Jaquo III-X's Essence of the Groove

[Pacman]

Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he can feed himself for a lifetime. Similarly, teach a bass player to groove, and he can feed himself (or at least gig) for a lifetime. But how can you teach someone to groove when it's so difficult to even define?


I recently stumbled on Jauqo III-X's “Essence of the Groove” instructional package on his website (http://jauqoiii-x.com/JK_pages/JK_instructional.html), and was admittedly curious. “Developing stamina and continuity on the bass” was the claim. There are 3 tracks for free download, including audio, standard notation and TAB. I actually emailed Jauqo, and asked what was missing. Was there text to go along with this, what is the “greater whole” that he's teaching from. Jauqo emailed me back and asked me to call him. He's a great guy, very personable, and after talking to him for a while, I see that he's thought about this for a long time.


Rather than just give you 70 “licks” and send you off into the night, Jaquo has put together 70 examples of basslines, and given you an assignment. Listen to all 70 tracks and find the one that “speaks” to you. This is the first step of deepening your groove. To really groove, you've got to feel it. There's no sense starting off with something that you just don't dig.... Now, start the metronome or drum machine, and start playing. But here's the thing. Play....really play....like 20 minutes. Those of us who've been out there, holding down the bottom for chorus after chorus of guitar solo know that this is totally possible. As a fan of the electric Miles period, I was often struck by how disciplined his band was, sticking to one thing – over and over and over...This is where Jaquo's experience as a musician and a teacher benefit you. As you play, and listen, you'll start to find the groove actually comes to you. It may not happen at first, but this is where the groove is found. It comes from within, and you can't get it out without 'tilling the soil'.


So I tried it. Cued up a track that I liked, read it off the accompanying sheet, and kicked off my drum machine. Oh, there's another lesson that this package will teach you – just exactly how LONG 5 minutes can be! Let me tell you, it's longer than you think. And after 5 minutes, I could see where the “stamina and continuity” part comes in. This is a great way to build endurance and strength.


The tracks are arranged in acending tempos, for the most part, with good variety of content. Not just the same lick up a 4th, as I've seen in other books. There are some licks here and there that are similar, but for the most part I'd say that a lot of work has gone into choosing the material.


Jaquo is still trying to work the kinks out of the delivery system – it will be a download-only type of deal for now, but I recommend it. Especially for those of you hear who post “I've got chops, but I just don't got groove” or “I'm terminally vanilla” type threads. Put away the Wooten stuff, and play this stuff. Over and over and over. You may find your phone ringing more often...

[MikeBass]

Gotta check this out.
And see the tag line under my avatar.
You don't have to know the song, but at least understand the meaning. Sounds like Jaquo is puting into lessons what I've been saying.

[markjazzbassist]

this sounds great man, is it on his website? how much does it cost?

[Pacman]

A few more words. Each track has Jauqo and a drummer playing it. He told me that you could loop each track to play along with it (which I suppose would be a great way to really nail his take on the example). I didn't loop, choosing rather to just play with the drum machine. I did find myself experimenting with each note in the groove to see how I could change the flavor of each groove.

I think I'd recommend looping to younger players, those really searching for some groove help. As an experience player, I found myself looking deeper into ways to "tune-up" my groove as I played along.

Neat concept, and I hope it works for folks.

[JAUQO III-X]

Thanks Jon,I was trying to make an instructional product that was simple but powerful and crucial at assisting the player onto the path of becoming a better Groover(if I'm able to do so)at the same time.

Here's a link to exercise # 42 without audio(that can be heard on my site)have fun.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...xercise_42.jpg

[ras1983]

The fact that the exercises go for so long is VERY important, and its good to hear that Jaquo has realised this. this is something my teacher keeps emphasising with me, that stamina will only come from extended exercises. its not good enough to do an exercise for 30 seconds because the average song goes for about 3 minutes.

the whole point of doing exercises for this long is to build the stamina to a point where its GREATER than what is required.

+1 Jaquo.

[JimK]

I checked out a few of the examples last night & this morning on the ride into work.

Very, very happening grooves...most seem to be a 1-bar figure so those of you with a short attention span(like me) will love it!

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by ras1983

The fact that the exercises go for so long is VERY important, and its good to hear that Jaquo has realised this. this is something my teacher keeps emphasising with me, that stamina will only come from extended exercises. its not good enough to do an exercise for 30 seconds because the average song goes for about 3 minutes.

the whole point of doing exercises for this long is to build the stamina to a point where its GREATER than what is required.

+1 Jaquo.

exactly.

I also used a 5 string fretless to touch on the emphasis of individuality within the context of our playing embellishments.One of the aspects of this instructional method was to possibly assist the student in realizing and understanding that being your self can be very beneficial not just for you but who hires you as well.

[Pacman]

Interesting point, about the individuality aspect. I played several of these examples as fingerstyle, and then did them again using thumb technique. I love the Miller sound, and it was fun finding a way to may the examples happen that way, too. Lots of options here...

