Audition Materials for Drums

PYJO III: No Audition

PYJO I, IIA, & IIB:

All drummers will audition with the same materials and be placed based on ability.

We are looking for:

Your ability to react and interact. You will be playing with a live rhythm section.

To prepare:

Focus on holding a great feel (on the patterns below) for long periods of time. You may also wish to transcribe some comping patterns from your favorite Jazz drummers to give you fresh ideas for reacting with a rhythm section. A few recommendations: Philly Joe Jones, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Mel Lewis, & Elvin Jones.

Stay relaxed and have fun.

 

Patterns:

Swing • Be able to play at slow(quarter=96), medium(quarter=126) and fast(half=120) tempos.

Latin • Be able to play a latin pattern (samba, bossa or other).

Rock or Funk • Be able to play a rock or funk pattern. Focus on playing with a light feel.

Sightreading:

In addition to the above, we will ask you to do some sightreading of big band charts at the level of the group you are trying out for.

Drummers trying out for PYJO IIA or I:

Play 12 or more bars of a jazz drum transcription.

A drum solo is OK, but we are more interested in a time/comping transcription.

BRING the recording with you to the audition.