John Robinson

[matthewbrown]

I came across this video of the Valerie Capers Trio playing live, with John Robinson on bass guitar. I was struck by his technique, which seems drawn entirely from URB pizz -- the bass guitar is vertical, and his right hand attack is very much like what a DB player would use. I was wondering if anyone knew more about this player and his approach. NOTE: Lots of Christmas songs -- note the date of the recording!Valerie Capers Trio Live

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I know nothing of him, other than he teaches cello at The Bronx Conservatory of Music.

His left hand technique is also very much DB-oriented.

 

[Michedelic]

I came across this video of the Valerie Capers Trio playing live, with John Robinson on bass guitar. I was struck by his technique, which seems drawn entirely from URB pizz -- the bass guitar is vertical, and his right hand attack is very much like what a DB player would use. I was wondering if anyone knew more about this player and his approach. NOTE: Lots of Christmas songs -- note the date of the recording!Valerie Capers Trio Live

I know nothing of him, other than he teaches cello at The Bronx Conservatory of Music.

His left hand technique is also very much DB-oriented.

Very interesting, I wonder, since he’s focus on cello, if he tunes in fourths or fifths.
His posture/positioning while playing does look a bit awkward…I’m curious if he is aware of this:

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Very interesting, I wonder, since he’s focus on cello, if he tunes in fourths or fifths.
His posture/positioning while playing does look a bit awkward…I’m curious if he is aware of this:

It looks like he tunes in 4th - octaves are in the normal position for 4ths. He has good facility running up and down that neck, though.

 

[matthewbrown]

It looks like he tunes in 4th - octaves are in the normal position for 4ths. He has good facility running up and down that neck, though.

Yes, this approach seems to be working very well for him in this context. I think his technical approach, because it's based on URB, leads him to playing more idiomatically, something I've been working on lately by copping URB licks from Patittucci, Ray Brown and Ron Carter and using them on EB.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Very interesting, I wonder, since he’s focus on cello, if he tunes in fourths or fifths.
His posture/positioning while playing does look a bit awkward…I’m curious if he is aware of this:

That sounds great.

 

[Michedelic]

Yes, this approach seems to be working very well for him in this context. I think his technical approach, because it's based on URB, leads him to playing more idiomatically, something I've been working on lately by copping URB licks from Patittucci, Ray Brown and Ron Carter and using them on EB.

Not quite the same music, instrument, or positioning, but this British bassist(Tab Martin)went for the upright style back in the 60’s/70’s…

 

[bassbrad]

Interesting adaptation of technique there, There are a few players that play both cello and string bass, many jazz players started on cello like Ron Carter and Percy Heath. I recall seeing Charles Fambrough play electric bass in a similar style. Also there was a bass player with the Gipsy Kings playing a Takamine acoustic bass guitar that also played similarly.

 

[RandomKaren]

That is really interesting, he is holding the bass viola de gamba style.