A lot of you have asked me about when I'm going to do a DVD on my "6 string Chord Melody" approach to playing the 6 string.

Well, the answer is......NOW!!

I'm pleased to announce that Jim Stinnett and I have decided to partner together to present my 6 string chord melody methods. Jim is arguably the best teacher and author I know... and has the expertise to help me present my methods in the best possible way!!

We've been working on it since October.....We'll should finish filming while I'm there in March.....

Look for us to release it around the first of June, 2008.... Our hope is to have it out and available in time for the New Hampshire Bass Fest June 25 - 28.

Yes!!! Sounds perfect. I can't wait to check it out! :D

Yes!!! Sounds perfect. I can't wait to check it out! :D

Hi Lokire!!

Hey, this just in.............

It looks like our release date has been set back to December or January. Sorry for the delay, but Jim Stinnett and I want to make sure the book and DVD are RIGHT before we release it.

We just finished "pounding out" what and how we're going to teach it........now we just need the summer to "polish it up" and get it ready for everyone.

So.......

Thanks for your patience........I'm confident it will be worth the wait. Cool??? Cool........:cool:

Hi Todd,

Good Luck with your upcoming 6 String Chord Melody book. Will the material apply also to 5 string?

Thanks

Steve

Hi Todd,

Good Luck with your upcoming 6 String Chord Melody book. Will the material apply also to 5 string?

Thanks

Steve

You'll need a 5 string with a "high C"........

It's "primarily" aimed at the top 3 strings of the 6 string ( D, G, C).

Make sense???

Cool.........

Thanks for your interest!!!:)

You'll need a 5 string with a "high C"........

It's "primarily" aimed at the top 3 strings of the 6 string ( D, G, C).

Make sense???

Cool.........

Thanks for your interest!!!:)

Thanks a bunch !

preorders preorders... =)

sign me up!!

;)

Tell Jim hi for me, too! You two together is just perfect. This should be wonderful...

Very cool, Todd! I'm very much looking forward to this!

I am very excited to be working with Todd on our joint publication, Fishing For Grips. Todd has created a method of harmonizing jazz melodies that has never before been attempted on the bass. Using "Grips", as Todd calls his chord voicings, opens up an entire new arena for the extended range bassist. Todd's innovative style is going to set the world of bass on fire!

Thanks Todd, for allowing me to be a part of this development.

After attending one of Todd's masterclasses recently and being introduced to some of the voicing concepts he uses, I would say this book/DVD is going to be a great resource :hyper:

Cheers
Alun

After attending one of Todd's masterclasses recently and being introduced to some of the voicing concepts he uses, I would say this book/DVD is going to be a great resource :hyper:

Cheers
Alun

Thanks Alun.......You're my hero!! It was a great joy to get to know you and to hear what a monster player you are. Well done my friend!!

The book and DVD "should" be tremendous....mainly because I have Jim Stinnett keeping me "on track" and "in line".....otherwise I'd overexplain everything. It's a tremendous blessing to have Jim's help and guidance with this project!!

Talk to you soon,

I am very excited to be working with Todd on our joint publication, Fishing For Grips. Todd has created a method of harmonizing jazz melodies that has never before been attempted on the bass. Using "Grips", as Todd calls his chord voicings, opens up an entire new arena for the extended range bassist. Todd's innovative style is going to set the world of bass on fire!

Thanks Todd, for allowing me to be a part of this development.

Like I said Jim.......You're the best teacher I've ever seen....so it's a no brainer for me to have "the best" helping me figure out how to best communicate and teach "the grips".

So.....thank you for your help, experience, guidance and above all.......your friendship.

Hi Lokire!!

Hey, this just in.............

It looks like our release date has been set back to December or January. Sorry for the delay, but Jim Stinnett and I want to make sure the book and DVD are RIGHT before we release it.

We just finished "pounding out" what and how we're going to teach it........now we just need the summer to "polish it up" and get it ready for everyone.

So.......

Thanks for your patience........I'm confident it will be worth the wait. Cool??? Cool........:cool:

Cool, cool. However long it takes to get it as good as possible and polished is fine by me. All the better! :)

Cool, cool. However long it takes to get it as good as possible and polished is fine by me. All the better! :)

I'm confident it will be worth the wait!! Thanks again for your support and encouragement! :)

Sweet. I had just got done spending some major time w/Mike Dimin's "Chordal Approach" & seeing this thread makes me excited. Hopefully I'll be purchasing a nicer 6 around the time this book/dvd comes out.

