Christian McBride: Five String

[bobdabilder]

Pretty cool

check him out on a 4 string upright!! super funky

 

[Chad Michael]

check him out on a 4 string upright!! super funky
..

Found another stellar clip of Christian somewhere, this one is excellent! Love his style!

 

[IamGroot]

If you are a great musician and play upright well, BG comes naturally.

BG to upright is much more difficult.

 

[logdrum]

Not true. At 40+ seconds in, when he's in the lower register, he uses his "pinky".

He's using double bass fingering technique. In the upper register, double bassist rarely use the 4th finger. It's 99.99% 1, 2, 3.

Lower register, it's 1, 2, 4 (with 3).

This technique helps immensely with playing in tune.

In thumb position (beginning more or less on G octave) you use your thumb, so it is T, 1, 2, 3 and there are 3 types , one is chromatic (4 "frets"), one is whole+ half, half (5 "frets") and one is Whole, Whole +Half or effectively 6 frets )

The transition from the heel to octave G is tricky but I tend to use my pinky or even pivot. Rabbath technique has only 6 positions to cover the 2 octave + 4 fingerboard a lot of pivots which actually makes the hand supple. I think some guys said they use it for EB. I think it would be uncomfortable unless you played your bass really high.

 

[ShirazBop]

About ten years ago he did this project with Chick Corea and Jon McLaughlin on both electric and upright, monster stuff.

Saw that show in Dallas. Was AMAZING!

 

[Spun__Kee]

In thumb position (beginning more or less on G octave) you use your thumb, so it is T, 1, 2, 3 and there are 3 types , one is chromatic (4 "frets"), one is whole+ half, half (5 "frets") and one is Whole, Whole +Half or effectively 6 frets )

The transition from the heel to octave G is tricky but I tend to use my pinky or even pivot. Rabbath technique has only 6 positions to cover the 2 octave + 4 fingerboard a lot of pivots which actually makes the hand supple. I think some guys said they use it for EB. I think it would be uncomfortable unless you played your bass really high.

When one is in Thumb Position, think of the thumb-stop more as a moveable bridge. Also, the thumb adds support. On the electric bass, the thumb can easily remain at the back of the neck.

In any event, Christian McBride is using double bass techniques on the electric. A LOT of players do.

 

[logdrum]

When one is in Thumb Position, think of the thumb-stop more as a moveable bridge. Also, the thumb adds support.

I think you meant moveable nut. Bridge is down below. I know some people do not finger notes with the thumb and sort of just floats it. I did it myself until I concentrated on bowing. It is painful and some just have never developed the callouses but I am digressing here.

Met him a few times and attended an informal master class. He has a big sound.

One thing he does both of EB and DB are one string runs, The best intonation exercise for fretless

 

[Spun__Kee]

I think you meant moveable nut.

Exactly.

 

[MrLenny1]

I have only seen him live on DB. It was a Jazz trio with piano & drums.
2 young guys and him playing at hyper tempos.
thanks for sharing Cheese.

 

[Skillet]

Ever think to yourself, "what would I do if I had a gig doing the Star Spangled Banner on solo bass"?