As an old dude taking up the drums later in life I take a lot of inspiration from JP’s attitude to life and his creativity. You can see in this early video the seeds of the great teacher he has grown to become.
JP, I have to say that even though I'm auditioning on guitar, the tips you gave are extremely helpful for me. You're a really insightful person and you seem to know your shit, and I have mad respect for you because of it
What an amazing video. I watched this guy's Drum-Off championship solo--he is not only incredibly talented, but gracious and eloquent as well. Rarely do you see one so gifted display such humility. This guy is going places!
awesome dude, great advice. Its so obvious just from the way that you talk that you simply understand , also extremely relieving knowing musicians are out there who share such a productive mindset. Future is excitingg, i look forward to playing with people like you
DUDE!!!! Thank you SO MUCH for putting this stuff up!! I can't thank you enough for all of the useful info you packed into this video. Also, thank you so much for being such a cool guy and giving back to the drumming community.
JP, today was my registration day at berklee !! and just want it to say that this video was very helpful, thank you so much for this information and I hope I'll be seeing you soon, again thank you very much for the inspiration and everything else !!!!
JP...thank you for the excellent video and REAL detail as to what the audition for and experience of being at Berklee is all about. I am the father of a 17 year old preparing to audition. Thank you for the awesome work and advice.
JP, you are so cool. So, so, so cool. I'm a middle age drummer/weekend warrior/cover band/high end hack. I was riveted by EVERYTHING you said. So, so coooooooool...
Some fantastic advice here JP, thank you so much for sharing this. Im eventually preparing to assign for the Royal Musicians Institute here in Stockholm and these videos youve put up have really helped in understanding what to expect from the audition. Infinite thanks for this!
Thank you so much! I'm headed to Berklee this Fall and you really helped me better prepare for what to expect. You are an unbelievably talented drummer and I wish you the best of luck with your career!
Hey, Thanks very much for these advices and this introduction to Berklee. Great video, really interesting and helpful. I wish you all the best, man, keep it up!
dude I really like you lol Youre one of those people that just talk in a way that makes me wanna listen... going to Berklee is my dream, I'm pretty sure that I'm never gonna get in though... Its so interesting to listen to your stories though and your drumming, I keep forgetting how good you can get if you actually practice and feel what youre doing ^^
Even though I am not thinking about trying to attend Berklee...I live in Britain so it would be impossible for me to do so anyway...I would like to say you're an inspiration my friend, i'm not in the best place to push my music forward nor am I in the best place to meet the greatest people within the industry, however so long as there is determination, persistence and a lot of hard work to get yourself in the right places with the right people, you should do just fine!
I'm too old to go to college again now. I wish I was as wise as you are when I was your age. I went to school for music (right out of high school) and did not take it seriously and I dropped out before graduating. I missed out on the networking and growth and it seriously delayed my development. Listen up kids. Now I enjoy shedding every day, but I am playing catch up!
I wish I had the wisdom you have when I was in music school, but I was young + stupid and had my head up my ass. I thought that going to music school would somehow get me in the industry, so I went and got a degree, + yeah I graduated with good grades but so what. I have nothing to show for it now. I spent my time daydreaming and living in my head instead of going out into the world and doing things. Now its too late to get anything going on. Im glad youre much wiser than that! I enjoy the vids!
Here's my audition experience 5 years ago: I auditioned at a satellite audition (in Philadelphia) -1 prepared piece- Jazz piece from a book with lots of techniques- maybe a 2.5 mins -Jazz time in multiple time signatures -Different Latin grooves (Afro-cuban 6/8, Merengue, etc) -Random rudiments fast to slow (I think I had paradiddlediddles) -Trading 4's, 8's in both 3/4 and 4/4 -I had a snare piece prepared, but don't remember using it Result: Acceptance and half-scholarship
Your great man! I am a guitarist but I am getting inspiration from you. It is interesting coming from guitar and listening to a drummer to see how you approach music. keep it up! :D
I auditioned at berklee a few months ago and i think everyone brought their own gear (aside from drummers or pianists) bring your own bass, dont worry about the amps and stuff. pedals are optional. and wouldnt you want to audition on your own bass anyway? it's hard playing on someone else's instrument anyway!
