Double Bass Tips on playing with a piano-bass duo?

[Groove Doctor]

Learn to switch roles quickly - walking, soloing, trading 4's etc.

The crowd ain't dancing so you don't need to get stuck in the rut of walking/ driving the beat.

In ballads:
Explore melodic counterpoint lines, like cello, maybe even bowing.

Sometimes just playing the regular melody on bass for the head (intro, ending), then into a relaxed 2-feel (minims), etc makes for nice variation.

 

[scrubhelmet]

Update: So I jammed with my pianist friend a while. And also, she apparently played with the jazz bar's house band in a show, so she's really way above me in terms of skill now. But it also meant I've learned a lot of things from her.

I've listened to This One's For Blanton, but not yet to the point that I can remember each track distinctly. I just felt that the bassist is keeping it simple while having some call and response, so I did the same. However, after doing so in our first tune, my pianist friend told me that maybe it's better if I become more active during head out. Anyway, while we played over the tunes, we'd experimented with different stuff; sometimes she'd want me to just focus on the root notes and play less; it depends on the song. Also she told me that bossa nova is actually played softly; I only learned this today. I was under the impression that bossa nova is like other Latin music until we jammed, especially since I felt that the bassist of Joe Henderson played actively in their recordings of Blue Bossa and Recorda Me.

I think the more we played, the more we could feel about what both of us want to do. She eventually recorded some stuff and I think I had minimal mistakes this time (it should be, after going through the trouble of practicing the songs that she asked me to play). There were times she played really extended turnarounds and solos and I think I was able to feel when she's still on fire and when she wants to end.

 

[bass player 53]

Since you mentioned Joe Henderson,
I suggest you check out his
'Double Rainbow' album. It's available
on YouTube. Herbie's solo on 'No More
Blues' is truly mind blowing. The tune
is at the 42 minute mark.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Communication is so important with these gigs. The piano has to leave room for the bass. The bass has to be willing to play parts they don't ordinarily play.

 

[Treyzer]

Congratulations on your gig. There's no better way to learn that to get out there and play live gigs regularly!

You might enjoy this playlist of Piano-Bass Duo jazz. Disclaimer: This contains a fair amount of my own albums, plus loads of other great duo recordings. Here's the Apple version if you prefer that.

If anyone has suggestions for my playlist that I haven't included, let me know.

What an incredible list! You've just supplied this months listening sessions. One question, Why no Bill Evans/Scott LaFaro or did I miss something?

 

[John Goldsby]

What an incredible list! You've just supplied this months listening sessions. One question, Why no Bill Evans/Scott LaFaro or did I miss something?

Hey Trey! The playlist is only piano-bass playing in duo…no drums

 

[Treyzer]

Hey Trey! The playlist is only piano-bass playing in duo…no drums

Of course you're right John. Kind of missed the duo thing. Bet if he'd lived a longer fuller life we would have some duo recordings with his incredible playing to enjoy and marvel at.

 

[bass player 53]

I don't know if anyone's mentioned
the Bill Evans/ Eddie Gomez studio
album 'Intuition'.

Ok, I see a cut from John's fantastic
list. Thank-you John.

 

[John Goldsby]

What an incredible list! You've just supplied this months listening sessions. One question, Why no Bill Evans/Scott LaFaro or did I miss something?

Of course you're right John. Kind of missed the duo thing. Bet if he'd lived a longer fuller life we would have some duo recordings with his incredible playing to enjoy and marvel at.

One of my favourite piano-bass duo recordings is Bill Evans Eddie Gomez — Montreux III. They knew each other so well by then, and Eddie just sounds amazing on the recording. It's on "the playlist," as well as the Intuition album. Thx @bass player 53!

 

[tinyd]

Congratulations on your gig. There's no better way to learn that to get out there and play live gigs regularly!

You might enjoy this playlist of Piano-Bass Duo jazz. Disclaimer: This contains a fair amount of my own albums, plus loads of other great duo recordings. Here's the Apple version if you prefer that.

If anyone has suggestions for my playlist that I haven't included, let me know.

Fantastic playlist - thanks for sharing @John Goldsby. Kudos for including "The Oracle" - I was lucky enough to see Dave Holland play it at Ronnie Scott's in London when he first recorded it on Extensions (early 90s), but I think I prefer this version....

 

[Treyzer]

To this point... here's Ray and Duke Ellington in duo. I need to listen to this album more.

That's so good

 

[FMD1983]

One of my favourite piano-bass duo recordings is Bill Evans Eddie Gomez — Montreux III. They knew each other so well by then, and Eddie just sounds amazing on the recording. It's on "the playlist," as well as the Intuition album. Thx @bass player 53!

Yeah! It's one of my all time favourites! Even the check in the beginning if the bass is in tune is already music!

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I just found this Ron Carter/Donald Vega duo performance from the 2024 DC Jazzfest. It took place only a week after Russell Malone passed in Japan, so it's just the duo.

 

[tinyd]

Only just got round to giving the list a decent listen - really enjoying your own stuff @John Goldsby, particularly The Visit - lovely playing!

 

[John Goldsby]

Only just got round to giving the list a decent listen - really enjoying your own stuff @John Goldsby, particularly The Visit - lovely playing!

Thanks very much for listening @tinyd — It's interesting to me to hear the various musical approaches and also the recording technology that each recording demonstrates

 

[Treyzer]

One of my favourite piano-bass duo recordings is Bill Evans Eddie Gomez — Montreux III. They knew each other so well by then, and Eddie just sounds amazing on the recording. It's on "the playlist," as well as the Intuition album. Thx @bass player 53!

John, having trouble listening to tunes on your list. Do i need a spotify account? I will admit to being technology challenged

 

[John Goldsby]

John, having trouble listening to tunes on your list. Do i need a spotify account? I will admit to being technology challenged

Hey Trey, if you don't have Spotify or the app, then the link should open up your browser on your computer or on your phone and then you're just in the free spotify website. You should be able to play the tracks from there. There is also the same playlist on Apple and you can access that here.