Britt's All-state Jazz Audition

[brittc89]

Here are some pieces that I recorded for my Colorado All-state Jazz Band Audtion. The first two were miniature charts had to be played with a click track and the next ones were improv over a form of 6 bars time and then 2 solo bars. It is a really akward audition process in my opinion. I was the alternate last year and Im hoping I can make it this year. Tell me what you think.

[jollymosher]

Oh wow.. it sounds like its a sucky prosess. But yeah man it sounds pretty good, you one of the better drummers in our age group i think you will make it.

[Drummer Karl]

hey, nice grooves buddy!! I like this snare drum sound...nice and dry. And very natural!!

overall I just love this whole drum sound! What mics do you use?
I ask also because I recorded some Jazz...with some Samson mics. I think your drum sound is MUCH better than mine...I love the sound...(to see it from the sound-technical side)

PS: here is my playing btw:

www.myspace.com/karldegenhardt


so, good luck on your way to be an amazing drummer Britt!!

Karl =)

[mattsmith]

Here are some pieces that I recorded for my Colorado All-state Jazz Band Audtion. The first two were miniature charts had to be played with a click track and the next ones were improv over a form of 6 bars time and then 2 solo bars. It is a really akward audition process in my opinion. I was the alternate last year and Im hoping I can make it this year. Tell me what you think.
Britt, I thought the miniatures were well executed and felt really good. I think you'll get high point totals for them. I thought the others were also very competitive, but as we both are aware, you never know what the crazy judge is going to think when the improv kicks in, because he's thinking who knows what. I've given up on trying to figure them out. This is why I think I want to lead my own bands and have my own music. I mean I'm still a month away from 17, and I'm already sick of the process. I'd just as soon take music directly to the nonmusicians, and leave our little groups to fight amongst themselves.

I was just discussing this with my grandfather on the phone tonight. He thinks right now that drummers are the most confused group of all when it comes to what is right and what is not. He feels that at this moment trumpet players remain the most arrogant overly secure group, while drummers are having the most problems trying to decide what's the right way to go, when in jazz and other nonclassical forms, there should be numerous correct ways, even when the music itself is essentially the same.

He laughs when drummers on these forums use the term musicality, not because drummers aren't, but because they can't seem to decide what is. And what's more...all the other instruments know this. He also thinks that it's hilarious how much we think about the attitudes of full time guitar players, when other instrumentalists barely consider them human.

As a long time nondrumming bandleader, he also points out that these ideaological rifts that happen now with drummers are of no consequence anyway, since most successful bands have leaders who will decide what the drummer will play, unless the drummer takes the bull by the horns and controls his destiny as a leader in his own right.

With that said. You did a great job here. You certainly could anchor the top band. But you also know that a saxophone player can be deciding this instead of a drummer...especially if the all state bandleader has a say in this. And supposedly they don't hear the music in the same way we do.

[Red Hawk]

wow man... I've been playing for like 15 years and still can't lay down a songo like you did in the 3rd one. That's good playing.

I never got to audition for all-state jazz band because my teachers "forgot to tell me about it".

pretty weak...

Good luck!

[brittc89]

Thanks for the support everyone. And matt, I know exactly what youre talking about and it so frustrating knowing what these judges want from the drummer. There doesnt seem to be any uniform expectation, or at least any that they have taken the time to tell the drummer about. The other thing that frustrates me is the way this audition is situated. You can clearly tell a drummer did NOT decide on this process. I mean, how are you supposed to comp on fast swing if you cannot interact with an instrumentalist? ANd how are you supposed to really make a shuffle groove without a bass player laying down a line. Thanks again everyone whos responded thus forth.

[brittc89]

hey, nice grooves buddy!! I like this snare drum sound...nice and dry. And very natural!!

overall I just love this whole drum sound! What mics do you use?
I ask also because I recorded some Jazz...with some Samson mics. I think your drum sound is MUCH better than mine...I love the sound...(to see it from the sound-technical side)

PS: here is my playing btw:

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19609


so, good luck on your way to be an amazing drummer Britt!!

Karl =)
Sorry Karl, I totally forgot to give you mic specs. I have actually a really cheap setup. Its like the bottom rung of audix drum mics. I use 2 overhead condensers, a snare mic (those are the only three from the audix set) and then a blue kickball for my bass drum. I just really take a lot of time to figure what would sound best with my set-up when I mic it. Plus a slight reverb flowing through the mixer can make almost anything sound good. Thanks again for the compliments Karl.

[tomgrosset]

Sounds good man. Your chops are clean and you got some awesome grooves going on there.

Let us know if you get in or not.

Good luck.

[brittc89]

I didnt make the all state jazz band. Im not going to lie to you, it really hurt. My confidence is obliterated.

[jazzsnob]

I'm sorry dude. PM me if you want to hear some awesome failed audition stories I have to cheer you up. It's all part of the game man.

[mattsmith]

Britt,

Of all the guys on this site, you, Karl, Chris and Dimitri/ahzz (never heard MFB Duncan play) are the teenage guys whose playing I respect the most. You're also better than 99% of the drummers who post on forums, and you have to know that. You also have to know that you kicked ass on those recordings. Why would some guy's opinion to the contrary sway you? Any way as you know, the judge was only looking for a kind of sound that matched up with a sound in his head. How are you supposed to know what that is? And why would you think that makes you less of a musician?

My old man says that the way to get over a dissapointing audition is to find another one. I'd look for some local drumoff and go frickin pwn it. You know you can. Hey I've been there on the other side, as you know, and yeah it sucks. But that's why the pwn-ing you 're about to administer is going to be very sweet. Comebacks absolutely rock.