Thanks, man!!! a very motivational video, you kind of get the inside of the issue(problem), meaning that Berklee isn't going to make you a superb musician or superstar unless you work really hard and be open-minded, and respect people and the music itself
Class! :) For drums too I'm guessing? Literally just read another email I got from BIMM there, so this was quite weird! Haha How's it going there? I just hope I get the points now is all!
so basically foot technique is like "to each his own" but ill say this, I alternate between slide and heel toe. what i noticed when trying to do heel toe on a long board was it was waaayyy harder than slide technique (for me) just because of wear the pressure is applied. Your heel is too far back and your toes too far forward to get that quickness that you can get from a short board. However slide technique on a long board is like a match made in heaven.it allows your foot to really gainspeed
"Trading Four's" means trading solos. So you'll play time while someone else solos for 4 bars, then they will stop playing and you will solo for 4 bars, and you'll repeat that several times.
Oh well if there's no recent change that's a good thing! Benedict Warner-Clayton. :) It's a mouthful, but dead easy to find..! Haha I believe it was Johnny, I think! Sound man altogether. :)
wow thank you. I'm from australia and im looking to go to university and i found that this will probably help me alot :) but i think uni will be a bit different to berklee because it is not contemporary, it's either classical or jazz.
This is video is great help! Even though I'm not in America and won't be auditioning for Berklee, I've been accepted into BIMM (Brighton Institute of Modern Music) which is like the Berklee of the UK and Ireland (although not as big or prestigious). I'm looking for exactly what you said Berklee is like. Fertile soil, to meet people and discover exactly where I want to go in my drumming career, and it's really exciting! But are you still at Berklee? Have you dropped out or just taking a break?
I have no idea! The letter was about the 'competitive side of the CAO', but it mentioned nothing about a points change.. I'm hoping not, because I don't want to get my results and get the minimum just to find it's changed and it's more than I got! Have you heard anything a change?
I hella nervous. I feel like I almost don't deserve to go in the fall. So many guys had more talent than me. Im not gonna lie I wanted it more than anything.
JP, honestly, watching your guitar center videos, and the meinl fest videos, I watched and thought you were the kinda guy that would be a douche. but youre wicked cool, wayyy smarter than I thought and just a boss.
this was a pretty good vid, but do you think you could refer me to something like this for guitar because im planning on auditioning soon and would like to see something like this to get ready for it id really appreciate it
Hey man great video! I'm planning to audition once I get my bachelors in business. I play the harmonica and the drums, but I'm not sure what I should audition for. I would like to learn and study about both if I do get the opportunity to get in. I do a little bit of looping as well so I might be able to do both. Any advice on where I should start or what steps to take?
this video is so amazing and informative and inspiring and it just wants me to work 10x harder! thank you! also for some of us who might not have the resources to practice (sheet music, drum lessons...) what do you suggest is a good way for independent practice?
Hey JP,your video on this topic is well put together. However, do you know any horn players (perferably trumpet) that are attending berklee that i can get advice from?
Hello, I´m an accepted student. Drummer. I found really helpful to the new auditors your video. My experience was really similar to yours here in Mexico. But I did jam with the judges, it was fun. I have a question, Did u get any scholarship? and Where do practice in Boston? Thank you,
What are you going to college for if you already know how to read and write music can solo and compose music, I thought that's why you go to college to learn those things?
For the life of me I can't figure out an audition piece. I used to play jazz a lot, but more recently I've been playing straight funk/blues/rock. But I don't want to play something like the chili peppers for an audition at Berklee. Any insight on where I can find some more complex music with charts (If Berklee requires you to bring a charts in. I was told by someone it's required) and no drums in an audio track (I also read that was required.
hey man would it be a good idea if i just had a solo that i made up to use as my audition piece it would be very technical not too over the top things very rudimental etc..???? Please lemme know thanks dude!
JP, would you recommend trying to go to Berklee as soon as possible after high school? Or would going to another college for a couple of semesters to hone your skills a little more?
Mohawk requirement?
I'm not even a drummer, but I find this pretty interresting anyway...
