How do I begin?

[Illfavor]

Howdy. I'm a classically trained college bassist, and I've been approached a number of times about doing jazz gigs, with no option but refusal because I have little or no experience with them. I was wondering what steps I needed to take to get into that scene. I've heard of Real Books and such, but I don't know what they are. Can anyone help?

[Marcus Johnson]

Probably by listening to as much jazz as possible. I've been playing jazz bass for 35 years, and I still listen and learn every day. If you can, go see some good jazz bassists in action. See if you can have a casual sitdown with a pianist who can help you start working your way through playing simple bass lines on jazz standards.

That would be your "absolute beginner" move, IMHO. If you can hear it, you can play it.

[Sippy]

marcus hit the nail right on the head, listen to as much jazz as possible, hear what the bassist is doing then sit down with other jazz musicians and work on your lines

[kherber]

The Real Book is one of the most popular "fake books," filled with standard songs. From what people say, the chord charts are not always 100% accurate.

Where do you stand as a player? Myself, I was formally trained on saxophone for years. I had good tone, technique, and could read music like a mofo. I always sat first chair. But I knew little about theory, and was not familiar with improvisational techniques. I could memorize anything, but had little idea why I was playing the notes I was playing.

Once out of school, I decided to play bass (1973) and began jamming with friends. Just simple rock and roll and blues, but it was a big adjustment for me. Aside from learning a new instrument, I had to reconceptualize music and how to be a part of it. It was a new world, and it took me time to adjust. Basic music theory was a real eye-opener.

But your situation may be different.

Doc

[DougD]

Originally Posted by Illfavor

Howdy. I'm a classically trained college bassist, and I've been approached a number of times about doing jazz gigs, with no option but refusal because I have little or no experience with them. I was wondering what steps I needed to take to get into that scene. I've heard of Real Books and such, but I don't know what they are. Can anyone help?

Next time take them up on the offer. Best way to get experience is to start playing live. You already know how to play...So go play.

[Uncletoad]

Jazz requires a different mindset. For me it is best played when not reading but actively listening and responding. There is no substitute for playing with others. I learn more on 1 gig than I do in months of practice. The more music you have heard the more you have to draw from. Very little is written in stone and just about everything is negotiable on the bandstand. The personalities of the players you work with are in Technicolor on the bandstand. Be confident and pliable. Respect and learn from your colleagues but don't take any sh-t either.

• Listen to Jazz Music all the time.
• Memorize your favorite Jazz tunes, Changes, Melody, Lyrics.
• Play them with other musicians in rehearsals and on gigs.
• Notice how they are played with what you memorized, see how they are different and remember.
• Ask questions of other Jazz players like why they play this or that vs. something else.
• Practice playing what you hear. Try to play the music that comes to your head. This is learning to communicate through the language of music.
• Play to jazz recordings
• See how the recordings are different than the charts and remember.
• The blues, rhythm changes, 2/5/1's 1/6/2/5's are buried deep in the language of Jazz. They should become part of your DNA so you don't think about them but rather speak through them.

There is a lot more than that but it's a life long study.

[musicman5string]

Even though you are educated in classical, I would get a good jazz teacher as well. It'll help tremendously, although certainly not absolutely necessary.

[keebler]

Everyone has good suggestions here, but no one mentioned any good bass players to listen to.

Walking bass lines (playing quarter-notes on all four beats) are where you want to start and for that you can't go wrong with Paul Chambers (solo albums and w/Miles Davis Quintet), Ron Carter (solo albums and w/Miles Davis Quintet), Charles Mingus (solo albums, live at Massey Hall) and Ray Brown (Oscar Peterson Trio).

There are many different approaches to bass soloing. The above mentioned bassists are all also excellent soloists. Also check out Scott LaFaro, Eddie Gomez, Gary Peacock, Dave Holland, and Christian McBride.

These are but just few of the excellent bassists you'll find if you do some looking. The Jamey Abersold "play-along" records are a good way to learn standards and work on soloing.

