Playing Bass for the U.S. Army

Righteous Thunderer · #1 08-24-2010, 10:57 AM

Does anyone here play for the Army? I've been in for a while and Infantry life is getting old; I'd really like to do something that I enjoy more. I've come down on Recruiting orders, so I know I'll be doing that for the next three years starting in May. I spoke briefly with some Army musicians who were visiting the FOB I'm at a few months back, and one of them said that you have to audition a year before you can make the transition, does anyone know the details behind this? I'm self-taught with only a small amount of music theory knowledge, but when I get back to the states I intend to focus on learning and progressing so that I can audition towards the end of my recruiting time.

Twnty1inRF · #2 08-24-2010, 11:03 AM

Best of luck, its going to be a lot of work.

All of the Military musicians I know (there are many here in the DC area) graduated from top conservatories (Peabody, Julliard, New England, etc.).

Lazylion · #3 08-24-2010, 11:03 AM

PM Pacman, I'm sure he'll have some wisdom for you.

Righteous Thunderer · #4 08-24-2010, 11:05 AM

Thanks for the advice, I'll get right on that.

**Laklandlover** · #5 08-24-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchecterLover

Does anyone here play for the Army? I've been in for a while and Infantry life is getting old; I'd really like to do something that I enjoy more. I've come down on Recruiting orders, so I know I'll be doing that for the next three years starting in May. I spoke briefly with some Army musicians who were visiting the FOB I'm at a few months back, and one of them said that you have to audition a year before you can make the transition, does anyone know the details behind this? I'm self-taught with only a small amount of music theory knowledge, but when I get back to the states I intend to focus on learning and progressing so that I can audition towards the end of my recruiting time.

You will have to get an audition with a unit band first. Once you pass. You will get orders to go to the US Army School of Music in Little Creek, VA. I think the course is about 10-12 weeks. Bass and guitar players double on percussion if my memory serves me right. I was in the Infantry for 8 years before switched for 5-6 years. Best of luck they read a LOT!

peace

Righteous Thunderer · #6 08-24-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laklandlover

You will have to get an audition with a unit band first. Once you pass. You will get orders to go to the US Army School of Music in Little Creek, VA. I think the course is about 10-12 weeks. Bass and guitar players double on percussion if my memory serves me right. I was in the Infantry for 8 years before switched for 5-6 years. Best of luck they read a LOT!

peace

Sweet, thanks for the info! I've been Infantry for almost 7, on my third deployment, and really want to do this. I'm willing to put forth the effort that's necessary, especially considering that I have almost four years to prep for it.

mulchor · #7 08-24-2010, 11:41 AM

I dunno Army. A friend of mine's son was in the Coast Guard's band. Outstanding level of musicianship!

Jim Nazium · #8 08-24-2010, 11:56 AM

Seems like a sweet gig if you can get it - salary, benefits, retirement, etc which a lot of musicians don't have. And the bands are GOOD. I live near DC, and any time I get a chance, I go hear the Army Blues or the Airmen of Note (or any of the service bands).

Thank you for your service, and good luck to you.

Unrepresented · #9 08-24-2010, 11:57 AM

A guitarist we recently auditioned played for one of the branches. He was absolutely a terror on the fretboard (in a good way). Knew his theory and could shred something fierce.

+1 on talking to PacMan. He'll be able to offer all the firsthand stuff.

Righteous Thunderer · #10 08-24-2010, 12:25 PM

I sent him a PM, but I noticed in his profile that he's USAF, hopefully he knows a bit about the way the Army does things. And thanks for your support Jim, it's always appreciated.

Infidelity · #11 08-24-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchecterLover

I sent him a PM, but I noticed in his profile that he's USAF, hopefully he knows a bit about the way the Army does things. And thanks for your support Jim, it's always appreciated.

Actually he is in the Army band for a couple of years..

Jaebird · #12 08-24-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

Seems like a sweet gig if you can get it - salary, benefits, retirement, etc which a lot of musicians don't have..

+1

I wish I had considered this before getting out. Good luck!

