Next time, I'll be careful what I ask for (lesson-related)

Ron Plichta · #1 05-07-2008, 07:55 AM

I found my current bass instructor (whom I affectionately call Mistress Brittany) about two years ago. I had just bought my double bass and wanted to learn how to play it along improving my electric bass skills. Well everything started well, but lately, I've gotten far more than I bargained for.

We worked on the double bass and my sight-reading skills and then she got me working on the electric again. All of a sudden, she had me delving into chording, slapping, false harmonics, tapping, you name it. And EVERY week, she has several DVDs for me to look at in my spare time (like I have any). It's a bit to keep up some weeks.

Well last night, I showed up ready to review last week's lesson when she said, "You've never played latin jazz, have you?"

Me: "Huh?"

M.B. "It might come in handy for a future gig."

Me: "Okaaaaayyyyyyyy".

So we spent the first 15 minutes working out the rhythms with a pair of klaves (sp?). So I managed to work my rhythmically-challenged tail through that exercise and then she pulled out some sight-reading exercises. Again, it was "interesting" getting the timing down. So now I have all of that to memorize before next week.

This is going to be Soooo much fun.............

jakusx · #2 05-07-2008, 08:03 AM

Sounds fun to me

rappa29 · #3 05-07-2008, 08:19 AM

I studied Afro Cuban music (aka Latin Jazz) on piano when I was in school. It is really fun! Definitely rhythmically challenging, especially on piano! I won't offend the genre by saying I can play it proficiently, but I can fake a montuno enough for the average listener to recognize that it's Afro Cubanish.

Haven't tried to revisit it on bass, but imagine it's a blast just from listening to recordings and seeing bands play it live!!

Have fun!

BTW - Not only will it be helpful for future gigs, but it will help you lock down your internal rhythm BIG TIME!!

Deacon_Blues · #4 05-07-2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakusx

Sounds fun to me

+1

Latin is fun to play, and it is good for your timing.

Ron Plichta · #5 05-07-2008, 08:30 AM

Anything that can improve my timing is a good thing.

rappa29 · #6 05-07-2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Plichta

Anything that can improve my timing is a good thing.

Amen bro! When I started learning it, my piano teacher started the same way as your Bass teacher. He gave me a set of Claves and we played along to CD's for about 15-20 minutes.

Thanks for posting this thread! Now I'm inspired to get back to it on piano and learning it on bass!!!

Honk'n_down-low · #7 05-07-2008, 08:44 AM

I thought you were going to say she was Hot looking and started to seduce you and provide some advanced lessons

Ron Plichta · #8 05-07-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honk'n_down-low

I thought you were going to say she was Hot looking and started to seduce you and provide some advanced lessons

I don't my wife would be too thrilled about that. I'd probably be sleeping with the fishes if that happened.