How do you say "That's really hard to play" in French? Ask Jeff Berlin.

[Intenzity]

Because on his latest record he recorded a peice by Maurice Ravel, from a waltz suite written around 1910 called "Valses nobles et sentimentales" which loosely translated apparently means "Really Really Hard to Play on the Electric Bass".

But, hey its Jeff Berlin, right?

So he went and played it, and now you can to if you want.

Put on your favorite beret, pour some merlot and slice off a chunk of your favorite fromage and then go stare at the bass part that he played on "Valses nobles et sentimentales, No. IV" on his last record, "Higher Standards" with Richard Drexler on piano and say "yea. right.".

Yes, it is nuts. But it is really pretty too. It will be the most crazy 2 minutes of music your fingers see all year.

Bon Voyage!

Basso Ridiculoso: Daily Licking 036: Jeff Berlin's Part on Valse Nobles et Sentimentales

[PJSShearer]

MERDE!!! - that's French for "Oh Dear!!".

Well, if you watch a 1950's French Film Noir called "Bob le Flambeur" (Bob the Gambler) that's what the english subtitles said it was :-).

[Billy K]

NOT.......but I like your humor .

[Jazzdogg]

He's an undeniably good player, but every time I've listened to him for more than a few minutes I got a headache; probably has something to do with his tone.

[The Growler]

Great! Thanks for the link

[Skitch it!]

Intervallically there are some really awkward pedal tones there, I can hear what he means about the fingerings, some v.awkward intervals to reach, thanks for the link.

[Intenzity]

I just added a bass-only version that you can hear (via bopland) at a sane, non-Jeff-Berlin tempo of about 60 bpm.

Also added is an isolation of what can be referred to as the "Triplet Catastrophe" starting at measure 7. Well, thats what I call it. As I curse it and quietly sob.

That part is also at 60 bpm so one can get it worked up.

Basso Ridiculoso: More of Jeff Berlin's Valse Nobles