Double Bass Favorite Jazz lines that use a C Extension?

[Xavier Wells]

Hey Everyone,

I was recently going through an old double bass forum discussing the use of C extensions in jazz. It was actually started by Geoff Chambers, of Discover Double Bass; and I thought it would be fun to compile a list of great jazz players who've made a nice use with a C extension.

Post your favorite line down below or the link to a YouTube video!

Sidenote: My personal favorite use of a C extension in jazz at the moment is Ron Carter's line on "My Funny Valentine" from Ron Carter & Art Farmer - Live At Sweet Basil 1990

 

[slappahdabass]

Does Red Mitchell count or is that cheating?

 

[Xavier Wells]

Does Red Mitchell count or is that cheating?

I'm not too familiar with Red Mitchell's work, did he use an extension?

 

[slappahdabass]

I'm not too familiar with Red Mitchell's work, did he use an extension?

He played in fifths exclusively as far as I know

 

[slappahdabass]

 

[Xavier Wells]

Wow, that's a great take on "Take the A train". It definitely sounds like he has down tuned his low E to a different pitch. I always wondered how heavy your string gauge would be for that to work well on upright haha...

 

[Lee Moses]

Wow, that's a great take on "Take the A train". It definitely sounds like he has down tuned his low E to a different pitch. I always wondered how heavy your string gauge would be for that to work well on upright haha...

I'm pretty sure he tuned the standard 5ths C-G-D-A.

Spirocore used to make a special set of "Red Mitchell" strings to accommodate his (and others') tuning in 5ths. It looks like they've been discontinued: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[pdbass]

Rufus Reid has done amazing things on an extension over the years, IMHO.

 

[TroyK]

He played in fifths exclusively as far as I know

Unfortunately, we lost our resident Red Mitchell expert, but there was a point after which he played in 5ths tuning and everything recorded before that date was in standard 4ths tuning. I don't know what that date was.

I picked up a Red Mitchell record once and Paul said "that was from when he was still tuned in 4ths"...and then probably called me a moron or something.

 

[Sean Riddle]

Unfortunately, we lost our resident Red Mitchell expert, but there was a point after which he played in 5ths tuning and everything recorded before that date was in standard 4ths tuning. I don't know what that date was.

I picked up a Red Mitchell record once and Paul said "that was from when he was still tuned in 4ths"...and then probably called me a moron or something.

Cats of Any Color: Jazz, Black and White — Joel Quarrington

This Red Mitchell interview by Gene Lee has Mitchell stating he made the switch to 5ths in 1966. In 1971 he got Thomastik to make him a set of Spiros tuned to 5ths.

But speaking of jazz basslines that go below E, it’s a small list of players that I can think of but no specific recordings.

Extension: Ron Carter and Rufus Reid

5 string bass: Paul Warburton (RIP), Red Mitchell for a period in the late 50s-early 60s (check out Ben Webster live at the renaissance), and Robert Landerfmann. As of recent Mark Dresser just got a 5 string bass but I don’t know if there’s any recordings yet.

5ths tuning: Red Mitchell and Glenn Moore since the 90s or early aughts.

Wild card: Glenn Moore used a tuning for a while comprised of C A D c. I’d check out a lot of the Oregon recordings to hear that.

I’m sure there’s a few others I’m missing, but digging through some of there’s players work should be a good intro to basslines that go below the E string.

Personally I got a 5 string bass in 2021 and am not looking back. I find it way more easy to play walking basslines, and basslines in general than an extension. Listening to Paul Warburton’s recordings have been a great inspiration in how to use the B string in jazz and improvised music.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mdLhzIGskR2TdxRsGQfLrK2OhHzPncVWE

 

[slappahdabass]

Cats of Any Color: Jazz, Black and White — Joel Quarrington

This Red Mitchell interview by Gene Lee has Mitchell stating he made the switch to 5ths in 1966. In 1971 he got Thomastik to make him a set of Spiros tuned to 5ths.