Keep your ears open, dig in, and have fun!!!

[Macher]

I think you got a lot of advice here

As far as books go, i would recommend Building Walking Bass Lines by Ed Friedland. It has a play along CD, some written lines, scales and theory.

good luck

[DougD]

Originally Posted by Alex Spradling

That can be dangerous, I watched one of the bassists from the BSO crash and burn on All The Things You Are.

Like everyone said, sit down with a good jazz bassist and get ready for the never ending journey.

Everyone makes mistakes and can have a bad night. I have crashed a few times, but I learned from those mistakes. A great bass player once said that mistakes are going to happen, how you recover from your mistakes is what’s most important. IMHO a person can study music forever, but if you really want to learn to play you have to step out at some point and do it. A live gig is often the greatest teacher. We as musicians are our own worst critics and most times we convince ourselves that we are not ready to play when we really are. Having a good teacher is great, learning all you can and being prepared is also great, but the experience from a live performance is priceless. Just because you may make a few blunders does not mean you shouldn’t get out there and play. So everybody…..go play

[JazzDude]

Originally Posted by Illfavor

Howdy. I'm a classically trained college bassist, and I've been approached a number of times about doing jazz gigs, with no option but refusal because I have little or no experience with them. I was wondering what steps I needed to take to get into that scene. I've heard of Real Books and such, but I don't know what they are. Can anyone help?

Someone already suggested lessons with a jazz bassist - that is the best way to go. You can look at your community college or talk to the bassists at a local jam session.

Also, check out aebersold.com for reading material and playalongs for beginners.

[JazzDude]

Originally Posted by DougD

Everyone makes mistakes and can have a bad night. I have crashed a few times, but I learned from those mistakes. A great bass player once said that mistakes are going to happen, how you recover from your mistakes is what’s most important. IMHO a person can study music forever, but if you really want to learn to play you have to step out at some point and do it. A live gig is often the greatest teacher. We as musicians are our own worst critics and most times we convince ourselves that we are not ready to play when we really are. Having a good teacher is great, learning all you can and being prepared is also great, but the experience from a live performance is priceless. Just because you may make a few blunders does not mean you shouldn’t get out there and play. So everybody…..go play

NO WAY!

If he's not familiar with the material or the style, hasn't worked on improvisation, and doesn't know how to read a lead sheet, how is it not an all-night train wreck?

[DougD]

Originally Posted by JazzDude

NO WAY!

If he's not familiar with the material or the style, hasn't worked on improvisation, and doesn't know how to read a lead sheet, how is it not an all-night train wreck?

It's would be up to him to learn as much as possible before hand. All I’m saying is that no mater how much you practice by yourself or with an instructor, you are going to have to get your feet wet by playing out (if you want to play). It would be great if we could all step out at the top of our game, get a great gig and never mess up. But that's not very realistic. I wouldn't be saying this if he was a complete newbie, but he is trained. A person can know the style/material and still have an all night train wreck. Heck, even the pros have the occasional train wreck, that doesn't mean they shouldn't be playing.

[Jazzdogg]

In addition to what others have already suggested, I recommend Ray Brown's Bass Method (ISBN#0-7935-9456-1).

After you've played through it awhile, stop and listen to recordings of Ray Brown accompanying jazz pianists like Oscar Peterson, which is good for the development of both the ears and the soul

IME, no amount of solo practice, method books, or playing along with CDs really prepared me for the job of listening to others while playing - especially on tunes I'd never played before When I was lucky enough to find an experienced jazz pianist who agreed to hire me as her bassist and take me to school back in the seventies, my playing improved markedly.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by Macher

I think you got a lot of advice here

As far as books go, i would recommend Building Walking Bass Lines by Ed Friedland. It has a play along CD, some written lines, scales and theory.

good luck

Ed also has a book called "Jazz Bass" which covers the basics of what you need to know to play Jazz as a bassist - there are lot of little things that Jazz players will assume you know - like trading 8s/4s choruses etc.

