Carole Kaye Pro Jazz Phrases, What's the point?

[BillyIVbass]

I've been trying to get 20 minutes of site reading in a day. This book was cheap, I figure, "Hey if it's got bass clef, I'll play through it!"

But this book bores me to tears. You play through the same patterns with no rhyme or reason. Am I missing something? Other books I play through and find a few licks I like, this one makes me want to cry. Anyone else use it?

[Billnc]

Get the companion book Jazz Improv for Bass, She gives you exercizes for them, and other information. Go to her site and forum. She will be glad to answer any questions you have.

[BillyIVbass]

Thanks, I dug deeper into the book. There is some cool "You can play this pattern over diminish chords" etc.

I guess it's just like a band who picked a crappy opening act to make the later half of the show seem even better? Now there are No More Tears haha.

[Billnc]

You need to read the book, but it's not really a book to work on reading with. Electric Basslines Volume 3 and 4 are great for that.

In the Pro's Jazz phrases, an exercise to do is take page 5 line 5 and use that in all the ii V or ii V I in a tune, You can also use the diminished pattern in a ii V and resolve that to a major pattern.

That's sort of the idea of the book. Also moving the V7th patterns by b5 or minor thirds.

[Phil Smith]

If the book bores you, try playing the excercises at 300 bpm.

[bassdog]

She is basically telling you some of the patterns that world class jazz soloists used in their solos from back in the day and that can still be heard today. Listen to classic jazz solos from the greats and you will always hear these patterns somewhere in there. Bob

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by bassdog

She is basically telling you some of the patterns that world class jazz soloists used in their solos from back in the day and that can still be heard today. Listen to classic jazz solos from the greats and you will always hear these patterns somewhere in there. Bob

I did many of these on guitar almost thirty years ago. I've never been the strongest soloist on bass, really enjoy just playin bass. I'm into her materials now to hone up on things and play proper solos on bass. I've always avoided licks (dumb I guess).

But taking on or two of the licks and playing them through a tune really does open things up. After a while you just sort of start mixing them up, by accident maybe. She picked some good licks, with the substitutions and all she explains in Jazz Improv for bass and its licks, you get a lot of mileage out of her stuff.

I ordered the two books together by accident. But was quite glad I did it's important to have both. OP does have a good little book there, even the first few pages.

[plangentmusic]

Originally Posted by BillyIVbass

I've been trying to get 20 minutes of site reading in a day. This book was cheap, I figure, "Hey if it's got bass clef, I'll play through it!"

But this book bores me to tears. You play through the same patterns with no rhyme or reason. Am I missing something? Other books I play through and find a few licks I like, this one makes me want to cry. Anyone else use it?

I agree. It stinks. You can say ANYTHING has merit if it makes you practice.