As an old dude taking up the drums later in life I take a lot of inspiration from JP’s attitude to life and his creativity. You can see in this early video the seeds of the great teacher he has grown to become.
Audition's not the problem. Money's the problem!
+George Mena True
What if u get a scholarship..?
JP, I have to say that even though I'm auditioning on guitar, the tips you gave are extremely helpful for me. You're a really insightful person and you seem to know your shit, and I have mad respect for you because of it
What an amazing video. I watched this guy's Drum-Off championship solo--he is not only incredibly talented, but gracious and eloquent as well. Rarely do you see one so gifted display such humility. This guy is going places!
Wait, you were across the hall from Matt Garstka, wow I love both of your guy's drumming
I got to my dream-school because of this video. Thank you so much.
awesome dude, great advice. Its so obvious just from the way that you talk that you simply understand , also extremely relieving knowing musicians are out there who share such a productive mindset. Future is excitingg, i look forward to playing with people like you
Thanks JP - Appreciate the advice man and love your playing - from South Africa!
I cant explain how much I like him after seeing this video, wasnt a huge JP fan before but he seems like one cool dude. hope to meet him someday
Amazing advice JP. I wish you the best success in life, cause you truly deserve the best....
I love this video its so informative and the iphone tidbit about recording their location and instruments etc is so smart!
DUDE!!!! Thank you SO MUCH for putting this stuff up!! I can't thank you enough for all of the useful info you packed into this video. Also, thank you so much for being such a cool guy and giving back to the drumming community.
JP, today was my registration day at berklee !! and just want it to say that this video was very helpful, thank you so much for this information and I hope I'll be seeing you soon, again thank you very much for the inspiration and everything else !!!!
JP...thank you for the excellent video and REAL detail as to what the audition for and experience of being at Berklee is all about. I am the father of a 17 year old preparing to audition. Thank you for the awesome work and advice.
what an amazing teacher. I really love your stuff. keep 'em comin'.
JP, you are so cool. So, so, so cool. I'm a middle age drummer/weekend warrior/cover band/high end hack. I was riveted by EVERYTHING you said. So, so coooooooool...
Some fantastic advice here JP, thank you so much for sharing this. Im eventually preparing to assign for the Royal Musicians Institute here in Stockholm and these videos youve put up have really helped in understanding what to expect from the audition. Infinite thanks for this!
I have a son that wants to apply there next year...he will love this video. Thanks so much!
This video series has been very informative and helpful, I cannot thank you enough for your generosity. You are a good man. :')
Thank you so much! I'm headed to Berklee this Fall and you really helped me better prepare for what to expect. You are an unbelievably talented drummer and I wish you the best of luck with your career!
JP, this was an amazing vlog, with so much precious information! Inspiring.
Hey man I am currently in preparation for Berklee and this video was super helpful. Thank you for posting it your awesome dude.
Hey, Thanks very much for these advices and this introduction to Berklee. Great video, really interesting and helpful. I wish you all the best, man, keep it up!
dude I really like you lol
Youre one of those people that just talk in a way that makes me wanna listen... going to Berklee is my dream, I'm pretty sure that I'm never gonna get in though... Its so interesting to listen to your stories though and your drumming, I keep forgetting how good you can get if you actually practice and feel what youre doing ^^
I wish I could meet you man. You're like one of my favorite drummers. God blessed you! I actually got some information from Berklee a couple days ago
Even though I am not thinking about trying to attend Berklee...I live in Britain so it would be impossible for me to do so anyway...I would like to say you're an inspiration my friend, i'm not in the best place to push my music forward nor am I in the best place to meet the greatest people within the industry, however so long as there is determination, persistence and a lot of hard work to get yourself in the right places with the right people, you should do just fine!
I'm too old to go to college again now. I wish I was as wise as you are when I was your age. I went to school for music (right out of high school) and did not take it seriously and I dropped out before graduating. I missed out on the networking and growth and it seriously delayed my development. Listen up kids. Now I enjoy shedding every day, but I am playing catch up!
love his hair and his t-shirt.
