Preparing for an audition?

[itchyfingers]

I should start by saying that my long term goal is to live to be an old man, playing in a jazz club.

I auditioned for my Smiths/Moz tribute over a decade ago, and that turned out pretty well, lol. Otherwise, I've always been asked to be in bands by friends or fellow musicians.

Next Monday, I am auditioning to play bass in a local jazz band that's just being assembled. I sent the band leader about 6 standards that I'd like to play, and I will be hammering these tunes for the next week. Any other tunes will need to be read on the spot, which should be exciting. I've got the rig all picked out.

Anyway, just figured I'd check in with the GABbros - any tips on preparing for an audition?

[Tortuga]

Play yer azz off

By 'read on the spot', do you mean you gotta translate dots into music? Oh, no, Indy.... not for me

Good luck, Greg! I'm sure you'll ace it

[newholland]

get your standards book out and be ready to hit charts!

i wish i could tell you, 'cause i can't do that at all-- but all my jazzer friends basically work off charts... so i guess have that with ya.

[ajaxlepinski]

Normally, I'd suggest, "bring pizza and two six packs" but, this gig sounds serious!

Dude, you are experienced... you are a shoe-in!

[Telephant]

There are a bunch of tunes I need to learn for this fusion project I'm doing. Red Baron and The Chicken are two of them. There is a part in Mr Clean I don't know. I know the chord progressions, but I need to learn the head. I can't read music so I just commit them to memory or fake my way through them. Here is the setlist we put together, subject to change of course:

Mr. Clean
Sunny
Red Baron
Pretzel Logic
The Chicken
On Your Way Down
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (can also be a vocal tune, there are lyrics)
Freedom Jazz Dance (super easy groove, head's a little tricky but nothing we can't handle)
Les Breres In A Minor? (if the Allmans can do it...)
She's A Burglar
Footprints
Sissy Strut

[Ostinato Rubato]

"."

[Telephant]

"."

:d

It's really a blues/funk band with a "thin veneer of jazz."

But I've got a sax player so thats cool.

[fretless]

good luck Jaco

[clipless bumper]

you'll kill it

[The Anomaly]

Holy Shit that (^^^^^^) is making me laugh.

[soulsurfer]

Greg, auditioning as a bass player for a jazz band is a great honor. Congratu-fuckin-lay-shoanz!

I cut my teeth playing with seasoned jazz hounds. I will always appreciate the gift they gave me in being able to play with those guys. ....reminisce...

I'll assume 'standards' mean someone's hit version of a classic.

All the best Greg. Sounds like fun! You'll be in fine company I'm sure.

If you want to be a bit unique. Offer to learn a 'standard' as it was written just for kicks. I'll bet most guys won't know how to play it. Maybe to impress take one of your standards and present it (with authority and assurance) as if it should only be played as such.

OK - maybe not

Have fun!!

[itchyfingers]

Thanks GABbros!

Today I resurrected my wife's old iPad and loaded up iReal Pro. It's a great practice tool for plugging into a speaker and playing along - you can adjust the time and key signatures, tempo, drumbeat, and fade in/out the different instruments. I also no longer have to cart around a ratty old copy of a fake book, should help me look more pro. I've already downloaded about 2000 charts that range from jazz standards to Stevie Wonder tunes. I had already purchased this app for my phone, but it's great on the big screen of the tablet.

Oh yeah, first post from the iPad.

[GuitarBilly]

I should start by saying that my long term goal is to live to be an old man, playing in a jazz club.

I auditioned for my Smiths/Moz tribute over a decade ago, and that turned out pretty well, lol. Otherwise, I've always been asked to be in bands by friends or fellow musicians.

Next Monday, I am auditioning to play bass in a local jazz band that's just being assembled. I sent the band leader about 6 standards that I'd like to play, and I will be hammering these tunes for the next week. Any other tunes will need to be read on the spot, which should be exciting. I've got the rig all picked out.

Anyway, just figured I'd check in with the GABbros - any tips on preparing for an audition?

1- have all your parts 100% down. Learn less songs if time is an issue. I prefer to audition someone with 3 songs they know well than with 6 they're shaky about it.

2- be yourself and don't be afraid to speak up, ask questions etc... audition is also a way to know someone who's potentially will be around you a lot.

