/ Register

Freedom Jazz Dance fingering discussion

Discussion in 'Jazz Technique [DB]' started by Chris Fitzgerald, Apr 14, 2012.

  1. Apr 14, 2012 #1
    Chris Fitzgerald

    Chris Fitzgerald Student of Life Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 19, 2000
    Louisville, KY
    The tune has got to be one of the biggest finger twisters for the DB that I've ever encountered. I play it on gigs all the time, but only in the accompanying role. Currently, I'm working on the melody, and wanted to get some other input on how to navigate all of those 4ths in stacks. Currently, I can play them with one finger if they are ascending, but tend to finger them when they are descending - and for some reason, I tend to prefer to finger the opening three notes as well rather than bar them with one finger. Has anybody else worked this up, survived the experience, and would care to comment on the experience? I'd also love to hear recommendations of recordings of DB players playing this.
     
  2. Apr 14, 2012 #2
    one4dabass

    one4dabass

    Mar 8, 2012
    Paris, France
    Hello Chris, I think that fingering question is a very interresting point.
    Playing 4ths on double bass is about stamina, left hand strongness and endurance, especially on up tempos.
    Last month before leaving my home, i've quickly recorded an up version of it (320bpm). Here's the link:



    It's not perfect, but the goal of the exercise was to develop endurance to be able to play it smart on smoothiest tempos...
    Hope you'll appreciate!
    Greetings,
    Mathieu
    Ps: If the link doesn't work -i send it from my phone-, try on my channel, one4dabass2fordabow
    Have a nice day
     
  3. Apr 14, 2012 #3
    powerbass

    powerbass

    Nov 2, 2006
    western MA
    The link doesn't link
     
  4. Apr 15, 2012 #4
    one4dabass

    one4dabass

    Mar 8, 2012
    Paris, France
    I've change the link, hope it will be work!
     
  5. Apr 15, 2012 #5
    Chris Fitzgerald

    Chris Fitzgerald Student of Life Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 19, 2000
    Louisville, KY
    Mathieu - that's an interesting take on it with great speed and endurance, and I can tell there's a lot going on behind the drums in that recording, but the drums cover it up the details for the most part. Also, the visual effect makes it so that I can't discern your fingerings visually. If you have or ever make a version where the bass can be seen and heard more clearly, I'd love to see it!
     
  6. Apr 15, 2012 #6
    one4dabass

    one4dabass

    Mar 8, 2012
    Paris, France
    Chris, the sound is cheap (old camera and no other mic, no mix for the drum, all was recorded in a one -first- take), i wanted to record a take before leaving my past home... I think that with a medium setting on your stereo, sound is -a little- better Presently, i can't record yet (new neighbourhood :|) but after my installation, i'll purpose other takes and other tunes with a better sound quality and a better drum feel...
    If you want, i can send you a private video without the effect to see fingerings. For this piece, i guess we must think "horizontally" accross the board...
    Thanks for your watching and your advised comments,
    Mathieu
     
  7. Apr 15, 2012 #7
    Jeremy Allen

    Jeremy Allen Supporting Member

    Mar 18, 2002
    Bloomington, IN
    My take on fingerings is the same as James Brown's take on fighting: "I don't know karate, but I know ca-RAZY!" Which means that when I play Freedom Jazz Dance, it mostly LOOKS hard and doesn't sound like anything...:bag:

    But seriously, I remember working something up on this at one time. I'll write it out and scan it in and see if it makes any sense.

    On a side note, I saw Dave Wong playing with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra last night. I've seen him play many times, starting when he was about 19. I can honestly say I've never seen another jazz bassist with such sensible, fluid, effortless fingerings on his bebop lines. He's a brilliant player.
     
  8. Apr 15, 2012 #8
    shwashwa

    shwashwa

    Aug 30, 2003
    NJ
    i knew that tune! thats what happens when you study with ted dunbar and he makes you learn 50 bebop heads on the bass in one semester! good times, hiding in the pipe organ when the security guard came to kick us out for the night just so we could practice till dawn... anyway, ill revisit it again later. im interested too, because since then ive developed a pretty specific fingering concept for myself regarding 4ths. ill see if it applies well to the tune
     
  9. Apr 16, 2012 #9
    Ross Kratter

    Ross Kratter

    Dec 31, 2010
    Orlando, FL
    Artist, RS Berkeley, La Bella Strings, Phil Jones Bass Amplification, Remic, Jerry Harvey Audio
    Absolutely. I see that band every Monday night here in NYC. David subs out quite a bit but when he's there, the band just swings a lot harder, for whatever reason. What a great bassist, with a great feel, great time, great lines, great solos!