jazz and blues

[MM playerrrr EB]

who should i listen to to get up on the jazz and blues styles of playing

[fdeck]

Jazz and blues.

On the jazz side, pick some representative recordings from the period from the swing era through bebop. The Count Basie Orchestra, perhaps Coltrane's "Giant Steps," Bill Evans "Sunday at the Village Vanguard," and anything that Ray Brown ever recorded. I love Ray Brown because his playing is simple and direct -- great resource to learn from.

[kevinmoore73]

I'd start by listening to jazz and blues.

Surely there's a reason you want start playing jazz and blues. Perhaps mentioning those reasons would help someone answer your extremely broad question.

[MM playerrrr EB]

i'd just like to better my playing for personal reasons. i'm perfectly fine where i'm at with the styles that i'm playing (metal and punk) but i just feel like being better

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by MM playerrrr EB

i'd just like to better my playing for personal reasons. i'm perfectly fine where i'm at with the styles that i'm playing (metal and punk) but i just feel like being better

Nothing wrong with that at all. Even though I am a working jazz bassist, my motivation for playing still boils down to a personal desire to enjoy playing and improve my craft.

I suggest lurking at the "Jazz Technique" forum over on the double bass side. You can find some threads on getting started. Also, two of our own TB'ers have instructional books that are regarded as excellent:

Ed Fuqua: http://www.shermusic.com/new/1883217504.shtml

Ed Friedland: http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Bass-Ed-F.../dp/0793565170

[kreider204]

For blues -- John McVie. Bluesbreakers, very early Fleetwood Mac. Can't go wrong there.