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Playing Jazz Without a Horn?

A

Atticus

May 26, 2010
156
0
Memphis, TN
#1
So, I've been putting together a little instrumental jazz combo, to play mostly fusion but also some post-bop and modal stuff. I've got a good drummer, I've got a decent guitarist, I've got a lead on some keys, and I consider myself to be a good enough bassist to do well (although I'm looking for a jazz bass teacher to improve). However, at the high school level all the good trumpet and sax players seem to already be in their school jazz bands and don't have time to do my little combo. The guitarist knows his chords but is not great with scales, so I'm not sure I can trust him with the melody all the time.

Can a jazz group do well using mostly keys to handle the melody, or do I need to start really digging for a horn?
 
#2
Atticus said:
So, I've been putting together a little instrumental jazz combo, to play mostly fusion but also some post-bop and modal stuff. I've got a good drummer, I've got a decent guitarist, I've got a lead on some keys, and I consider myself to be a good enough bassist to do well (although I'm looking for a jazz bass teacher to improve). However, at the high school level all the good trumpet and sax players seem to already be in their school jazz bands and don't have time to do my little combo. The guitarist knows his chords but is not great with scales, so I'm not sure I can trust him with the melody all the time.

Can a jazz group do well using mostly keys to handle the melody, or do I need to start really digging for a horn?
Click to expand...
keys and guitar can both solo and comp,so you can go horn-less.....but if your geetar guy is weak,you won't be doing any jazz,even if you had charlie parker on alto
 
#9
We do guitar, keys, bass and drums. Sounds great. We do lots. Of guitar oriented stuff - like Pat Metheny. It's also easier to control volume for those uptight background music gigs - of which there are many.
 
#10
I choose to assume critics of piano/bass/drums are just being facetious, or just haven't heard some good things done with that lineup.



I guess I should clarify a few things. The drummer is the secondary drummer from my school jazz band, looking to play for more than two songs a gig. He's excellent. The guitarist is one of two from the jazz band, looking for a chance to play a bigger role in a smaller band. I play fretted electric bass, working on learning fretless (and I play tuba, but that's sort of useless without a huge New Orleans brass section :P). I guess I could blow over a lot of stuff, but I don't want to make myself seem like a showoff just because I'm the band leader.

I guess I could ax the guitar and find a singer. It wouldn't be my first choice of tunes but it would be good for practicing traditional jazz.
 
#12
Since we are talking about students and the trumpet and sax guys, "star" horn players are locked up already be creative. Give the trombone player a shot, or the clarinet player who lost the lottery and couldn't get the modern cool instrument the sax a try. Maybe some of the string players who was put in beginning strings instead of beginning woodwinds in Middle School
 
#13
Atticus said:
I choose to assume critics of piano/bass/drums are just being facetious, or just haven't heard some good things done with that lineup.



I guess I should clarify a few things. The drummer is the secondary drummer from my school jazz band, looking to play for more than two songs a gig. He's excellent. The guitarist is one of two from the jazz band, looking for a chance to play a bigger role in a smaller band. I play fretted electric bass, working on learning fretless (and I play tuba, but that's sort of useless without a huge New Orleans brass section :P). I guess I could blow over a lot of stuff, but I don't want to make myself seem like a showoff just because I'm the band leader.

I guess I could ax the guitar and find a singer. It wouldn't be my first choice of tunes but it would be good for practicing traditional jazz.
Click to expand...
i guess i shoulda used a smiley......i've got a room full of oscar peterson,bill evans,bud powell,art tatum,keith jarrett,piano trio type stuff......
 
#15
Yeah, the Internet doesn't handle sarcasm well.

Unfortunately this might swiftly become a dead end issue since my lead on keys fell through, and I really don't want to try power trio jazz. But it'll be good to file away for future reference.
 
#16
When I was a young 'un, we went with whoever we could get. I think it's better to get into somebody's living room and just play for fun, than sit at home waiting for the right band to come along. If something begins to form out of the void, it might attract a few more players.
 

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