Double Bass Charleston rhythm - mod please move to Theory or appropriate forum

[erniej]

I hope this is a good place to post this. I am wondering what a traditional Charleston rhythm is for bass. I found a website that describes the guitar comping as a dotted quarter on the one followed by and eighth but can't find any bass lines.

I often play music from the early 20th, Five Foot Two etc..., and am told some tunes are Charlestons but no one can tell me what the bass plays. My two feel with the occasional walkup doesn't sound right to the others I am plying with.

Thanks

Okay wrong forum. Can't find delete.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

The bass rhythm would be a staccato note on beat one and a legato note on the "and" of beat two, just like the melody of the song "Charleston". On this song I would play that rhthym only for the first four measures of the verse before switching to a two feel and/or walking line. "Sweet Georgia Brown" is often played with this rhythm during the intro and behind the melody during the dominant 7th chords. "Five Foot Two" should work as a Charleston or a two feel like you describe. Bascially the Charleston rhythm would be used for sections of these song, but not for the whole tune. The straight two feel bass line works well against those syncopated melodies.

When playing music of this era I sometimes use the bow to approximate a tuba feel. You can hear this on a lot of early jazz recordings. Listen to Jean Goldkette's recording of "My Pretty Girl" featuring New Orleans bassist Steve Brown for a great example.

- Steve

 

[erniej]

Ah the familiar Charleston rhythm. Makes sense. Thanks Steve. I am a uke player also so when I saw your name I thought where have I heard that name. I enjoy the Barnkickers very much.

ernie

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I am a uke player also so when I saw your name I thought where have I heard that name. I enjoy the Barnkickers very much.

Yikes! My secret identity revealed!

Thanks Ernie. Best of luck in your music. It sounds like you're playing some fun music and if you play ukulele and double bass you must be okay.

- Steve