Most difficult Jaco-solos/lines to play

Jazzomaniac · #1 10-25-2010, 02:45 PM

Here's a question for the most technically advanced bassists here on talkbass:

What solo/bass-line by Jaco do you consider the most challenging to play accurately in terms of technical skill required?

bucephylus · #2 10-25-2010, 02:57 PM

Well, Havona will probably get the most votes. It is certainly carefully crafted.

But, I would say they all are. Reason is that past all the notes, you really have to cop his feel to get everything right. That turns out to be a pretty tall order. Evidence I would cite are the REALLY great performances on Word of Mouth Revisited, wherein a number of the world's really top bass players take on Jaco's material. Granted, they are all still showing their own stuff, but the thing that bleeds through to me is how truly unique was Jaco's voice on the instrument. To me, none of those guys totally got it, even though there are some incredible performances. In fact, with time, I am liking Marcus' thing, which was upfront his own deal, but shows the influences rather than copping the actual lines. All good stuff.

To really get everything right, go play a thousand gigs in a smoking R&B thing and then go back to preparing Jaco's stuff. Even then, your own will be different.

Maybe a bit off track, but my 2c.

Jazzomaniac · #3 10-25-2010, 03:22 PM

Thanks for you reply, and I agree with what you say.
One thing is to play the notes, another thing entirely is to execute it with soul and feeling. Jaco is one of the few players I've heard who could play incredibly complex lines without sounding like a robot.
What about "Chromatic Fantasy"? His left hand movement is amazing in that performance. I don't think I've ever heard a bass-player play it as clean as he did.

bucephylus · #4 10-25-2010, 03:25 PM

Chromatic Fantasy is right up there and stunning/amazing. Great choice.

ugly_bassplayer · #5 10-25-2010, 03:27 PM

You can find a challenge in pretty much all his lines, getting the right groove in Barbary Coast is not as easy as it looks.
For me Donna Lee, some of the passages in that one are insane to pull off right.
Havona & Chromatic Fantasy, (but that's a Bach line) are reallly challenging,
The last chord in portrait of Tracy is IMO unplayable,

4001 · #6 10-25-2010, 03:35 PM

(Used To Be A) Cha Cha
Punk Jazz
Havona

Jazzomaniac · #7 10-25-2010, 03:41 PM

Yes, I'm aware that it's a Bach transcription. He really made it his own though. Jaco apparently decided he wanted to learn it as early as in 1974. The earliest recording I have of him playing it, is from a Weather Report-show in 1977( he plays the first 20 seconds of it approximately).
And thanks for you opinion on "Donna Lee", some of the passages are indeed insanely difficult. I think most bass-players get a reality-check when they try to play the whole song through.

kesslari · #8 10-25-2010, 03:48 PM

I can't say that I've mastered a big chunk of Jaco's material (or even tried) but the turnaround on Havona is insane and evil. How does a bass player even THINK about creating that, much less execute it????

Jazzomaniac · #9 10-25-2010, 04:08 PM

You're right, that line is very difficult. Even masters like Jimmy Haslip have struggled to play it. Just watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKXeMj27jDg

I haven't tried to play any of Jaco's tunes/interpretations other than the head to "Continuum". But then again bass isn't my main instrument, and most of Jaco's tunes require a lot of practice in order to be performed decently. When I play the bass, it's usually more traditional old r&b/rock/soul-lines and rarely any form of solo.

Schlyder · #10 10-25-2010, 04:19 PM

That's a tough one, but I have to say Donna Lee gets the edge, slightly, over Chromatic Fantasy, mainly because C.F. is straight meter, and Donna Lee is swinging.
Both are finger gymnastics. :P

Jamarcla · #11 10-25-2010, 06:24 PM

Havona is very complex. This guy plays the line and the solo very well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI2fRC3tZTU

Jazzomaniac · #12 10-25-2010, 07:21 PM

It would be interesting to try to learn the Havona-solo on piano...

4001 · #13 10-25-2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamarcla

Havona is very complex. This guy plays the line and the solo very well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI2fRC3tZTU

Yeah!
That kills.
I've watched that one a few times. VERY good bassist to pull that off.

narud · #14 10-25-2010, 11:39 PM

port of entry

FunkyMan · #15 10-25-2010, 11:54 PM

Donna Lee All the way

**Mark Wilson** · #16 10-25-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by narud

port of entry

Hidden Gem. Well...use that term loosely

The solo jaco pulls on this track absolutely SLAYS. It's scary.

**peledog** · #17 10-26-2010, 12:59 AM

As far as melody - Teen Town

Intonation has always been a problem for me to get it right on a fretless. On a fretted, it's still difficult, but I can get through it. Put me on fretless with that track, and I'm toast.

4001 · #18 10-26-2010, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

Hidden Gem. Well...use that term loosely

The solo jaco pulls on this track absolutely SLAYS. It's scary.

Especially when Joe starts with the keyboards that sound like a fast vibe line.

We've already mentioned a TON of Jaco solos that absolutly smoke.

Jaco would have turned 59 this Dec. 1.

Hey Luc Haven.... FUH-Q, you maggot!

Hoover · #19 10-26-2010, 08:31 AM

For some reason getting the first seven notes of "Teen Town" to speak cleanly and with the authority Jaco mustered has continued to escape me. Nailing the entire head to "Donna Lee" is a walk in the park compared to getting that opening phrase of "Teen Town" down.

Jazzomaniac · #20 10-26-2010, 10:15 PM

What about the riff from "Okonkole Y Trompa"
at full speed, like Jaco demonstrates in this video?

http://www.youtube.com/user/ricksuch...39/rVX0JKKa264

Starts at 3:26