Double Bass Christian mcbride Isfahan solo

[Basscat125]

Hey guys I've recently been tackling the solo of christianmcbride on Isfahan from joe Hendersons lush life album, I've been finding it tricky but doable, however I have reached a lick which seems impossibly fast, it's around the 3:44 mark in the track for anyone that would like to take a look. My question is what is the best way to approach transcribing it.

Many thanks,
Conor

 

[aaronallen]

Try slowing it down with a program such as vlc or audacity.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

That's a great solo, and I have students play it often. Christian also gives a clinic in how to harmonize with double stops on that cut. I took a screen shot of what I came up with years ago for the passage I think you are referring to:

 

[Basscat125]

thanks everyone for the advice and thanks Chris for the transcription, I will definetely slow it down as well as looking at the transcription. Is there any chance that that clinic was recorded Chris?

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I meant that what he plays on the head is a clinic in and of itself.

 

[Basscat125]

oh ok haha. can you recommend any solos of his that are around the same sort of difficulty level? preferably on standards such as ishfahan.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I would check him out on Benny Green's "Greens Blues" (Also just called "Greens"). Christian's last two trio records are also stellar.

 

[Basscat125]

cheers chris thanks for the recommendations once i finish transcribing this solo i will definetely check them out.

many thanks,
conor

 

[Jonny Mah]

I did that same solo a little while back. It's pretty crazy, especially considering the fact that he was about 19 years old when he played it. Here's a link to me playing it on YouTube, which may clear up a possible fingering for the phrase in question.

 

[Benrsbass1]

Just a little note FYI
mcbride's playing is obviously great on this track and he received a ton of acclaim got it. Which is all beautiful. Interesting thing that most people don't know is that what he plays In the melody section was written out by producer don sickler, who wanted to make sure those harmonies were clearly outlined and heard

 

[freshbass]

Hey guys I've recently been tackling the solo of christianmcbride on Isfahan from joe Hendersons lush life album, I've been finding it tricky but doable, however I have reached a lick which seems impossibly fast, it's around the 3:44 mark in the track for anyone that would like to take a look. My question is what is the best way to approach transcribing it.

Many thanks,
Conor

bear in mind that McBrides bass is set up w/ low action

 

[834federal]

when he recorded in the 90's his strings were set up very, very high. We talked about it a few years back. It was a Young lions, Marsalis inspired overreach. Now his bass is set in a more reasonable way.