College Jazz Combo

[joshuacreamer97]

Does anyone know what a drummer is expected to play when entering a jazz combo in college. I signed up to take combo next semester, but have never played jazz in a school setting. I have played some simple jazz and a ton of rock type stuff in clubs with various bands for the last couple years. I can play along to alot of jazz songs, but havent latin ones yet. I have been working out of John Riley Art of Bop and Beyond Bop as well as playing some jazz songs with CDs each week. Am I prepared for college combo? Will I be paired with other musicans on my level?

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Do you read music? I'm guessing that's going to be required.

[joshuacreamer97]

I can read music, like for piano and stuff but it takes me a while to find the notes on the instrument. I can almost sight read drum music every time because I have been doing it for so long.

[KCDrummer]

If you can read and are comfortable with at least a few different styles, you should be fine. Presumably, everyone else in the combo will have similar levels of experience, so you all learn together. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[Class A Drummer]

Does anyone know what a drummer is expected to play when entering a jazz combo in college. I signed up to take combo next semester, but have never played jazz in a school setting. I have played some simple jazz and a ton of rock type stuff in clubs with various bands for the last couple years. I can play along to alot of jazz songs, but havent latin ones yet. I have been working out of John Riley Art of Bop and Beyond Bop as well as playing some jazz songs with CDs each week. Am I prepared for college combo? Will I be paired with other musicans on my level?

You signed up and are getting credit for taking it? As in it is a course? Thats pretty cool i might have to try to do that in college, assuming my assumptions are correct.

[HSTDrums]

You signed up and are getting credit for taking it? As in it is a course? Thats pretty cool i might have to try to do that in college, assuming my assumptions are correct.

Of course it's a course! Why would a class involving music be any different than a class involving geometry or physics. I got credit every semester in college for taking and ensemble, and there was funk/fusion ensemble, afro/cuban ensemble....not just a jazz group. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a shcool with a music program that doesn't offer similar things like this

[Diaz]

For our jazz combos in college I just recieve lead sheets and spend A LOT of time listening to recordings....

[mrchattr]

I think you should be fine, with one exception...you need to get a good feel for some basic latin beats. In my experience both in college, and teaching a few kids who were in college, latin music is REALLY huge in jazz ensambles.You don't have to be amazing at it, but work on it for sure.