Preorders!!!!! Can we do preorders?!!!!!

Preorders!!!!! Can we do preorders?!!!!!

I wish we could.....

But, we're planning on having this out as soon as we can. Most likely in early 2009. Like I said before....we're taking the time to get it right. Plus Jim and I live on opposite coasts so we're trying to coordinate filming, flights and a book!! Wee!!;)

I'm confident you'll be pleased with the results.

Thanks!!

I'm totally getting one when it's done.

Todd, I assume that you will cover walking with chord melodies (kinda TS meets Charlie Hunter) as well, right?

Most likely in early 2009.

Hi Todd! I'm really looking forward to this. Wish it were sooner, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

I'm totally getting one when it's done.

Todd, I assume that you will cover walking with chord melodies (kinda TS meets Charlie Hunter) as well, right?

J-raj!!

It looks like we'll be dealing with "mostly" 3 note chord melody in this first book......The subject is so deep....we want to make sure we don't just "swamp, baffle and confuse" everyone. It's going to take several volumes to cover this subject in a "digestable" manner. Make sense???

But, at some point in the series we'll cover bass and chord melodies. ABSOLUTELY.....but we'll need to build up to that.

Cool??? Cool......:cool:

Thanks again for your support!!

Hi Todd! I'm really looking forward to this. Wish it were sooner, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

Thanks AJ!!

We thought it would be out sooner as well.....but between my touring, Jim's workouts and festivals and the fact that this subject is so vast and deep..... We realized we needed more time to break this stuff down into "bite size chunks" so everyone will have success with it. We want people to be able to PLAY this stuff....Not just have another book and DVD that sits on a shelf!!;)

Thank's so much for your support and encouragement!!:bassist:

J-raj!!

It looks like we'll be dealing with "mostly" 3 note chord melody in this first book......The subject is so deep....we want to make sure we don't just "swamp, baffle and confuse" everyone. It's going to take several volumes to cover this subject in a "digestable" manner. Make sense???

But, at some point in the series we'll cover bass and chord melodies. ABSOLUTELY.....but we'll need to build up to that.

Cool??? Cool......:cool:

Thanks again for your support!!

Hey Todd,

Yeah I can see that could be a deep subject to cover. I love the way that you comp and solo tastefully over Kristin's playing, without sounding busy or getting in the way.

Being a recent 6 string convert (still gig on 4's and 5's for cover/corp-function gigs), I have been wanting to adapt what you do, in-combination with Charlie Hunter's technique. Mostly as a solo'ist and duo with drummer.

Recently, I've been pulling and adapting some interesting material (for bass) out of an old Mickey Baker book called 'Jazz Guitar Chords', I think it dates back to the 50's or 60's. Lots of inversions and tons of chord combinations, since it is written for guitar, my hands have been contorting in some 'no-so-good' positions.

Hey Todd,

Yeah I can see that could be a deep subject to cover. I love the way that you comp and solo tastefully over Kristin's playing, without sounding busy or getting in the way.

Being a recent 6 string convert (still gig on 4's and 5's for cover/corp-function gigs), I have been wanting to adapt what you do, in-combination with Charlie Hunter's technique. Mostly as a solo'ist and duo with drummer.

Recently, I've been pulling and adapting some interesting material (for bass) out of an old Mickey Baker book called 'Jazz Guitar Chords', I think it dates back to the 50's or 60's. Lots of inversions and tons of chord combinations, since it is written for guitar, my hands have been contorting in some 'no-so-good' positions.

Cool.....sounds like some fun stuff!! But be careful....take your time....and please don't hurt your hands. It takes time to get used to playing "fistfulls" of harmony.

I speak from experience!!;)

Keep up the good work!!

My first exposure to jazz was the Mickey Baker book in 1969 I had heard this rock / funk band a number of times and met one of the guitarists from the band in a music store. I asked him how he learned all those cool sounding chords. He took me to the book shelf and handed me the book. I spent day and night learning every chord, arpeggio, and exercise in this book.

