Double Bass Do you tire of jazz?

[Medford Bassman]

I remember what someone told me once...

What's the difference between a jazz guitarist and a country guitarist?

A jazz guitarists knows 3000 chords and 3 people come to see them.

A country guitarist knows 3 chords and 3000 people come to see them.

 

[Bassmickeyd]

Maybe it's the people you're playing Jazz with. ..... Jazz is like a vacation in conversation but, eventually you come back home and talk about traffic and the weather.

 

[ThumpPlunkJunk]

When I'm in a Jazz mood, it suits me. When I'm not, it doesn't. Some days, maybe even some weeks, Jazz isn't what I want to hear, and some weeks (more often this is the case) it is.

Even so, I listen to everything else as well. Nothing says "contrast" like listening to "Summertime" by Miles and then "I Don't Want to Grow Up" by Tom Waits.

 

[fish slapper]

The simple answer to the OP is yes.

For me, Jazz playing is an academic pursuit. My main gigging sitch is a classic Rock cover band. So, in a way, I consider my Jazz jamming the "guilty pleasure."

To me Jazz is a break from the straight eights and all the root playing and guitarists who want it to sound "just like the record."

But I would have to agree, that in this day and age, Jazz is a very under-appreciated genre. The few times I play out in Jazz, it's either a jam at a restaurant where the audience is other musicians waiting for their turn to get up or cocktail parties where we are classy background music for the hob knobbing and who's whoing.

 

[eerbrev]

Just creating this thread out of curiosity really. I'm interested to hear how many jazzers on here ever tire of jazz. I figure it's normal to go through phases where your enthusiasm for something may waver. I seem to be going through a stage of lessened appreciation for jazz at the moment. I haven't been as into it for a number of weeks. I wouldn't be thinking much of this if it weren't for the fact that I'm in my first year of a four year jazz performance degree. I've been doing quite a bit of self evaluation recently, wondering if what doing is worthwhile etc.

As a follow up I'm also interested in how many are passionate about other genres of music. Anyone with any "guilty" musical pleasures which they'd be keen to share?

I'm not much of a jazz player, I'm mostly a classical player, in fact (though i dabble... ). But I can give you music school advice. I've seen so many people go into music school enthoused and ready to make music their career, and by the end of their school time they never want to look at their instrument again.

All I have is theories, and every person in different, but in my experience most of the people who end up hating their lives at the end of music school are the people whose practice is disconnected. People don't engage with their instrument on a level other than their studies often lost touch of why they play. Find some friends and play some music together. it doesn't even need to be the music you study (I play celtic music with some pals), just something that makes you engage with your instrument on something other than a purely intellectual and studious level.

All that being said, everyone has ups and downs, don't let them get to you. For me, they often happen when I've had a disappointing lesson (for me, my prof is usually fine with it), or when i've reached a plateau and need to push that much harder to get to the next level. As I said, i can't speak for you, but stick with it, and keep yourself engaged and you may feel better about it.

eerbrev

 

[onosson]

When I get tired of classic jazz, I listen to some Hiromi.

+100

 

[Bassmickeyd]

Music is the language, Jazz the conversation. ........ If the language is too tough use smaller words, if the conversation too intense switch topics. ........

 

[cnltb]

It is not a style or genre that I tire of, but specific albums or artists.

I can listen to Greg Osby's "Zero", Cannonball Adderley/Miles Davis "Somethin' Else"and many other albums time and again, but was quite tired of Hiromi's Voice CD or Diana Krall's "The Look of Love" half way through.

There is many albums on either side of this for me.

 

[Elrend]

For the moment being I barely listen to anything other than 20./21. century classical, electro-acoustic music and hip hop.

I still wouldn't play anything other than jazz though.

 

[cnltb]

For the moment being I barely listen to anything other than 20./21. century classical, electro-acoustic music and hip hop.

I still wouldn't play anything other than jazz though.

What exactly are you listening to in terms of 20./21.century classical,electro acoustic and hip hop?

All genres I'd like to know more about. Recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Elrend]

What exactly are you listening to in terms of 20./21.century classical,electro acoustic and hip hop?

All genres I'd like to know more about. Recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

As far as classical goes, I'm particularly interested in Kaija Saariaho, Eivind Buene, Gérard Grisey, Yannis Kyriakides and Pierre-Yves Macé right now.

I'm mostly fascinated by EAI or "Electro-acoustic improvisation" for the moment being, as it brings interesting ideas for improvising with texture and spectrums. Keith Rowe is as always interesting, Derek Bailey, Val-inc, Maja Ratkje, Lemur is an interesting ensemble etc.

Dday One, Subtitle, Long arm and of course anything featuring Madlib or MF Doom

 

[cnltb]

As far as classical goes, I'm particularly interested in Kaija Saariaho, Eivind Buene, Gérard Grisey, Yannis Kyriakides and Pierre-Yves Macé right now.

I'm mostly fascinated by EAI or "Electro-acoustic improvisation" for the moment being, as it brings interesting ideas for improvising with texture and spectrums. Keith Rowe is as always interesting, Derek Bailey, Val-inc, Maja Ratkje, Lemur is an interesting ensemble etc.

Dday One, Subtitle, Long arm and of course anything featuring Madlib or MF Doom

Thanks very much!

I'll seek those out!