A lot of people don't understand the competitive nature in people. You observe their little sissified reactions all the time, like they want you to be a quitter and give up like they have. But you're not like that, and that's why you're going to make it.

Look in ten years, I expect you to be one of the guys out there who is actually doing it. I mean that.

[jazzsnob]

You just need to show em, man. Every time someone has ever doubted me, I just file them away in my mind as another person who I'll need to floor at some point.

You just need to keep telling yourself "I'll show em', I'll show the old windbags."


And you will.

[fusssion]

sorry to hear that Britt, that was very impressive. You can't get down though.....one subjective view of your playing is NOT the true spectrum, right?

Chin up!! Great job!!

[Drummer Karl]

I didnt make the all state jazz band. Im not going to lie to you, it really hurt. My confidence is obliterated.

Hey...I`m sorry for ya...man, I`m sorry!! but world is going on...

this is destiny, remember the butterfly effect my man, you`ll get it!! ;-)

Karl

[Class A Drummer]

sorry you didnt make it man, but still, that was some pretty kick ass recordings of you.

[TopCat]

Your playing blows my mind britt, and I'm equally as mindblown to hear that you didn't get in.

Seriously though, do what Matt said, go tear ass at a local drum-off and show up some young oafish rock drummer like myself.

[foursticks]

Hey man, just posting to say that I loved the recordings like everyone here. Also you make some auditions and don't make others, it's a rule in life as a whole as well. You don't always achieve what you hope to.

So what I'm trying to say here really is that naturally your gonna feel really down, but perk up and learn from this experience, practise more and become an even better drummer than you already are!

[tomgrosset]

Hey man, don't feel bad. We all go through this stage.

I see so many drummers who back down after they lose an audition. You just have to learn to deal with it and move on. It's all part of the process of being a successful musician.

I can see you getting somewhere along with Karl, Matt, Chris, Andrew, Daniel and many other drummers here on this forum.

[Afrolicious]

Britt, I just listened to your records and hat to view that video (the one where you look like a walrus trying to eat peanut butter) again. I absoluteley love your playing, you have very good technique but even greater feel. That video always makes me wanna tap along because it's so thrilling. Just keep up the great work. I can't wait to see your own professional page on Drummerworld in ten years or so.

[gaspesien]

Excellent playing!

I feel your pain, auditions are a pain in the ass 80% of the time. Don't punch yourself too hard about losing a gig, with your level of skills you should keep smiling anyway!

[Blue]

Very impressive! Clean, great groove... you got it dude! Oh, and dude, don't let not making the band obliterate your confidence. You're a great drummer. No one can take that away from you. Seriously, you've got some great talent. Don't give up. Everyone has their setbacks. Pull through, and you'll be that much better for it.

[Drums558]

Britt,

You're an awsome drummer!!!
You're future is very bright, best get ready for it by getting alot of cheap sunglasses.
Really, you got some excellent playin goin on......

Mike

[glen thomas]

I didnt make the all state jazz band. Im not going to lie to you, it really hurt. My confidence is obliterated.

Great playing on the samples you posted. Sorry about not making the all state jazz band but there's always options and never should your confidence be affected. If anything, you should gain inspiration to move on and attempt another musical endeavour. Life's too short and important to let one set back derail you. The talent is there, just build on it :-) oh, and kick butt on the next one.

[d.c.drummer]

You do great work. Clean, expressive and groovy. I think you'll make it, you're one of the best young ones around here so good luck.

[rendezvous_drummer]

They don't deserve your talent man. I thought your recordings were amazing. Very tight, well played stuff you have Britt. You're one of the better drummers on this site man and I wish nothing but the best for you. Good luck in your future endevours. I think you'll get somewhere for sure with playing like that!

Also, was that you Omar Hakim snare that you used?

[zildjian_dude101]

Sounds good. I like that ride sound.

[ToPrAle]

Hey!! nice very nice!! bu t.. ( i have always something to say ) lol :D expecially in the songo i would usethe fills as part of the groove, i don't know if it is on pourpose or not, but during thefills you always stop the songo pulse ... just a comment! nothing personal! :D:D:D:D: anyway good job!!


here's my playing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szBNYjDbtdg

[Shogun_warrior32]

Whether you made it or not..DAMN DUDE!.. you can groove!.. and the sound!..wow.... Very cool!

Jon

[latino_skills]

Lol, that was crazy good. If you don't mind asking, how old are you? How long have you been playing? The 3rd track had a really aswome groove. My personal favorite was the 4th cause it sounded kind of like fusion to me. Man I wish I could play like that.

[CVdrummer]

wow i'm impressed. what's your education background on the drumset?

[brittc89]

Wow! What an overwhelming response! Thanks everybody who posted. I actually had a chance to hear the drummer who made the all-state jazz band not to long ago because the tenor sax I play with, who is i might add totally awesome, was first chair in it and I said id go watch the concert. I have to say the drummer was good but I definitely know what they want now. Someone kind of reserved and quiet in their playing, who can support but not cover up the band in most instances, which I think they may I thought I would have.

Latino Skills, Im 16 and I have been playing for about 5-6 years on the drumset. And CV drummer, my education background is mostly through first the public school system, then a really great private teacher weekly, and finally about 3 two hour lessons with Gregg Bissonette, if anyone ever gets a chance to meet him, whoa, he is a such a cool down to earth, awesome guy.

Once again thank you everyone who posted. It was nice to get so much positive feedback. Thank you all very much for the kind words, it was definitely nice to hear them after not making the jazz band. Thanks again.

Britt