Many times I've had people ask what's going on there - who have come from another tradition like classical and are lost !

[fingers]

Illfavor -

The most important thing about playing Real Book jazz is a certain kind of mindset. It is thinking about the tune in small pieces and as the whole. It is knowing the melody and how it relates to the chords. It takes a firm understanding of theory. You need to be able to look at a chord symbol and decide not only what to play but how to play a line that gets you to the next chord. You have to decide which notes you want to use on the fly to most effectively do this.

You have the tools. I think that no amount of book study will get you in the right mindset though. Get a teacher. You will have your mind blown every week. At your stage you need to study with a guy that will teach you the philosophy of playing jazz as the mechanics of building a bass line. You've got the chops. Now you just need to know how to use them.

Good luck and have fun.

[musicman5string]

You can't just go out there and "do it". Jazz is a serious art form and (on big soapbox now....) one cannot perform the responsibilities of a jazz bassist without any prior training in JAZZ. Sure, you don't need a teacher.....IF you're sitting around all day transcribing solos, basslines, melodies, changes, listening and absorbing all the required sides, etc.
The original poster didn't seem to be doing that, so therefore the suggestions for a jazz teacher, etc. are good ones.

I'd love to see someone who knows a bit about the bass without knowing sh!t about jazz go out and do a jazz gig; first of all, you'll be asked to sit down after the third tune, secondly, you might just get your ass kicked in the parking lot by the other musicians.

Good luck with that.

[Bruce Lindfield]

I've been to Jazz workshops many times, with players who have come over from the classical side and you can just see them looking in panic, completely lost!!

Usually it's pianists - who think they know a bit about music and can play - but then have no idea about what they're supposed to be doing, when a tune is counted off!!

Where are we!!!???

[drurb]

I'd like to add to the "get a teacher" chorus. I was also classically trained. When, later in life, I wanted to switch to jazz, about the best I could do was read written lines and then invent some simple and boring ones on my own. IMHO, unless you are enormously gifted, trying to learn jazz from books and CDs is almost futile. There are so many good books and it's difficult to know on what to focus.

So, I started taking lessons with a world-class jazz bassist in a nearby town. That changed everything. Not only did he (and does he) take me through practical examples of building lines and solos, but he dramatically altered my pizzicato technique.

I don't think I need to convince the regulars here about the enormous benefits of having a teacher. I'll make a final stronger statement. If you want to get somewhere, forget the using the books on your own. GET A TEACHER and have him/her guide you through the use of his/her favorite books and materials.

[DougD]

Originally Posted by musicman5string

You can't just go out there and "do it". Jazz is a serious art form and (on big soapbox now....) one cannot perform the responsibilities of a jazz bassist without any prior training in JAZZ. Sure, you don't need a teacher.....IF you're sitting around all day transcribing solos, basslines, melodies, changes, listening and absorbing all the required sides, etc.
The original poster didn't seem to be doing that, so therefore the suggestions for a jazz teacher, etc. are good ones.

I'd love to see someone who knows a bit about the bass without knowing sh!t about jazz go out and do a jazz gig; first of all, you'll be asked to sit down after the third tune, secondly, you might just get your ass kicked in the parking lot by the other musicians.

Good luck with that.

That's all great advice. But maybe you guys are missing what I’m trying to say. So let me clarify. I was under the impression that these were people he knows asking him to do this. Not total strangers. They probably won't let him just jump on stage and have a train wreck (hopefully) because if they know this guy, they probably know what his limitations are. He can learn from them and use that knowledge to step into the jazz world. They will probably start him off slow . Besides, are we talking about a theater full of music snobs for his first gig? Or is it more likely to be a coffee house gig? Either way he will prepare himself as much as possible and his new friends (the jazz musicians) should help him do that. Preparation is the key. Doesn't mater what kind of music you are playing. There are lots of good jazz cats that were not formally trained in jazz when they started playing jazz. Yes, he should learn all he can before jumping into the world of jazz, but that applies to any musical situation.