The tips are awesome and realy helpful
THANK YOUUUU:)
I wish I had the wisdom you have when I was in music school, but I was young + stupid and had my head up my ass. I thought that going to music school would somehow get me in the industry, so I went and got a degree, + yeah I graduated with good grades but so what. I have nothing to show for it now. I spent my time daydreaming and living in my head instead of going out into the world and doing things. Now its too late to get anything going on. Im glad youre much wiser than that! I enjoy the vids!
hi jp bouvet, im just graduating and thinking of auditioning for bass :) this video really helps. thank you so much. make good music :)
I LOVE YOU JP!!!!
man i don't even play drums and you make make me want to play!
Here's my audition experience 5 years ago:
I auditioned at a satellite audition (in Philadelphia)
-1 prepared piece- Jazz piece from a book with lots of techniques- maybe a 2.5 mins
-Jazz time in multiple time signatures
-Different Latin grooves (Afro-cuban 6/8, Merengue, etc)
-Random rudiments fast to slow (I think I had paradiddlediddles)
-Trading 4's, 8's in both 3/4 and 4/4
-I had a snare piece prepared, but don't remember using it
Result: Acceptance and half-scholarship
Your great man! I am a guitarist but I am getting inspiration from you. It is interesting coming from guitar and listening to a drummer to see how you approach music. keep it up! :D
I'm off to BIMM too next year, Bristol though :) really looking forward to it!
I auditioned at berklee a few months ago and i think everyone brought their own gear (aside from drummers or pianists) bring your own bass, dont worry about the amps and stuff. pedals are optional. and wouldnt you want to audition on your own bass anyway? it's hard playing on someone else's instrument anyway!
JP thankyou sooo much for this advice man its great I really appreciate it🙏🏻🙏🏻
i got to jam with the faculty in my audition, they asked me to jam my prepared piece with them, it was pretty awesome.
That is cool!
if only we could see those audition videos
You are a really great speaker, thanks for this :)
Buddy Rich!! Dude, like you already!
I'm not even trying to get into Berklee or any music school and I watched the whole thing.
Thanks, man!!! a very motivational video, you kind of get the inside of the issue(problem), meaning that Berklee isn't going to make you a superb musician or superstar unless you work really hard and be open-minded, and respect people and the music itself
I did watch the whole video.. It didn't seem clear to me, although it was a while ago so I can't remember, I'll watch it again.
Wouldn't ya know? I'm from MN too and wanting very much to go to berklee!
Nice advice, JP!
you're a good drummer. I enjoy your videos. thanks
Class! :) For drums too I'm guessing? Literally just read another email I got from BIMM there, so this was quite weird! Haha How's it going there? I just hope I get the points now is all!
You're awesome, and it's cool you live in MN, because I do as well!
I'm not even a drummer but this inspired me so much! Thanks :)
so basically foot technique is like "to each his own" but ill say this, I alternate between slide and heel toe.
what i noticed when trying to do heel toe on a long board was it was waaayyy harder than slide technique (for me) just because of wear the pressure is applied. Your heel is too far back and your toes too far forward to get that quickness that you can get from a short board. However slide technique on a long board is like a match made in heaven.it allows your foot to really gainspeed
thank you for all the information.
"Trading Four's" means trading solos. So you'll play time while someone else solos for 4 bars, then they will stop playing and you will solo for 4 bars, and you'll repeat that several times.
"He's hurting
And he hates me"
Oh well if there's no recent change that's a good thing! Benedict Warner-Clayton. :) It's a mouthful, but dead easy to find..! Haha I believe it was Johnny, I think! Sound man altogether. :)
Are you still study in Berklee or you had already graduated?
Love your sharing. That helps me a lot.
Thanks❤️
Lmaoo "Dont Come In Blazing Gospel Chops"........ THATS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO Lmao
wow thank you. I'm from australia and im looking to go to university and i found that this will probably help me alot :) but i think uni will be a bit different to berklee because it is not contemporary, it's either classical or jazz.
Just sent my app. Thank you so much for this.
This is video is great help! Even though I'm not in America and won't be auditioning for Berklee, I've been accepted into BIMM (Brighton Institute of Modern Music) which is like the Berklee of the UK and Ireland (although not as big or prestigious). I'm looking for exactly what you said Berklee is like. Fertile soil, to meet people and discover exactly where I want to go in my drumming career, and it's really exciting! But are you still at Berklee? Have you dropped out or just taking a break?
