Boost your knowledge of the Jazz Blues by watching this video NOW. CLICK HERE.

Everything you ever wanted to know about JAZZ!!!!

DOWNLOADABLE FILES
100 Historically Significant Jazz Recordings
Aebersold Jazz Handbook (incredible resource for all jazz musicians)
Jazz Improvisation Guide
Jazz Lessons with Jazz Giants

WEBSITES TO HELP YOU LEARN TO PLAY JAZZ
Play Jazz Now Guide
JazzEdNet username: tradjazz password: tradjazzistoday
Jazz 101
Swing Central Jazz
Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jazz Academy
NPR Jazz site
Jazz In America Resources
JazClass Online Courses
Berklee School of Music Courses

APPS TO HELP YOU LEARN TO PLAY JAZZ
Jazz Apps
iReal Pro
iLift

VIDEO IMPROVISATION LESSONS
Dennis DeBlasio Videos
Jazz Improvisation Lessons
Matt Otto Lessons

2020-2021 Jazz Band Audition Materials for current Grissom High School Students

All students must submit their auditions to grissomhsb@gmail.com as MP3 files with ALL audition material below by May 8th. You can use the free software AUDACITY to record.  You can import the sound files then create a new track to record yourself on.
Be sure to save/export as MP3 file nothing else before emailing your audition recording!
Download sheet music and recordings below to record yourself playing along.
​Auditions must be emailed to grissomhsb@gmail.com BY MAY 8TH.
Audition Requirements for Jazz Band
There is a place for students of all skill levels in the Jazz Program at Grissom.  All students interested in participating at any level are encouraged to audition.  Auditions are required for placement in "A" Jazz.  Students who audition and are not selected for "A" Jazz will be placed in "B" Jazz. 
​
All students will submit their auditions to grissomhsb@gmail.com with the following by May 8th
Saxophone - Trumpet - Trombone 
  1. Etude: Play the tune “Proxy” all the way through with the Etude play along track
  • Be sure to tune with the tuning track before recording (A or Bb concert)
  • Listen to the demo track for your instrument to mimic sound, style and articulation 
  • Record yourself along with the Etude “Amen” Play Along Track

       2.  Improvisation: Play the tune “Kenny’ll Make It” 
  • Be sure to tune before recording (A or Bb concert)
  • Play the tune “Kenny’ll Make It” (melody) all the way through then improvise 1 time through changes
  • Use the Play Along Recording when recording yourself playing along
3.    Scales (Concert Pitch) Lead players play 2 octaves or more if comfortable
ALL PLAYERS EXCEPT DRUMS
    Blues - Bb & F (CONCERT PITCH)
In relation to the Major scale the notes of the Blues scale are: 
    1 - b3 - 4 - b5 - 5 - b7 - 1
    Dorian Minor - C & F (CONCERT PITCH)
    Whole Step - Half Step - Whole Step - Whole Step - Whole Step - Half Step - Whole Step or more simply: w-h-w-w-w-h-w. or simply as a scale with a minor 3rd and 7th, a major 2nd and 6th, and a perfect 4th              and 5th
  • Play in a swing style with jazz articulations.  DAH DAH AH DAH AH DAH AH etc. (slur to the downbeats)
Piano - Guitar 
  1. Etude: "Proxy"
  • Be sure to tune with the tuning track before recording (A or Bb)
  • Listen to the demo track for your instrument to mimic sound, style and articulation 
  • Record yourself along with the Etude “Proxy” with the NO guitar track
     2.  Improvisation/Comping: Play the tune “Kenny’ll Make It” (melody)            all the way through then “comp” chords 1  time through then improvise the 3rd time through the changes
  • Piano record with the NO Piano Play Along track
  • Guitar record with the NO Piano Play Along track
3.   Scales Lead players play 2 octaves or more if comfortable
ALL PLAYERS EXCEPT DRUMS
    Blues - Bb & F In relation to the Major scale the notes of the Blues scale are: 
    1 - b3 - 4 - b5 - 5 - b7 - 1
    Dorian Minor - C & F
    Whole Step - Half Step - Whole Step - Whole Step - Whole Step - Half Step - Whole Step or more simply: w-h-w-w-w-h-w. or simply as a scale with a minor 3rd and 7th, a major 2nd and 6th, and a perfect 4th              and 5th
  • Play in a swing style with jazz articulations.  DAH DAH AH DAH AH DAH AH etc. (slur to the downbeats)
Bass
  1. Etude: "Proxy"
  • Be sure to tune with the tuning track before recording (A or Bb)
    •     Listen to the demo track for your instrument to mimic sound, style and articulation 
  • Record yourself along with the Etude “Proxy” with the NO Bass track
     2. Play the tune “Kenny’ll Make It” (melody) all the way through then  create a walking bass line 1 time through then improvise the 3rd time through the changes
  • Bass record with the NO Bass track
3. Scales Lead players play 2 octaves or more if comfortable
ALL PLAYERS EXCEPT DRUMS
    Blues - Bb & F In relation to the Major scale the notes of the Blues scale are: 
    1 - b3 - 4 - b5 - 5 - b7 - 1
    Dorian Minor - C & F
    Whole Step - Half Step - Whole Step - Whole Step - Whole Step - Half Step - Whole Step
    or more simply: w-h-w-w-w-h-w. or simply as a scale with a minor 3rd and 7th, a major 2nd and 6th, and a perfect 4th              and 5th
  • Play in a swing style with jazz articulations.  DAH DAH AH DAH AH DAH AH etc. (slur to the downbeats)
Drum Set
  1. Etude:
  • Play the Tune “Proxy” along with the NO Drums track
      2.    Styles: Jazz Swing, Latin, Rock/Funk
        Play 4 choruses (16 measures total alternating between time and          solo) of each style alternating between playing time and trading 4’s with yourself. 
4 bars time.....4 bars solo....4 bars time.....4 bars solo
Jazz Swing - Latin (bossa nova, samba or mambo) - Rock/Funk 

PLEASE NOTE
  • Auditions must submitted by May 8th and emailed to grissomhsb@gmail.com
The audio files are in mp3 format. You may listen to the audio file on your computer, or use your computer to transfer the track to an mp3 player. 

If you have questions or concerns about the Jazz auditions, please contact Mr. Vernon at grissomhsb@gmail.com 

Etude Music (PDF) 
Alto/Bari Sax - Tenor Sax - Trumpet - Trombone
​Piano - Guitar - Bass - Drums

Etude Audio (.mp3) Use these files when recording!
Tuning Notes A & Bb
Wind Players Play-A-Long
​Piano Play-A-Long
​Guitar Play-A-Long
Bass Play-A-Long
Drums Play-A-Long
​
Sample Audio Etudes to listen to and imitate style.
​Alto/Bari Sax
Tenor Sax
Trumpet
Trombone
Piano
Guitar
Bass 
​Drums 

Improvisation Etude: "Kenny'll Make It" (PDF)
Alto/Bari Sax
Tenor Sax
Trumpet
Trombone
Piano
Guitar
Bass

​Kelly'll Make It (MP3) Play-A-Long
Wind Players (rhythm players listen to this file for "comping" and bass line ideas
Piano/Guitar
Bass

Summary:
Winds, Piano, Guitar, and Bass auditioning for Jazz will turn in 3 files.
Scales - 1 track with all scales
Etude - 1 track
Bb Blues - 1 track

Drums 4 files.
Each style should be a different track. 3 tracks: Jazz Swing, Latin, Rock/Funk.
Etude - 1 track

PLEASE NOTE
Auditions must be emailed to Mr. Vernon by  May 8th to grissomhsb@gmail.com