Admission Requirements Bass guitar

In general you are required to have basic affinity with the most common musical styles for bass guitar, which have an element of improvisation. This could mean older jazz related styles such as swing and the American Songbook, but this is not required. Many improvisational styles in modern music based on groove can be suited for your entrance exam. Think about the more specific requirements when you choose your repertoire and arrangements. Feel free to inquire if you have specific questions about the repertoire you’d like to play on your exam repertoire; a minimum of three prepared pieces, themes and improvisations (with variations in key and tempo, major and minor)

More specific requirements:

• A basic level of technique. This does not per se require certain exercises, but we would like to see basic understanding of how to play the bass, basic fingerings and how to make a good sound on your instrument.
• A general understanding of basic chords (such as triads and seventh chords) and of basic harmonic concepts (such as harmonic functions and cadenzas). This means to be able to connect chords in a bass part as well as some basic soloing.
• A basic level of tempo, timing and the ability to play with a drummer.
• A general understanding of musical expression elements (such as articulation, dynamics, phrasing, timbre etc.).
• A basic level of solfege. This means that you are able to hear intervals, chords and musical fragments and reproduce them. You should be able to listen to a simple 5 note melody, repeat it back singing and then play it, without ‘searching’ for the notes, on your bass
• A basic level of reading music in bass clef and some basic harmonic progressions. 

We will assess all these skills by conducting small tests, if necessary. Please choose repertoire that you feel comfortable with and that will show you at your best.