I had no idea what to do with the stuff. My father, a country singer and guitarist loved it and I began to stick it in the country tunes we played.

I could not have imagined at that time this material could be played on the bass.

Jim

My first exposure to jazz was the Mickey Baker book in 1969 I had heard this rock / funk band a number of times and met one of the guitarists from the band in a music store. I asked him how he learned all those cool sounding chords. He took me to the book shelf and handed me the book. I spent day and night learning every chord, arpeggio, and exercise in this book.

I had no idea what to do with the stuff. My father, a country singer and guitarist loved it and I began to stick it in the country tunes we played.

I could not have imagined at that time this material could be played on the bass.

Jim

Mr. Stinnett!!

I'm with you brother. If you'd have told me 20 years ago that we'd be playing fistfuls of harmony I'd have laughed myself silly.

I guess it's a matter of hard work, MASSIVE CURIOSITY, perseverance, time and the grace of God!!

Actually, that's the secret to success in EVERYTHING....go figure! ;)

Talk to you soon....

Mr. Stinnett!!

I'm with you brother. If you'd have told me 20 years ago that we'd be playing fistfuls of harmony I'd have laughed myself silly.

I guess it's a matter of hard work, MASSIVE CURIOSITY, perseverance, time and the grace of God!!

Actually, that's the secret to success in EVERYTHING....go figure!

AMEN!

AMEN!

Thanks!!! I speak the truth.........

ETA?

ETA?

ETA should be late May 2009. Trust me....I'll let everyone know as soon as it's available.

Cool??? Cool.....:cool:

Thanks Raj!!!

sorry for sounding impatient, I'm just looking forward to this release... I was working on a bass and drums duo rearrangement of a Jon Brion tune and was looking for add'l inspiration/direction.

Hey Todd....love your playing, and you are right on about Jim Stinnett being one of the greatest teachers around...just looking for an update on the release of the TJ 6 STRING CHORD MELODY BOOK & DVD....any projected date? Peace and Happy Holidays,
Craig

Hey Todd....love your playing, and you are right on about Jim Stinnett being one of the greatest teachers around...just looking for an update on the release of the TJ 6 STRING CHORD MELODY BOOK & DVD....any projected date? Peace and Happy Holidays,
Craig

Hi Craig,

Thanks for asking!! We should have copies available around the first of May.

Jim and I are scheduled to do a Masterclass/Clinic at the ISB (International Society of Bassists) conference at Penn State University on Friday June 12th.

We'll also be doing an official "release" at the New Hampshire Bass Fest June 24 - 27.......

AND........if that weren't enough.....I'll be turning my "Chord melody method" into online classes that will be available at the Stinnett School of music.....We're looking to have my class up and running in the fall of 2009. Check out Jims "Jazz Bass 2" course available January 12th...... Go to http://www.stinnettmusic.com/ for all the latest info.

So....There will be an abundance of my "Chord Melody for Bass" method available starting in 2009!!

You might consider catching me at the ISB conference, the NH Bassfest or at the Stinnett online school. Better yet, how about all 3!!!

Ready...........GO!!:bassist:

It's gonna be great!!

Happy New Year!!

Hi Todd,

I'm really looking forward to seeing this book, you're a fantastic player and teacher.

I had the privilege of attending your weekend masterclass in Cardiff earlier this year, what you did there was very inspiring, and with some help from Steve Lawson I'm sort of getting this stuff together.

Happy new year for 2009.

Kevin

Hi Todd,

I'm really looking forward to seeing this book, you're a fantastic player and teacher.

I had the privilege of attending your weekend masterclass in Cardiff earlier this year, what you did there was very inspiring, and with some help from Steve Lawson I'm sort of getting this stuff together.

Happy new year for 2009.

Kevin

Kevin!!

Great to hear from you my friend!! Thanks so much for the kind words. It was great hanging with you in Cardiff!! I'm just sorry I was so sick....glad you got a lot out of it. BTW, I'm doing MUCH better now....I'm on the verge of being back to my old self again....it's taken some time....WOW!!

Anyway....Will keep everyone posted on the "Fishin for Grips" book as we get closer.

Hope to see you in 2009....there's a chance I'll make it over. We'll see....

