OSU School of Music
School of Music - The Ohio State University
Jazz Studies Audition Information
JAZZ STUDIES (BM)
Students
who would like to major in jazz studies should prepare the following for an
audition. Material prepared for the jazz audition should be selected to
demonstrate your present level of development in tone, technique, musicianship,
jazz concept and improvisation. In addition, sight reading is included
in all auditions with the level of difficulty no greater than the required solo
material.
Jazz Bass
Students auditioning to be jazz bass majors are not required to take a classical double bass audition.
1. Major scales and arpeggios, two octaves.
2. Required music selections from the School of Music, which are sent upon request.
3. Walking blues 4/4 bass line in all keys.
4. Improvising skills—blues and #3 on the School of Music selection
sheet (see #2 above).
Jazz Guitar
Bring your own acoustic or electric guitar. An amplifier will be provided.
1. Demonstrate ability to read chord symbols from a lead sheet and play
accompaniment in the appropriate style.
2. Demonstrate ability to read basic jazz rhythms in all keys (suggested
material for preparation: Rhythms Complete by Bower/Colin).
3. Have one solo piece prepared from the jazz repertoire.
4. Perform blues progressions in all twelve keys.
5. Improvise on the blues progression in any key.
6. “Comp” (accompany) in various jazz styles (swing, Latin, rock etc).
Jazz Percussion
This audition is required for entrance to the Jazz Studies program with drum set as the principal instrument. Music Education students may be asked to take a classical audition. Bring sticks, brushes, and your bass drum pedal (or one will be made available). The School of Music will provide a complete drum set with cymbals.
Please see studio teacher for updated requirements.
1. Demonstrate ability to read basic jazz rhythms.
2. Demonstrate ability to read and interpret a basic drum chart.
a. Jazz 3/4, 4/4 and 5/4 at various tempos. Special attention should be placed upon keeping consistent “swinging” time.
b. Rock and/or Funk and/or Fusion.
c. Latin: Bossa Nova (medium tempo); Samba (fast tempo).
Jazz Piano, Saxophone, Trumpet and Trombone
This audition is required for entrance to the Jazz Studies program. Music
Education students may be asked to take a classical audition. Please see studio
teacher for updated requirements.
1. About one-half page of music demonstrating lyric legato playing such
as jazz ballad style.
2. About one-half page of music demonstrating jazz technique, including articulation on the wind instruments, selected from any standard jazz
composition.
3. Two or three choruses of blues improvisation in the key of your choice.
Updated on 04/15/2019