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Berklee Audition.

D

Digablebass

May 22, 2011
1
0
#1
I have been playing bass a little over a year now. I have practiced alot, and am (I think) pretty good. I can jam, improvise, slap, play different styles. I usually focus only technique, instead of learning covers. But to get to my question. Soon I look to apply to berklee. I have read what is expected online and wanted a little feedback on prepared pieces I have in mind. I was thinking "the lemon song" by led zep, "I want you" by the beatles, or "paid the cost to be the boss" by James brown. Do you think any of these would be good. I am not really worried about the simple form blues, I spend a lot of time creating bluesy lines with 1-4-5 progression. Any tips you guys have would be nice. Thanks
 
#2
I would say those songs are poor choices. A lot of people make it a big deal to play jazz at these auditions. I would recommend playing a jazz blues ie billie's bounce, blue monk, or something of that style. As well as a modern tune that is bass centric like Jamiroquai, Eryka Badu, or Avishai Cohen-esque.
I would make sure you really have your stuff together before you audition. Give it another year if you have to. Last thing you want to do is get there under prepared. Get your reading down too.
 
#4
Kobaia said:
I would say those songs are poor choices. A lot of people make it a big deal to play jazz at these auditions. I would recommend playing a jazz blues ie billie's bounce, blue monk, or something of that style. As well as a modern tune that is bass centric like Jamiroquai, Eryka Badu, or Avishai Cohen-esque.
I would make sure you really have your stuff together before you audition. Give it another year if you have to. Last thing you want to do is get there under prepared. Get your reading down too.
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These are not poor choices whatsoever. The pieces do not have to be overly complicated. If you dominate these kind of songs, perform them.



PS: I Want You (She's So Heavy) is definitely 'bassy'
 
#5
Those are poor choices for 1, they're all the same style and genre, Pop, according to Berklee. if he's so adept as he said at playing other styles then he should exploit that. all 3 are mediocre in skill level. weither he crushes them or not, they're all easy bass parts and frankly would be unimpressive.

You're going to be auditioning to anyone in the ensamble and performance department, which could be any one like Matt Jenson director of the Bob Marley Ensemble, Wayne Naus the Tower of Power Ensemble director, Joe Lavano, Tim Miller, Lincoln Goines, or much of the other staff.

You're going to be better off selecting multiple genres and styles, because you have to impress everyone at the same time even if you're only auditioning to 2 of those people. I personally dont think either of those song would make an impression no matter how well you played them.
 
#6
I had a full ride to Berklee....

My audition was in 1997 so it is a little fuzzy, but if I remember correctly, On my upright, I played an uptempo BeeBop tune (I think it was Rhythm Changes, Anthropology), played the head, walked, solo for 1.5 choruses and head out... Then a Ballad, Play head / solo / walk... Then played a tune on my electric bass, something where I mixed up funk slapping style, finger style.

The best thing you could do is show what you are comfortable with. You are going to Berklee to LEARN. if you knew it ALL, then why would you go? Showcase what you can do best... Law down a groove, integrate different licks into basslines, but done get too flashy.

Also, you want to be up on your reading... Chord Charts and especially notes. But if you cant read, its not going to kill you.

When it comes down to it... if you show that you have musical talent, can law down a groove, and show ability to grow as a musician, you will get in.

If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to ask! Berklee was a great time!
 
#7
Kobaia said:
Those are poor choices for 1, they're all the same style and genre, Pop, according to Berklee. if he's so adept as he said at playing other styles then he should exploit that. all 3 are mediocre in skill level. weither he crushes them or not, they're all easy bass parts and frankly would be unimpressive.

You're going to be auditioning to anyone in the ensamble and performance department, which could be any one like Matt Jenson director of the Bob Marley Ensemble, Wayne Naus the Tower of Power Ensemble director, Joe Lavano, Tim Miller, Lincoln Goines, or much of the other staff.

You're going to be better off selecting multiple genres and styles, because you have to impress everyone at the same time even if you're only auditioning to 2 of those people. I personally dont think either of those song would make an impression no matter how well you played them.
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Well, I am a Berklee Alumn as well, so I also know what I'm talking about. You are right about mixing it up, nothing to dispute there. But as for the pieces being "mediocre", give me a break! That just leads me to believe you like mostly jazz and fusion played by highly skilled or virtuoso players. What should he play? Teen Town? The Sinister Minister? Giant Steps at 1000 bpm?
Like the previous fellow alumn said, better to play what you know best at the audition and show your streghts, rather than to screw up big time by trying to play something he's not familiar with. There will be plenty of time for trial and error while you are there. Bass is a rhythm section instrument first. Period! Maybe your gigs require a load of bass technique (and by all means, cool), but the fact of the matter is, most gigs don't. Funny that you mention the Bob Marley ensemble. Are those Ashton Family Man Barret grooves mediocre as well?
 
#8
I brought up the Bob Marley Ensemble because its a genre that requires study in order to sound authentic, much like any other style of music.

Its much better to look at it by genre. I want you is a pop rock song, there are much better bass songs for pop rock out there than the Beatles. Beatles are a great band of song writers but i wouldn't label any of them 'greats' on their instrument. IMO you'd be better off doing a Leland Sklar transcription. Lemon Song is the most basic of blues not so far removed from ZZ Top. You'd be better off check out some Robbin Ford. The Boss by James Brown that bass line is weak. Check out D'Angelo's Chicken Grease thats some funky stuff
 
#13
ghostsontheroad said:
I beg to differ...but not to argue.
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That is now my favorite statement ever.

