johnmarley

Leeds College was ok dude. Had its ups and downs like every where else. Leeds is a great city and the teachers there are amazing. It's being taken over by Bradford Uni though so it's all change. I think you'll be fine with Spain and Tunisia. They'll also put a chord chart in front of you at Leeds and ask you to walk through it so they'll here your swing anyway. Good luck man.

Have any of you other pro bass players found that you've played at so many weddings now that it has almost certainly ruined yours when it comes?!!! They are all the same...I'm gonna elope and definately won't be having 'Your Song' by Elton John as a first dance.

I'd agree with the above post. I've done a few shows...some good like Godspell and some bad like high school musical...but it's all about drawing all over your parts and making as many notes as possible. The key signature thing was a big deal for me as well. I always had a blind spot with Gb minor...

I play bass for a living and do 6 or 7 gigs a week on average. I think the things people really look for are good time keeping, being open minded about styles, being able to read and being friendly. People will take a friendly bass player who's really good over a great one who's not nice to be round. Also, playing double bass is a big bonus.

Hey. When i was at Leeds College of Music I used to play on peoples auditions. I think they will be looking for something not too complicated but played well. Don't try and blow them away with technical ability because I doubt they will be looking for that. Popular standard choices were Blue Bossa, Autumn Leaves, All the Things You Are and Take the A Train. They will almost definately want to hear good time keeping and solid comping. Nothing too flash. I wouldn't be too worried. I have a couple of mates at Trinity and they said everyone was really nice to them at the auditions. If you're doing Spain then I'd make the other piece a swing tune as that's what you'll spend a lot of time doing. Good luck dude.

Hey guys. Just letting you know that I am available to teach. I have a BA (Hons) degree in Jazz Studies and a National Diploma in Popular Music. I am very experienced and have been playing for a long time. The areas which I specialise in are jazz, latin and reading. You can read more about me on my profile or on my website at www.johnmarleymusic.com My number is 07944098548. It will be great to hear from people. Thanks.

I'd say Dave Holland myself because he plays on some of my favourite albums like Bitches Brew by Miles Davis and Angel Song by Kenny Wheeler. You have to love Steve Harris though don't you...

Hey. Nice to meet you all. I'm a newbie to the forum. I don't know about the uni to study at...I went to LCM but they all have different good points. However...LCM has a great set of bass teachers. Zoltan Dekany is incredible and studied himself with Charlie Haden and Jeff Berlin. They also have Gary Jackson and Dave Kane who are both wicked. Although...I hear at Birmingham you get some lessons with Dave Holland and RAM have Steve Watts who is one of my favourites.

Hey, Just found the forum and thought I'd introduce myself. My name's John Marley. I'm 24 and play the bass guitar and double bass. I have a National diploma in Popular Music and a BA (Hons) in Jazz Studies from Leeds College of Music where I studied both basses with the incredible Zoltan Dekany. I love playing jazz as well as other styles such as pop, metal and latin. I play a Fender Jazz 1975 reissue and a Martin double bass. Both great instruments which I don't intend changing unless I have too. I play in a lot of bands but the main ones are The Hitmen who will be on the cover CD of next months Jazzwise and Shame and Guilt. If anyone is still reading and wants to know more about me then I have a website at www.johnmarleymusic.com and a myspace at www.myspace.com/johnmarleybass It will be good to hear from some other bass players and make some bass friends. Cheers.