3- remember an audition is a 2-way process. They're auditioning you, but you're also auditioning them. Don't get too caught up in making an impression to the point you're not also focusing on whether they're the right group for you. It goes both ways.

Good luck

[itchyfingers]

Thanks to all the helpful tips in this thread. I had the audition last night...

The host is an older jazz drummer that was a pro back in the 70s, and we had a ripping pianist and guitarist. Everyone got a chance to call tunes, and we just went thru them. My iRealPro app was awesome, even in all of it's glitchy first gen iPad glory, I was able to find a chart for every tune called, and they were all in the right key. One thing that kinda threw me was the other guys would wanna vamp for a few bars before starting the tune, so I was a bit unsure of where the vamp would end and the chart would begin. I only got lost a few times, and two of those times were during my own solos. I honestly wasn't even expecting to solo (aka. I was not prepared to solo), but they kept looking at me on every tune, so I accepted and butchered a few of them.

On the whole, I thought I did a decent job of playing in time, playing within myself, mixing up ascending and descending walking lines, and really nailing the tunes I knew. I had never even heard some of these tunes before last night, let alone played them. So I know I didn't nail those, but at least played with the appropriate feel. In retrospect each guy seemed to have one tune that was difficult, or they straight up refused to play, but I felt like most of them were tough for me, lol. I guess I was proud of how I played, but didn't really feel like I made a good impression, as these guys are all seasoned jazz guys who play in jam sessions regularly or even professionally. As I knew going in, I was over my head, but it was a good challenge and a good experience. Here is the list of tunes we played, the ones with an asterisk are ones that I felt comfortable on, the rest were all an adventure!

Autumn Leaves
Wave
Little Sunflower*
Take 5
Song for my Father*
Billies Bounce
Stella by Starlight
Girl from Ipanema
Killer Joe*
Cissy Strut*
Moon Dance
All blues*

Much to my surprise, everyone was complimentary of my playing, and I got asked to come back. I must have fooled them into thinking I was just playing "outside" on a few occasions! Nah, I think they know where I am at, but they are willing to work with me. They were even talking about what songs "we need to know" for shows, getting a recording together, and trying to get some gigs. Honestly I was kinda stunned and stoked at the same time! Definitely inspired to pick up the bass more often and really work on playing thru tunes, I know I can only get better. We are going to meet up again in a couple weeks, and in the meantime we are all going to throw out a few tunes for that next meetup so I can dissect them and get a few rounds of practice in before playing them with the group.

Too long/don't wanna read: I'm officially the weakest link in a jazz ensemble!

[Diddlybo]

Check out this video. Pete Thorn is talking about being a sideman but much of the video is about the audition. It may or may not apply to your situation but its a good watch.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOV6t83z9_M[/video]

[soulsurfer]

...

... I'm officially the weakest link in a jazz ensemble!

Grats!! I knew you'd do fine. Sounds like a lot of fun.

[Ostinato Rubato]

Congrats man!!!

[fretless]

Awesome ! Congrats Dude !

[ajaxlepinski]

Alright!!! Congrats!!!

In a couple of weeks, you'll be playing all the tunes like a pro!

[itchyfingers]

Thanks hommies. I'm definitely more of a practice/woodshed/drill-it-til-it sounds good kinda guy, so this project is like the flying trapeze without a net for me...

[BroSlinger]

congrats, man! I have no idea what a "chart" is. I don't understand anything they're making you do.

You are smart person.

[Mamberg Jr]

congrats, man! I have no idea what a "chart" is. I don't understand anything they're making you do.

You are smart person.

Are you fuckin around??? God I hope you are

[BroSlinger]

congrats, man! I have no idea what a "chart" is. I don't understand anything they're making you do.

You are smart person.

Are you fuckin around??? God I hope you are

Describe a chart to me. Is it like a progression of chords?

I'm not fucking around. You are.

[Mamberg Jr]

congrats, man! I have no idea what a "chart" is. I don't understand anything they're making you do.

You are smart person.

Are you fuckin around??? God I hope you are

Describe a chart to me. Is it like a progression of chords?

I'm not fucking around. You are.

A chart is just a song... It really only gives you basic rhythm and chords...

[BroSlinger]

You sure know a lot of audition lingo for a 14 year old with a bugera who can't play.