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Double Bass Documentary: Ron Carter - Finding The Right Notes

#21
Martin Spure said:
Thank you very much for this suggestion; it works via the free Brave Browser (on iPadOS). However, the VPN function of this browser is a paid monthly option but comes with a free 7-day trial, which can be cancelled at any time. :thumbsup:
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Ok, I don't know about iPadOS - but on macOS you have a private TOR browser function which is enough to obfuscate your IP - no VPN needed.
 
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#22
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#23
I'm watching it now! Even though I don't play upright bass, I've always listened to and tried to learn from Mr. Carter and other upright bassists. Some of my all-time favorite electric bassists, i.e. Stanley Clarke, Ralphe Armstrong, John Patitucci, Brian Bromberg, James Genus, James Jamerson, and Alex Blake are(were in Jamerson's case) also phenomenal on the upright!!!
 
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#24
There is a video on YouTube somewhere in which Ron describes his science behind recording in a studio.

He is not only a consummate player, but he is an expert in gear too. A TB must!
 
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#27
I just finished watching it and definitely enjoyed it. Ron Carter is truly amazing. I did have one question though. He has a terrific sound, seems to use amps as well as La Bella tape wound strings. However, I don't think that tape wounds are as ubiquitous as Spirocores. Also, while La Bella acknowledges him as an artist, they don't necessarily have a Ron Carter signature string set (similar to say the Jamerson flats). It's kind of like having Babe Ruth use a specific kind of bat, but somehow that bat doesn't become the "go to" bat for baseball, and the bat maker only acknowledges Babe Ruth as a user but doesn't name the bat after him (please note that I think Ron's tone mostly comes from Ron, not the strings). Just wondering if this is related to his utilizing an amp or being more of a recording artist, meaning that many bassists may have different playing circumstances that might make tape wounds impractical. Curious as to people's opinion. FWIW, I use Spirocores because of their unamplified sound and volume, but after seeing this documentary, I now have an interest in trying tape wounds.
 
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#28
I'll give my opinion, though it is a bit of an evolving one, so take it for what it's worth.

First of all, I'm a recovering sting addict. I've tried figuratively everything at least once. I've mixed and matched strings from different sets and manufacturers, I've even been given promo copies from dealers...uh ... manufacturers. But, I've never seen a set of LaBella DB strings. Not at a jam session or a show. I've never had another bassist tell me they use them and I should check them out.

Tape wound are (I believe) unbowable, so anyone who wants to practice arco, or needs to play any, even the long root at the end of a ballad can't consider them. (Someone correct me)

Finally...I hate bringing this into this thread, but Mr. Carter isn't known for his tone the way that, say Sam Jones or Ray Brown is. I thought that he sounded great in the documentary and I attended a master class that he played in years ago where he sounded great. He is a wonderful player, but he made a lot of recordings, where it sounds like he went straight into the board to avoid bleed and that's just not a broadly appealing sound to bassists (engineers love it, though).

Everytime I hear Mingus I jones for gut strings, like any recovering addict. When I hear Mr. Carter, it makes me want to transcribe, but his sound ranges from "not what I'm going for" to "he sounds good on this one."
 
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#29
I watched the documentary as well and enjoyed it, though I acknowledge that it did “meander” at times. I thought Ron’s bass sounded great throughout, but I think his sound is totally organic to him, a result of his reaction to the strings he plays, how he plucks, left hand pressure, the physiognomy of his fingers, etc. I tried those Labella Black Nylons many years ago when I first became aware that he used them, and they sounded nothing like Ron Carter and didn’t work for me at all. I love Ron’s sound and have absolutely no desire to emulate it. Let Ron be Ron!
 
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#30
One issue I had with the show had nothing to do with the content, but the sound. Every time he played, my TV speakers would distort. Maybe I have a technical issue, but superhero movie explosions don’t sound as poorly. I should get a sound bar or something.
 
#33
I enjoyed it, but was touched by sadness particularly at the end. Mr. Carter has long held a reputation for being what some people would consider unapproachable and just mean. I think the documentary gives us a little insight into why he tends to hold people at arms distance, at times, and why being "in control" at all times is so important to him. When it comes to playing quarter notes, he's still my GOAT. I hope we can celebrate him while we still have him with us.
 
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#34
pdbass said:
I enjoyed it, but was touched by sadness particularly at the end. Mr. Carter has long held a reputation for being what some people would consider unapproachable and just mean. I think the documentary gives us a little insight into why he tends to hold people at arms distance, at times, and why being "in control" at all times is so important to him. When it comes to playing quarter notes, he's still my GOAT. I hope we can celebrate him while we still have him with us.
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I'm glad that you brought that up. He has carried that reputation. I attended a master class some years ago and left feeling differently. He is very sincere, but I got the sense that he was an introvert and it drained him somewhat to be the center of attention. He was open and generous that day, but I got a little peek into how it might be if people cornered him somewhere to yammer or ask things of him.

I agree that I think this show should put that reputation to rest. He is a master. He's worked hard for what he can do and has achieved and he's had a wonderful and long career and made a tremendous contribution to the cannon.

I'm happy that PBS showed us this side of him.
 
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#35
I'm currently listening to Marc Maron's podcast Episode 1377 where he is interviewing Ron Carter. I'm getting sucked deeper and deeper in. This was recorded after the PBS special and I'm just so happy that Mr. Carter is getting a chance to share himself and his career and process with us on this level.

I've moved from "respect him" to "fan" this month, for sure.
 
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#36
What Paul said.. his vulnerability and willingness to show his whole
being, the pain and joys that drive him obsessively forward. He admitted he was exhausted, allowed his process of grieving in his way to be shown, even involving Ron Jr. I thought this was courageous and it hit me as his way of saying “I know I can come across as difficult sometimes and here’s why..”.

Thank you, Mr. Carter.
 
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#40
The production may have needed some more background or something to appeal to those who aren’t jazz fans or bass players.
My wife did not appreciate the movie.
She wondered why everyone made such a big deal about him and acted like he was some famous musician when “he only plays the bass, so who cares?”
He played here in Florida a couple months ago, she thought I was crazy to drive three hours to go hear him.
different strokes….
 
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