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In over my head.....
- Thread starter MJ5150
- Start date
Well JimK, even though you are a Flyers fan I relate to you. I'm a Penguins fan BTW.
Yeah, this is a real struggle to change how I play. It's a much different concept that up to about three weeks ago, I had little exposure to. So far it has been a frustrating, good thing. I am sure I will be all the better when I get this down. I am enjoying the challenge, although I am really mad at the moment.
-Mike
Yeah, this is a real struggle to change how I play. It's a much different concept that up to about three weeks ago, I had little exposure to. So far it has been a frustrating, good thing. I am sure I will be all the better when I get this down. I am enjoying the challenge, although I am really mad at the moment.
-Mike
I'm about 6 weeks into a 10 week jazz ensemble workshop and am finding that it really invigorates my rock and roll playing. If you start playing jazz you will learn a lot of new chords/scales, rhythmic feels (how's your bossa?), song forms, ... Much of this can be applied to your other playing. A lot of jazz bass playing is improvising walking basslines. I find that the better I get at walking, the more freedom of note/rhythm choice I have when playing rock.
I just got home from the gig....and our band did AWESOME. We got asked back tomorrow night, and at least twice a month. Tomorrow I meet with the owners to hammer out the details of the $$$$$.
We played a couple jazzy tunes, and I did fine. Far from a real jazz bass line, but it sounded sweet, and people were smiling as they listened.
-Mike
We played a couple jazzy tunes, and I did fine. Far from a real jazz bass line, but it sounded sweet, and people were smiling as they listened.
-Mike
I'd second Jive's advice. Absolutely. It's all triplets in some form. You must learn to think in triplets, just as you already know how to think in straight time.
When you listen to the bass lines, listen for ghost notes that reinforce the triplet feel. In Jazz, you are mostly going to be walking 1/4 notes. Ghost notes between the strong pulse of 1/4 notes will drive the swing factor through the roof. Don't interpret this to mean that plain O' walking 1/4 notes can't swing. Just listen for the ghost notes and copy the placement of them.
It seems that you are really asking about the feel in general. I would off the following additional advice:
- practice plucking in a swing/shuffle pattern whenever you can - even without a bass. Lead with your ring finger sometimes and your index other times. This will help improve your weaker direction. For me, I'm dominant in that I lead with my ring and hit my index on the beat. It's almost like the index is a grace note. If you work going both directions, it will improve all aspects of your groove.
- the music you listed is all about the GROOVE. IMO, there is no point in playing it if it doesn't groove. So, with that in mind, work hard with the metronome. Try to make it swing with just a click. Forget the drum machine for now. Just a click.
- Since you come from a rock background, you might try some ZZ Top. Rock and blues slammed together. Tush, and La Grange are both great songs for practicing shuffle playing. They are easy and repetitive. Just what you need.
PM me if you want some specifics about Johnny Lang or KWS. I have played a bunch of that stuff.
Good luck and keep a positive attitude. Patience and persistence are the keys here.
When you listen to the bass lines, listen for ghost notes that reinforce the triplet feel. In Jazz, you are mostly going to be walking 1/4 notes. Ghost notes between the strong pulse of 1/4 notes will drive the swing factor through the roof. Don't interpret this to mean that plain O' walking 1/4 notes can't swing. Just listen for the ghost notes and copy the placement of them.
It seems that you are really asking about the feel in general. I would off the following additional advice:
- practice plucking in a swing/shuffle pattern whenever you can - even without a bass. Lead with your ring finger sometimes and your index other times. This will help improve your weaker direction. For me, I'm dominant in that I lead with my ring and hit my index on the beat. It's almost like the index is a grace note. If you work going both directions, it will improve all aspects of your groove.
- the music you listed is all about the GROOVE. IMO, there is no point in playing it if it doesn't groove. So, with that in mind, work hard with the metronome. Try to make it swing with just a click. Forget the drum machine for now. Just a click.
- Since you come from a rock background, you might try some ZZ Top. Rock and blues slammed together. Tush, and La Grange are both great songs for practicing shuffle playing. They are easy and repetitive. Just what you need.
PM me if you want some specifics about Johnny Lang or KWS. I have played a bunch of that stuff.
Good luck and keep a positive attitude. Patience and persistence are the keys here.
GrooveSlave.....man, that is some excellent advice. I REALLY appreciate it. I will be PM'ing you shortly.
I have to agree 100% with you about patience, and persistence. Definitely the key to learning this stuff. I'm still working my butt off. our next gig is the 26th of March.
-Mike
I have to agree 100% with you about patience, and persistence. Definitely the key to learning this stuff. I'm still working my butt off. our next gig is the 26th of March.
-Mike