[thewanderer24]

question... i couldn't help but look at the tab since it was under the notation. My first inclination for the 2nd and 3rd free example is to play those down in 3rd and 2nd position respectively. Is the tab really how you are playing these AND recommend them to be played or is it just meant as a rough guide for someone not used to standard notation? The reason I ask, is because for the third example the tab calls for a very unnecessary repetitive shift, IMO.

Also, is it possible (call me crazy) if I buy this, to get it with the notation without the tab underneath, so I am not tempted to even look at the tabs?

In general, cool concept that I will probably be buying soon as a good warmup tool if nothing else.

[JAUQO III-X]

The repetitive shift that you speak of is simply part of the many aspects of this learning tool in assisting you in grasping the overall concept of the exercises offered in the book and listening and possibly playing the Bass lines that are provided.That same repetitive shift is part of playing a groove with continuity and stamina if the job calls for it.


A repetitive shift can be part a Bass line played over and over in the context of a live playing situation.


sorry but the instructional tool is only offered with both notation and tab.

[thewanderer24]

Just a thought on the without-tab part. Not important. I am just trying to condition myself to reaching for notation first.

my only issue with the shift there, is that I find that groove much more comfortable and easier to play clean, punchy, and tight if I just stay in second position and use three strings instead of two. I'm not saying it's wrong -- just saying I'd play it with a different hand position if I knew I was gonna be there a while.

To say it differently...
Is there a reason, if you were talking to one of your students about this as a lesson, that you would prefer to play it shifting back and forth there? or is how it's played irrelevent to you if the feel and groove is there?

I really am not trying to be a smartass, so I apologize if it comes across that way. I actually plan on buying this. I think it's a great thing you've put out there. I'm asking this seriously as someone who has totally reevaluated and reworked my technique recently, trying to gain economy of motion for the sake of accuracy, endurance, and speed.

thanks

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by thewanderer24

my only issue with the shift there, is that I find that groove much more comfortable and easier to play clean, punchy, and tight if I just stay in second position and use three strings instead of two. I'm not saying it's wrong -- just saying I'd play it with a different hand position if I knew I was gonna be there a while.




To say it differently...
Is there a reason, if you were talking to one of your students about this as a lesson, that you would prefer to play it shifting back and forth there? or is how it's played irrelevent to you if the feel and groove is there?

I really am not trying to be a smartass, so I apologize if it comes across that way. I actually plan on buying this. I think it's a great thing you've put out there. I'm asking this seriously as someone who has totally reevaluated and reworked my technique recently, trying to gain economy of motion for the sake of accuracy, endurance, and speed.

thanks

why don't you play the exercise(s)as written(in notation)first to get a better understanding of how the groove moves.and if you don't get it the first few times you try it,remember there's 69 more grooves to choose from.you really would be benefiting from this instructional tool if you at least spend some time playing the Bass line(s)on the tracks.





again I would ask the student to focus on the repetitive shift to get familiar with what would be a small aspect of their stamina development.





You don't come off like a smart ass but I have to say that it does sound like you want to change things that you may not be familiar or comfortable with way before you've even spent some quality time getting fully familiar with it.Do not attempt to change the program when you don't know or haven't learned the program yet.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

sorry but the instructional tool is only offered with both notation and tab.

There's TAB? Haven't even noticed.

[teedub]

Bought it and can't wait to get started! Thanks for the guidance Jon, and thanks for the lessons Jauqo III-X!

[teedub]

I don't have problems with the groove, per se, but I think that Jauqo's curriculum will help out ANY level of player (see above for what the mighty Jon Packard has to say). I really would like to increase my stamina and accuracy, and this seems to be a great tool for that as well. I've found that the most challenging grooves to play consistently are the slow, reggae-dub styles, and those are the first ones on his list! There's no room for error with those.
I know I'm going to be up late with these, I'll post more thoughts in the morning.

[JAUQO III-X]

Thanks Smash.

[teedub]

Thank you Jauqo! This is a wonderful tool for doing exactly what it advertises! Building a solid foundation of stamina, accuracy and feel, to just slide right into that pocket. I played one of those figures for 20 minutes straight last night! No fancy fills, just solid groove, 20 minutes. It felt awesome. Cued up a drum loop and had at it. Then tried another. (Wow, I love those slow grooves, you have to be so precise.) Everyone should at least try the samples, but this is for real. Jon hit everthing right on the head in his initial post, so I won't repeat, but just know that this is a great tool for any level of player.

[mike sancho]

Just finished spending a fair amount of time going through Jauqo's Essence Of Groove and I will say that I would recommend this book to any and all players. The way the program is set up is, I think, very user friendly to any level player. I also get the feeling that if one spends a good amount of time with this your ear is going benefit along with increased stamina and a much better command of groove playing. There's not alot of text that in some books is difficult to grasp. It's just right to the point, Spend the time, earn the groove. Many thanks to Jauqo for sharing his gift.

[Lorenzini]

I'm going to get this. After listening to Jauco's grooves on his newest Low End Theory CD, I want to see what I can get out of this instructional tool.

Thanks J!