Joining Crappy BigBand Good Idea for n00b on Upright?

Jazzin' · #1 08-13-2006, 10:54 PM

I've been playing electric bass and jazz for 6 years. I went through my province renowned highschool's jazz bigband, won a few medals with them at competitions, played at the Montreal Jazzfest.

I recently started playing upright (less than 2 months of it) and there is a bigband which is currently looking for a bassist. It is not a very good bigband, they will be playing beginer stuff which is quite boring. Not challenging on electric bass for sure, for me.

The situation is that they want a bassist (preferably electric bass). I am considering joining on upright, it might be the challenege I am looking for.

My queston is, is it a good idea to join a beginner bigband. They might not let me play on upright. It's also possible that I am not good enough on upright but not challenged enough on the slab. The ideal is that it is just challenging enough for me to doghouse it and they let me do so.

Any comments, answers or experiences are appreciated. Thanks.

Aaron Saunders · #2 08-13-2006, 11:19 PM

My answer?

...

Maybe! There's two ways to look at this. This might be a great opportunity to work on your swing and your reading. If I were you, I'd look at it as an opportunity to practice with a full band accompanying you.

Or, it might bore the hell out of you and they might ask you to play electric on bad arrangements of Chameleon and Feel So Good.

Kam · #3 08-14-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron Saunders

My answer?

...

Maybe! There's two ways to look at this. This might be a great opportunity to work on your swing and your reading. If I were you, I'd look at it as an opportunity to practice with a full band accompanying you.

Or, it might bore the hell out of you and they might ask you to play electric on bad arrangements of Chameleon and Feel So Good.

...+1

If it's a real big band and not a glorified pep-band I would do it if you have the time. I started playing upright in High School this way. The director wanted upright on swing tunes, then let me play electric on latin and funk stuff. IMO, if it's old time Count Basie and Woody Herman tunes, give it a go. If it's Chameleon and Eye of the Tiger, pass.

Get a teacher though if you don't already have one. My high school days were full of competition judges saying "You're an electric bassist, aren't you."

Jazzin' · #4 08-14-2006, 12:37 PM

I think it is stuff like eye of the tiger and chameleon. Is that what you mean by "glorified pep-band"? There might still be some swing stuff. Maybe I can do what you did in highschool, play electric for rock type stuff and upright for jazz type stuff.
I already have a teacher, I only had two lessons so far.

Aaron Saunders · #5 08-14-2006, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

I think it is stuff like eye of the tiger and chameleon. Is that what you mean by "glorified pep-band"? There might still be some swing stuff. Maybe I can do what you did in highschool, play electric for rock type stuff and upright for jazz type stuff.
I already have a teacher, I only had two lessons so far.

How are those going? It's that guy Alec Walkington hooked you up with, right?

Jazzin' · #6 08-14-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron Saunders

How are those going? It's that guy Alec Walkington hooked you up with, right?

No, he was full at the time. He recommended Dave Watts who is currently my teacher.

Aaron Saunders · #7 08-14-2006, 02:16 PM

Awesome. Ask him about it -- he might know the bandleader (personally or by reputation) and might be able to offer some advice.

Jazzin' · #8 08-14-2006, 06:18 PM

So I actually went to the practice tonight, just got back. I played electric bass and it was definately too easy. All the tunes have simple chord changes and stuff. But this seems to be a good challenge for upright. I asked the conductor and the director, the director said sure. The conductor didn't sound like he wanted an upright bass. But too bad, I'm playing upright from now on. Maybe I'll play electric for the rock songs.

Aaron Saunders · #9 08-14-2006, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

So I actually went to the practice tonight, just got back. I played electric bass and it was definately too easy. All the tunes have simple chord changes and stuff. But this seems to be a good challenge for upright. I asked the conductor and the director, the director said sure. The conductor didn't sound like he wanted an upright bass. But too bad, I'm playing upright from now on. Maybe I'll play electric for the rock songs.

Sounds like you've got your first place to practice upright bass with a group

.

Jazzin' · #10 08-18-2006, 10:30 PM

Second practice is today at 10:00AM. First practice for me with the upright. Also first time I attempt to place an upright bass into a small car.

Aaron Saunders · #11 08-18-2006, 10:40 PM

It's easier than it seems at first

. Just watch your bridge!

Jazzin' · #12 08-19-2006, 11:19 AM

Yup, it was pretty easy. I was even able to fit a band member in the back seat behind the driver seat. The only problem is the HUGE blind spot the bass creates. It's kind of dangerous when changing lanes to the right.

Jazzin' · #13 09-09-2006, 09:55 PM

Well, we actually have a gig tomorrow. I'm really not good enough to gig on upright, but the whole band are noobs like me. So my poor intonation will not stand out. Wish me luck.

Jazzin' · #14 11-17-2006, 12:09 PM

So I quit the band.
Somewhat of a Rant