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Double Bass college audition ideas?

#4
Well, what schools are you applying to? Are you applying to Major Conservatories/ Music Schools? Are you applying to state schools? What to they require? Any excerpts?


And yeah. You do need to do a bit more research before asking without giving any information.

If it's just a concerto they ask for, you have five standard choices: Dragonetti, Dittersdorf, Koussevitsky, Vanhal, Bottesini. That's in order of difficulty, roughly. If they just need a sonata, go ahead and play eccles.
 
#5
It depends on what's required, but I think you should play whatever you play best, whether it's Eccles, Bottesini, Marcello, or Koussevitzky (or anything else). I wouldn't start out on a new piece now that's really difficult, just because it could get messy when you go to audition (nerves + new repetoire don't mix!). But really, just play what you play best, reguardless of the difficulty level, or showiness. It's better to play something simple and really well, than to play something really too difficult and not sound good.
But what schools are you applying to?
 
#7
I'm hoping that if this individual is going to audition anywhere and is planning on playing the double bass at said audition there will be a bassist listening to him.

And Calvin, I don't know what you expect to hear younger bassists play but Eccles is a perfectly acceptable piece. Even if it is overplayed people like you just write it off because you've heard so many bs versions of it.

If it is played with style and the player is in control and can actively make decisions musically then I think it can be very enjoyable to listen to and to play!

You have mentioned meeting and listening to the principal of the TSO. I went to a performance where he played the entire Eccles sonata. It sounded fabulous to me.
 
#8
I second what Greg said.

Especially when they ask for a sonata. I've always assumed that when major schools ask for a sonata on an audition repertoire list, they mean eccles. They can't possibly expect a High School senior to play one of the Gamba Sonatas, or the Arpeggione, or Hindemith. Eccles is just the most logical choice to fill that requirement. Not to mention it's a pretty great piece. And Calvin don't act like it's not as overplayed as Koussevitsky, Vanhal, or Dragonetti. Come on now we have about 6 respectable pieces that you could get away with auditioning with. Now ain't the time to be picky.
 
#9
+1.

Also, play what you're comfortable with. Don't try to do something that sounds impressive just for the sake of impressing people; a jury will respect your playing more if you are musical and show technical solidity than if you try to play something you're not ready for.
 
#11
What's wrong with the Vivaldi A minor? Have you heard Ed Barker play it? It's fabulous music, and after all, the audition committee is listening for musicality. As for the Eccles, I've heard it and played it thousands of times, yet I never get tired of hearing it, especially if I hear a different interpretation. If you are a youngster and are already bored by hearing good music played well, then I feel sorry for you.
 
#13
I definitely would go with either Vivaldi or Marcello, but is it not a little late to be making choices? A minor is fine, and it has even been used for recitals where I have attended school.

You need several months and studying with a teacher, IMO, to prepare a good audition.
 
#14
I think Eccles is great too. Just don't start the first movement on the harmonic d on the d string. That minor sixth shift on the g string shows confidence and is true to the sound of a baroque sonata. The bassist on your audition panel will hear the difference. But really I would play Hoffmeister's 3rd concerto. (it's really his first.) It's flashy and you can get it together fairly quickly if you know your scales cold. The Gajdos cadenza rules! WAY more musical than Dragonetti (Nanny) Just my 2¢
 
#15
I'm working on Marcello right now and I think it would be fine to audition with if you need a sonata....not to hard but challenging enough. I've never played Vivaldi but Ed Barker's recording is sooooooo good so its on my list to learn.

Yeah and whether a piece is overplayed or not, you can still make it sound as good as you want, whether or not the judge is tired of hearing it.
 
#16
MDEbass said:
I'm working on Marcello right now and I think it would be fine to audition with if you need a sonata....not to hard but challenging enough. I've never played Vivaldi but Ed Barker's recording is sooooooo good so its on my list to learn.

Yeah and whether a piece is overplayed or not, you can still make it sound as good as you want, whether or not the judge is tired of hearing it.
Click to expand...

If anybody wants to try to play the vivaldi sonata no.3 but wants a higher key to show some thumb position versatility George vance has a great transcription in the key of d minor.
 
#19
yeah i mean the Dragonetti concerto that is played at a mediocre level is alot less appealing than a well played sonata
maybe even something from the bach cello suites?
but next time start preparing way sooner
it is a good idea to practice audition music 3 months before
even if you have played the solo before
 
#20
I am curious about something. What is wrong with Capuzzi? It was not even mentioned as a concerto by a previous poster. I figure if Mark Morton thinks enough of this concerto to record it on one of his CD's, it must have value in at least his eyes and he is a master soloist IMHO.

I personally like the piece. Not, not as technically challenging as the others, but it has been a great learning experience to learn these movements.
 

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