Jazz Intensive Audition Requirements

Jazz Intensive Auditions

Thank you for your interest in Coast Music’s Jazz Intensive!  We prefer in-person and zoom auditions. Please email coastmusicstaff@gmail.com to schedule an audition, or text Beth at 310-213-5299. 

Our goal with these auditions is to:

  • To get to know you and learn to about your experience, goals and aspirations.
  • Determine readiness for our jazz intensive program.
  • Get a sense for your current level of musicianship in a variety of areas. This will help us place students in groups that will challenge, but not overwhelm.
  • To answer any questions you may have about our jazz program.

Please prepare the following:

Pianists and Guitarists

  • Play 2 major scales
  • Play 2 minor scales
  • Play 2 chord inversions of your choice (triads or seventh chords). Please play in all inversions both harmonically and melodically
  • Read from the lead sheet sample that will be presented to you or emailed to you. We will are interested in ability to comp chords, read melodies and follow the form. We are not expecting an advanced level. We are simply need to know what your vocabulary is currently.
  • Please play 2 short contracting songs excerpts. Example: 1 swing and one Latin. Please improvise on 1 of the 2 songs.

Vocalists

  • Sing a one-octave chromatic scale
  • Sing a one-octave blues scale (any key)
  • Please sing two contrasting jazz standards. Example: 1 swing and one Latin.
  • Demonstrate your ability to improvise on one of your song selections or over a 12-bar blues.

Woodwinds and Brass

  • Play 2 major scales
  • Play 2 minor scales
  • Play a chromatic scale
  • Play a blues scale (any key)
  • Read 16 measures from a lead sheet sample that will be presented to you. Examples will not be difficult.
  • Please play 2 short contracting songs excerpts. Example: 1 swing and one Latin. Please improvise on 1 of the 2 songs.

String Players

  • Play 2 major scales (one pizzicato and one arco)
  • Play 2 minor scales (one pizzicato and one arco)
  • Play a chromatic scale (pizzicato or arco)
  • Play a blues scale in the key of your choice (pizzicato or arco)
  • Read 16 measures from a lead sheet sample that will be presented to you. Examples will not be difficult.
  • Please play 2 short contracting songs excerpts. Example: 1 swing and one Latin. Double Bassists: Please play baselines according to style.

Electric Bass Players

(Double Bass Players – Use String Players Requirements Above)

  • Play 2 major scales
  • Play 2 minor scales
  • Play a chromatic scale
  • Play a walking baseline over a 12-bar blues
  • Play bass in a Bossa Nova style using this lead sheet.

Drumset

  • Please demonstrate you ability to play the following grooves on the drumset:
    • 4/4 swing
    • 3/4 swing
    • Bossa Nova
    • Funk or RnB
  • Please 1 time through a jazz standard of your choice demonstrating your ability to showcase the song form.

If you have any questions about any of the above audition requirements, please email us at coastmusicstaff@gmail.com

Thank you!