I've been really interested in going to Berklee as well. I graduate highschool next year, so this summer/fall I suppose I would audition.
I'm planning on taking lessons for jazz on electric and upright to go along with my orchestral lessons i've taken for years. But i'm doing jazz lessons because it genuinely interests me. I wouldn't take them just to try and fit in at the school. I don't know a lot about jazz, i'm not familiar with tons of artists. But I do enjoy music as a whole and love a lot of the jazz I am somewhat familiar with. Music shouldn't be a "this is better than that" art form. If you can play a song, and put all your passion and skill into making it the best it can be, do it. Show off what you know and who you are as a musician.
 
#14
One of the things that sticks out about someone who plays "Jazz," is they generally have a good understanding of music theory and their way around the instrument.

If you could tear up a jazz standard, you could play anything put in front of you (but with everything, there are some exceptions to the rule).

Learn what you can while you are young, it could only help you more and more in the future.

See if there are any jazz programs you could get involved with in your area if you want to learn more about it. Grammy in the Schools is a great program. I was fortunate to be one of the regional winners my Junior year of high school and I learned a lot from that program as a whole.

Absorb as many styles as you can. its only going to make you a more well rounded musician.

When I was in high school, I was playing Restaurant gigs 5-6 nights a week, and Friday / Saturday nights, afterwards would go play with my Rock / Metal / Punk / Funk band.

The more you could do, and the more you could do well, the more in demand you will be.
 
#15
SLaPiNFuNK said:
One of the things that sticks out about someone who plays "Jazz," is they generally have a good understanding of music theory and their way around the instrument.

If you could tear up a jazz standard, you could play anything put in front of you (but with everything, there are some exceptions to the rule).

Learn what you can while you are young, it could only help you more and more in the future.

See if there are any jazz programs you could get involved with in your area if you want to learn more about it. Grammy in the Schools is a great program. I was fortunate to be one of the regional winners my Junior year of high school and I learned a lot from that program as a whole.

Absorb as many styles as you can. its only going to make you a more well rounded musician.

When I was in high school, I was playing Restaurant gigs 5-6 nights a week, and Friday / Saturday nights, afterwards would go play with my Rock / Metal / Punk / Funk band.

The more you could do, and the more you could do well, the more in demand you will be.
Click to expand...

I agree! :)

SLaPiNFuNK said:
When it comes down to it... if you show that you have musical talent, can law down a groove, and show ability to grow as a musician, you will get in.
Click to expand...

You forgot to add that you need money to get in.. ;)
 
#16
Don't mean to go off-topic from the OP, but since this thread isn't making a lot of progress, I'd like to ask a question...
I'm 17 and I'm going to be graduating from high school next year...the college I'm looking at has some generous scholarships, one in particular is for music.
Pretty self-explanatory. Basically, I'm in the OP's boat, although this isn't as serious, as I won't be attending college for music.
I've been listening to lots of music trying to find songs to play for when I have to participate in the talent evaluation for the scholarship. (This is roughly 10 months from now).
And I have a few things in mind, but really I said all that just to ask this:
Do you think it would detract from an evaluation like this if I were to play YYZ by Rush at 75% speed?
I'm on the line about this. Obviously in the next 10 months, I will be doing my best to nail it at 100% speed, but there is no way I could do it as of now.

Really I'm just wondering what kind of impression that would give someone.

Also, as I've been looking for other songs, I thought maybe We Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who.
I'm not really sure.
 
#17
RyanJD said:
Don't mean to go off-topic from the OP, but since this thread isn't making a lot of progress, I'd like to ask a question...
I'm 17 and I'm going to be graduating from high school next year...the college I'm looking at has some generous scholarships, one in particular is for music.
Pretty self-explanatory. Basically, I'm in the OP's boat, although this isn't as serious, as I won't be attending college for music.
I've been listening to lots of music trying to find songs to play for when I have to participate in the talent evaluation for the scholarship. (This is roughly 10 months from now).
And I have a few things in mind, but really I said all that just to ask this:
Do you think it would detract from an evaluation like this if I were to play YYZ by Rush at 75% speed?
I'm on the line about this. Obviously in the next 10 months, I will be doing my best to nail it at 100% speed, but there is no way I could do it as of now.

Really I'm just wondering what kind of impression that would give someone.

Also, as I've been looking for other songs, I thought maybe We Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who.
I'm not really sure.
Click to expand...

EVERY music school I have ever investigated will give you a list of repertoire that they'd like to hear. Don't try to guess. Ask.
 
#19
ghostsontheroad said:
I beg to differ...but not to argue.
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my opinion is reality to me as yours is to you. Neither are right neither are wrong. its just opinion.

as someone who has auditioned for berklee, graduated from berklee, and now works at berklee (or will starting next week) I know what they're looking for right now. Its getting much tougher to get in. someone playing for a year, i'm very skeptical about just saying what you have is enough.
 
#20
RyanJD said:
Do you think it would detract from an evaluation like this if I were to play YYZ by Rush at 75% speed?
I'm on the line about this. Obviously in the next 10 months, I will be doing my best to nail it at 100% speed, but there is no way I could do it as of now.

Really I'm just wondering what kind of impression that would give someone.
Click to expand...

I'm still really curious about this though...if anyone has an opinion.
 

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