HELP!! What to Know for High School Jazz Band??

[Mushroo]

Thank you, this is super helpful and informative. Another question if you're up for it: How important is knowing scales and arpeggios? Should I focus on learning them all now, or is it not worth it? I do have some basic knowledge of this subject, but nothing past the fundamental level.

Scales are incredibly important, but my advice to younger musicians is, don't go nuts trying to learn hundreds of them! Learning the 12 major scales and 12 minor scales is all you need to get started. By "learn" I mean, you can play these 24 scales over the entire range of your instrument, you know the names of the notes, you can identify key signatures and know how many sharps or flats are in each key. Bonus points if you can sing major and minor scales, and if you know the pattern of whole steps and half steps!

 

[Groove Doctor]

How important is knowing scales and arpeggios?
Should I focus on learning them all now, or is it not worth it?

Very important, but learning them all now...? Go slow and learn how to apply each new bit into your playing.

For songs that have the chords written,
- practise the arpeggios that correspond with each chord,
- then do that in time with the music.
Brilliant foundation for making up your own walking bass lines down the track.

 

[TexasHeat]

My son played bass for his middle school and high school jazz bands. He didn't have a lot of experience or training going into it, but the band director liked his attitude and his musical ear. Turns out most of the jazz band tunes were in concert F or Bb to accommodate the horns. Playing the F scale down low on the neck can be a stretch for a young kid. We got him a short scale bass for that reason.

I helped him a little to learn bass clef and where they correspond on the neck, but honestly, after one week of practice with the band, it became 2nd nature to him. Then it was a matter of learning the style. Things like how long to hold the notes, dynamics, being aware of what the rest of the band was doing. Being a dad involved with my kid's music program was a blast.

Go look on youtube for high school jazz bands and see what they are playing.

 

[sean_on_bass]

Learn to read bass clef.

Learn how to interpret chord symbols, starting with knowing how to build the notes in each chord.

Learn to improvise walking bass lines based on chord symbols.

Starting off, playing in time should take priority over playing the right notes. Work on playing a solid quarter note rhythm, it will serve you well.

Most importantly, listen to as much classic jazz as possible, as often as possible.

 

[Drgonzonm]

Jazz band will be great You'll learn a lot of music. When my oldest was in school, jazz was taught after marching season, he had a chance to transpose music. he did the brass section for strairway to haeaven. He played guitar lead.
He was asked to switch over to flugal to assure a college band scholarship.
You never know what your high school jazz experience can offer