lobematt Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 I've got an audition in 2 weeks as a teacher in a new music school. They've asked me to prepare a grade 8 standard piece of at least 5 mins. I'm not too sure how hard a grade 8 piece should be, I've had a search on youtube and anything that comes up doesn't really look too bad. I was thinking Come On Come Over but that's about a minute short of the 5 min mark. What do you think to Continuum? Or maybe Master Blaster or Sir Duke? Or any other suggestions you've got or songs you have played in the past would be helpful! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 [quote name='lobematt' timestamp='1328608688' post='1529758'] I've got an audition in 2 weeks as a teacher in a new music school. They've asked me to prepare a grade 8 standard piece of at least 5 mins. I'm not too sure how hard a grade 8 piece should be, I've had a search on youtube and anything that comes up doesn't really look too bad. I was thinking Come On Come Over but that's about a minute short of the 5 min mark. What do you think to Continuum? Or maybe Master Blaster or Sir Duke? Or any other suggestions you've got or songs you have played in the past would be helpful! Cheers [/quote] Grade 8 under what awards body? I sat gradings (not on bass) under the ABRSM a good few years back and would put most of those pieces at grade 5 or 6 in terms of difficulty/technicality under their standards. But then, listening to some of the "Rock School" grade 8 pieces, you may be in the right ballpark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 The email I got with the audition info says... "it must be of a high level (Grade 8/Diploma). We are looking for all applicants to show themselves and their skills..." And that's basically it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musophilr Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 If the spec is Grade 8 and you turn up with the Rockschool Grade 8 book and play the music correctly then IMO that should work, so long as the pieces are of the required length (I haven't timed them, perhaps you should). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 [quote name='lobematt' timestamp='1328609716' post='1529768'] The email I got with the audition info says... "it must be of a high level (Grade 8/Diploma). We are looking for all applicants to show themselves and their skills..." And that's basically it! [/quote] Hmm... The Rockschool grade 8 pieces are not of a high level, IMHO, based on recordings I've seen on youtube. What sort of a music school is it? What other instruments/disciplines do they teach/intend to teach? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simwells Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 [quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1328609548' post='1529765'] Grade 8 under what awards body? I sat gradings (not on bass) under the ABRSM a good few years back and would put most of those pieces at grade 5 or 6 in terms of difficulty/technicality under their standards. But then, listening to some of the "Rock School" grade 8 pieces, you may be in the right ballpark. [/quote] I would agree that this makes a big difference, in my experience rock school are substantially easier than most comparable awards bodies. I guess I'd probably base it on the sort of music school and if they are likely to be more classically focused etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 what about a theatre piece? something sightly different. Either that or take a standard and re-arrange it. I don't think stevie wonder or jaco tunes are quite going to cut it for a teaching job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Chord melody. Solo bass is boring for the vast majority of people. Something like Viaceslav Svedov's cover of Michael Jackson's Black or White manages to showcase his abilities without being something only endurable by a bass player. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v2qcqvZfms&feature=related[/media] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapolpora Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 It might be worth a look at the classical Grade 8 syllabus for double bass: http://www.abrsm.org/fileadmin/user_upload/syllabuses/doubleBass0812.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 ACDC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) 1. Rockschool Grade 8 is an internationally recognised qualification. If the bumph says Grade 8 then they should be fine. 2. Rockschool examiners are expecting you to put a lot of yourself into the performance at that level - it's not just the notes, it's your interpretation of them. If you want to show off pick a piece that has a good solo section and widdle away (in the style of the piece of course - a rock solo wouldn't get you many marks in a latin groove piece). Not gospel, but just so you are clear about the Rockschool stuff. Your audition, your choice. Any reason why you can't do 2 pieces in contrasting styles? Will you have something available to you for the -1 track? Edited February 7, 2012 by leftybassman392 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 Not sure about doing 2 pieces, they've only asked for one but it can't hurt to have another prepared in the bag I've thought about doing a standard, Autumn Leaves maybe, melody, bassline, improv, melody type thing. Would definitely be over the 5 min mark too. The school isn't open yet so I'm not too sure what type of music they do but I think they're trying to sell it as like a jam school so I think it might be quite rocky. Dlloyd - lovin that vid, might try and do something like that. I've seen Marcus Miller do Come Together in a similar style, could be worth a go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musophilr Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Just a thought: Bach solo cello stuff, but on a fretless bass ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nottswarwick Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 [quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1328631492' post='1530356'] 1. Rockschool Grade 8 is an internationally recognised qualification. If the bumph says Grade 8 then they should be fine. 2. Rockschool examiners are expecting you to put a lot of yourself into the performance at that level - it's not just the notes, it's your interpretation of them. If you want to show off pick a piece that has a good solo section and widdle away (in the style of the piece of course - a rock solo wouldn't get you many marks in a latin groove piece). [/quote] It's not easy to do well, sure it's not ABRSM classical level as written notes, but that is not the whole story of getting a good mark by any stretch of the imagination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alec 'Aleb' Mills Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) That could work. One of my grade 8 pieces for trombone was a 3-part cello suit adapted for trombone. Itssemi-quaver galore at 120 BPM. And yes speed/fitting in as many notes as possible is not the end all be all. I also had a piece in 3/2, very slow... Gustav Mahler's 3rd Symphony trombone solo. Its all about you really. ABRSM/Trinity GuildHall always seem to have a kindof snobish attitude to modern instruments such as guitars, etc. Edited February 7, 2012 by Alec 'Aleb' Mills Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nottswarwick Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 i'd go Rockschool. Job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 [quote name='lobematt' timestamp='1328632997' post='1530397'] I've thought about doing a standard, Autumn Leaves maybe, melody, bassline, improv, melody type thing. Would definitely be over the 5 min mark too. [/quote] It might be worth getting the clarity of what they understand as Grade 8. Not an unreasonable question. If you decide on the "standards route", Mike Dimns book "The Art of Solo Bass" has the transcriptions for Shadow Of Your Smile, Over the Rainbow and a good Rhythm Changes transcription in a Comping/Melody style. Very effective and lots of room for Improv. If you haven't got the book, I would be happy to scan and email for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 [quote name='BassBunny' timestamp='1328642144' post='1530602'] It might be worth getting the clarity of what they understand as Grade 8. Not an unreasonable question. If you decide on the "standards route", Mike Dimns book "The Art of Solo Bass" has the transcriptions for Shadow Of Your Smile, Over the Rainbow and a good Rhythm Changes transcription in a Comping/Melody style. Very effective and lots of room for Improv. If you haven't got the book, I would be happy to scan and email for you. [/quote] Yeah man that'd be great! You gotta PM! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 [quote name='BassBunny' timestamp='1328642144' post='1530602'] It might be worth getting the clarity of what they understand as Grade 8. Not an unreasonable question. [/quote] Again, your choice OP, but do you honestly think that asking them what they mean by Grade 8 is going to go down well? What would you think if the roles were reversed? Are you sure you're not overthinking this? Asking a question like this, on this forum, is guaranteed to net you any number of well-meaning but conflicting opinions (no offence intended). They just want to know that you can play the damn thing to Grade 8 standard! Rather than trying to do something you hope they'll like, why not choose something you'll like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muttley Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) Get the Rockschool Grade 8 book and the ABRSM Grade 8 DB one. If the latter is adaptable to EB then play that. It will require not only playing ability but also arrangement and interpretation skills. Play on a fretless bass for added kudos. Also, I don't necessarily buy this RS is inferior to AB stuff. I have AB Grade 8 violin and I'm currently working thorough the RS bass books. My current RS Grade 4 bass pieces are a similar standard to my daughter's AB Grade 4 violin. Musicianship tests for AB are probably a bit tougher but OTOH RS has stuff that AB hasn't so it's horses for courses. ETA: Good Luck! Edited February 8, 2012 by muttley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master blaster Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 The Rockschool pieces are way to easy to be grade 8. I'de stay away from pieces that are from graded books. Most of those pieces lack character and can be boring to listen to and play. Also im sure they'd prefer a grade 8 standard piece, not an actual grade 8 piece from a book. Picking something away from a graded syllabus will show them more about you as a player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Master blaster' timestamp='1328708806' post='1531429'] The Rockschool pieces are way to easy to be grade 8. [/quote] Oh dear! This could get tedious. At the risk of repeating both myself and other posters on this thread:- The Rockschool pieces are not too easy to be Grade 8.... they ARE Grade 8. End of. Making a statement like this presupposes that you know something about what Grade 8 'should be' that those poor old muppets at Rockschool - who have, after all, only been doing this stuff for around 20 years - are not privy to. Perhaps you'd care to enlighten us. Better yet, maybe you should call Rockschool and tell them what it is they're doing wrong and how they can make their pieces more like proper Grade 8. Edited February 8, 2012 by leftybassman392 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nottswarwick Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Well put. [quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1328711270' post='1531484'] Oh dear! This could get tedious. At the risk of repeating both myself and other posters on this thread:- The Rockschool pieces are not too easy to be Grade 8.... they ARE Grade 8. End of. Making a statement like this presupposes that you know something about what Grade 8 'should be' that those poor old muppets at Rockschool - who have, after all, only been doing this stuff for around 20 years - are not privy to. Perhaps you'd care to enlighten us. Better yet, maybe you should call Rockschool and tell them what it is they're doing wrong and how they can make their pieces more like proper Grade 8. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simwells Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 The issuse is that much as rock school is obviously still the relevant grade it is stated to be, if you're used to hearing pieces from other awards bodies then their pieces will tend to seem to be more straight forward to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Here are some of the Rockschool grade 8 pieces... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn9LEcoLxUQ[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_N-8MGXjjQ[/media] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.