Jazz Audition Requirements
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Audition expectations
The jazz faculty are listening for:
- Improvisation - the improvisation ability to create new motifs, melodies, and rhythms that are suggested by the harmonic structure (chord progression) of the composition
- Jazz Style – able to demonstrate an understanding of the subtleties of the jazz idiom
- Tone Production - the ability to achieve a quality of sound appropriate to the instrument and to the style of the music
- Technique - the degree to which the performer has acquired control of the instrument
- Rhythm - the ability to establish and maintain a consistent groove
- Intonation - proper tuning of the instrument and in tune playing
Undergraduate jazz audition requirements
All instruments except drums where noted:
Each selection should be 3-5 minutes in length. Your audition should be played in combo format with our faculty.
Please prepare the following three pieces:
- One 12-bar blues piece. Play the melody and at least three choruses, quarter note equals 120 to 180. Bass/Guitar/Piano players must play at least two choruses of accompaniment in addition to the melody and their solos.
- Charlie Parker: Billie’s Bounce
- Clifford Brown: Sandu
- Milt Jackson: Bag’s Groove
- Thelonious Monk: Blue Monk
- Or like selections
- One standard jazz tune in a swing style, from the great American Songbook and/or jazz idiom. Tempo marking between 160 to 200 bpm. Must include the melody and at least two choruses of solo. No original compositions. Selections such as the following would be appropriate:
- Autumn Leaves
- All The Things You Are
- Summertime
- Four
- Impressions
- or like selections
- And one of the following:
- A jazz ballad of your choice which must include at least one chorus of solo. If Piano or Guitar, you may perform the entire selection solo. No original compositions.
- OR a Latin or straight eight-note tune of your choice. Play the melody and at least two choruses at a tempo that is appropriate for the composition. No original compositions. Selections such as the following would be appropriate:
- Blue Bossa
- Girl From Ipanema
- Song For My Father
- Maiden Voyage
- Black Orpheus
- or like selections
Undergraduate jazz instrument-specific audition requirements
Demonstrate ability to comp rootless voicings in left hand while playing melody and soloing in right hand. Demonstrate one chorus comping as if another instrument were soloing once your solo is complete.
After solo, demonstrate one chorus of comping over the progression as if another instrument were soloing. Rootless voicings are preferred.
After playing the melody and before soloing, demonstrate the appropriate comping style (walking, bossa nova, etc.) for one chorus on the progression for the given tune.
Rather than playing the selections listed above, demonstrate the following styles in either 32 or 12 bar form. Solo drum format is preferred.
Demonstrate the following styles in either 32 or 12 bar form:
- Swing (medium [Q=120] and fast [Q=280])
- Bossa Nova
- Funk
- 12/8 Afro Cuban
Demonstrate the ability to play in the following meters in either 32 or 12 bar form:
- 4/4
- 3/4
- 6/8
Demonstrate the ability to play with brushes.
Trade:
- 8’s over a 32 bar tune
- 4’s over a 12 bar tune
Graduate jazz audition requirements
Major instruments
Be prepared to play up to four jazz compositions of contrasting style. The melody and chord progressions of all song selections must be memorized.
One tune from three of the four categories below. These are suggestions and you may select comparable pieces.
Ballad BeBop Standard Contemporary Body and Soul
In A Sentimental Mood
Lover Man
Peace
‘Round Midnight
You Don’t Know What
Love IsA Night In Tunisia
Confirmation
Donna Lee
Daahoud
Half Nelson
Joy Spring
Anthropology
Eternal Triangle
Rhythm-a-ningAll The Things You Are
Stella By Starlight
There Is No Greater Love
There Will Never
Be Another You
What Is This Thing
Called Love /Hot House
Alone TogetherDolphin Dance
ESP
Giant Steps
Moment’s Notice
Recorda Me’
Speak No Evil
Witch Hunt
500 Miles High- Blues of your choice
Drums
Be able to play the following at various tempos:
- swing
- bossa nova
- a Latin beat
- 12/8 Latin
Be able to play brushes:
- ballad temp
- any of the previous requirements
Be able to name and describe forms of tunes such as:
- blues
- rhythm changes
- standards
Note: Courses, in addition to degree requirements, may be added to address any deficiencies. These courses include traditional theory and history, jazz theory and history. Additional courses including Improvisation 340 and Jazz Piano Class may be required.
Faculty information
Jazz Bass: Chris Fitzgerald: 502-852-1857, Email
Jazz Composition & Arranging: Gabe Evens: 502-852-0746, Email
Jazz Drums: Terry O'Mahoney: Email
Jazz Guitar: Craig Wagner: 502-852-5609, Email
Jazz Piano: Gabe Evens: 502-852-0746, Email
Jazz Saxophone: Dave Clark: 502-852-1859, Email
Jazz Studies: Dave Clark: 502-852-1859, Email
Jazz Trumpet/Trombone: Ansyn Banks: 502-852-1858, Email
How to register for an audition
To register for an audition, please email the School of Music Admissions office at gomusic@louisville.edu. Please include your name, degree program, instrument and preferred audition date.
In order to be considered for music scholarships and assistantships, performance/pedagogy applicants must complete the application by February 15. For Music Composition and Theory, the portfolio must be submitted by January 15. For Music History, the application and writing sample must also be submitted by January 15.