Double Bass Grooving with the drums

[Rompi]

I've just finished high school and I'm about to jump into a jazz course at uni on the double bass. While I kept my practice up throughout last year, I did not get much time to play with other people, particularly drummers.

Although I have reasonable time and rhythm, sometimes I am not as tight as I would like to be and more importantly, I frequently struggle to lock in with drummers, particularly for groove tunes. I'm probably going to get my arse kicked in the domain of time when I get to uni, but I would like to at least be partially prepared.

When I'm playing with drummers, what are the most proficient ways to play in the pocket? Also, is there anything I can be doing in the practice room to improve my time with respect to grooving with the drums?

Cheers

 

[chungweishan]

I don't play DB, but grooves are grooves. Your number one concern is always being in sync on the "one" of the drum beat, usually with the kick drum. You can do whatever else you want during the rest of the beat: syncopate with the kick drum, play off-beats, just play quarter-notes, but just remember to return together on the one.

1. Set up a metronome to play on the 2 and 4 of a 4/4 time signature. That also gets you used to hearing hi-hat for most jazz songs.
2. Play different drum-pattern loops to get used to them.

 

[amusicalperson]

I don't play DB, but grooves are grooves. Your number one concern is always being in sync on the "one" of the drum beat, usually with the kick drum. You can do whatever else you want during the rest of the beat: syncopate with the kick drum, play off-beats, just play quarter-notes, but just remember to return together on the one.

1. Set up a metronome to play on the 2 and 4 of a 4/4 time signature. That also gets you used to hearing hi-hat for most jazz songs.
2. Play different drum-pattern loops to get used to them.

One of the best videos on Youtube!

 

[Huy Nguyen]

Get "Drumgenius" for your smart device. Buy the unlimited pack for $10 and it'll be the best investment you've ever made.

Load up a drum track and just play anything that you find difficult, just about.

For swing, the best thing I've heard (and I got it from Matt Wilson) is to listen to the ride cymbal. If you can lock with that, you have pretty much nail everything. Outside of that, there are lots of discussion in the past about building up time feel through various exercises and practices (subdivisions, odd meters, other meters, etc). Nothing can replace hanging out with a funky drum loop for a long period of time.

A lot of it just comes with experience too.

 

[Steven Ayres]

Practicing time — a lot — with the metronome or whatever is important as a fundamental, absolutely. But the bassist's relationship with a live drummer is built on practicing and performing together till you know each other's musical language and reflexes. Bass and drums depend on one another to build the groove and hold the time, together. So it follows that when you're learning (like, always), get all the playing time you can with drummers who are better than you are, and find a regular drummer partner who understands and cares about the groove as much or more than you do, and practice. And don't forget to listen. When you hear a good recorded groove, bury your head in it till you can hear the bass and drums talking to one another, and what they're saying. Play along. Dig in.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Record yourself playing along with drums to hear where you need work.

Slow songs down you're having any timing problems or inconsistencies with until perfect. Slowly speed it up while staying accurate and relaxed.

Learn a few basic drum beats, you'll soon grasp the role bass needs to fulfil to make them groove together.

Simplify your bass lines, don't try to over play.

Really learn a tune & bass part/ chord progression. Being unfamiliar with a song can have a bad effect on timing & fluidity.

Be confident in yourself (but not arrogant), trust your abilities. Don't mistake being rusty for being incompetent.

 

[Groove Doctor]

OP: could you give us an example of a groove tune you would play, and we could offer specific pointers for you.

 

[sean_on_bass]

I'm not sure if you are new to jazz, but listen to a ton of it to learn the common jazz drumming vocabulary. Make particular note of what the bass player is doing in relation to the drummer.

Remembering how i learned to groove with other people, it was never through concrete concepts or being told something. It was done by listening to tons of music and emulating a feel or sound in the moment on the instrument.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

I'll strongly second Drumgenius. Loops of guys like Steve Gadd, Elvin Jones, Ed Thigpen, Ben Riley, Jack DeJohnette, Baby Dodds, Louis Bellson, Shelley Manne, Philly Joe Jones, Brian Blade, Tony Williams, Roy Haynes, Kenny Clarke, Jimmy Cobb, Art Blakey, Mickey Roker, Herlin Riley. And that's just the jazz guys....there's ton of other stuff too.