College Jazz Band

[Soulfly666]

I was seriously thinking about joining my college's Jazz band next semester, and I was wondering, from those already in a college jazz band, what sort of things to expect regarding charts, sight reading, difficulty of pieces, etc. Any info would greatly appreciated.

:)

[Chris K]

Jazz band eh? I bet you regret choosing the name Soulfly666!

[Soulfly666]

Jazz band eh? I bet you regret choosing the name Soulfly666!

Oh most definitely.

[funkyhoney]

im in a high school jazz band, but luckily we choose what we want to play really, it more of a recreational band.
but the conductor still expected me to be able to sight read, and play charts, but when i said i was "working on it" he jsut told me, "theres no better way to learn than to do it" so now im getting better as well.
but yeah, you should be able to struggle through at least, can you sight read at all?

[Soulfly666]

im in a high school jazz band, but luckily we choose what we want to play really, it more of a recreational band.
but the conductor still expected me to be able to sight read, and play charts, but when i said i was "working on it" he jsut told me, "theres no better way to learn than to do it" so now im getting better as well.
but yeah, you should be able to struggle through at least, can you sight read at all?

Yea. I can sight read scores decently and what not, but I can't sight read my way out of a paper bag when it comes to charts. :-\

Are your lines written out for you most of the time, or do you have to make your own up?

[Soulfly666]

While I'm at it, I got another question for you all. Is there anything that your conductor might look for? Like being able to accent 2 and 4 really well and stuff like that?

[funkyhoney]

Yea. I can sight read scores decently and what not, but I can't sight read my way out of a paper bag when it comes to charts. :-\

Are your lines written out for you most of the time, or do you have to make your own up?

he either writes the chords and i improvise over them, or ill looks up some tabs and improve on them.
hmm, you should be fine is my guess, just go for it, your not gonna be any worse off by at least trying.
i think most conductors just lok for a solid player who isnt a stiff :thumb:

[Scott01]

i think most conductors just lok for a solid player who isnt a stiff :thumb:

Most definately, just show that your very much interested in learning anything that you may need to play in the band and I'm sure they will want you :thumb:

[darrell]

My class is not too bad. My Jazz teacher is pretty new though... he's probably just about 30 years old. He has a Myspace everything...

In terms of music, he gives us charts and we read them. Our show is in 2 weeks or so. It's not that bad. If you have any knowledge of chord tones, it shouldn't be too hard.

[Soulfly666]

My class is not too bad. My Jazz teacher is pretty new though... he's probably just about 30 years old. He has a Myspace everything...

In terms of music, he gives us charts and we read them. Our show is in 2 weeks or so. It's not that bad. If you have any knowledge of chord tones, it shouldn't be too hard.

Ahh, so my best bet to prepare is to just bust out the old real book and have a go through it?