Klezmer

[Marial]

I am learning to love Klezmer music and I'd like to learn how to play it. To start off, are there common forms in the music as far as the bass goes? Also, are there any books dedicated to this music?

There are some folks around who do pay Klezmer but before I ask if it would be okay for me to jam with them I'd like to brush up and at least learn a little first.

Thanks!

 

[nancyr]

YouTube is your friend here. If you're listening to Klezmer already you probably already have a sense of the chords and rhythms, so add to that watching what the bass players typically do -- lots of roots and fifths, walking up from the V to the i, etc.

 

[kesslari]

Bit of necro posting, but...
Learn and listen for the "oy vey" rhythm, which is a 3/3/2. Really drives a lot of the tunes.

Also, wanted to share this - a bit of klezmer music on fretless bass.

Fretless makes a pretty cool clarinet substitute