Taking Risks

[PocketGroove82]

Hi Lynn,

We're all missing you this semester!
I just wanted to ask you your thoughts on taking musical risks. Do you ever find yourself taking risks during basslines or solos, or are you always playing within yourself and your limits.

I wish I could better articulate exactly what I mean by risk taking, but regardless, I think us TBers would love to hear your input on the subject and learn from your experience.

Matt Mercer Smith

[Lynn Seaton]

Thanks Matt,
Being on sabbatical is nice, but I too miss being at the University of North Texas.
Taking risks and "going for it" are an important part of playing jazz. Certainly, a good foundational understanding of classic basslines and solos is integral to being a strong player. With that strong foundation it is then possible to react more in the moment to what others on the bandstand are offering (without being a parrot and just answer by playing the same things that someone else just played). What you play will hopefully be affected by what others do and in turn will affect what they do. Ron Carter with Miles is one of the situations that set the bar for the combination of "laying it down" and interaction with others. I highly recommend reading Ron's new biography for some in depth discussion and descriptions about his interaction and it's affects on others in Mile's group and others. Depending on the gig, there are times where the leader only wants the bassist to "lay it down" with quarter notes and not mess with metric subdivisions, pedals, etc. Unfortunately, not everyone hears what the bassist does on the same level they expect us to hear what they do in regards to chord substitutions. Just remember where you are.

[PocketGroove82]

Thanks Lynn,

I'll be sure to pick up that R.C. biography...that's gotta be full of some interesting and crazy stories. Lately, I've been presented with some pretty square charts, often time piano or guitar parts, and it's been difficult to figure out exactly what the leader wants from me.
For instance, when a guy hands me a lead sheet for Oye Como Va and during the count-off I'm trying to decide do I stick to the original, mind-numbing vamp for all 200 solos or do I try to make this chart my b!tch.
lol.

Luckily, I've been able to talk stuff out prior to the gig.

These guitar charts usually have four chords to the bar highlighting interesting guitar voicings but trying to hit them all sounds jagged and wrong. Trying to read between the excess chords and craft a coherent bass line has been a struggle. It's making me very happy when I actually get a chart that says "String Bass", and not "Tuba", "Guitar", or "Piano".

Ahhh....army bands.