Recent content by derekd

I like Jaco just fine and think he was a pioneer and a monster player, but I think Steve Bailey has surpassed him. I've seen Steve live a few times and the guy simply is a master on the fretless.

THIS is my response, also. Not just for bass, but for guitar too. Toss in some chromatics to connect the arps an you are off and running. Play through a few tunes without time to get the moves down. You will see repeating phrases because of the ii V I progression. After you can play'em...

While I will bow to Mr. Fuqua's ability, knowledge and expertise, I've used Ed Friedland's Building Walking Basslines with dozens of students over the years, and always to a good result.

I agree, good selections. Toss in All The Things you are, and a minor ballad like Alone Together, something in 3 like Bluesette, a bossa like Blue Bossa or Corcovado. Take 5 for the obvious is a hoot to play, and toss in a Monk tune like Straight No Chaser, and you've got a pretty good cross...

Great post, Ed. Occasionally I get guys, who are in high stress professions like medicine or law, who just want to learn jazz for the mental challenge of it. They put in some fretboard time, but don't really have the time to devote to such a demanding pursuit. This would fall into the...

Tico Tico and any Samba tune would get people dancing. Herb Alpert and the TJ Brass tunes are pretty upbeat.

I picked #4 because I'm a stickler for proper use of figurative speech.

Strength, flexibility and dexterity drills are always a part of whatever content I'm teaching. I use Jody Fisher's 30 Day Workout. Designed for guitar but great for bass, also. Basic, intermediate and advanced theory using music students like. Circle of 4ths, major scale theory, triads, 7th...

I was taught to recite major scales, major and minor triads and all 5 7th chords/arpeggios around the key circle and do it under a minute. Otherwise, if you can't pull up each of those chord tones quickly the chord of the moment has passed you by and the band is on to the next one. Writing...

Interesting clips. Definitely angular.

Gorgeous instrument. Good luck with the sale.

Don't sweat it. We all have the same experience when we get in front of someone better. Good luck with it.

If we connected the dots of vocal melody lines or melodic basslines on a page, they would mostly resemble waves. Angular lines are going to have larger intervallic leaps and feature more uncommon intervals. So if I were wanting to work out angular lines, I would think in terms of intervals...

Yeah, but there's a Skype app for android phones and tablets, and iPads, so the OP can still do Skype lessons. I studied jazz with a world class player across the country in NYC for a year. He captured our lessons and either emailed them via heavymail or burned to disc and mailed them for an...

Yep, me too. Jazz emphasizes the 2 & 4. I've been told to count there for years. Frankly, I feel my whole body becomes a metronome when playing bass. I have to move to all four (or three) beats. Can't help it. Not the same when I play guitar. Odd.