Author Topic: Audition Piece Suggestions (Read 178 times)

fmm · « **on:** December 06, 2006, 03:41:53 AM »

I've got a student who's applying for a college music scholarship on string bass. The school's web page states, two compositions or movements in contrasting styles. It is preferred that one be a movement from a major concerto. One may be an ?tude that shows the level of your technical development. and mentions a total length of about 10 minutes.

Any suggestions for pieces to play? I don't instruct him on string bass, just bass guitar.

inthelows · « **Reply #1 on:** December 06, 2006, 07:04:36 AM »

Without knowing your student's ability this is not easy. Here goes suggestions..
1) Classical pieces are very well recognized.
example: FUR ELISE by Beethoven which allows a bassist to extend into solo mode for the entire piece for three minutes or so. Relatively simple and flowing lines.
2) Stanley Clarke's ( not intended to be a joke)
Spanish Phases For Strings & Bass or Life Suite.
Both on the same CD as Vulcan Princess and Lopsy Lu. Absolutely marvelous riffing lines and plenty of room for interpretation.
Back to the classical ...
Symphony No.5..DA. DA .DA DAAAAAAAA.
This is not easy!
I'll try again later after I dig a little more.
NLP

chuck · « **Reply #2 on:** December 06, 2006, 08:29:39 AM »

It's been a long time since I've seen this music and I may not be spelling it right but you should try to find a copy of simdals method for the double bass. chuck

811952 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 06, 2006, 11:31:08 AM »

Dragonetti pieces used to be quite popular for double bass, if I remember correctly..

John

rami · « **Reply #4 on:** December 06, 2006, 02:46:46 PM »

There are also many works by Bach that are quite useful. Pick up J.S. Bach for Bass by Josquin des Pres. It's designed for electric Bass, but should work fine for double Bass as well. My favorite pieces are the Sonata #1 in G minor, Partita #3 in E major, and Sonata #3 in C major. I play those on my fretless Basses for a great double Bass sound. I highly recommend it.

Good luck,

Rami

adriaan · « **Reply #5 on:** December 06, 2006, 03:00:27 PM »

I doubt if that's the same Josquin des Prez (Joske van de Velden) who wrote all that enchanting 16th century music, back in the day.

rami · « **Reply #6 on:** December 06, 2006, 03:18:11 PM »

No. He's a studio musician from France. He has quite an impressive list of credits mostly in the Jazz world. I don't think he has any relation to the original Josquin des Pres - just a lucky coincidence.

rami · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2006, 07:11:31 AM »

I recommend the CD Ron Carter Plays Bach for inspiration. Just great stuff.

Rami

inthelows · « **Reply #8 on:** December 15, 2006, 05:19:05 PM »

So hows it going?
NLP

fmm · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2006, 06:45:03 PM »

By the time he had found out about the specifics of the audition, he had 23 days to choose, rehearse, perform/record and deliver his audition DVD. He decided to not make the attempt. It's not a full scholarship, it's not his primary school, and the school has never awarded a scholorship for bass guitar.

If he ends up at that school, he may try for next year.

He says he did find some interesting pieces to work on, perhaps for our Spring recital.

fmm