2015-2016 Jazz Band Audition Etudes
Drum Set
Schedule a time with Mr. Fairweather like you would a lesson. Going to both parts of this audition will give
you credit for 1 lesson. Perform the Jazz Audition Scales along with these pieces of music. Tempos indicated
are target tempos; if you’re a little short that’s okay. Phrasing and line (dynamic) shaping or shading is
encouraged. Please ask the director questions before the audition so you can play better at your audition.
Part 1 Jazz Audition Grooves- read directions before playing
These are common grooves we use in jazz band. You show me what you can do for each groove by playing 3
measures of groove;,a measure of fill; then repeat. Choose between the stock groove or the variations.
Slow Rock Grooves- Tempos are quarter note= 90-105
Rock Groove A
Rock Groove B
Rock Groove C
Your performance of these grooves will be rating: 1. Steady time kept during the pattern, 2.
Steady time kept during fill-in during the transition to the next phrase, 3. If your 2,3,4 way
coordination is working or not, and 4. creativity/variety/tastefulness of the fill-ins and 5.
attempt/success at the stock groove or the trickier variations.
Rock Groove D
Rock Groove E
Fast Rock Groove- Tempo; Quarter note = 125-150
next page
Slow Swing Grooves- Tempo; quarter note = 125-140
Use triplets to interpret the music for swing. Most importantly for the pattern is that the Left
Foot for the Hi-Hat must always be strong on beats 2 & 4 and right hand plays the ride cymbal
time. Left hand plays the “ensemble hits” on the snare drum. Switch ride pattern to quarter
notes in case “spang, spang-a-lang” is too hard. Play the first example then change out the left
hand for each of the Comping Motifs listed below—keep time going on the right hand. Treat
each one as a separate etude—put a pause in between each 2-bar phrase.
Fast Swing Grooves- Tempo; quarter note = 180-200
Same idea as the slow grooves, just play faster.
Ballad- Brushes needed here; Tempo; quarter note = 60-75
Even if you have never used brushes before, this is a great place to start for our jazz ballads.
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Shuffle- Tempo; quarter note around 120
2-Beat Feel- Tempo; quarter note around 210
Jazz Waltz- Tempo; quarter note=160-175
World Grooves
All Purpose Latin- tempo; HALF note = 100-115
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Cha- Cha- Tempo; quarter note= 110-125
Bossa Nova-Tempo; quarter note= 130-145
Partito Alto- Tempo; quarter note= 135-150
Samba- tempo; quarter note= 150-165
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Part 2 Musical Excerpts
(Drum set parts sometimes only contain part of the information. Here they want you to not only catch the
rhythms but also play along with the ensemble. You need to catch the ensemble figures and fill in the spaces
with fills and time. Originally written as a Samba in cut time, you can treat it like that or as a Latin Rock style.
Please make sure to reach the target tempo for the audition)
Straight 8th Note Style
Funky Rock, quarter note= 88
Play all of m. 11 on the snare drum.
Medium rock
Quarter note= 110
Swing Style Quarter note = 138
Drum Set Notation Key
Read this before you play the next page
(on the next page you will see slash rhythms; these are hits played with the ensemble; also you will see slashes
with small rhythms above the music lines. Play the 1st-4 measures as written on the snare drum. Add the swing
ride cymbal pattern when you see the slashes and try to catch the ensemble figures (ens.) written above the time.
Swing Style Quarter note = 152
Part 3 Group Audition
Please come to the group part of this audition. Be ready to sight-read tunes in a group setting.
