Playing with Soul/Jazz Piano

kai_ski · #1 07-12-2010, 07:40 PM

I'm not sure if I've ever posted in the Instruction forum before, so here it goes...

I primarily play, blues, indie/rock, pop, folk, and country, but I have this pop/soul artist who also plays keys that wants me to play with the band he's putting together. I was recommended to him by one of the engineers I have worked with in the past, and I really dig his pop tunes. The problem is I really have no experience writing parts for these piano-heavy tunes. You can listen to "Next To You" and his rendition of "Georgia on My Mind" here: www.ryaninnes.com.

I haven't seen any charts for either song yet, he said he'd look for some. But it would probably be good for me to listen to some other bassists (electric or double bass) playing with a pianist/vocalist of this style. Can anyone make any recommendations? Post links to Youtube videos, or other online sources if possible.

Billnc · #2 07-12-2010, 09:00 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DY7l5Uujgc
Carol Kaye

MalcolmAmos · #3 07-13-2010, 05:07 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g35zS1tVO3o

**Freddels** · #4 07-13-2010, 05:38 PM

He's going to have to adjust more than you. He's used to playing solo piano and filling all the space. He's going to have to learn to leave space for you.

On the first tune, I'd try to learn the bass line that he's playing with his left hand (or something similar).

I used to play with a piano player like that and every so often he'd forget and start playing walking bass with his left hand and stepping all over me. One night I just put my bass down and started packing up. He was startled and asked where I was going and I told him that he obviously didn't need me. I don't think he even realized he was doing it sometimes b/c he was in his own little world.

Chris K · #5 07-14-2010, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddels

He's going to have to adjust more than you. He's used to playing solo piano and filling all the space. He's going to have to learn to leave space for you.

On the first tune, I'd try to learn the bass line that he's playing with his left hand (or something similar).

I used to play with a piano player like that and every so often he'd forget and start playing walking bass with his left hand and stepping all over me. One night I just put my bass down and started packing up. He was startled and asked where I was going and I told him that he obviously didn't need me. I don't think he even realized he was doing it sometimes b/c he was in his own little world.

Besides guitards we also know pianerds.

But don't blame them. We bass players get into bands ASAP. They don't. They are brought up playing solo. So it's a major culture shock for them to start playing in a band.

One option is to double fixed bass patterns. Works OK for many blues and rock stuff.

If that's too tame for you, a piano player wtih no band experience could start to play with his/her right hand only, just to learn to rely on bass (and drums) for the basic groove.

The piano playing a different bass line across yours is not the only problem. The underlying problem is that the piano player will also try to dictate the groove and make you 'play along', instead of getting into some kinbd of collective flow.

kai_ski · #6 07-14-2010, 01:15 AM

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I'm not yet sure, exactly what he has in mind for these tunes in a full band setting. I've only sat down with him on Piano, and have been playing along with the recording. I've been following his underlying bass line a bit, but trying to accentuate the roots and mellow out all those passing notes.

I'll give you an update after I play with the full band -- probably sometime over the weekend.