Janek’s bass lines does not really swing to my ears although the drummer is certainly swinging. That said, his playing is fine and fits the song.
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Is he swinging?
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
Janek’s bass lines does not really swing to my ears although the drummer is certainly swinging. That said, his playing is fine and fits the song.
I hear what you mean, Doc. He’s playing half-time pretty much throughout the tune, and it builds a lot of tension that never gets released. I’d probably like to hear him switch to quarter-note walking at some point to relieve the tension. As far as swing, I agree, I’d like to hear more of the triplet feel in his playing …. His playing is more than fine otherwise! 
Fine playing, classy and tasty, but yeah, I agree, wouldn't say it's a great example of "swing" in general, there were a few spots maybe, but this felt more straight-ahead to me.
I was always told that Swing is defined by the interaction of a walking bass line and a ride cymbal. So, I get what you mean. It definitely was not swinging hard. But, he is a tremendous player either way.
Maybe not swing in the most basic sense but to my ear what does swing, hard, in this clip are his embellishments, grace notes, etc. The little notes which IMO are perfectly placed on whatever subdivision of the beat he aims for. Can't say I can do that as well.
Definitely does not swing. He's even playing off the downbeat. Tone is great! He gets to where he's almost swinging then he stops.
Needs a full swing intervention!
Needs a full swing intervention!
His head swings, but the bass line - not so much, IMHO.
Wow, that’s awesome. I’m going to buck the trend here and say that while what he does play is swung, he’s making choices creatively outwardly feel very tense and don’t quite “give” you the expected swing groove. But it’s still there, kind of.
Its there when it's there. And it's represented by the drums and piano when it's present as well. It's an enjoyable listen as an ensemble.
With that type of electric bass where the notes have long sustain and sound much clearer, I find it a bit more challenging to swing in the traditional sense where the swing is mostly provided by the upright bass (or an instrument where notes come out with much shorter sustain). For this kind of music, which I play 50-60% of the time, I prefer playing a Precision bass (rather than my 5-string Foderas) with flats and a mute at the bridge. That way I can attack the notes more aggressively and I definitely play in front of the beat, and I feel like the music swings much better. Of course, IMHO and IME...
Cant say for sure, but hes better than me, whatever hes doing.
On another note, is that a short scale bass, or is he a giant?
T$
He's a great player, but I'm not feeling this one. This sounds like a guy that's learned all the notes but doesn't have the internal groove/feel.
BobDeRosa
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- May 16, 2012
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He's a fine player and certainly can swing, but here he seems to choose a sparser accompaniment.
I love Janek Gwizdala’s playing and I know for sure he can swing. But swing lives in the 8th notes, and since he plays few of them in that clip it’s hard to tell.
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Here’s an electric bass swinging.
Patitucci produced Janek’s “The Union” album which I think is his best.
Patitucci produced Janek’s “The Union” album which I think is his best.
I never suggested that Janek Gwizdala can’t swing, I just asked if he was swinging in the link I shared. Dude is a virtuoso who can pretty much play whatever he wants to play.
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First rule of swing - lay back - relax. Second play a little behind the beat, with emphasis on 2 and 4. Third do not play ahead of the beat. You push it, you lose your swing, as he demonstrates very well here. Go listen to Ray Brown's sense of time and placement. THAT's swing.
