Critique our playing!

Beast · #1 08-01-2009, 04:59 PM

So, after being reccomended to each other by our teachers, another kid and I decided that we'd jam today for a little. We came in, sight read this piece, and this is what came out of two 16 year olds on a Saturday afternoon!

We'd love to hear all the great suggestions you guys could provide us on our playing, and look forward to them.
Video!

cnltb · #2 08-01-2009, 05:09 PM

you're not reading mfv, are you??

Beast · #3 08-01-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

you're not reading mfv, are you??

Yes, we are.

JtheJazzMan · #4 08-01-2009, 05:35 PM

I can only really see the right hand.....but it sounds like you need to use more arm weight rather than finger strength to pluck the note. Thats how youll get a nice fat warm tone, which is nice on ballads. Notice how your forearm is quite stationary.

Maybe the camera mic is giving a false idea of the sound, but it sounds like you also need to use a larger contact patch on your finger to help with that warm tone.

cnltb · #5 08-01-2009, 05:38 PM

... I was just wondering as it is a piece which is part of standard repertoire and usually just played rather than read(in my experience anyways). But you obviously gotta learn it first tho which may well be where you are at at the moment in regards to this piece, hence the reading (?).
I think you may want to record yourselves again when you really know the tune and can benefit from the freedom that this will afford you and your performances.
Apart from that... what JtheJazzMan said

Beast · #6 08-01-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

I can only really see the right hand.....but it sounds like you need to use more arm weight rather than finger strength to pluck the note. Thats how youll get a nice fat warm tone, which is nice on ballads. Notice how your forearm is quite stationary.

Maybe the camera mic is giving a false idea of the sound, but it sounds like you also need to use a larger contact patch on your finger to help with that warm tone.

Perfect! Thanks so much, that's exactly the kind of feedback I need.

And as to the reading/not reading thing, are you saying that it felt a bit restrained, as well?

chicagodoubler · #7 08-02-2009, 12:34 AM

Learn the tune by ear off the classic recording from the album of the same name by Miles. Jazz is MUCH more than just the melody and the right harmony. There is an unspoken common practice of referring musically to the albums which make up our vocabulary. The quicker you can get your face out of the real book, the better, too.

Good intonation and decent feel but spend some time finding the sweet spot on your bass for the R.H. Ron recommends putting a piece of velcro there so you always go right to that spot. For most basses this will be near the end of the board. Avoid moving out of that spot unless you mean to. With the bow we call this point of contact. VERY important for integrity of sound.

Also, look for more shape and variety. Work with dynamics and note density, always looking to compliment the pianist's solo. Y'all basically play one dynamic and feel through the whole piece with few exceptions. Try taking a chorus to bossa, or building up to walking, etc...

Can you play the melody by ear? Can you outline all the chords up to the extensions? Can you play the harmony on a chordal instrument?

Also, try to have a musical dialogue when trading solo roles- i.e., try to play his last idea back at him or relate to it. It helps the listener, and conversationally, it's only good manners to stay on topic.

There's so much more but these are the things I work on with my kids all the time. Good start, keep it up!

Beast · #8 08-02-2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicagodoubler

Learn the tune by ear off the classic recording from the album of the same name by Miles. Jazz is MUCH more than just the melody and the right harmony. There is an unspoken common practice of referring musically to the albums which make up our vocabulary. The quicker you can get your face out of the real book, the better, too.

Good intonation and decent feel but spend some time finding the sweet spot on your bass for the R.H. Ron recommends putting a piece of velcro there so you always go right to that spot. For most basses this will be near the end of the board. Avoid moving out of that spot unless you mean to. With the bow we call this point of contact. VERY important for integrity of sound.

Also, look for more shape and variety. Work with dynamics and note density, always looking to compliment the pianist's solo. Y'all basically play one dynamic and feel through the whole piece with few exceptions. Try taking a chorus to bossa, or building up to walking, etc...

Can you play the melody by ear? Can you outline all the chords up to the extensions? Can you play the harmony on a chordal instrument?

Also, try to have a musical dialogue when trading solo roles- i.e., try to play his last idea back at him or relate to it. It helps the listener, and conversationally, it's only good manners to stay on topic.

There's so much more but these are the things I work on with my kids all the time. Good start, keep it up!

Perfect! I'll be sure to search for some advice on how to learn changes by ear, and we'll really learn the tune like you all advised.

Also, next time I put up a video, hopefully I'll be closer to that R.H. sweet spot you guys are talking about, and the forearm/wrist problem will be solved.

Shaping up the song, not staying the same free flowing ballad throughout the whole tune, got it.

Towards the soloing thing, I was slightly thinking about that when I started the tune, so it must have drifted away from my mind. Thanks for bringing that to attention!

Thanks again everybody!

If you see anything else, keep it coming.

tomshepp · #9 08-02-2009, 10:44 AM

Keep up the good work! Keep doin' what you're doin'.

Kimpini · #10 08-03-2009, 06:44 PM

I hope I can be that good in a year

Beast · #11 08-03-2009, 06:53 PM

Thanks so much for the compliments guys, but keep the suggestions coming! We only get better through criticism.

bass_snake · #12 08-03-2009, 07:05 PM

Not bad. I like it. What kinda of bass is that?

Did you use a pick up?

Fred

Beast · #13 08-03-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass_snake

Not bad. I like it. What kinda of bass is that?

Did you use a pick up?

Fred

Thanks!.It's a Shen plywood, I absolutely love it. I really don't think the Macbook mic does justice to it's tone. Growly glory is what my teacher describes it as.

No pick up for me! Can't say I have the money for that yet. Looks like I'll just have to rely on my forearm, like an earlier poster said.

bass_snake · #14 08-04-2009, 08:36 AM

It' s a great sounding bass. I like the tone. It' s just maybe the piano took over the sound of the bass during the recording.

Keep it up!