Double Bass Arco improvisation...

[olivier babaz]

Hi guys

I'm starting a blog about bowed bass
www.bassbowpirate.blogspot.ca
Here is the first post and the video it features.

tell me what you think and do not hesitate to take part in it by commenting or proposing your own posts !
cheers !

 

[Les Fret]

Nice! what strings do you use? They seem to have a very good grip.

 

[tappingtrance]

Very well done, your lines speak well!

 

[Violen]

That was a great Clip!

 

[geoffbassist]

Superb performance Olivier! It's a great topic so I will enjoy following your blog.

 

[olivier babaz]

Hey guys, thx for the words, I will for sure post here the next episodes of this blog.
String are spiro red
Once again, if any of you want to take part in it, PM !!
All the best

www.olivierbabaz.com

 

[jake3]

nice! I am working on dipping my toe into arco improvisation, but very slowly. I have a gig this weekend where I know "Summertime" in Dm will be on the list and I will try my solo arco with that. (Because it's really hard to go wrong with so many easy notes built into the melody.)

 

[Les Fret]

String are spiro red

Do you mean Spirocore weichs?

 

[olivier babaz]

Those are Thomastik spirocore S42 medium (red/red)

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Cheers


www.olivierbabaz.com

 

[damonsmith]

Yeah, spiros are terrible for arco! Obviously, they are amazing arco as Oliver proves here.
Great blog, great playing. I was lucky enough to get John Goldsby's book when I started playing. Have you ever seen it?
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title...wid=aA5gPqyJ&gclid=CJTNhvW82LwCFZLm7AodNFgAjw

He covers some of the same things.

 

[olivier babaz]

Yeah great book, the only one (at least to my knowledge) on this subject in fact.

There's a french Violin player (Didier Lockwood) that wrote a cool book about jazz violin improv
http://www.djangobooks.com/Item/lockwood_cordes
I think it was in english as well.
Great examples, & transcriptions, lot of things to adapt on the bass...

 

[Les Fret]

Yeah, spiros are terrible for arco! Obviously, they are amazing arco as Oliver proves here.

I like them for this type of jazz sound but not so much for classical stuff. My classical teacher hates them .

 

[bluesdogblues]

I'm not a DB bass player (though I always admire them).. But I really love to watch & listen your arco playing..and also your pizzi..(esp one with attached kalimba play along, the police cover one..I like it
Thanks to share them

 

[damonsmith]

I like them for this type of jazz sound but not so much for classical stuff. My classical teacher hates them .

I can make them sing for straight classical solos - I have not played ANY string that sings like Spiro solos, they are way too bright for orchestral work on most basses. The real truth is they only scratchy if you don't practice enough.

 

[Les Fret]

Anyone should do what they want of course but for classical there are better strings in my opinion. Still for pizzicato it is my favorite string.
I have played on Spiros weichs for two years but I am using Helicores hybrids for one year now. Seems like a better compromise between classical and jazz pizz tone to me.

 

[cultrvultr]

Olivier, The Kalimba is really cool! How did you mount them on your bass? Can you post a close-up picture please?

 

[amusicbass123]

Great playing and blog idea! I'll be checking it out frequently. I've been working on my Arco solos a lot as well. I've been trying to transcribe as many horn solos as I can and get the phrasing right with the bow, it's helped a lot.

Obviously this isn't improvised, but it's related: Invalid Link Removed

 

[John Goldsby]

Nice idea for a blog, Oliver. I enjoyed your "Billie's Bounce" also.

Alex: killin' job on the Sonny Stitt transcription. You meticulously transferred Stitt's phrasing to the bass.

Here's a video from quite awhile back where I'm playing Invalid Link RemovedI bow a solo — Spiro reds, through a Fishman BP 100 and GK. I think for the audio they had a mic in front of the bass. But it still sounds pretty nasal because of the pu and amp.

I'll be back to check out your blog, Oliver.

 

[jake3]

took the plunge last night and did an arco solo ... in a slow version of "Summertime" in D minor, pretty hard to go wrong, but I had to start somewhere. I got two times 'round the changes, played the melody straight the first time, and the second time embellished it with some blues notes. Went over very well, so I am ready for more.

I'll catch up later on listening to the links posted above ...

 

[amusicbass123]

Here's a quick chorus over rhythm changes: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jamoftheweekgroup/permalink/576519282444900/