 

[damonsmith]

I'm mostly fascinated by EAI or "Electro-acoustic improvisation" for the moment being, as it brings interesting ideas for improvising with texture and spectrums. Keith Rowe is as always interesting, Derek Bailey, Val-inc, Maja Ratkje, Lemur is an interesting ensemble etc.

Not to get picky but Derek is EFI (Euro Free Improvisation) not EAI, though both are the music I spend the most time with and Derek was a true master. Rowe is certainly one of the greatest, Lemur is a beautiful ensemble with a wonderful bassist Michael Francis Duch, his solo recording of classic graphic scores is worth hearing.
Polwechsel with the bassist Wener Dafeldecker is anothe great entry point to this music as is Radu Malfatti.

For modern classical Morton Feldman and Scelsi seem to be steady for my listening - even for pleasure.

 

[brianrost]

I'm not tired of jazz, but I am tired of schools cranking out jazz performance majors when there aren't gigs for any of them

The current state of jazz opportunities in the USA is at an all time low. If I was attending college today as a music major I would want to be as well rounded as possible and not plan on playing too much jazz, at least not for money

I'm like Duke, I just like good music.

 

[M.Wrenn]

Not really, no.

 

[chuck3]

But I would have to agree, that in this day and age, Jazz is a very under-appreciated genre. The few times I play out in Jazz, it's either a jam at a restaurant where the audience is other musicians waiting for their turn to get up or cocktail parties where we are classy background music for the hob knobbing and who's whoing.

I never tire of playing jazz but have a hard time finding decent gigs to do so, unlike rock, country or even bluegrass. What fish slapper said above is very true. Many people seem to think jazz is background music whereas it should involve greater engagement.

That said, I'm playin' on.

 

[transition]

Anyone with any "guilty" musical pleasures which they'd be keen to share?

I think this is the crux of the issue.

My first few years of college, I was a horrible jazz snob, which is not at all uncommon.

However, it's a toxic attitude that serves no good whatsoever.

There is no guilt in enjoying non-jazz music. In fact, being so insular in your listening and attitudes is pretty unhealthy, so maybe there should be some guilt in that!

It's also worth noting that listening to non-jazz music does not mean that you're necessarily going to be trying to bring that style into your jazz in the latest, "what can we mash in here in an attempt to innovate for it's own sake, but will ultimately be heard as the obvious gimmick it is" kind of thing.

Just listen. Listen to anything and everything that grabs you, even (and maybe especially) if it doesn't pass the "sophistication" test.

Because as Chris pointed out, lyricism and melody are kings, and jazz does not have exclusive rights to them.

 

[skychief]

i will NEVER tire of jazz. Ive already made arrangements for a live jazz ensemble to be playing when they lower me six feet under.

 

[lucas vigor]

Sometimes I do get tired of it, especially when artists are basically just copying what Miles Davis was doing in the mid 60’s…seems like THAT is the template for just about all jazz these days.

The music I like in jazz these days might be considered “lounge jazz”….this being the more organized and structured (and melodic) “pop jazz” of the golden age, say about 1958 to 1965. Mostly an offshoot of west coast jazz, this type focuses more on the song rather then the playing. A lot of it features vocals. I think the OP should give it a listen, and maybe he or she will develop a greater appreciation. All Jazz does not have to be a lesson in modal playing or chromaticism to be interesting. Here are some artists to check out:

Martin Denny
Arthur Lyman
Les Baxter
Esquivel
Cal Tjader
Bobby Troup
His wife, Julie London (especially the great first album with Barney Kessell and Ray leatherwood
George Shearing (the lush and romantic albums he did with his quintet that had a vibe player plus a string section) (white satin/black satin)

In fact, many of the fine compilation albums in the "ultra lounge" series are really good....if you like the humorous approache to jazz and the use of odd instruments such as jazz harpsichord and wordless vocals...lot's of hammond organ, etc....two standouts are "space escapades" and "Organs in orbit".

And then the pop crooners,

Sinatra
Sammy Davis
Dean martin
Peggy lee
Anita O’day
Tony Bennett

Then, there is the awesome sound of Bossa Nova

All of Antonio Carlos Jobim, but especially the albums “wave” “tide” “stone flower” and “terra brasilis”

And most of Sergio Mendes’ most early works (before Brasil 66)

Now, my guilty pleasure? Smooth Jazz…

The bands:

Rippingtons (get any of their live albums or the studio album “let it ripp”
Spyro Gyra
Fourplay
Yellowjackets (I know, not so much smooth jazz)

 

[bassclef29]

I'm a rock, funk and blues electric bassist who loves listening to jazz, but I make no claim to being a "real" jazz player. My favorite artist in any genre (no contest) is Duke Ellington.

Some jazz bores me, some does not. Same as any music.

When jazz does bore me, the problem can start in the predicatibility of format: as anothe poster mentioned, head, solos....

Moe significantly, the boredom element kicks in when jazz soloing emphasizes technique for its own sake, an ability to "blow" over fast, difficult chord changes, at the expense of melody.

I have nothing but respect the dedication and facility required to play jazz (I've put in some study here, too), but some jazz playing strikes me as an emotionally vapid display of chops.

Unfortunately, this way of playing is sometimes a default safe haven for players who love jazz and have busted their butts to learn to play it. Totally understandable, but it makes the music boring.

Just my two cents, IMO only, YMMV, etc.!

Cheers,
--Joe in San Diego