But speaking of jazz basslines that go below E, it’s a small list of players that I can think of but no specific recordings.

Extension: Ron Carter and Rufus Reid

5 string bass: Paul Warburton (RIP), Red Mitchell for a period in the late 50s-early 60s (check out Ben Webster live at the renaissance), and Robert Landerfmann. As of recent Mark Dresser just got a 5 string bass but I don’t know if there’s any recordings yet.

5ths tuning: Red Mitchell and Glenn Moore since the 90s or early aughts.

Wild card: Glenn Moore used a tuning for a while comprised of C A D c. I’d check out a lot of the Oregon recordings to hear that.

I’m sure there’s a few others I’m missing, but digging through some of there’s players work should be a good intro to basslines that go below the E string.

Personally I got a 5 string bass in 2021 and am not looking back. I find it way more easy to play walking basslines, and basslines in general than an extension. Listening to Paul Warburton’s recordings have been a great inspiration in how to use the B string in jazz and improvised music.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mdLhzIGskR2TdxRsGQfLrK2OhHzPncVWE

Good to know - my awareness of Red Mitchell recordings begins around 1970 so that tracks. I did half of a jazz undergrad degree with one of his students who was just endlessly demeaning before jumping ship and that kind of turned me off chasing down any more of Mitchell's recordings.

+1 for Warburton

 

[TroyK]

@Chris Symer tunes in 5ths.

 

[Chris Symer]

@Chris Symer tunes in 5ths.

Yes, and I still do….. Paul Unger does as well. The Spiro 3/4 fifths set is discontinued, the 4/4 set in both medium and light gage are still available. Pirastro Obligato and Tempera also have dedicated fifths sets available. It really isn’t that weird!

 

[TroyK]

... It really isn’t that weird!

Don't be ridiculous, of course it is.

I'm sorry I missed the tribute to Chuck this week. I didn't hear about it until afterwards. I'll fall by soon.

 

[Julius]

Jeremy Bruyere who plays with Cyrille Aimée uses a C-extention.

 

[Don Kasper]

I use my C extension - mostly on ballads:

Thanks.

 

[bigmatteo]

Hi Xavier Wells,
i dont want to be too long :

to listen: Red Mitchell after 1968 disc, end others that others tell before me.

to study the fifth tuning you needennis Masuzzo's book: "playng the double bass tuned in fifths CGDA" it is/has the simple mode to pass from 4th to 5 th tuning.
Next level is represent by Joel Quarrington's books the first develope the quarringon's technique the secon is like Franz Simandl/Ray Brown intervals studies.

I write from Italy, and here the simple/cheapest things to do to acheive the low C note, is change your tuning, because the extension are taylored on your bass not all liuther has skill to add it on your bass in Italy, cheapest because you need : a set of strings, a new upper nut and eventully a new bridge, tuning in fifths are fre of vibrations that can be appear if you have an extension !

Lastly try to type on google: doublebass tuned in fifths and begin to read, there is lot of things !


If You like to pass on my YouTube channel is dedicated to the 5ths tuning!

https://www.youtube.com/@tuneyourdoublebassinfifths/featured

Matteo

 

[oren]

Tim Gilson in Portland tunes in fifths. Great player and teacher.

 

[gerry grable]

Unfortunately, we lost our resident Red Mitchell expert, but there was a point after which he played in 5ths tuning and everything recorded before that date was in standard 4ths tuning. I don't know what that date was.

I picked up a Red Mitchell record once and Paul said "that was from when he was still tuned in 4ths"...and then probably called me a moron or something.

I'm sure he switched to 5ths in the latter part of his career. All of his stuff with Andre Previn was standard tuning.

 

[Xavier Wells]

Rufus Reid has done amazing things on an extension over the years, IMHO.[/QU

Mr. Thompson,

First off I have to say I'm a huge fan of the channel! Rufus Reid is one of my favorite bassist to make use of a C extension. I know you have an extension on your bass, how often do you find yourself using your extension? Do you find yourself using it on certain types of tunes vs. others?