Double Bass Audition for University Orchestra

Spiritun

Spiritun

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Nov 15, 2014
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#1
Hello,
I recently applied to my university's amateur orchestra and just got a response saying I have to perform a 5 minute piece next wednesday (1st november). Considering I have about three days to prepare for the audition, and I have never had an audition before, I'm kinda lost on what I should do. I'm not that great of a player either (just completed 3 years on the double bass), so I can't play anything too complex. For comparison, the most complex piece I have actually played at a decent level is Bach's Invention 4 (and tried Invention 1).

If you have any suggestions/tips for me, I would gladly hear them.
 
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#2
Spiritun said:
Hello,
I recently applied to my university's amateur orchestra and just got a response saying I have to perform a 5 minute piece for next wednesday (1st november). Considering I have about three days to prepare for the audition, and I have never had an audition before, I'm kinda lost on what I should do. I'm not that great of a player either (just completed 3 years on the double bass), so I can't play anything too complex. For comparison, the most complex piece I have actually played at a decent level is Bach's Invention 1 (and tried Invention 4).

If you have any suggestions/tips for me, I would gladly hear them.
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I was in a similar spot some years ago. My bass teacher had me mainly prepare the bass/brass section solo portion from Die Meistersingers overture. It showed the conductor that I could play in tune, follow pretty simple bow and volume markings, and keep time while making a decent sound. And thus my tenure in that fun bass section began. That does not take five minutes btw but gives you a sense of what made him happy with me as a potential section player. Good luck to you and have fun.
 
#3
Invention #4 is formidable (I assume you are talking about the version for two basses). Are you playing the top or bottom part? That top part is difficult (well, difficult to play in tune, at least), even for a pro. However, showing up playing the bottom part would be odd.
 
#4
I would second the Die Meistersinger overture. It's relatively accessible, and as stated above, shows that you can produce a decent sound. I don't think they're looking for anything virtuosic, with it being an amateur orchestra.

Good luck!
 
#5
ILIA said:
Invention #4 is formidable (I assume you are talking about the version for two basses). Are you playing the top or bottom part? That top part is difficult (well, difficult to play in tune, at least), even for a pro. However, showing up playing the bottom part would be odd.
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I don't really know which one is the version for two basses, but I played the bottom part as a duet with piano.

I guess I'm going to try out the Die Meistersinger overture and see how it goes. It doesn't cover the whole five minutes, so maybe I should prepare something else as well just to be safe? (I'm a bit short on time though...)
 
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#6
Spiritun said:
I don't really know which one is the version for two basses, but I played the bottom part as a duet with piano.

I guess I'm going to try out the Die Meistersinger overture and see how it goes. It doesn't cover the whole five minutes, so maybe I should prepare something else as well just to be safe? (I'm a bit short on time though...)
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Usually you have to play some scales, if so that will fill time. For a second short piece perhaps something melodic yet simple? To A Wild Rose is pretty and doable on short notice. But, some of the many bass teachers in this space may have better-informed ideas I think.
 
#7
I would just ask the conductor or whoever you're playing for in the audition what would be okay. To be honest, unless this is pretty strong university orchestra, they probably NEED basses, and if you can just show them that you can play decently, it doesn't have to take five minutes, most likely.

I wouldn't try to learn a new excerpt or solo in three days. Send an email to whoever is in charge of these auditions, and explain your situation, ask if it'd be acceptable to play a couple separate things to fill five minutes, or if they'd be okay with you playing less than five minutes. If they don't say "absolutely not, don't even think about it" (and I doubt they will), go in there and play whatever you think you can absolutely knock out of the park with good rhythm/tone/pitch/musicality, and give them a good sense of who you are as a bass player. That's the most important thing and most people listening to auditions know that--if they know that you had three days to prepare, and the requirement is something you're not familiar with, they'll understand it's not going to represent you well to force you to try to meet that requirement rather than choose to just listen to you playing something you're confident on.
 
#9
Spiritun said:
Just wanted to give a little update on this thread and say I got a spot in the orchestra! I auditioned with the Die Meistersinger overture, as suggested, and it went quite well. Now comes the hard work, as I have a lot to learn about orchestral playing.

Thank you all for your help!
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Congratulations! I am glad we could assist you. Have fun.
 
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