Double Bass Good Bluegrass Song for Audition?

Koyeah

Koyeah

Jun 9, 2014
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4,611
#1
I have an upcoming audition with the US Navy Fleet Bands and for part of the audition I need to play an a bluegrass/country selection. I want to use my upright for this section as well, so leaning more towards bluegrass. I was thinking Clara by Punch Brothers.
What other bluegrass selections would make a good audition piece? I can perform with a backing track.
 
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#2
Are you going to need a chart to learn it? If so, the majority of common bluegrass pieces are going to be difficult to find written music for, they are typically only documented by chord charts or tablature, or not documented at all, passed on by ear from person to person.

I'm asking this respectfully without making any assumptions, but have you played in bluegrass bands or jams before?

If this is a formal audition, my guess is that they're looking for something that "sounds like" bluegrass, but doesn't necessarily follow the "cultural norms" in bluegrass.
 
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#5
dhergert said:
Are you going to need a chart to learn it? If so, the majority of common bluegrass pieces are going to be difficult to find written music for, they are typically only documented by chord charts or tablature, or not documented at all, passed on by ear from person to person.

I'm asking this respectfully without making any assumptions, but have you played in bluegrass bands or jams before?

If this is a formal audition, my guess is that they're looking for something that "sounds like" bluegrass, but doesn't necessarily follow the "cultural norms" in bluegrass.
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I won't need a chart to learn it, although a chart would be nice. I'm a jazz and orchestral bassist, but I've played in bluegrass jams before.

Part of the audition is to play bass in 5 different styles which they specify. Since they said country/bluegrass I'm thinking the same thing that they're looking for something that "sounds like" bluegrass. It's really just to make sure I can play in a variety of styles. I only have 3 tunes to showcase my double bass skills though so I wanted to make sure I played a bluegrass instead of country.
 
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#7
^^Yes!! Great suggestion!!^^

... And, Ashokan Farewell is well documented in musical score. And, it's well accepted among most bluegrassers, at least in the festivals and jams that I play in out here in the west.

Technically it's considered a fiddle tune (by Jay Ungar), but at least in most bluegrass circles, fiddle tunes are accepted as very close cousins.
 
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#8
I never realized there was a USN Fleet Bluegrass Band... so cool! I did a YouTube search and found a couple of their tunes, and that they are called “Country Current”. My suggestion: if you are going to learn a song, pick a song of theirs to learn for the audition. That shows them that you care about their band, and if you kill it they will really remember you. Here’s a possibility:


Good luck!
 
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#10
It's hard to imagine auditioning using a backing track... although it does remove some risks. How would you come up with a "music minus one" backing track?
Gosh, there are thousands of songs to choose from, even more if you add country and western. What would be cool is to sing and play, without the backing track.
 
#12
AGCurry said:
It's hard to imagine auditioning using a backing track... although it does remove some risks. How would you come up with a "music minus one" backing track?
Gosh, there are thousands of songs to choose from, even more if you add country and western. What would be cool is to sing and play, without the backing track.
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It doesn't necessarily have to be a minus track, although that is preferable. If I do a bluegrass standard, like Salt Creek or Whiskey Before Breakfast, I actually found quite a few guitar accompaniment tracks on YouTube! I would love to sing and play, but am not confident enough in my singing voice haha.
 
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#15
Call up or facebook Danny Stewart. He's a good friend who plays bass with Country Current, the Navy's bluegrass band. He auditioned before he was in the navy. He's an all around great guy and will give you some very good candid insight into the process.

From personal experience, playing in a military band has some odd challenges, especially on day when someone above you is calling rank for everyone to play the wrong changes to a well known song....good luck with the audition.....
 
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#18
have you had your audition? how did it go?
if you are still looking for audition songs, I'd suggest one that there is a well known solo break (to let you shine just a bit). when i played in a band there were 2 standards that we did that with. 1) My Sweet Blue Eyed Darlin' and 2) Blues Stay Away from Me.
 
#19
james condino said:
Call up or facebook Danny Stewart. He's a good friend who plays bass with Country Current, the Navy's bluegrass band. He auditioned before he was in the navy. He's an all around great guy and will give you some very good candid insight into the process.

From personal experience, playing in a military band has some odd challenges, especially on day when someone above you is calling rank for everyone to play the wrong changes to a well known song....good luck with the audition.....
Click to expand...
Is that the same Danny Stewart who books Bluegrass Cruises?
 
#20
I don't know if that is the same Danny.

As for ANY audition, keep it basic and solid: classic tunes that people know and understand the changes and the melody line, not some overly emotional Chris Thile whining busy too many notes obscure B side cut sung like you are trying to pick up girls at a yoga retreat....
 
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