

Pennydreadful · #16 02-11-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angus

...really all you need is cash...

Famous last words.

bass_fish · #17 02-11-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SixStrings

I hope you meant ceases instead of seems, I really do.

haha yeah you're right... my bad....

onlyclave · #18 02-11-2008, 01:20 PM

I would think that you should be able to play all of your major and minor scales (12 keys) over 2 octaves, do a little bit of sight reading maybe some lead sheet reading and blowing. Go grab the Charlie Parker Omnibook in bass clef and learn a couple of Bird tunes and solos.

I was accepted to Berklee too and decided not to go because for the amount of money that was required I wanted to make sure I could take that degree and go work on a master's afterward. I don't know if it has changed but back then a lot of graduate programs wouldn't consider Berklee a sufficient undergrad program.

What is your expectation of learning at Berklee? If you want to just shred there are other schools (Musicians Institute, Player's School) that will do that too.

waseok · #19 02-11-2008, 01:24 PM

amazing grace?

Hoover · #20 02-11-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SixStrings

It's an admissions & scholarship audition rolled into one.

Not sure if things have changed since the Paleolithic Era when I attended, but fwiw there was no "prepared material" expected -- or even allowed -- at my Berklee audition. They threw some music in front of me to evaluate my sight reading, threw some lead sheets in front of me to evaluate my ability to walk over changes, and asked me to solo over a 12-bar blues (with some dweeb comping on piano).