Being you within the context of the style... Killer.
I have no idea! The letter was about the 'competitive side of the CAO', but it mentioned nothing about a points change.. I'm hoping not, because I don't want to get my results and get the minimum just to find it's changed and it's more than I got! Have you heard anything a change?
Hey JP, GOOD job on ur video. U should compete with HaiLedaBear jajajaaa. ...
i like ur drum set up; its cool. RockOn !
i audition friday...i am a cellist who is just now learning jazz and improvization...OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thats a great groove man.
This is my dream university. Thanks a lot for this :D
I have one thing to say, "Damn. JP is bright."
I hella nervous. I feel like I almost don't deserve to go in the fall. So many guys had more talent than me. Im not gonna lie I wanted it more than anything.
JP, honestly, watching your guitar center videos, and the meinl fest videos, I watched and thought you were the kinda guy that would be a douche. but youre wicked cool, wayyy smarter than I thought and just a boss.
Thank you for this video.
this was a pretty good vid, but do you think you could refer me to something like this for guitar because im planning on auditioning soon and would like to see something like this to get ready for it id really appreciate it
Thanks for opening my eye man
Hey man great video! I'm planning to audition once I get my bachelors in business. I play the harmonica and the drums, but I'm not sure what I should audition for. I would like to learn and study about both if I do get the opportunity to get in. I do a little bit of looping as well so I might be able to do both. Any advice on where I should start or what steps to take?
Are you working as a professional musician now and if so, do you think going to Berklee had any actual impact on your career?
thanks for sharing your great insight! where did your audition take place?
this video is so amazing and informative and inspiring and it just wants me to work 10x harder! thank you! also for some of us who might not have the resources to practice (sheet music, drum lessons...) what do you suggest is a good way for independent practice?
How does this video only have 800+ likes??
Hi JP, Can you help me with the reading stuff? And also can you help me with the prepared piece i really want to apply at Berklee, Thanks.
Any advice on stopping being shy? Because I'm pretty shy. I feel very confident that I can become not-shy, but it's just very hard to just stop.
Hey JP,your video on this topic is well put together. However, do you know any horn players (perferably trumpet) that are attending berklee that i can get advice from?
If you make another video, could you please talk about scholarship opportunities, and if you got any scholarships?
Hello, I´m an accepted student. Drummer. I found really helpful to the new auditors your video.
My experience was really similar to yours here in Mexico. But I did jam with the judges, it was fun.
I have a question, Did u get any scholarship? and Where do practice in Boston?
Thank you,
but what if my name isn't JP?
very well said dude.
Maybe. Nothing too crazy but worth practicing.
holy sheeet! super informant thank you!!!!!!
What are you going to college for if you already know how to read and write music can solo and compose music, I thought that's why you go to college to learn those things?
cannot unsee.
JP!! Thanks, helped soo much! Is i ok to bring sheet music for my prepared piece, or i have to play it by rote?
i love how he says the audition is going to be 10 minutes, and his explanation of the audition ends at 10:00
Thank you. So much.
This is extremely helpful, but do you know if this advice would also apply to voice auditions?
For the life of me I can't figure out an audition piece. I used to play jazz a lot, but more recently I've been playing straight funk/blues/rock. But I don't want to play something like the chili peppers for an audition at Berklee. Any insight on where I can find some more complex music with charts (If Berklee requires you to bring a charts in. I was told by someone it's required) and no drums in an audio track (I also read that was required.
hey man would it be a good idea if i just had a solo that i made up to use as my audition piece it would be very technical not too over the top things very rudimental etc..????
Please lemme know thanks dude!
JP, would you recommend trying to go to Berklee as soon as possible after high school? Or would going to another college for a couple of semesters to hone your skills a little more?
yeah... I'd really really like to go to berklee..... My problems are still the same.... english language, and ehehe money :( Is Berklee expensive?
I will be auditioning for Electric bass guitar.. Will they lend me an electric bass guitar or do I have to take my own bass?
Hey JP, I've been wondering who your drum teacher in Minnesota was? I'm in that area and I am looking for advanced drum instructors. Thanks!