Until then, keep working hard and play slow!!

Happy New Year Kevin!!

Your thankful friend,

Any updates on the DVD?

Any updates on the DVD?

Good news!!

"Fishin' for Grips" - Melodic Harmonization for Bass Guitar will be available starting June 1st 2009!!

We've finished the last of the filming at the end of March. Now I'm told that we have 2 - 3 weeks before the book and video editing are completed. So, short of an act of God we should have product ready by June 1st!!

Stay tuned!!!

Good news!!

"Fishin' for Grips" - Melodic Harmonization for Bass Guitar will be available starting June 1st 2009!!

We've finished the last of the filming at the end of March. Now I'm told that we have 2 - 3 weeks before the book and video editing are completed. So, short of an act of God we should have product ready by June 1st!!

Stay tuned!!!

That's great news Todd! I'm looking forward to it.

Todd, great to hear the news! Looking forward to it.

Wally

Todd, great to hear the news! Looking forward to it.

Wally

Thanks Wally!! Good to hear from you my friend!!

Yeah, it's getting exciting. We've been working towards this for about 2 years now. It's great to see it finally coming to fruition. I think everyone will dig it. It's broken down so you can actually learn this stuff....Jim Stinnett REALLY did a great job in helping me organize and present this stuff.

Stay tuned....it won't be long now!!! :cool:

where can I pre-order!
:hyper:

where can I pre-order!
:hyper:

J-raj....

I'll send up a GIANT flare here on TB as soon as I get an idea when the books & DVD's will arrive. Probably around the middle of May I would guess....

Stay tuned....I PROMISE to let you all know about this one!!

Thanks again for your friendship and support!!

ok... I'll try to be patient.

tagging on here.....it's great to see a book like this on it's way.

Todd, have you checked out Skuli Sverrisson at all? If you haven't then check out his playing for sure. He's the hippest chordal cat out there and one of the most inpsiring people on the instrument...and a great human being as well. I think you'd really dig him.

tagging on here.....it's great to see a book like this on it's way.

Todd, have you checked out Skuli Sverrisson at all? If you haven't then check out his playing for sure. He's the hippest chordal cat out there and one of the most inpsiring people on the instrument...and a great human being as well. I think you'd really dig him.

I thought Todd was the Hippest Chordal Cat out here :D

"Fishin' For Grips - Melodic Harmonization For Bass Guitar"

Grant and I are going over the DVD again today before sending it off to the duplicator next week. This book/dvd is going to set the bass world on fire! Todd's style is clearly laid out with dozens of short video illustrations. The text will outline his concepts and insights to help you learn to do what he does.

The methodology presented here is the result of Todd's 15 years of exploration and hard work. He has paved the way for all of us to follow. FFG is the culmination of two years of teaching, analyzing, recording, videoing, analyzing some more, and organizing an abundance of material into a concise presentation. I am confident you all will love this offering.

Coinciding with the release of Fishin' For Grips will also be the release of a new CD featuring Todd Johnson. "One Good Looking Guy" has Todd on full display in a jazz setting accompanied by Dino Govoni-tenor, Joe Hunt-drums, and Jim Stinnett-bass. Eight original compositions showcase Todd's gorgeous grips.

Jim

Count me in too!!! Very excited to get the DVD. Please say it'll be available for overseas shipping!!!

Oh god, I literally can't wait!

I'm sitting here now rocking with anticipation.. If I don't get it soon, its going to go into the drooling and vacant eyed stare.. And I've got a 7 string on order too? Its gonna be real fun!

God Bless you for Real Todd!:hyper:

Coming SOON!!!

Fishin' For Grips

Coinciding with the release of Fishin' For Grips will also be the release of a new CD featuring Todd Johnson. "One Good Looking Guy" has Todd on full display in a jazz setting accompanied by Dino Govoni-tenor, Joe Hunt-drums, and Jim Stinnett-bass. Eight original compositions showcase Todd's gorgeous grips.

Jim
hmm, might have to pick that one up!! Sounds like a killer line up... Along with You, Todd and Dino, Joe Hunt is also a killer player... about 12-15 years ago, I saw him with Goodrick, Gertz and Cervenka @ The Willow in Somerville.

Coming SOON!!!