Plays_For_Dog · #13 08-24-2010, 01:01 PM

There's a TBer on here that actually plays bass for the US Army. I tried for about 20 minutes to find one of his post so I could link you to his profile. Sorry, giving up and I don't remember his TB profile name. Haven't seen him in a few weeks. Maybe he's deployed and playing somewhere... Who knows. If memory serves me correct, he's a Staff Sergeant and has been playing in the Army band for about 11 years or so. Never talked to him personally, but his post are always helpful and polite. His Avatar is him in his ACU's and holding his bass. By the looks of the background, he was in Iraq when the picture was taken. Good luck!

BigOldHarry · #14 08-24-2010, 01:06 PM

Curious - which FOB are you at? I saw the Marine band play at Al Asad back in 2005 - they were pretty damn good...

brickerenator · #15 08-24-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twnty1inRF

Best of luck, its going to be a lot of work.

All of the Military musicians I know (there are many here in the DC area) graduated from top conservatories (Peabody, Julliard, New England, etc.).

The drummer at my church (main instrument is the sax) writes music for the Army Field band. Never finished his bachelor's.

But he's studied independently, played in a ton of jazz bands, so he has the equivalent knowledge and experience.

**Pacman** · #16 08-24-2010, 03:27 PM

I did about 14 years in the Army band, but my info might be a bit old.

The very best thing you can do is contact a band. I know the standards are changing for the Army band career field, and focus will be more on playing and entertaining than on theory and reading. When I was in, it was reading reading and more reading. Contact a band (they have a band at most major infantry posts - where are you stationed?), and discuss with one of them everything involved.

Good luck - mil bands are a great gig. I retire next with with a combined 24 years, and I'd do 24 more if they'd let me.

Plays_For_Dog · #17 08-24-2010, 07:08 PM

RedLeg is in the Army band. He's not the origonal dude I was looking for, but I'm sure he can help you out. He's active duty in Europe somewhere. Seems like a nice guy.

reedo35 · #18 08-24-2010, 07:46 PM

The reality is, If you are on orders for Recruiting, You aren't gonna be doing much else for the next 3+ years. FWIW, from someone who's done both. (21 years in the Army Band with a 4 year stint in recruiting. Yes, I was involuntarily extended.) You can always think about auditioning after that, though. I can tell you the audition process has changed slightly, but you still have to be able to sight read and do a prepared piece, and read a chord chart demonstrating 4 different styles. Latin, Funk, Swing, and Rock. But at least you don't have to do scales anymore...

behndy · #19 08-24-2010, 07:57 PM

don't have anything helpful to add in getting started with a military band, just wanted to thank you and PacMan (and all the other TB'ers that are in the military) for your service.

Righteous Thunderer · #20 08-24-2010, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

I did about 14 years in the Army band, but my info might be a bit old.

The very best thing you can do is contact a band. I know the standards are changing for the Army band career field, and focus will be more on playing and entertaining than on theory and reading. When I was in, it was reading reading and more reading. Contact a band (they have a band at most major infantry posts - where are you stationed?), and discuss with one of them everything involved.

Good luck - mil bands are a great gig. I retire next with with a combined 24 years, and I'd do 24 more if they'd let me.

Sweet deal man, thanks! I'm stationed over at Fort Benning, but I'm sure with me coming out of a recruiting station somewhere I'll have to figure something out as far as where to go audition; I'm sure there's a career counselor or something at the recruiting battalion that can help with that portion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by reedo35

The reality is, If you are on orders for Recruiting, You aren't gonna be doing much else for the next 3+ years. FWIW, from someone who's done both. (21 years in the Army Band with a 4 year stint in recruiting. Yes, I was involuntarily extended.) You can always think about auditioning after that, though. I can tell you the audition process has changed slightly, but you still have to be able to sight read and do a prepared piece, and read a chord chart demonstrating 4 different styles. Latin, Funk, Swing, and Rock. But at least you don't have to do scales anymore...

Yeah, the current plan is to audition towards the end of my recruiting stint, thanks for the info!