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Double Bass another tune up

Jason Sypher

Jason Sypher

Jan 3, 2001
3,836
5,202
Brooklyn, NY
jasonsypher.com
#1
Bowing my own composition "As We Go" into some fine *ss Japanese mics. Apologies for the intonation skittishness in the upper registers. I realize that I am more comfortable climbing up the tree than climbing down. Switching from gut strings made me realize that, while good for some things, guts don't really "sing" so well. When I put the Bel Cantos on I immediately wanted to play long tones to see what kind of sounds and shapes I could make with them. It has been a real eye opener for me and a lot of fun playing less busy while still trying to carry the line...

Here is the tune, "As We Go":
Link Removed

Hope you find something nice in it...

Cheers,
Jason

ps. I will record it for an album when I can get it more together....
 
#4
Thanks for giving it a listen. It was an improvisation that I happened to record. There are things I thought I would change but I got so used to hearing it as a complete piece that I can't really change it now. It's a simple tune for someone with a classical background, but for me it was a challenge and revelation. My guitarist friend just started playing this little figure and I began to play. I honestly didn't know it was in me to even come up with something like this. Though naive, it was one of those "hey, I never tried this before, I should do it more often". Now that I'm back in NYC I'm going to find a teacher that can help me further develop my skills. Again, thanks for your support.
 
#8
Very nice playing, and I like the simplicity of the texture, which really brings out the tone of the bass - makes me want to play with a bow more. When I hear guys who can do it, it makes me wanna do it. When I hear myself do it, it makes me want to put the bow down. :hiding:

If you haven't already, you should check out Sid King's group, Link Removed. Based on what I just heard, I bet you'd dig 'em. :)
 
#9
Thanks Chris. What I hear is the Edgar Meyer influence, particularly the bass sound in the Bach Suites. I love that simple, Shaker-like, vibrato-less tone. I realize that my fear of vibrato should also be readdressed in the coming months. A little vibrato can go a long way in vocalizing with the bass. I think I just want to present whatever I do as honest. I'm not an orchestral guy and not a traditional soloist. I'm a fiddler if anything and I want to convey simplicity and truth. I bet you bow better than you think. I like Damon's approach on it: you put in the work and it will eventually show (paraphrased). Thanks again for taking the time to listen.
 
#10
Damn Jason, first Durrl comes on and blows me away, then you come up with this ****.
Again, MUSIC. Your playing is a great example of Miles' and Jim Hall's disdain for people trying to label genres of music.
I really dig your timbre. Not to try and label this my own self but the words that come to my mind are THICK and EARTHY. I guess i've spent too many hours at DB bass symposiums, listening to supposed virtuosos playing the same material over and over in solo tuning mode.
Just lovely.
By the way, you kick some serious ass in the video clip from Amsterdam!
My respect.....
 

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