Branching out. Prog/jazz bass

Arrachion · #1 07-31-2010, 12:41 PM

Long time lurker.

A little background first. My first love affair was with the alto saxophone, from age 7 through high school. I didn't fall in love music until jazz in high school.

I picked up the guitar around that time playing mostly rock (thrash/rock/prog/and my own brand of groovy type jazz). My guitar writing usually tries to incorporate melodies within the rhythm. I was never huge on the 10,000 not solos.

I've been in a few projects as a guitar player.

The last project I was in was 2 guitars and a drummer. Playing funk/jazz/blus/rock. You know the rest of the story. We couldn't find a bass player. I picked one up and fell in love instantly.

I have a decent understanding and feel for the basics of maintaining flow and rhythm in most cases (always learning) musically on the bass. I've been listening to anything I can find getting influence and inspiration from wherever I can find it.
Pandora is amazing!

I want to add more of these influences to what I'm already doing. Whats the best way... How did/do you branch out and learn and incorporate other styles into your playing?

kuys · #2 07-31-2010, 12:49 PM

By listening and then doing.

At least that's how I've learned. I know my way around the fret board and can play quite a bit by ear so that's what I do. I put on a funk or progressive or rock or jazz record find the key and then go.

I know that's way too general but as someone who's always played by feel and ear it's how I did it. I mean I've picked up techniques and a small bit of theory recently from friends and band-mates but...well...there you have it.

My method of learning most definitely can be frustrating as hell to someone who has to have directions to do anything or has already learned a bit of theory or what have you but It's how I learned so it's really the only advice I can give.

Just be sure to practice at least half hour or more a day and you will improve and learn the different styles. Basically cram as much in as you can shake it up and then pour. It will transmogrify on it's way from your brain and then to your hands and become your own style.

My buddy calls my playing circus funk if that means anything. Trust me the more you listen and the more you play the better you will become. Funk, Jazz, etc, to me is about the feel of the line and not something that can be quantified very easily. You just got to listen and play. Listen and play.

Arrachion · #3 07-31-2010, 01:00 PM

I learn in the same manner... I took organized guitar lessons for a year or so in high school. The best thing he taught me was how to learn by ear.

You're right...that is general.

...But spot on.

practice practice practice

MycooLeeyun · #4 07-31-2010, 01:01 PM

Playing with a lot of different people definitely helps. Listening to new music that you haven't heard. I don't really know how to do things, I just do it. The more you play, the better you get IMO.

Arrachion · #5 08-01-2010, 12:40 PM

Being a relative newb to the bass, I don't know a lot of bass players to look for in the jazz and progressive categories.

Who are you favorites (artists or tracks or both)?

JSmith · #6 08-01-2010, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arrachion

Being a relative newb to the bass, I don't know a lot of bass players to look for in the jazz and progressive categories.

Who are you favorites (artists or tracks or both)?

For jazz, check out Ray Brown, Ron Carter, and Paul Chambers. That should keep you busy for awhile.