<p>My son is putting together a CD for a program that is still accepting applications. He already has CD’s that he recorded for other summer programs. However, he is having a hard time with this one. The requirements are for 3 selections demonstrating improvised solos and comping skills. The CD should be 5-7 minutes. He isn’t sure how to get everything in in 7 minutes. I know this is a very basic question - is he supposed to just cut the pieces short? He is playing guitar against backing tracks. The last one he recorded for a different program had 2 selections in their entirety and the whole thing was 10 minutes long.</p>
<p>Yes, just have him cut the numbers short - play through the chorus with an improvized solo. They don’t need much time to evaluate him. Good luck!</p>
<p>Not jazz specific, but it you need to shorten it, you should use the passages that best showcase the student’s strengths and abilities, within the dictates of the required repertoire.</p>
<p>Sounds like the Eastman Summer Jazz Studies requirements. Ours went a bit long. We faded the longest track to shorten it. We also put a strong track up front, and an even stronger one second, based on the suggestion that they may make a decison based on the very first track, and will continue to listen only if undecided. The third track was the weakest of the three.</p>