Hello,

I was wondering if there are any rumors at all about whether ABRSM has any plans
to introduce Jazz bass exams?

Thanks.

No i think this very unlikely. The Board are still in the process of developing their present jazz syllabus to cover the higher grades (6-8) for piano,trumpet,trombone,saxohone and clarinet. It would be great if they included jazz guitar at some point but i think they are keen to keep their syllabus acoustic so this is unlikely.
Another possibility for you is the ABRSM jazz ensemble exams which can be entered at foundation/intermediate or advanced level. If your a bass player all you would have to do is find some one to either duo with or maybe put together a small 3 or 4 piece group. Every one in the group gets a certificate however you will have to check the new jazz syllabus for more details(see p.39). At least this way you will have an opportunity to bench mark your jazz bass skills. If your really looking at solo playing then i see no option other than to take the classical grades. Guess it really depends what you are wanting to do.

Well, actually I only play electric bass (aka bass guitar) so I can't take the classical exams. (Although I do play classical material from various grades on my bass). The ABRSM seem fairly traditional so even if they ever do come up with jazz bass exams I guess there's a possibility I may not be able to take them!

The 'Jazz Ensemble' exams are less rigid than the usual grades, so you can actually use 'slab' bass or other electrics for that matter. Have you checked out some of the other examing boards?

Do you mean slap bass?

QUOTE (DavidMusic @ May 31 2004, 10:47 PM)

Do you mean slap bass?

Nope, i meant 'slab bass'. This differentiates it from the DB. Maybe i should have said electric bass instead. Slab being a solid piece of wood. Oh well......

Hello,

I have been taking RockSchool's exams (http://www.rockschool.co.uk). They cover a bit of jazz towards the higher grades (5 and up). There is reasonable emphasis on the ability to improvise so a grounding in Major Scale Harmony is a must. They also push you through Funk, Blues etc so you're bound to find a challange in there.

Rob.

QUOTE (rodoherty1 @ Jun 9 2004, 11:41 AM)

I have been taking RockSchool's exams (http://www.rockschool.co.uk).  They cover a bit of jazz towards the higher grades (5 and up).

After reading their web site two things put me off:

- The pieces are all written by people I've never heard of "in the style of" more famous people/groups.

- They have several basic grammatical errors (e.g. incorrect use of "its" vs. "it's") on their web site. This doesn't inspire confidence!

I don't think it's fair to write off the course based on the fact that they chose to write tunes in the style of selected groups/artists. Maybe the selected styles don't interest you? I could understand why learning a bass track in the style of Level 42 would put some off; personally I think Mark King is a wonderful bass player and I'm very much looking forward to trying my hand at this Level42-style tune when I reach Grade 6.

I'd be happy to mail you some MP3s if you're interested. I have some Mp3s from Bass Grade 5 and Piano Grade 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8.

Rob.

QUOTE (rodoherty1 @ Jun 9 2004, 02:44 PM)

I don't think it's fair to write off the course based on the fact that they chose to write tunes in the style of selected groups/artists.  Maybe the selected styles don't interest you?

No, the thing that puts me off is the "in the style of" rather than the work of the actual artists themselves.
I'd much rather learn to play something by, for example, Hendrix, rather than "John Doe"'s work in the style of Hendrix!
(Or even an original Level 42 song rather than someone else's composition in the style of Level 42).

There is also the possibility to play a "Free Choice" piece in any of the Grade Exams provided that it meets the criteria of the grade. This allows students who do not wish to play any of the RockSchool material and would prefer to play another piece they particular like instead.

Rob.

What is this nonsence! Bass players esp UDB players can make good money esp in gigs. Get the grades done quick and start earning money thats my advice.