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Was Jaco completely self taught?
- Thread starter David A. Davis
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No, he did not have formal education. His father worked in local big bands and Jaco learned in the classic way on the bandstand for the most part. He didn't learn to read music until 1972 when he was tutored on the band bus by bandmates while he was touring with soul singer Wayne Cochran. It was only four years later that his debut album was released (he wrote all the charts himself) along with his first album with Weather Report and his first with Joni Mitchell. That leaves little question that he had a natural talent for music 
I am of the mindset that a formal music education can actually get in the way of truly artistic composition.
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Jaco didn't have a formal musical education. But I wouldn't say he was "self taught." He learned from some of the greats!
...some of these 'greats' were local area musicians, too.
Jaco admits he was a sponge. In other words, he soaked up everything.
Jaco admits he was a sponge. In other words, he soaked up everything.
As for playing technique - I would guess that someone showed him basics, at least.
Finger per fret, right hand picking, muting - he had everything right from the start.
Finger per fret, right hand picking, muting - he had everything right from the start.
Maybe.
As someone who came up with no help as far as bass technique back in the Stone Age (no web, videos, recording devices, etc. for the most part... save the ocassional TV performance that had to be viewed in real time
), these are all things that one can figure out on their own. You determine what the issue is and develop a strategy to address it.Can you/are you willing to say what it was that gave you this mindset?
It's limiting. Look at what has been created and who created it, and you'll see for yourself.
In his own words he was a practice and playing junkie. His stamina on stage was as impressive as his speed and articulation in his early years. He attributed it to never passing on a chance to sit in and learn from anyone and everyone. There are many YouTube interviews of him intimating as much.
Looking as I type. Miles, Mingus, LaFaro, Ron Carter, Coltrane, Bill Evans, Charlie Haden, Anthony Jackson, James Jamerson, Ray Brown, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Linda Oh, Pat Metheny, Burt Bacharach, Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, Paul Chambers, Dave Brubeck, Christian McBride, Reginald Veal, McCoy Tyner, Tony Williams, Art Blakey, Jobim, Tania Maria, Lalo Schifrin, Neal Hefti, ... all these people are musically literate. I may be missing something, but that something falls short of proving your point.
I'll restate my previous question a bit differently... what's been created (exactly) that makes you believe musical literacy is an impediment to creativity? I'm asking for something a bit more specific than what you provided in your previous post.
You're looking in wrong direction. Here's something to get you started.
It's just a formalized system for storing information, namely, how to play a song. I don't see how that would eliminate your creativity. Writers can be quite creative and they use a formal system for storing information called English (or other language).
I'd say it's augmenting. Doesn't say anything about creativity or skill, but helps you record music.
There are some writers who can write good English but have terrible stories to tell or styles of writing that don't keep you engaged.
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You're looking in wrong direction. Here's something to get you started.
...and finished, lol. Man, be serious. These two ^^ are fun in their element, I suppose, but I'm talking about music, period, not popularity. I guess I could throw Lionel Richie in with this couple, but he's musically literate.
When it gets to the point where Gatemouth Brown and Mick Jagger are examples of superior musical creativity, there probably isn't much convincing that can be done.
With all due respect, can we stay on topic here. We can start another thread to discuss it, but for this one let's stay on the genius that was Jaco.
You get that from guitarists a lot that reference Jimi Hendrix, but I'd argue Jimi Hendrix knew music theory. There are times where he's transitioning chords to other forms that shows understanding.
Reading/writing music is just unrelated to creativity in my mind. It's an additional skill. One would still need the music theory knowledge to play nice with others, however it's learned.
Fair!
I will remove myself from the convo as I was looking for info on that too. I don't know Jaco's work all that well.
As would I.
Actually, I think the narrative that great music necessarily lacks a proper educational foundation is perpetuated by guys who can't/won't make the effort to increase their own literacy. Sour grapes and all.
BTW, I know full well that's Keith Richards and John Lee Hooker. The idea that either would be used as some sort of example, compared to what I listed, is what caused me to post out of amusement. And that's from somebody who likes pretty much everything about 70s pop. I simply know when I want to eat healthy and when I want Cap'n Crunch. I like all kinds of food, but I don't rate them equally.
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