Daily Routine

pickerpete · #1 07-09-2009, 05:00 AM

I'm looking for some wisdom on establishing a basic 30 minute practice routine to develop walking skills. I've been playing for 20+ years everthing from bluegrass to classical and worked my way through Simandl. Until recently I've never played jazz and I love it. I've fallen in with a good group of players and want to really develop my walking skills in particular.

Since I'm a working stiff, 30 minutes a day would be my Monday through Friday routine. Weekend paractice can go a couple of hours or so. What say?

Paul Warburton · #2 07-09-2009, 08:37 AM

Dis....

http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Bassic.../dp/1883217504

An dis.....
Take a walk with Ray Brown, Leroy Vinnegar and some 1955-60's Red Mitchell.

txstatebass · #3 07-09-2009, 09:05 AM

And play with rekkids.

wineaux · #4 07-09-2009, 09:33 AM

Pete,

+1 on Paul's recommendation.

I know you've been playing a long time, but a one-off lesson or a couple of lessons with an experienced walker could be a big help, too. That might seem silly at your level of experience, but I would note that the author of the book (an active participant here) is a veteran player who STILL has a teacher. I think he sets a worthy example.

Good luck!

aceshigh · #5 07-09-2009, 02:54 PM

I never read Eq Fuqua's book but I did read all 5 arcticles called "Walk With Me", by Mauro Battisti. There are 5 parts in a PDF format available for free dowloading, here at this very same website. Here's the link:

Walk With Me [Part 1], by Mauro Battisti

This article is a 30,000ft overview of walking bass, it won't make you into a "Ray Brown Junior" but is definitely a step in the right direction.

Get your favourite jazz CD and transcribe what the bassist is playing. Once you learned the line you've transcribed by heart, analyse it, see if you understand what is happening and then transcribe it into a really weird key like Ab or Db. You will immediately find out what you need to practise next.

An exercise I've learned from a Rufus Reid DVD: Choose a tune you like, get a blank sheet and write down a bass line for it without having any instrument at hand. Just write the chords on top and construct a bass line, connecting the chords in a way you think will sound good. After you're done with the ENTIRE tune, play what you wrote on your bass. Some things will sound good, and some things won't. Fix what you did not like and play again until you're happy and begin again with another tune. This way you will learn what works and what doesn't.

pickerpete · #6 07-11-2009, 07:09 PM

Thanks folks. Great suggestions. Picked up the phone and called a teacher with a great reputaion. Was able to open the first of the Marion Batissti articles but couldn't see the other four. Any ideas?

jallenbass · #7 07-12-2009, 02:35 AM

They're all here.

pickerpete · #8 07-12-2009, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jallenbass

They're all here.

Thanks John. And by the look of it, more great stuff as well!