Fishin' For Grips

Can you preorder this yet?

Can you preorder this yet?

YES!! YOU CAN NOW PRE-ORDER FISHIN' FOR GRIPS!!!

PLUS...MY NEW CD "One Good Looking Guy?" is available now too!

It's up on my website now. Go to www.toddjohnsonmusic.com ...then go to my STORE and simply order. The orders will go out as soon as I get them in...which will be JUNE 1st at the very latest.

Thanks so much for your enthusiasm and support!!

I can't thank you all enough!!

Just ordered the book! looking forward to studying it!

I have a question on the Fishin' Grips book / DVD.

Is the book specific to six string basses? How well does it transfer to other configurations? I understand that you can't cover every bass configuration but how "portable" is the material?

I'm currently playing a five string with a high C. How will the book work with that configuration?

Thanks,
LeonD

I have a question on the Fishin' Grips book / DVD.

Is the book specific to six string basses? How well does it transfer to other configurations? I understand that you can't cover every bass configuration but how "portable" is the material?

I'm currently playing a five string with a high C. How will the book work with that configuration?

Thanks,
LeonD

Hi Leon!!

A 5-string w/a high "C" will be PERFECT for the new DVD.

The information will "work" on a 4 string....the only problem is that you're limited by range. But as long as the bass is tuned in 4ths then the information is completely "portable" as you say...

Cool??? Cool.......:cool:

You're all set!! Thanks for the support!!

Hi Leon!!

A 5-string w/a high "C" will be PERFECT for the new DVD.

The information will "work" on a 4 string....the only problem is that you're limited by range. But as long as the bass is tuned in 4ths then the information is completely "portable" as you say...

Cool??? Cool.......:cool:

You're all set!! Thanks for the support!!

Thanks for the reply.

I've been working at chord / melody on a bass for a bit now. That's the only reason I have a five string. With all my other projects, four strings are more than enough.

There's not a lot of material specific to this topic out there. I've been working with the material Mike Dimin's put out. I'll be looking forward to checking out Fishin'.

Thanks again,
LeonD

Thanks for the reply.

I've been working at chord / melody on a bass for a bit now. That's the only reason I have a five string. With all my other projects, four strings are more than enough.

There's not a lot of material specific to this topic out there. I've been working with the material Mike Dimin's put out. I'll be looking forward to checking out Fishin'.

Thanks again,
LeonD

Thanks Leon....much appreciated!!

I ordered mine this past monday... I will definitely get it before my 7 string.. but I have a six now so that will be cool. I can shift that to my 7 as well? I'm excited by that prospect!

Just purchased your book and dvd Todd cant wait!!!

Is there, or will there be a preview/small demo this available?

I ordered Fishin' For Grips on 6/16 and it arrived today (6/20). After having my knee 'scoped this past Wednesday, it provided ample down time to get acquainted with the DVD.

I just finished going thru the DVD and book straight thru without my instrument. Kind of as a way to get a big picture of the material. At this point I have a few comments and questions.

Thumbs up for the audio / video quality. Very professional. Easy to hear and see. Plenty of chapter references on both the book and DVD; easy to get right where you need to be without wasting time getting there.

Other chord melody material that I've used was based on taking the chord and adding the melody above it. Fishin' seems to take the melody and add the chord under it. A different way of looking at a similar result.

For a true solo bass performance, you'd have to add bass notes to the Fishin' method (which isn't covered in this material). I don't know how easy or hard that would be to do.

Thumbs up for a large variety of songs used for the exercises; quite a variety. None of the melodies are included in the book. It's not really hard to figure the melodies out; the video goes slow enough. I'm just curious why the melodies weren't included.


My final issue is what will probably be my biggest struggle. It has to do with linking the specific grips with the melody / harmony of the song.

Part one is the grip itself. The book shows 27 basic grips to learn. I'm assuming you want us to memorize them.

Part two is the melody / harmony. When playing a song for example, the melody may be the sixth of the chord so I'd play the third and seventh below it.

I understand the two parts separately. My question is how do I bring these two parts together? Now I'm asking this after just seeing the material. Maybe it will all come together when I do it with my bass? Maybe it won't?

All in all, I'd say Fishin' is done very professionally and will help anyone become a better bass player.

LeonD