<p>Ok, so here's the deal. I am a jazz guitar player, and I play in a small combo group. I want to send in a supplemental CD with my app next year (I am a junior right now).</p>
<p>However, I looked on the websites of some colleges, and most of them require solo performances. Now if you understand jazz, you'll know that what one person does influences what everyone else does-- In other words, it's not very suitable for solo performances. Is there anything I can do?</p>
<p>Are you talking about sending a CD in to supplement an application to a liberal arts school where you are not intending to be a music major? Or are you planning to apply as a music major? My son is a jazz guitar player and he had a solo as part of his pre-screen CD for applying to music colleges, so it is possible to record a jazz solo. His was the basic melody for Ornithology, for example. It only lasted about two minutes.</p>
<p>^Actually, neither. I don't really plan to major in music or go to a liberal arts school. I'm considering a double major, but that's still a decision that I have to make. </p>
<p>As for the supplemental CD, it's basically for admissions. Playing guitar has been a large part of my life, and it is mainly intended to show the level of commitment that I have put into this instrument (The playing is pretty advanced, if I may say so myself). </p>
<p>You said that your son recorded the melody for Ornithology; however, that would not show any of the soloing or comping side of my playing. Because much of jazz is in context, I am wondering if it is possible for me to include all parts of my playing while at the same time not breaking the schools' supplement rules. </p>
<p>I'm glad to share what I know with Bigb14. As for showing your skills as a jazz musician, the usual protocol--you can actually read this for yourself so you know--is listed on conservatory websites under their admissions procedures. My son recorded about three tracks, one just himself playing a melody, then two tracks with drums and bass to show his comping and improv skills. That's pretty much standard and will show your abilities as a jazz guitar player. But, you can check the requirements for pre-screen cd's on the websites of The New School or Manhattan School of Music or NEC to see exactly how they word it. I would just model your CD after their requirements. I think when a school says you must show yourself as a solo instrument, they are generalizing so kids don't send in recordings of their school orchestra with themselves as second violin. You're right that a jazz musician needs the other instruments to really do his thing.</p>
<p>Another thing I can tell you. One of my other kids used his musical skills simply to supplement applications for Brown, Duke, Harvard, etc. He recorded a CD of his midi compositions and, for Duke he sent a CD of his work on African hand drums because they have a djembe ensemble and he thought it would be a perfect way to stand out. It worked: he got a phone call from the djembe ensemble director! Also, now that I think of it, Amherst College jazz studies department sent him an email in response to his CD to tell him they were impressed. Sooo, I think it's a very useful thing to showcase your musical commitment and ability when applying to a college even if you are not planning to major in music. Definitely see if a particular teacher or department would be specifically interested in what you do, and go for it, accompanied by an eager, inquisitive letter. That's my advice!</p>
<p>I see what you mean when you say that colleges don't want people sending in recordings of a second chair violinist; however, some schools explicitly say that they only accept solo recordings. This is the same thing that I posted in the main college admissions forum, but the Harvard sites states:</p>
<ul>
<li>Please only submit recordings of solo performances.</li>
</ul>
<p>Once again, I understand that the rule is mainly to weed out the incompetent players, but as Violadad stated in the other thread, colleges may look at that as an inability to follow directions. </p>
<p>Also, I did take a look on Manhattan's website. Most of the guidelines there are mainly for pre-screening purposes, not for supplemental CD purposes. Do you know if the guidelines for the two are similar? If not, how can I find out my options for my supplement? </p>
<p>Bigb14, I would be comfortable in advising anyone that applying an audition based program's prescreen guidelines to a supplemental for a non audition program would be acceptable.</p>
<p>The best person to ask would be the people at the schools to whom you are going to send your recordings. They are the ones who can give you a definitive answer.</p>
<p>I have known people to submit supplemental CDs of themselves playing while backed by Jamey Aebersold Play-Along recordings. Some schools also make available for download an accompaniment track recorded by their faculty for the applicant to play along with. Oberlin's are available at </p>
<p>for example. This certainly would not work in a situation where a solo is the only option, but at least some schools want to hear you as part of an ensemble that they consider good.</p>
<p>Bigb, I agree that your best line of approach is to contact someone personally in admissions so you are absolutely sure of what they want. But, as you know, a jazz musician really needs a combo to show his art. However, you can play a jazz standard on your own, just you and your guitar--if there is going to be such a rule for a supplemental CD. Within a performance of a standard you can still show your ability to improvise.</p>
<p>I have seen some schools indicate that they will accept ensemble performances, if the applicant has a featured role. So, since you aren't applying as a major, you could record your ensemble and make sure they back you in an extended improv solo.</p>
<p>What they mean when they say solo performance is that they want you to be the main soloist: they don't want to waste their time hearing someone else solo while you don't play. However, if you play guitar, it might be good to include some comping behind someone else.</p>
<p>Here's a related question: is it possible to send in a live performance as a supplement? I don't want admissions thinking that I doctored the CD or anything...</p>
<p>If you notice any conservatory application information, recordings must be done on one date, live, no editing. You're right--that's because they want to know you didn't doctor it.</p>