Help me about jazz

[El Sordo]

Hi, everyone!
I've been playing bass for like a year. I'm mostly a metal bass player, but I feel a need to develop more, naturally. I pretty much listen anything that gets into my ears easily. No genre limitations.
I feel that I really want to learn jazz. I believe jazz is the ultimate genre. It gives you knowledge you can use in any other genre.

So what I want to ask you... 2 questions.
1) I'm sorta OK with music theory, but I would really like to learn more (preferably some advanced theory). So far I know how to put together scales, modes, chords, but I would like to learn more about progressions and other things. As you can see, quite basic knowledge, but I want to learn far more. Can you recommend me any sites where I can get nice jazz theory lessons, or maybe even recommend me a book. Any help is welcome!
2) Please recommend some nice jazz bands with good bass. I believe that in studying, 80% is actually listening to other artists, 20% is learning your theory. Am I right?

I can't really afford to get into a school to study music, altough I would love to. It's just not possible at the moment

[phillipkregg]

Since you already have a basic grasp of music theory, get this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Theory-Bo.../dp/1883217040

Also, get a Jamey Aebersold book and CD set. Preferably one with simpler jazz songs like "Maiden Voyage" (that's the name of the book too).

If you seriously work at it and devote some practice to it, this should be all you need for quite a while.

Oh, and listen to as much jazz as possible. Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Jaco (of course), Marcus Miller's first album (for modern Jazz and funk). There are TONS of other artists but these may be good to start with.

There are also lots of threads about this on TB already. Here is one: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/archiv.../t-252617.html

[El Sordo]

Thanks for the quick response! Much appreciated.
I will try to look for that book -- thanks a lot! I've seen a lot of positive reviews through a quick Googling.

I'll look into that music you recommended, thanks again.

You know, I really feel an urge to do something new. I'm kinda fed up with metal bass for a while, and I've played pretty much a lot of stuff. Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, just a bunch of stuff, and I don't see much challenge in some of these basslines nowadays. I want to put it aside for some time. Also, there's a jazz festival in my town for these 3-4 days, today was the first day, so I kinda feel inspired

[Beginner Bass]

Then go. Music is a listening art, listen.

[MalcolmAmos]

http://www.jazzwise.com/catalog/arti...articles_id=10

http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by El Sordo

Thanks for the quick response! Much appreciated.
I will try to look for that book -- thanks a lot! I've seen a lot of positive reviews through a quick Googling.

I'll look into that music you recommended, thanks again.

You know, I really feel an urge to do something new. I'm kinda fed up with metal bass for a while, and I've played pretty much a lot of stuff. Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, just a bunch of stuff, and I don't see much challenge in some of these basslines nowadays. I want to put it aside for some time. Also, there's a jazz festival in my town for these 3-4 days, today was the first day, so I kinda feel inspired

some of the aebersold books have bass line books to match,and play along cd's....great reading practice and insight into how guys like ron carter,tyrone wheeler and others walk through changes....

[Ozonbass]

Originally Posted by El Sordo

I feel that I really want to learn jazz. I believe jazz is the ultimate genre. It gives you knowledge you can use in any other genre.

Ironically, I think the inverse also happens...the other night I was laying down the rhythm to Blueport (Mulligan tune) and realized I had some how shifted over and was playing Driver's Seat (Sniff 'N The Tears)...it was the strangest thing.

I agree with you though...it's good to expand your musical world.

[waleross]

+1 on the Abersold Books. For me, I have been studying with an accomplished piano player (jazz + classical) that has been going over standards with me and testing my theory knowledge. This IMO is a must for all instruments. In music school piano is a requirement for good reason. get yourself a piano teacher (if you can) it will help you in all avenues of music....including bass...............

[Essen]

Originally Posted by El Sordo

Also, there's a jazz festival in my town for these 3-4 days, today was the first day, so I kinda feel inspired

Haha! Same here!

[powerbass]

you might want to hang out on the double bass side of TB specifically http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f23/. You will learn quite a bit about jazz theory. watch out though, there is a bunch of old timer double jazz bass players that like nothing better than giving an electric bass player a hard time.

[TobyBrodel]

Charles Mingus is an inspiring bassist/composer.

[mcm]

you must learn and undrstand blues first

[joepo]

Check out the work of Steve Swallow (recordings w/ John Scofield, Carla Bley & Gary Burton, has a few recordings under his own name). He came up in the jazz tradition playing upright bass then discovered bass guitar & committed to it TOTALLY, abandoning the upright for the electric at a time when most jazz guys laughed at bass guitar. (what am I saying...most of them still do!!). Steve has always played with a pick, swings like a mofo and has a singing, lyrical voice when he solos. He gets a sound that's all his own on a 5 string (E A D G C) and is a great composer as well.
Then there's Anthony Jackson.........

[dougjwray]

Originally Posted by joepo

Check out the work of Steve Swallow (recordings w/ John Scofield, Carla Bley & Gary Burton, has a few recordings under his own name). He came up in the jazz tradition playing upright bass then discovered bass guitar & committed to it TOTALLY, abandoning the upright for the electric at a time when most jazz guys laughed at bass guitar. (what am I saying...most of them still do!!). Steve has always played with a pick, swings like a mofo and has a singing, lyrical voice when he solos. He gets a sound that's all his own on a 5 string (E A D G C) and is a great composer as well.
Then there's Anthony Jackson.........

Steve Swallow is a master. BTW, he converted to electric bass immediately after a night when the Gary Burton Group (his group) shared a bill with Cream at the Fillmore in San Francisco, and he saw Jack Bruce. Interesting trivia.

[dougjwray]

Originally Posted by mcm

you must learn and undrstand blues first

Great point.

[dougjwray]

Originally Posted by Ozonbass

Ironically, I think the inverse also happens...the other night I was laying down the rhythm to Blueport (Mulligan tune) and realized I had some how shifted over and was playing Driver's Seat (Sniff 'N The Tears)...it was the strangest thing.

I agree with you though...it's good to expand your musical world.

+1
There was a point when I was playing only jazz, and I failed a couple of rock auditions because I wasn't simple and firm enough-- hammering away at the riff.
But, yeah, learning as much as possible about all realms of music can only be good.

[El Sordo]

Wow, thank you all for your comments! It really helps. Now, I have some homework to do

[251]

Originally Posted by El Sordo

Hi, everyone!
I've been playing bass for like a year. I'm mostly a metal bass player, but I feel a need to develop more, naturally. I pretty much listen anything that gets into my ears easily. No genre limitations.
I feel that I really want to learn jazz. I believe jazz is the ultimate genre. It gives you knowledge you can use in any other genre.

So what I want to ask you... 2 questions.
1) I'm sorta OK with music theory, but I would really like to learn more (preferably some advanced theory). So far I know how to put together scales, modes, chords, but I would like to learn more about progressions and other things. As you can see, quite basic knowledge, but I want to learn far more. Can you recommend me any sites where I can get nice jazz theory lessons, or maybe even recommend me a book. Any help is welcome!
2) Please recommend some nice jazz bands with good bass. I believe that in studying, 80% is actually listening to other artists, 20% is learning your theory. Am I right?

I can't really afford to get into a school to study music, altough I would love to. It's just not possible at the moment

Here is a good place to start & it's free. Jamie Aebersold's Jazz Handbook has a lot of useful information;

http://www.jazzbooks.com/mm5/merchan...re_Code=JAJAZZ

[El Sordo]

Thank you for the link!
I will make sure I check it out!