Manhattan School of Music > Instruction & Faculty > Audition

Jazz Drumset, Hand Percussion, & Tabla Audition

All jazz drumset, hand percussion, and tabla applicants are required to submit an audio recording for prescreening purposes in order to receive an invitation to a live audition in New York City. The recording must include all of the repertoire as listed below. Prescreening recordings must be uploaded via ArtsApp.com. It is not required that the format be a professional or studio recording, but the sound quality must be as good as possible.
Repertoire for the prescreening recording (for drumset and hand percussion applicants) must demonstrate the ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section using a live band. Sticks and brushes should be clearly distinguishable on the recording.

Required piece (must be first on the recording): the 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie's Bounce in medium tempo. Must include playing time for at least four choruses behind a soloist and at least two choruses of drum solo.
Perform a medium tempo selection or a ballad demonstrating ability to perform with brushes.
Perform two additional selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos. Each selection must include at least three choruses of playing time behind a soloist and at least two choruses of trading fours, eights, and/or soloing.

A solo recital for 15 minutes on any tala chosen by the applicant (preferably with melodic accompaniment on the Sarangi/Harmonium/guitar or the electronic box named Sunadamala).
Recite three taals with tali-khali (clapped and non-clapped markings) in single and double times.
Sing each of the following scales, once octave up and down in any key: major, minor, diminished, and arpeggios.
Sing the melody twice for Charlie Parker's Billie's Bounce, using the syllable "la".
Doctoral Jazz Arts Advancement Program Prescreening Procedures >

Applicants who pass the prescreening portion of the audition will be invited for a live audition in New York City.
All auditions are approximately 10 minutes in length. Each applicant chooses his/her first work, and the faculty will choose a second and possibly third work from the audition repertoire list provided by the applicant.
Drum set (without cymbals) will be provided for the auditions. Drumset applicants must remember to bring their own cymbals, drumsticks, and hi-hat clutch.
Rhythm section will be provided for the audition. Applicants must provide music for the rhythm section. Auditioning students may provide their own rhythm section players if they choose.
Play-along recordings are not acceptable for a live audition.

Demonstrate ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section.
Three different selections (one must be a ballad) in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos.
Basic theory test given prior to scheduled audition time (will take approximately 15 minutes).
Sight-reading.

Basic theory test given prior to scheduled audition time (will take approximately 15 minutes).
A solo recital for 15 minutes on any tala chosen by the applicant (preferably with melodic accompaniment on the Sarangi/Harmonium/guitar or the electronic box named Sunadamala).
Recite three taals with tali-khali (clapped and non-clapped markings) in single and double times.
Recite two compositions in any taal with tali-khali.
Fundamental knowledge on a few common aspects of Tabla and Indian rhythm, such as:
- Names of different parts of the drum.
- Ability to tune the drums.
- Names of the six main gharanas (schools) of Tabla playing, including their specialties.
- Prevalent vocal and instrumental styles of North Indian music.

Drumset and Hand Percussion

Demonstrate ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section at a graduate level of advancement.
Ten selections (including two ballads) in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos performed from memory.
Basic theory test given prior to scheduled audition time (will take approximately 15 minutes).
Sight-reading.

Basic theory test given prior to scheduled audition time (will take approximately 15 minutes).
A solo recital for 15 minutes on any tala chosen by the applicant (preferably with melodic accompaniment on the Sarangi/Harmonium/guitar or the electronic box named Sunadamala).
Recite three taals with tali-khali (clapped and non-clapped markings) in single and double times.
Recite two compositions in any taal with tali-khali.
Fundamental knowledge on a few common aspects of Tabla and Indian rhythm, such as:
- Names of different parts of the drum.
- Ability to tune the drums.
- Names of the six main gharanas (schools) of Tabla playing, including their specialties.
- Prevalent vocal and instrumental styles of North Indian music