McMaster Jazz Band
McMaster Jazz Band plays a wide range of jazz from the likes of Miles Davis, John Scofield, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington to Kenny Wheeler and Snarky Puppy.
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McMaster Jazz Band Auditions
There are no auditions for Jazz Band for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Auditions are open to McMaster students across all faculties and disciplines. The Jazz Ensemble, depending on its size, may focus on either small group jazz (Miles Davis, John Scofield, John Coltrane, etc.) or larger ensemble jazz arrangements (anything from Duke Ellington to Kenny Wheeler to Snarky Puppy), and is open to any students who are able to play their instrument at an intermediate level (meaning you know where all the notes are, and can play through most scales in the majority of keys, and can play the melody to the average jazz standard, as in the audition pieces).
The ensemble will spend some of its time working on improvising and jazz theory, but no experience with improvising is necessary, however you will be expected to develop your improvising skills. Priority will be given to students enrolling for credit, but the class is open to non-credit participants, Graduate students, and community members.
All Students will be required to enrol in one of the following course codes for upcoming ensembles.
- 1-4 GJ3 (3 units) for credit
- 1HJ0 (0 units) non – credit, pass/fail with participation fee
It is encouraged that you enrol for credit as this may assist in fulfilling electives within your respective program.
Audition instructions
Please submit a video of yourself playing through THREE pieces from the dropbox folder. Everyone should do the F blues and then choose any TWO pieces you select from the individual BASS, DRUMS, GUITAR folder. I have given you a few options, and I’ve also included reference tracks and a few playalong tracks. You may video yourself using your phone and you are welcome to do so with or without any of the backing tracks. If you do choose to use the tracks to play with, please ensure that your instrument and performance is louder than the backing track (you can also wear headphones so that you hear the track but it isn’t part of the video).
BLUES: The three options are all in F concert. Choose ONE and learn the melody (Bass and guitar, although drums should know it). I have included play-along tracks at two tempos (your choice). I am not demanding that you improvise for this audition, but if you feel comfortable trying, I have included a 12 bar blues in F (concert) that repeats 6x. If you’re willing to try improvising, please play the melody to whichever blues you choose twice, and then do 4X through the form with an improvised solo.
BASS please learn the melody, and then look at the walking bass line example. You are welcome to create you own bass lines or to simply repeat the ones written if you don’t yet create bass lines.
GUITAR please also record yourself playing chords on the Blues as well as the melody. DRUMS: keep time and please try to outline the form (e.g. a fill or crash after 4 or 12 bars)
JAZZ STANDARDS/COMPOSITIONS: choose TWO and record yourself. You are welcome to improvise on it if you wish. GUITAR PLAYERS – I would like to hear you play the melody as well as the chords. If your notation reading isn’t strong, that’s ok, but see if you can learn the melody. BASS PLAYERS are welcome to just play the written bass line or do the melody as well.
The course codes are:
- For Credit (ie 1-4GX3) (3 units – full tuition)
- Non-Credit (ie. 1HX0) (0 units; pass/fail; $300 fee required)
Students wish to play in one or more ensembles, will be required to enroll using one (or more) noncredit course codes. Graduate students (any student with an active student number) may enrol by using the Non-Credit course codes. Community members (those without an active student number) will be required to register as a Listener through the advising office.
Audition requirement material (Dropbox)
Submission
Hit the submit your video OR send us a YouTube link using the available form.
Please audition by submitting a video of yourself playing the TWO pieces you select I have given you quite a few options (detailed below), and I’ve also included reference tracks and a few play-along tracks. You may video yourself using your phone and you are welcome to do so with or without any of the backing tracks. If you do choose to use the tracks to play with, please ensure that your instrument and performance is louder than the backing track (you can also wear headphones so that you hear the track but it isn’t part of the video).
Please choose TWO pieces, one from the BLUES folder, and one from the STANDARDS/COMPOSITIONS folder.
BLUES: The three options are all in F concert. Choose ONE. I have included play-along tracks for a Blues In F at two tempos (your choice). I am not demanding that you improvise for this audition, but if you feel comfortable trying, I have included a 12 bar blues in F (concert) that repeats 6x, at both 104
BPM and 130 BPM (you choose). If you’re willing to try improvising, please play the melody to whichever blues you choose twice, and then do 4X through the form with an improvised solo.
JAZZ STANDARDS/COMPOSITIONS: choose one and record yourself playing the melody. You are welcome to improvise on it if you wish. PIANO PLAYERS – I would like to hear you play the melody as well as the chords, and in the blues in F play along, please let me hear you do 12-24 bars of playing left hand chords even if you don’t take an improvised solo.
The course codes are:
- For Credit (ie 1-4GX3) (3 units – full tuition)
- Non-Credit (ie. 1HX0) (0 units; pass/fail; $300 fee required)
Students wish to play in one or more ensembles, will be required to enroll using one (or more) noncredit course codes. Graduate students (any student with an active student number) may enrol by using the Non-Credit course codes. Community members (those without an active student number) will be required to register as a Listener through the advising office.
Audition requirement material (Dropbox)
Submission
Your submission is due Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 11:59 pm.
Hit the submit your video OR send us a YouTube link using the available form.