Composition/performance recording

Tbeers · #1 09-11-2006, 07:09 PM

Hey, I've been holding off on posting this for a number of reasons. But I figured what the heck, nothing too bad can happen. I wrote a little funk tune, originally inspired by a snippet of a bass line played by Chris Fitzgerald on one of his recordings. At this point, it's unrecognizable. Anyway, I wrote this for a school jazz group. The director of the program wanted everyone to solo on it, which makes the recording really long. This is from a concert on 5/13/06. The name of the tune is "DJ Sneaky Boom."

http://www.princeton.edu/~tbeers/DJ%20Sneaky%20Boom.mp3

Any comments are appreciated, as always. Thanks.

Nadav · #2 09-11-2006, 07:26 PM

I have nothing to say except that I like it. It felt very Dave Holland-ish to me until the horns came in. Fun.

Gilbert F · #3 10-30-2006, 10:21 PM

I love it. The horn line is great. The Fitzgerald influence is pretty obvious, yet subtle. His stuff is great. Great job on this composition, and keep writing!

jallenbass · #4 10-30-2006, 11:09 PM

What kind of strings are you using? I really enjoy the sound. And the groove too.

Sam Sherry · #5 10-31-2006, 07:27 AM

Theo, that sounds sweet. It's even more impressive given that you and your band are at a "real" college as opposed to a consevatory. Your sound is deep. Very nice.

Compositionally, I think some interludes and backgrounds would help. "Intro-Head-Solos-Out" is obviously the time-honored default but the piece would benefit if you took the next step.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #6 10-31-2006, 10:41 AM

Lord, how did I ever miss this thread? Guess I've been busy with my day gig. Oy.

Theo, your tune and your playing sound great. You've got that patented "Schnitzer & De Sola" sound thing going on

, only it's a darker sound than mine. Tell me about your strings, amp, and recording process when you get a minute; it's a great sound you're getting.

I like the way you took a little snippet of my (very generic) funk line and turned the beat around on it; it really made my ears perk up to try to hear the "one" displaced like that. Compositionally, I agree with Sam's comments, but I would add that the tune is great fun as is because of the crazy energy and tightness of the performance. At your age, I was still 15 years or so from ever holding a DB in my hands - keep it up, and you're gonna be a monster!

Thanks for the positive critiques of my playing. It feels really funny to find a thread like this about having influenced another player I've never met, especially since I don't consider myself to be much of a funk player (but I'm trying to learn); usually, when anyone bothers to comment on my playing style at all, I get pigeonholed as a "lyrical" or "melodic" bassist...some very kind people mean that as a compliment, others, being less complimentary, use it as a backhanded way of implying "plays pretty but can't swing (except maybe from the end of a rope)".

damonsmith · #7 10-31-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

Thanks for the positive critiques of my playing. It feels really funny to find a thread like this about having influenced another player I've never met, especially since I don't consider myself to be much of a funk player (but I'm trying to learn); usually, when anyone bothers to comment on my playing style at all, I get pigeonholed as a "lyrical" or "melodic" bassist...some very kind people mean that as a compliment, others, being less complimentary, use it as a backhanded way of implying "plays pretty but can't swing (except maybe from the end of a rope)".

-I always noticed the harmonic aspect of your playing in your clips, especially when you work with pianists. That is not such an easy thing for most bass players.
I have also thought the most childish thing about jazz was judging the value of music based on presence of a rhythmic pattern.
What about Bach? Schoenberg? Braxton? Cecil Taylor? Seems to shut out a lot of great music.
On the other side, I can't overstate the value of understanding "swing" as perpetual motion and learning to harness that energy source.
Anyway, you sound swinging to me.

Tritonis · #8 10-31-2006, 08:23 PM

Killin' man. Killin'.

Tbeers · #9 01-13-2007, 03:44 AM

Wow, I never even checked this thread after starting it. Silly me, it's been such a busy semester! Gah.

The bass is a Schnitzer & DeSola fully carved 7/8 with the La Scala shape. Sort of a souped up "limited edition" New Standard. The strings are regular Dominants. They had been on the instrument for 13 months at the time of this performance. (The same set is still on my bass now, haha. Great longevity.) I was already using the Full Circle pickup at this point. I can't tell you for sure, but I believe this was recorded direct out of an AI Contra. I think the sound guy just took the signal coming from the XLR out on the amp. Isn't that hilarious? The tone actually isn't too bad. And that's that.

Thanks for all the compliments, I really wasn't expecting it. When I first listened to this cut, I thought it sounded awful. But I guess I can't be unrealistically hard on myself or on the group. After all, the only member who is even majoring in Music is the drummer. I like to perform at a reasonable level, though.

Chris, I'm glad you got a kick out of the way I stole and subsequently shifted your bass line. For those who don't know what my precise inspiration was, listen to Chris on the tune "Clint Eastwood" with the Todd Hildreth Trio. And Chris... judging from other comments in this thread, it seems like the idea of you inspiring a young bassist is completely normal. So get used to it!

Compositionally, this never grew into a huge project for me. I'd love to write something more complicated, with solo backgrounds and generally a bit more through-composition. Maybe someday, if they ever lighten up my academic workload....