Getting into a good Jazz Bass program

[masterforrest]

I want to major in music. What's the odds of getting into a good Jazz Bass program? How many people audition and how many are selected? How do I prepare? Any tips? Thanks.

[isolated]

It all varies depending on about a thousand different variables. For example, where are you thinking of applying? How long have you been playing the double bass? Have you ever played in an orchestral setting? What are you looking to get out of whatever program you're thinking of applying to? You didn't really give us much to give you any informed advice, I'm afraid....

[masterforrest]

Thank you for your reply. I kept the details to a minimum hoping others may get something out of various answers.

I am a high school junior. I have been playing upright bass for at least 7 years (I have been playing guitar for 9years). I play bass with my high school's jazz and orchestra groups. I have a decent understanding of music theory and will be taking the Advanced Placement music theory course in high school this year. I attended various music camps. The best jazz bass camp I have been to is Lynn Seaton's. As for location, I am very flexible.

[isolated]

Ah. Now this I can work with....

Sounds like you're poised to deal with what just about any music school will throw at you. Some, of course, will be a little more demanding than others....

So. Entrance requirements vary from school to school. Some (NEC, Julliard, Manhattan School) make you audition before you even get there, others weed people out upon arrival (which was the case when I was at North Texas, though I think they audition beforehand now...I was weeded out....) Most of them post the requirements on their websites - now would be a good time to start looking and see what they expect of you.

I was never one for competition, so the big schools were definitely not the place for me. I got the most out of being in a small to medium-sized environment where I was lucky enough to be the only bass player. I got a LOT of on-the-job training in addition to all the ensembles I played in at school. This also worked well financially in terms of a scholarship. But some people work better under the pressure of having fifty guys there who can all kick your ass, so I dunno....

Ultimately, you won't really know what you'll get out of music school until about 20 years later.

So that's my two cents. For additional cents, feel free to send me a PM.

Good Luck!

[phillipkregg]

You should get into contact with Roy Vogt on here - he can give you all the info you'd need to know.

He teaches applied bass at Belmont School of Music in Nashville, TN.

[azureblue]

Is Loyola New Orleans Jazz Dept. Small enough to get individual attention, you get to hear great jazz every night, played by lots of great musicians, and best, you study Jazz in the city that it was born in...

[masterforrest]

Thanks again for all the info. Downbeat's college guide tells me how many jazz majors a school has, but it doesn't tell me how many people auditioned for the program. It would be good to know how selective a program is before I waste their time or mine.

[isolated]

Originally Posted by masterforrest

Thanks again for all the info. Downbeat's college guide tells me how many jazz majors a school has, but it doesn't tell me how many people auditioned for the program. It would be good to know how selective a program is before I waste their time or mine.

It really doesn't matter how many people audition; if the adjudicators feel you have something going on and would do well in their program, you will definitely be in the running. If the audition process involves prepared pieces (as they almost always do) then you just learn the s*** out of them and play the best you can. You'll get some sight-reading thrown your way as well. I think the best thing to do is pick two or three places you really want to go and prepare accordingly. You're only wasting people's time if you aren't prepared.