Hey all! I dont know if this is the right forum, but during my senior year of high school (next year), my jazz band teacher would like to feature me as with a piece featuring bass guitar and the other instruments backing me. I believe she said either level 5 or level 3. Do you guys have any suggestions?
I don't know what she meant by that but I think the level must represent the level of difficulty a particular piece is to put together? I'm hoping somebody who knows the system will respond
I wonder what level we played at, Aaron. Um...So What? haha honestly, I can't think of any Jazz big band tunes that Feature bass.
One Bass Hit So What Night in Tunisia Chameleon Those are some that traditionally have the bass as a prominate sound, at least in the head. Any tune could be arranged so that the bass is more important than usual. The level comment is a little confusing. Did your band director say that? There is a system of assigning levels to band music. Basically level 1 is the stuff first year band would be playing. Most Middle School bands play level 2-3. High School band generally is 4-5 and college 6. If you know the literature, things by John Kinyon are level 1-2. The Holst Suites are 5, Lincolnshire Posey is a level 6. I'm not sure if there is much consideration to Jazz Band music and levels, but a level 5 piece would be something that most High School Bands would find to be challenging.
Yeah basschuck has the right idea, I think the jazz pieces must be organized like that as well. Keep in mind it doesnt have to be jazz, just featuring bass as a lead instrument.
Check out some Oscar Pettiford recordings. He's a great swinging bassist and composer and he played a lot of the melodies with bands backing him. Might be what you're looking for. Bohemia After Dark Tricotism (someone else mentioned) others...
chicken scratch maybe? I don't know what level it is or if it's easier than The Chicken, but it's very jacoish and has a solo section you could go crazy in. Here's a link to the recording. We played it a lot faster than the recording when my high school played this song http://www.jwpepper.com/ram/2701960.ram
wow thanks guys, yeah I dont need the music, my band teaher should be able to get ahold of them. I'll definitely go through and check out all these songs and find one that'll work.
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