Navy Band

89JazzMan · #1 11-10-2009, 08:45 AM

I want to play bass for a living. It seems there are very few grad schools with electric programs that I can afford.

Moving to a city and getting your name out requires an undertermined amount of "poor time".

I am a pretty good player. I can hold down a solid groove, modulate metrically and tonally, I can sight read pretty much anything put in front of me thanks to the wonderful music faculty at WVU...go eers!!!

I am considering joining a military band as an electric bass player. It really seems the only route to a "sure" gig. I am looking mainly at the Navy because you can audition and if you dont make it...you don't join the Navy.

Anyone have experience out there on Navy Musicians? Do I need to be playing like Jaco to pass an audition? How good are these guys? I cannot really find any info and the audition requirements are vaugue at best.

Any tips???

73jbass · #2 11-10-2009, 09:00 AM

Wrong section?

**Pacman** · #3 11-10-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89JazzMan

I want to play bass for a living. It seems there are very few grad schools with electric programs that I can afford.

Moving to a city and getting your name out requires an undertermined amount of "poor time".

I am a pretty good player. I can hold down a solid groove, modulate metrically and tonally, I can sight read pretty much anything put in front of me thanks to the wonderful music faculty at WVU...go eers!!!

I am considering joining a military band as an electric bass player. It really seems the only route to a "sure" gig. I am looking mainly at the Navy because you can audition and if you dont make it...you don't join the Navy.

Anyone have experience out there on Navy Musicians? Do I need to be playing like Jaco to pass an audition? How good are these guys? I cannot really find any info and the audition requirements are vaugue at best.

Any tips???

All 4 services have the same provision of not having to join if you don't pass the audition, just so you know.

Feel free to PM me with any questions - I went to the Army/Navy school of music, spent 14 years in the Army band, and have spent the last 8 in the Air Force band.

Moved to miscellaneous, where this belongs.

Bass Junkie · #4 11-10-2009, 07:38 PM

I spent 10 years in the Navy Band playing electric bass. When I joined it was required that bass players also play tuba, but I believe that has changed. If you can read, play different styles, and you're in good physical shape, you should have no problem meeting the requirements. It's a great way to see and live places you probably would not have seen otherwise. Feel free to PM me also if you have any questions. You may also contact the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, VA and ask them about audition requirements. The actual audition will have to be set up by a recruiter.

Bass Junkie · #5 11-10-2009, 07:46 PM

btw, Of the 4 service bands, Air Force is the best as far as overall talent unless you get in one of the Navy's specialty groups. Only downside to the Air Force is it's harder to move up in rank, but if you have a degree in music I suggest you give the Air Force a try first.

**Pacman** · #6 11-11-2009, 12:09 AM

Having spent time in two services, I can tell you the whole thing about being harder to make rank in the Air Force is complete BS. Yes, you will make rank faster initially in the Navy or Army. That is not the case for the higher grades. Also, you do not need a degree (I don't) to join the AF.

The tuba requirement for navy has been dropped, as Bass Junkie stated.

Bass Junkie · #7 11-11-2009, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Having spent time in two services, I can tell you the whole thing about being harder to make rank in the Air Force is complete BS. Yes, you will make rank faster initially in the Navy or Army. That is not the case for the higher grades.

I guess it's not complete BS if it's partially true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Also, you do not need a degree (I don't) to join the AF.

Is it because you were already in a service band that made it posssible to get in the Air Force? It was my understanding that the Air Force would not even conider someone(at least not a new recruit) without a degree. Isn't that why the Air Force members do not attend the School of Music?

Bass Junkie · #8 11-11-2009, 02:45 AM

Well I found this about the Air Force Band:

"Qualifications

Do I need a college degree?
Although most members of The United States Air Force Band have earned undergraduate degrees, a college degree is not required to become a member. Candidates are offered positions solely on the basis of a successful audition."

From my experince with the Navy I'm guessing that the Air Force sets the bar a little higher on the requirements to pass the audition.

**Pacman** · #9 11-11-2009, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Junkie

Well I found this about the Air Force Band:

"Qualifications

Do I need a college degree?
Although most members of The United States Air Force Band have earned undergraduate degrees, a college degree is not required to become a member. Candidates are offered positions solely on the basis of a successful audition."

Absolutely true.

Quote:

From my experince with the Navy I'm guessing that the Air Force sets the bar a little higher on the requirements to pass the audition.

Also absolutely true, although I'd say it's more than a little higher.