Need Help With Audition

[FinnRoblin]

Hello,

I have a jazz summer camp in a week, and there are chair/ensemble placement exams on the first day. I don't know what I will be asked to play, but I'm assuming I'll be asked to play a chromatic scale from my lowest to highest note, a piece of sheet music, and a two octave scale.

In preparation for this, I've been learning Clifford Brown's solo on "Daahoud" for a couple of weeks. The problem is, I've hit a roadblock. I've gotten the solo up to about 200-210 BPM, but I can't seem to tongue fast enough and get the awkward fingerings correct at the same time.

I understand that the only way to get it up to speed is repetition while slowly increasing the metronome, but I'm unsure if I can do that in a week.

Does anyone have any experience with playing a solo under tempo? Will it significantly hurt my chances of getting into a higher ensemble if I play it at 200 instead of 240 BPM? Also, when it comes time for my audition, should I play with a metronome, a recording with Clifford's solo (provided I get the solo up to speed), or neither?

Thanks,
Finn

[jhatpro]

You’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself to audition with a tune that fast. I’d pick something slower, something you already know well, and I would definitely skip the metronome and track. I think it would be better to keep the jusge’s focus on your sound, your own sense of time, and your jazz feel.

The fact that you’ve been working on Dahoud for weeks will certainly benefit you somewhere along the line.

Good luck!
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[FinnRoblin]

Hey Jim,

Thanks for the response. I agree with you, but I'm not really sure how to proceed. Do you recommend learning a solo that's slower, like Miles Davis's solo on Kind of Blue, or picking a tune like Misty and just soloing to that?

[jhatpro]

I would avoid playing anyone else’s solo and would definitely not play Misty, which is a beautiful but much overused tune.

If it were me, I would get a Real Book and pick a ballad that’s just as pretty but not played as much - one you can really make your own.

You might look at Blue Gardenia, I’ll Be Seeing You, or Memories of You.

If you want a faster tune consider Lady Bird, Have You Met Miss Jones, or Come Fly With Me.

You’ll find good versions of all those tunes on YouTube and elsewhere but be sure to play your own version for the judges.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[FinnRoblin]

Alright, thank you so much!

[khedger]

There's nothing that says you have to do the solo at the same tempo as Clifford. Playing it well at a slower tempo will get you a lot further in the audition than stumbling through it up to tempo.

[FinnRoblin]

Thanks for your response. Do you agree with Jim, should I switch to a slower tune?

[Don Herman rev2]

With only a week or less before the audition I would not switch tunes now, just play what you know at a tempo that shows your musicality, rather than hacking through it faster than you can handle.
_________________
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley

[jazz_trpt]

Better to play it slow and accurate than fast an inaccurate.
_________________
Jeff Helgesen
Free jazz solo transcriptions!

[jhatpro]

Here are a few other tips that will help you regardless of which tune you decide to play:

- play it for others before you play it for the judge(s)
- find a practice space that's similar to the one you'll audition in
- don't over-rehearse the day before the audition
- warm up easily an hour before the audition
- get plenty of sleep the night before the audition
- eat a good breakfast the day of
- drink plenty of water
- be sure you take full trumpet breaths when you're playing
- walk confidently into the audition, give the judge(s) a big smile, and knock their socks off

Good luck!
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[Denny Schreffler]