In need of outside help on bass playing

[fabledsoe]

Hi,

I am in need of some positive and negative criticism, comments, declaring of war, etc... on my playing. I figured no better place than here. So if you could share your thoughts on playing and what you liked, dislike, where I can improve, and everything else under the sun that would be great!

http://fabledsoe.googlepages.com/audioclips

The sound files I would like for you to listen to are under the group Groove Theory

[Marc Piane]

Hey man. So far I listened to Days of Wine and Roses. My thoughts.

I think the walking feel is really nice. You and the drummer hook up nicely. I also like how, when the drummer goes off a bit, you stay home and hold it down. It is often the tendency to try to mix it up too. Sometimes that works sometimes the tune starts to lose drive. Nicely done.

Couple things I hear to work on.

Your two beat lacks a little hump. What I mean by that is your walking feel has a nice forward motion to it. The bottom drops out a little when you guys switch to a two beat feel. The tune should have equal drive just a different feel.

You should think a bit about your note choices in you walking line. Some stuff is really good. Other stuff doesn't really tell us what's up. There is a Rufus Reid thing where he says "pretend like there is nobdy else playing but you and the soloist, your line should tell them what's going on harmonically and rhythmically in the tune" a paraphrase but you get the drift. Rufus does a really nice exercise where you write out your line and then critique. When I listen to recordings of myself that i am critiquing I transcribe my lines. Why don't you do the same. Transcribe what you played on the recording and critque.

Solo. You've got some nice ideas in your solo. I get the sense you are trying to play fast like the sax and piano. Forget them. Make your solo YOUR solo. Focus on small ideas you can build on. Thematic and melodic development.

Overall a really nice effort. The group sounds nice and has a cohesive sound.

I'll try to listen to the other stuff later this weekend after the dust settles.

[bassdogEmer]

hey gave it a quick Listen - I agree with Marco and would only add that in addition to really making sure your note choices and bass lines are as clear as possible -and that you focus in on making everything a little more simple. The two feel was a little too busy and could use a little more space as well and remember the big three - time feel, note choice and simplify and you'll be fine - you'll make the soloist sound even better too - happy walking