Jazz Bowing Techniques for the Improvising Bassist

chop_1992 · #1 06-20-2009, 04:55 AM

Just a note to let everyone know that the new edition of Jazz Bowing Techniques for the Improvising Bassist is available now from Jamey Aebersold.

I know a lot of players have a copy of one of the first three editions, and I have heard from many bassists around the world who have voiced their complaints, kudos, wishes and given me their suggestions about how to make the book better. I've tried to incorporate a lot of the suggestions into the new edition.

The main change in the new edition of Jazz Bowing Techniques for the Improvising Bassist is the addition of extensive bow markings in the transcribed solos, and the inclusion of a play-along CD, with me demonstrating some of the exercises, tunes and improvised solos.

If playing arco jazz on the bass interests you, please check out the new edition of the book. If you happen to be attending the Aebersold Workshop in the coming two weeks, you can see Lynn Seaton and I give our jazz bowing workshop. We usually finish our session with a little bit of bow fencing, with Chris Fitzgerald as the referee.

If you have any questions or comments about the new edition, or about jazz bowing in general, feel free to post here or send me a PM.

Thanks!

Shoehorn · #2 06-21-2009, 04:38 PM

Sounds awesome John! My teacher at college up here in Vancouver, BC highly recommended this book to me so I'm glad to hear there's a new and improved version.

He admitted the other day he's on a secret quest to get all of his students to play arco solo's on their gigs!

chop_1992 · #3 06-21-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoehorn

He admitted the other day he's on a secret quest to get all of his students to play arco solo's on their gigs!

Thanks. Your teacher and I are on the same quest!

hdiddy · #4 10-25-2009, 11:25 PM

Just giving a shout out to John. I started playing through a little bit of the bowing work. Wow. This is the real deal! Simandl step aside and make some room, will ya?

Marcus Johnson · #5 10-25-2009, 11:29 PM

I love this book (original edition). One of the best on the shelf.

I'll spring for the new one.

chop_1992 · #6 10-26-2009, 04:42 AM

Thanks for the nice words . . . I wrote Jazz Bowing Techniques for the Improvising Bassist back in 1990 when I was compiling all of the material that I had been working on to help myself learn jazz bowing. I have to say that the new edition, which just came out this year, is much better than the original. The original edition has its charm—I wrote it using an Atari 1040 computer with 1 meg of ram,constantly having to switch font disks and program disks. The original layout looks like a stalker did it using a ransom-note font. The information there is still valid, though.

The new edition has a lot more bow markings and clearer instruction in the solos and exercises, plus the play-along CD, plus more age-appropriate photos of me and my bow arm . . . and the layout, text and notation is much cleaner.

Okay—let's all go bow a blues solo . . .

Les Fret · #7 10-26-2009, 08:49 AM

Great!!

I have 'only' practised classical bowing so far but I think I will order a copy.
What do you think is the main thing/attention point going from classical to jazz bowing?

Is it only available through Aebersold?

chop_1992 · #8 10-26-2009, 09:11 AM

The main differences would be in articulation and phrasing, and of course the jazz vocabulary/choice of notes. A lot of unusual bow patterns come up when you are improvising, but you can prepare yourself for these moments by practicing the patterns that lend themselves to "swinging." These patterns and movements are somewhat different than what you would use in classical music.

I think the book is available from dealers other than Aebersold, but you might check and make sure that it is the book with CD. The older version has no CD, but some dealers still might be selling that book. Aebersold is still probably the cheapest place to purchase.

Les Fret · #9 10-27-2009, 10:53 AM

Thanks for tip John.

And thanks for providing us such a great book!

Les Fret · #10 11-11-2009, 05:04 AM

Hi John,

I got your book. Very great book! I really like it.

I have one question about the bowing strokes for the rhythms on page 20 and 21: Did you intend these to be with alternating bowing strokes (so just up and down regardless which rhythm) or with down strokes on each quarter note (according to the rhythm)? So in the case of the first rhythm on page 20 (one eighth and two sixteenth), the bowing will be down-down-up.

