NMS Summer Jazz Placement Evaluations

The jazz placement process is only intended to ensure that each student is placed in the environment where they will best thrive. It is an indicator of the skill level of the student. Every student has a gift, and talent which will be nurtured, while they are developing new musical skills.

If a student does not have prior jazz improvisation experience, they do not have to submit the evaluation placement video and are still encouraged to enroll.

Be assured, by the end of the week, students attending will be introduced to and speak the language of jazz improvisation.

Students may submit their placement evaluation online via video by emailing it to blouis@nmsnewhaven.org. If the file is too large to attach to the email, please share a link via youtube or google.

The video can be recorded on a cell phone, iPad, tablet, or video camera. Students of all skill levels are welcome in the NMS Summer Jazz Program.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact Briana Louis at blouis@nmsnewhaven.org.

Placement Evaluation Instructions:

Students are asked to improvise two choruses on a concert C Blues, concert F Blues Bossa Nova. For pianist and guitarists F Major Blues with bass and drums play chords for one chorus and solo the second chorus. For more advanced students, concert  F minor Blues and Rhythm Changes. Using the provided audio tracks in addition to the requirements below.

Winds/Brass (Saxes, Flute and Trumpet, Trombone):

  • 3 Blues scales with arpeggios (3 octaves if possible)
  • Jazz excerpts: Concert C Blues, Concert F Blues Bossa Nova, Concert F Blues with bass and drums backing tracks.
  • For more advanced students F Minor Blues and rhythm changes with the recorded accompaniment track.

Piano, Guitar, Bass:

  • 3 Blues scales with arpeggios (3 Octaves if possible)
  • Jazz excerpts: Concert C Blues, Concert F Blues Bossa Nova , Concert F Minor Blues and Rhythm Changes with the recorded accompaniment track.
  • Play first chorus walking/comping over the changes. Second chorus soloing.

Drums:

  • Demonstrate ability in the following musical styles: Jazz Swing, Funk/Rock, Afro-Cuban and Bossa Nova.
  • Jazz excerpts: recorded music, play once through fill/comping over the changes.

Backing Track Audio Files and Sheet Music: