Trying out for jazz group.

[jiant.]

So on Wednesday night I'm trying out for my school's Jazz Ensamble. I've met the director of the music department and talked with him a little bit, I told him that I'm not good at reading music, but I know the notes on my fretboard well, and he said that shouldn't be a problem. He told me to just show up and play whatever I wanted to, so I'm just going to play my most technical lines. One question I have is should I link all of the lines together so that it's like one long piece, or just play them one at a time. They're all kind of short. Also is there anything you would do to prepare for this? I've been running over my stuff quite a bit here in the dorm, and I played a bunch before I left home too. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks. -Brad

[Vorago]

I always here about people who audition who do the following;

Choose a jazzstandard
Play the melody
Play a walking bass
Solo
Play the melody again.

Of course, I don't what this guy expects from you, and at what level your playing is.


What did you have in mind?

[Ed Fuqua]

He doesn't care how "technical" you can play. He wants a bassist that will make his ensemble sound as good as it can. Like VORACIOUS says, being able to competently walk a quarter note line through changes, play a convincing straight 8 feel over changes, improvise a little...

Bottom line - he needs a bass player. If you can show up with a nome and can play a two octave major scale in time and know how to arpeggiate 4 part chords, he'll figure he can teach you the rest. BUT if there's a bassist that shows up who CAN read and do some of that stuff listed above, who do you think is gonna get the gig?

[jiant.]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

Bottom line - he needs a bass player. If you can show up with a nome and can play a two octave major scale in time and know how to arpeggiate 4 part chords, he'll figure he can teach you the rest. BUT if there's a bassist that shows up who CAN read and do some of that stuff listed above, who do you think is gonna get the gig?

Very true. Well, I guess I'll just go in there and do what I can and see what happens. I'll be rethinking my gameplan and see what I can come up with. Thanks guys.

[Minger]

Sounds like my situation - cept I kinda just bailed on bothering to learn to reread bass clef. I mean I know whats what, but that on translation to the fretboard just ain't pretty because I havn't gotten it down.

[jiant.]

I got the gig. I just went in and played some stuff for him and he seemed pretty impressed. Now I just have to learn to read music well, and play without a pick, both of which I think will help me to be a great bassist in the long run. Thanks for all the advice guys.