I know of course you can practise both but how did you intend these?

chop_1992 · #11 11-11-2009, 06:44 AM

Hi Les,

Without looking at the book (I almost have it memorized, but not quite!), I would say: Practice all of the bowings in the section of rhythmic exercises first starting down-up, and then practice all of them starting up-down, even if that feels very awkward. My intent was to practice all kinds of rhythms and phrases starting both ways, because when we improvise, we never can predict where our ear will take us. We need to be prepared, through practice, to start any phrase either with a down-bow or with an up-bow.

When I improvise 8th-notes with the bow, I sometimes end up "turned around" with the downbows and upbows. That does not really bother me, because I can play lines starting either way.

Les Fret · #12 11-11-2009, 07:07 AM

What I mean is the repeating rhythms (with combinations of fast eight and sixteenth notes).
They can be played with alternating bowing or with a specific bowing pattern for each rhythm (like in the Zimmerman book). In the last case the bowing pattern is also repeating itself.

Of course it is good to practise both varieties and also add a third and fourth variety where you start with an upbow. But a was wandering how you would play it in general (even though I know there is no 'general' case).

chop_1992 · #13 11-11-2009, 08:02 AM

I would play the exercises on pages 20 & 21 with an alternating bow stroke, but depending on the string crossing, I might use a different pattern. All of those exercises are intended to force you to cross strings, but not necessarily with a particular bow direction. You should just use the pattern or system that sounds the best and most accurate.

Les Fret · #14 11-11-2009, 02:02 PM

thanks,

great playing on the cd BTW!

It a very nice to practise jazz bowing along with my usual classical bowing practise.

LM Bass · #15 11-11-2009, 02:11 PM

I've had the original since 1990! I'm going to revisit this, and will very likely order the new version soon. I look forward to hearing the examples as well. (Might I be the teacher Shoehorn mentioned. . .?)
Laurence

Ed Fuqua · #16 11-11-2009, 02:25 PM

Two big thumbs up JG!

MR PC · #17 11-11-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chop_1992

My intent was to practice all kinds of rhythms and phrases starting both ways, because when we improvise, we never can predict where our ear will take us. We need to be prepared, through practice, to start any phrase either with a down-bow or with an up-bow.

Very wise words and excellent advice that also apply to many areas of musicmaking! JG, you are the man.

chop_1992 · #18 11-11-2009, 11:54 PM

Thanks for the nice words!

pcreelbass · #19 11-12-2009, 04:06 PM

I got a copy and I'm enjoying it so far. It looks like it's going to be a big help. Nice systematic and practical approach. Highly recommended.

damonsmith · #20 11-13-2009, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chop_1992

Just a note to let everyone know that the new edition of Jazz Bowing Techniques for the Improvising Bassist is available now from Jamey Aebersold.

I know a lot of players have a copy of one of the first three editions, and I have heard from many bassists around the world who have voiced their complaints, kudos, wishes and given me their suggestions about how to make the book better. I've tried to incorporate a lot of the suggestions into the new edition.

The main change in the new edition of Jazz Bowing Techniques for the Improvising Bassist is the addition of extensive bow markings in the transcribed solos, and the inclusion of a play-along CD, with me demonstrating some of the exercises, tunes and improvised solos.

If playing arco jazz on the bass interests you, please check out the new edition of the book. If you happen to be attending the Aebersold Workshop in the coming two weeks, you can see Lynn Seaton and I give our jazz bowing workshop. We usually finish our session with a little bit of bow fencing, with Chris Fitzgerald as the referee.

If you have any questions or comments about the new edition, or about jazz bowing in general, feel free to post here or send me a PM.

Thanks!

Fantastic! I am going to get a copy right away. I have said before the original was huge help early on. Great book by a great player!
John, have you listened much to John Lindberg? He plays some amazing swing lines with the bow.