Things any good bassist should be able to do.

[lfmn16]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a "college audition"?

When you apply to a serious music school you have to audition in order to be accepted.

 

[QweziRider]

You tell me!

Take out the trash on Friday morning when you get too rock-starish and your wife brings you back down to earth.

"That's nice dear, don't forget it's trash day."

 

[socialleper]

When you apply to a serious music school you have to audition in order to be accepted.

Weak!
Considering the decline in the music industry, they should be happy that someone wants to give them money at this point.

To the OP, since I didn't know such a thing existed, I guess the best advice I could give you is first and foremost, treat it like a job interview. Show up on time, be professional, and be prepared. Be confident but accommodating. Walk that thin line between relaxed and completely alert.
Have your theory straight and be used to having people throw curve balls at you. Maybe set up a drum program and have people yell out modes\scales while you are playing.
I suppose it is a test of sorts, and I never got nervous about tests since my mindset was that I either knew the subject or I didn't. You can't fake it or second guess it. And don't "cram" just before. If your brain or hands are tired you might make mistakes.

 

[caledoneus83]

qualifications for an "academic" role would be totally different from what I would say (not coming from that world).

But, for a "gigging" bassist who is going to play in a (or multiple) bands, solid groove (play in the pocket), not overplaying, locking with the drummer, and willingness to rehearse and learn basslines. Another good thing to know is enough bass-ic theory to be able to improvise in a certain key if needed.

To give you an example of that from this past weekend, we played a birthday party for our guitar players kid, and there was a lady there who I know can sing so asked her to come up and sing a few with us. The first song she asked about is one that we don't usually do as a band, but that we have all played before, so we said sure. All I knew is it was the key of D, so I started out there and played some jazzy style walks between to find the right root notes for the next chord. It sounded pretty good all things considered.

 

[gln1955]

Also, you aren't asking for advice, but I'll tell you that if you are looking at THIS fall, you are starting to prepare way too late and you should have a qualified teacher helping you to prepare. You can be sure that is what the serious competition is doing.

The university where I teach has auditions in early spring for the following fall admission. I'm thinking the top tier schools probably start earlier. The OP needs to figure out what is needed NOW and have maybe six months to prepare.

 

[Ekulati]

As above, specifics about the audition? For what type of program? Classical? Jazz? Death metal? Help us help you...

 

[lfmn16]

The university where I teach has auditions in early spring for the following fall admission. I'm thinking the top tier schools probably start earlier. The OP needs to figure out what is needed NOW and have maybe six months to prepare.

+1

It's hard to imagine a reputable music school that auditions in late August for the Fall Semester. When I was in college I always started preparing at least three or four months in advance of a an audition. Six months is even better.

 

[Atshen]

1. Keep it simple stupid. Better to be simple and solid than to be spectacular and poop all over someone else's song.

2. Use a P-bass with flats.

 

[bolophonic]

I'm just a rock and roll type of dude, so I will say the most important quality in a bassist is the ability to cultivate and maintain the pocket.

 

[caledoneus83]

1. Keep it simple stupid. Better to be simple and solid than to be spectacular and poop all over someone else's song.

2. Use a P-bass with flats.

yes to #1, for #2, use whatever you want to use and forget this troll

 

[Waytootrue]

OP here, I've known what the exact requirements are for the audition for a while, but they are all somewhat straightforward. I really wanna know about the things that aren't required, but that will help.

All the responses have been great so far, thank you all.

 

[JRA]

i might consider having a harmonica in my back pocket...just in case!


seriously: good luck with your audition!

 

[Jim Carr]

I'm preparing for a college audition this fall, and I've been thinking a lot about technique. In particular the things that makes a good bassist stand out above the average player. Similarly, what is essential to be considered a good bassist?

Creativity?
Performance?
Technique?
Originality?

Have you consulted the audition requirements for the program(s) you are considering? What kind of degree and major, i.e., is it a two-year performance program, a four year B.A., a four year B.Mus., or a 5 year B.Sci. Music Ed?

Are you auditioning on electric, upright, or both? What is your musical background? Have you learned to play piano on at least an intermediate level? Do you sing in a choir? Can you match pitch vocally?

Do you read music well? —and by that I mean can you sight-read on electric and/or upright a typical quarter note and eighth note part for a theater show or a written out Jazz chart in a swing style? How much music (Jazz, Classical, Rock, World, etc.) do you really know well?

Musicianship is not on your list, or is it?

 

[bkbirge]

Take a sandwich and tell the board you have to guard against low blood sugar. Then ask to borrow $5.

 

[greenduke]

Become a human "Metronome" and "Sight Read" if you really want to be able to make the money.
Learn about the "pocket"..."Stick with the Kick".
It's all about holding down the foundation first...That's why they call it, "Bass Guitar".
The rest is just gravy and desert. I don't recommend you mix the two!
Know the difference.

 

[kalanb]

If you have a chance, you could bring attention to any other skills or knowledge that isn't addressed during the audition, i.e. walking bass lines over chord changes, comping over chord changes like a guitar, playing along to a metronome with the click set to various beats of the measure.

One purpose of the audition is for the school to know what classes to place you in. To that end, you could discuss your practice routine and a bit of your playing history.

Also, there's gonna be a broad variety of players auditioning, from hobbyists who haven't had much formal instruction to absolute monsters who can read, know their theory and will be future pros. When it's over, you want the school to know where you fall in that spectrum.

 

[bloobass]

I haven't seen it mentioned, and to me it is grossly over looked: know the fretboard.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Master the hang. If you aren't a good hang all the other **** won't mean much because the phone won't ring very often. People tend to call their friends first.

 

[Neil Pye]

1. Turn up on time
2. Smile
3. Play what you know you can, not what you think will impress
4. If there are dots, play the dots
5. Have gear that works. Don't worry if it's cheap, worry if it's not reliable
6. Smile, be easy to work with. THIS IS NUMBER ONE PRIORITY
7. Say thank you
8. Smile

Doing that made me a living. It can make you one too

 

[Ekulati]

OP, please tell us: what kind of college, what kind of degree, which instrument. Anything anyone says is meaningless unless we know those things.