Is this a type of vibrato? What is this technique called?

BongoPeg · #1 03-06-2011, 04:03 PM

Ok I don't know how to describe the technique but it is in this video of "Avishai Cohen - Smash" right at the very beginning. Its the sound that sort of sounds like it could be vibrato but it looks and sounds like he is just moving his hand really fast between 1 or 2 frets.

Here is a link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqIT6...eature=related

If the link doesn't work just look up the name as stated above.

The sound is in the first thing the bass plays before the sax comes in. I'm just curious as to what this technique is called and how it is done. I personally think it sounds fantastic.

Another example of this is in "Cause We've Ended as Lovers" live at Ronnie Scotts with Jeff Beck and Tal Wilkenfeld (Chick bassist). She utilizes it a bit.

Bassbuster · #2 03-06-2011, 10:00 PM

It's a trill, where you rapidly alternate between notes. You can do it by playing a note and then hammering on and pulling off quickly, or you can do it by sliding quickly in between the notes which is the way that I usually see it done, like in that video.

BongoPeg · #3 03-08-2011, 10:29 AM

Thanks, I'll take your word for it. It seems simple but when I try to play a "trill" it sounds like garbage. I can do hammer on "trills" but whenever I try to do a sliding one it sounds like absolute crap.

If someone understands how to do sliding trills... Can you please explain to me how this is done smoothly like it is done in the above mentioned videos. I don't want any hammer on pull off garbage cause that is easy, I have known how to do that since the first week a played bass (yes, I am exaggerating) and in most contexts and situations it sounds terrible in my opinion.

I just realized in the Avishai Cohen video, it is right at the beginning you can hear it but not see it, a better example was the other one I mentioned with Tal Wilkenfeld on the Jeff Beck dvd. She does a bass solo in Cause We've Ended as Lovers and she utilizes it a lot and you can see her do it. (Fantastic solo btw)

Mayers · #4 03-08-2011, 06:45 PM

To me, moving between two notes like that is a vibrato ( kind of vibrato a fretless player does or in classical music ). While a trill is some kind of hammer-on/pull-off very fast to add caracter to a melody

Beginner Bass · #5 03-08-2011, 07:47 PM

Vibrato is when the pitch rapidly oscillates, but with a center pitch.

puddin tame · #6 03-08-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BongoPeg

Thanks, I'll take your word for it. It seems simple but when I try to play a "trill" it sounds like garbage. I can do hammer on "trills" but whenever I try to do a sliding one it sounds like absolute crap.

If someone understands how to do sliding trills... Can you please explain to me how this is done smoothly like it is done in the above mentioned videos. I don't want any hammer on pull off garbage cause that is easy, I have known how to do that since the first week a played bass (yes, I am exaggerating) and in most contexts and situations it sounds terrible in my opinion.

I just realized in the Avishai Cohen video, it is right at the beginning you can hear it but not see it, a better example was the other one I mentioned with Tal Wilkenfeld on the Jeff Beck dvd. She does a bass solo in Cause We've Ended as Lovers and she utilizes it a lot and you can see her do it. (Fantastic solo btw)

it sounds like crap because you need to practice and improve your technique. there's no secret, just takes work

**lowendfriend** · #7 03-08-2011, 08:59 PM

Glad to see Avishai Cohen get a little love on TB.....I find him an inventive and interesting composer and bassist on both EB and DB. That video cut is from his Live at the Blue Note DVD...an excellent album and DVD. The last for Sam Barsh, the pianist, before being replaced by Shai Maestro. Their drummer, Mark Giuliana is a very kool drummer. Also a great showing for sax player Jimmie Greene.

BongoPeg · #8 03-08-2011, 09:47 PM

So it is vibrato that I am talking about then. And I can't practice what I don't know. Are they literally just sliding their finger up and down a semitone to do that? Cause then I understand it and yes I would need to work on it. I just wanted to know if that is all it was or if there was something more to it.

I only recently found out about Avishai by accident because a friend showed me a video of the drummer, at which point I forgot about the drummer and was drawn in by the basswork.

Beginner Bass · #9 03-12-2011, 08:11 PM

Yes, but it's not vibrato, it's a trill. A trill is simply a rapid switch between 2 pitches. Vibrato is a when a note changes in frequency, but it goes both above and below (Usually) and has a center pitch, whereas a trill has no center pitch, it's just 2 notes switching off really fast.