Hey fellow TBer's I was wondering if I could ask you guys for some advice? 
So my school's music department has a jazz band, and their regular bass player has, for some unknown reason, missed 3 of the first 4 rehearsals and is going to be kicked out of the ensemble. Earlier today my roommate (who is a music major) was approached by a friend of his who plays trombone in the jazz band, who asked him if I would like to try out for the band (I suppose at some point my roommate mentioned I play bass).
However, I am unsure if I really should try out; I'm not sure I am a good enough player. Here's a brief background on my musical history. I have been studying music for about 10 years. I started taking clarinet lessons (at my own request) in 5th grade, then switched to bassoon in 6th. I played in various ensembles (from school and summer camps) for the next 6 years.
In 10th grade I was accepted to the music program at a local fine arts school and spent the rest of my high school years there, taking classes in music theory/keyboarding and music history along side private lessons, playing in large and small ensembles and a weekly masterclass with 5 to 6 other bassoon players (plus the regular high school academic classes). Senior year of high school I picked up bass guitar and started teaching myself. I approached learning bass the same way I learned bassoon, starting with learning scales and going from there.
I received a scholarship from my university to be a music major here, but after one semester of double majoring in music and engineering I decided making music a career was just not right for me, and dropped out of the music program here (I am now just an engineering major). I started slowly learning to play jazz a few months ago, but I am certainly not a pro at it, but I can put together a semi-decent walking line over some of the simpler standards (such as Autumn Leaves, Impressions, Watermelon Man etc).
I know I would really enjoy playing in an ensemble again, especially on an instrument I actually enjoy playing 100% (bass, that is). The problem is, I am not sure I am up to the level of playing required for the Jazz Band, and unfortunately I don't have any friends who play in the ensemble to talk about it with. Ive played in ensembles before where one person was really dragging down the whole group because of the gap in skill level, and I don't want to do that to these guys. However, on the other hand, I know if I don't at least try out for the band, I know I will look back on this opportunity later on in life and regret not even trying.
So, those of you who have bothered to read through my whole post, what do you think I should do?
PS Thank you guys so much in advance for your help!
So my school's music department has a jazz band, and their regular bass player has, for some unknown reason, missed 3 of the first 4 rehearsals and is going to be kicked out of the ensemble. Earlier today my roommate (who is a music major) was approached by a friend of his who plays trombone in the jazz band, who asked him if I would like to try out for the band (I suppose at some point my roommate mentioned I play bass).
However, I am unsure if I really should try out; I'm not sure I am a good enough player. Here's a brief background on my musical history. I have been studying music for about 10 years. I started taking clarinet lessons (at my own request) in 5th grade, then switched to bassoon in 6th. I played in various ensembles (from school and summer camps) for the next 6 years.
In 10th grade I was accepted to the music program at a local fine arts school and spent the rest of my high school years there, taking classes in music theory/keyboarding and music history along side private lessons, playing in large and small ensembles and a weekly masterclass with 5 to 6 other bassoon players (plus the regular high school academic classes). Senior year of high school I picked up bass guitar and started teaching myself. I approached learning bass the same way I learned bassoon, starting with learning scales and going from there.
I received a scholarship from my university to be a music major here, but after one semester of double majoring in music and engineering I decided making music a career was just not right for me, and dropped out of the music program here (I am now just an engineering major). I started slowly learning to play jazz a few months ago, but I am certainly not a pro at it, but I can put together a semi-decent walking line over some of the simpler standards (such as Autumn Leaves, Impressions, Watermelon Man etc).
I know I would really enjoy playing in an ensemble again, especially on an instrument I actually enjoy playing 100% (bass, that is). The problem is, I am not sure I am up to the level of playing required for the Jazz Band, and unfortunately I don't have any friends who play in the ensemble to talk about it with. Ive played in ensembles before where one person was really dragging down the whole group because of the gap in skill level, and I don't want to do that to these guys. However, on the other hand, I know if I don't at least try out for the band, I know I will look back on this opportunity later on in life and regret not even trying.
So, those of you who have bothered to read through my whole post, what do you think I should do?
PS Thank you guys so much in advance for your help!
