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Jazz and the Bass Guitar

#141
thepontif said:
My teacher took me on as a student on the condition that I'd start studying the acoustic bass. Note, not that I'd have to "switch", but that he felt to be a well rounded player you needed to do both. And with that I strongly agree. To be a REALLY well rounded bass musician, obviously the more you can do, the more well rounded you are. So playing both instruments sort of comes with the territory IMO.
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+a lot, also on your long post. Same thing happened to me a long time ago with my teacher, and it changed my ears permanently. I think that's why the jazz guys I've played with didn't so much mind me on EB. :D I don't have a DB now, but I'm thinking about a Baby when I get the scratch.
 
#142
okcrum said:
+a lot, also on your long post. Same thing happened to me a long time ago with my teacher, and it changed my ears permanently. I think that's why the jazz guys I've played with didn't so much mind me on EB. :D I don't have a DB now, but I'm thinking about a Baby when I get the scratch.
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I'll do another +1 on this. When I play my Rob Allen Mouse, it sounds like me on a Rob Allen. When some of my DB playing buddies play it, it REALLY sounds like a DB... much is in the approach versus the pure tone. I agree totally.
 
#147
I understand the 'debate' ..........I play what we used to call 'The Wood'......I was a snob
like a lot of cats.................then when I was much younger a guy came along named 'Jaco'........................never more a 'debate' for me..........Musicians take and make music and create.....................my fav's....Paul Chambers..Scott LaFaro..Stanley Clark..
...Jaco................
 
#148
whats.........with.............all............the............dots?

majormishap said:
I understand the 'debate' ..........I play what we used to call 'The Wood'......I was a snob
like a lot of cats.................then when I was much younger a guy came along named 'Jaco'........................never more a 'debate' for me..........Musicians take and make music and create.....................my fav's....Paul Chambers..Scott LaFaro..Stanley Clark..
...Jaco................
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#149
I played both the upright and the electric bass in strait ahead jazz. Obviously the upright sound more like we used to. But if you really have to play an electric bass I think a fretless is welcome. Well in my case I didn't have any problem being accepted with a fretless bass.
 
#153
Hey I love this thread, every now and again I come back to re-read and/or make sure I haven't missed any new electric bassists doing the jazz thing. It's been a while since it's been "bumped" so I thought I'd add another electric bassist to my list of killer jazz players.

I just got my Youtube subscription update this morning and there is a bass player in Sweden who is quickly becoming one of my favorite bass players.

Johan Hansen Larson - Electric Bass
Here's a good one, his tone and feel are incredible...this guy has everything. Plus, he's a member here. I'm not sure how often he posts but he's around. Definitely one of my new favorites!
 
#154
I did an Aebersold Jazz Camp 9 years ago & definitely felt that it was a case of "us & them" between the EB & DB players (the bass class was pretty evenly split between the two types of instrument). In hindsight, I can understand why DB is more suited to playing in a more traditional format.

However, I still enjoy learning to play walking lines on the electric. :hiding:
 
#156
bassbrad said:
As long as there is this rift in our camp how can we expect other musicians to change their prejudices?
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I think I was probably a bit vague with my post (apologies). The DB students came across as being a bit elitist - it felt like we were looked down upon as playing an instrument that didn't belong in the "standards environment". Good thing was that both John Goldsby & Bob Sinicrope were pretty cool about us EB players being there (John Goldsby is a top dude in my estimation, as well as being a great DB player).
 
#157
I think it is fine to have 2 camps. We bassists are a large population with lots of opinions. There does not need to be agreement on these matters. Nor is there a "right answer." If you don't want EB on your gig, just hire someone else. I got into a jazz band, playing standards, by forming the group myself. I got the jobs that we do. Nobody complains. I try to get a tone that sits nicely in the mix and doesn't draw attention to itself and nobody much notices the absence of UB.
 
#158
bassbrad said:
As long as there is this rift in our camp how can we expect other musicians to change their prejudices?
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It's not prejudice. People that have a preference have heard both instruments. That makes their opinion one formed by experience.

Obviously these instruments sound different. Musicians cannot argue against having an opinion about sound; practically every thing we do as musicians involves acting on opinions about sounds.
 

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