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Music & ensemble configuration?

Discussion in 'Music [DB]' started by Octavian, Dec 18, 2014.

  1. Dec 18, 2014 #1
    Octavian

    Octavian Supporting Member

    Sep 25, 2009
    I'm coming up on a year of study on the double bass and would like to explore gigging options with a small duo/trio/quartet. The band I play electric bass (and sometimes double bass) with has connections to get us into minor league gallery openings, restaurants and may be the occasional private party.

    The trick is what is a popular and aesthetically pleasing configuration for such a group? In addition to the bass, I have a pianist/clarinetist/aspiring flutist in one musician...and that's it. I'd like to add at least one more instrument (violin?)...if we can find someone...and am open to suggestions.

    And, I'd love to hear your suggestions on what music recommendations for "acoustic wallpaper" type gigs like these. What I've seen for double bass and clarinet seems more oriented toward a dissertation performance instead of pleasant ambient music.
     
  2. Dec 18, 2014 #2
    Ed Fuqua

    Ed Fuqua

    Dec 13, 1999
    Columbia SC
    Chuck Sher publishes my book, WALKING BASSICS:The Fundamentals of Jazz Bass Playing.
    ChristineButler199of213.jpg
     
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  3. Dec 18, 2014 #3
    Don Kasper

    Don Kasper Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 30, 2012
    Los Angeles/Burbank, CA
    I find this to be "Pleasant Ambient Music"...
    YMMV.

     
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  4. Dec 18, 2014 #4
    Tom Lane

    Tom Lane Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 28, 2011
    Southwest Los Angeles, CA, USA
    You can't beat Eric for some quiet background music to support entertaining conversation, can you? And he swings too! ;)
     
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  5. Dec 19, 2014 #5
    Nathan Levine

    Nathan Levine Supporting Member

    Apr 25, 2008
    Anchorage, AK
    Sounds like you have the makings of a Hot Club type ensemble. Get a jazz guitarist or two looking for a reason to drop some coin on fancy Dupont guitars, tell them to simplify things a bit in their left hand and really focus on their right hand. Finding a swingin' violinist is key and if the clarinetist can really play then that might work as well. Spend lots of time with a metronome keeping your new fresh beats moving along at a nice clip and voila... you'll be gigging with the newest iteration of a hot club du somewhere ensemble. Good luck!
     
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  6. Dec 19, 2014 #6
    Ed Fuqua

    Ed Fuqua

    Dec 13, 1999
    Columbia SC
    Chuck Sher publishes my book, WALKING BASSICS:The Fundamentals of Jazz Bass Playing.
    .
     
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  7. Dec 19, 2014 #7
    Carl Hillman

    Carl Hillman

    Jan 1, 2010
    I second the idea of a guitarist.

    Get somebody who can play some jazz on an arch top and also pull off a little acoustic classical. That opens up a pretty wide range of styles you could cover as a trio.