Electric guitar
Mandatory music selection requirements for auditioning as a guitarist.
Recruiting for this
instrument closes on the
19th of February 2024.
Mandatory music selections
Requirements for your audio recording
Selections may use live accompaniment or a commercial backing track. Sheet music will not be provided. Each selection will display the main rhythm and lead parts as a single take as if you were the only guitar player in a live performance. Please ensure that your guitar is mixed louder within the accompaniment.
Mandatory Selection no.1 - Perform one etude from the following works:
- Barry Galbraith Jazz Guitar Study Series – Invention No.1 Part 1 and Part 2 recorded as two tracks
- Fernando Sor Study – Estudio 1
- Joe Pass Chord Solos (Alfred Music) - #3 “Blues”
- Your own arrangement (3 choruses) of a Jazz Standard with or without accompaniment
Mandatory Selection No. 2 - Perform one of the following Rock songs:
Mandatory Selection No. 3 - Perform one of the following Pop/Country songs:
Mandatory Selection No. 4 - Perform one of the following Funk songs:
Mandatory Selection No. 5 - Perform one of the following acoustic guitar songs:
Optional Selection - Perform a solo of your choice that demonstrates your versatility in any other musical style.
Live audition process and preparation
All auditions will be performed live with a Regular Force Band.
The live audition is divided into 4 parts:
Solo performance
Prepared solos
You must prepare at least 3 pieces of contrasting musical styles. One piece must be from the list in Mandatory Selection No. 1. The 2nd and 3rd piece is left to your choice but must meet criteria of Mandatory Selection No. 2 and 3.
You are encouraged to provide your own backing tracks to provide a better stylistic context.
Mandatory Selection No. 1 - Perform 1 of the following works:
- Barry Galbraith Jazz Guitar Study Series – Invention No.1 Part 1 and Part 2 recorded as two tracks
- Fernando Sor Study – Estudio 1
- Joe Pass Chord Solos (Alfred Music) - #3 “Blues”
- Your own arrangement (3 choruses) of a Jazz Standard with or without accompaniment
Mandatory Selection No. 2 - Perform a solo of your choice on electric guitar, displaying your best rhythm and lead abilities in that style.
Mandatory Selection No. 3 - Perform a contrasting solo of your choice on acoustic or electric guitar, displaying your best rhythm and lead abilities in another musical style.
Optional Selections - Perform a solo of your choice that demonstrates your versatility in any other musical style or on a secondary instrument.
Scales and arpeggios
- Diatonic Scales (All keys) - Major, Harmonic and Melodic Minor
- Arpeggios (All keys) - Major triads, minor triads, dominant and diminished 7ths
Note: All scales and arpeggios must be played from memory, in 16th notes at quarter = 72 bpm.
Designated scales will be played in a position designated by the audition panel, starting on the root and to the highest note within the position and descend back to the starting note.
Ensemble performance
Prepared pieces
Perform various styles of music playing in different ensembles. Material will be provided 4 weeks prior to your audition.
Sight-reading
Perform sight readings of chords and melodies. Material is provided at the audition.
Theory and aural skill tests
Note:
Candidates holding a university degree in music will not have to perform theory and aural skills tests.
Musical theory
A music theory test will be performed and you will recognize:
- signs
- terms
- chords
- intervals
- score types
- transposition
- abbreviations
- time signature
- identifying keys
- cadences and melody writing
- major, minor and other scales and modes
Aural Skills
The aural skills test will including the following:
- melodic dictation
- incorrect notes in a given melody
- separate dictation treble clef and bass clef
- intervals - harmonic, melodic, ascending and descending
- chords (triads) - major, minor, 1st and 2nd inversion and 4 notes chords: Dom7, dim7, aug7
Music Branch interview
A selection panel within the Regular Force Band will assess you. After the audition, you will be interviewed by the panel. All recordings and assessments will be sent to DHH Music for final selection.
Final selection will be based on the panel’s recommendations.
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