What do you all play?

Andrew:

Don't be so quick to think the majority of players are jazzers. I, although not professionally, play almost exclusively classical.

Guys like Don and Reedo pretty much run the gamut.

Then you got David K, how do you put a label on what his group is laying down?

That's kinda what seperates us from the rest of the string world, versatility!!!!!

Pretty cool, huh?

 

I play folk, ballads (lots of bow work), 20's-40's swing (not jump blues - think Fats Waller etc...), Lyle Lovett - type music, groove-oriented acoustic political stuff, and throw in a sprinkle of bluegrass. I guess we aspire to sound like the Guy's All-Star Shoe Band from the Prairie Home Companion radio show. I only switched over to the dark side a little over a year ago and it's been a worthwhile challenge. Oh, and I sing harmony at the same time.

 

Andrew,

I have also noticed a predominance of jazz players (I lump anyone who doesn't play classical into jazz) on the board and was wondering the same thing. If you haven't guessed, I only play classical. I admire those who can play any style of music and especially those who are proficient in many styles such as Don.

Mark

 

I play music. I stopped really worrying about genre distinctions a long time ago, because it ends up being limiting. (If you care to hear what may be the ultimate genre-busting ensemble, check out http://www.cgtrio.com/ ). I've been toying with putting together a similar ensemble with dbs.

-dh

 

I almost hesitate to call myself a "DB-ist", since I just started back in the spring and am thoroughly humbled by the beast every day. But...here I am... I've been playing bluegrass, blues and folky stuff. Not my ultimate goal, but it allows me to actually gig while on the steep uphill side of the learning curve.

Welcome to TB!

 

If we get to wear those sunglasses, I'm in.

 

The majority of my training is in classical music. I played in a bunch of ensembles while in high school, which inspired me to enroll in the University of North Texas. After a terrifying semester of jazz studies, I panicked and jumped back over to "legit" playing. Through a serendipitous discussion with my professor I got to perform with the UNT Wind Symphony for 2.5 years - a truly amazing experience! I dropped of playing for a while (I got a Finance degree), but I later found myself in a rock band, which led to the swing band, which led to .....

The majority of my gigs are with jazz groups, but I have played in a couple of rock groups over the past few years. Jazz-wise, I mostly play swing standards and Sinatra, lounge-style tunes. In the rock arena, I play/have played alt-country, folk, and folk-alternative-jazzy-jamming rock.

I play both double and electric bass, but I feel most connected with the double bass.

 

Proverbial Cross-cut:
Proficiency is in the ear of the beholder, Mark.

Jazz and symphonic for me. I'm not good enough for chamber music. No place to hide.

Believe me, I've done my share of weddings. I still do commercial gigs if the pianist is hip. We can enjoy substitute changes no matter what's going on out front.

Those cgtrio sunglasses wouldn't go over too well with the symphony.

www.ridgewoodsymphony.org

 

I play everything (not just bassrespanse-type stuff, Tim). I've studied Bach (I have the 3rd cello suite pretty well under my fingers); I'm studying orchestral stuff and play in a volunteer orchestra (I hope to be able to get some paying orch. gigs eventually); I've worked in professional pit orchestras; I've played salsa, zydeco, rock (toybass) professionally; but mostly I play jazz...

Playing jazz is my main thing, but I think I do a pretty good job of playing almost anything and everything. I'm a bassist first, the style I'm playing in is second.

 

Ed, you summarized that soooo succinctly! I feel much the same way; after I became debt free, if I'm on a gig where the piano player sucks, I go get another one. If I had a $1 for every stupid "promoter" here in Oklahoma who saw me play and told me that I could work and go on tour with any number of country bands, I'd be rich. Then I get accused here of being a musical "snob" for not really digging playing a) smooth jazz b) country c) contemporary praise and worship music d) rock-a-billy e) blues, using the term loosely, usually refers to R & B

I play what I like, and if this makes me a musical snob so be it. I picked up the bass and was inspired by Mingus and Leroy Vinnegar, so obviously that is what I wanted to play. I have a composition degree and love classical (particularly 20th Century and Baroque), and though my arco chops aren't what they should be, I jump at the chance to play in orchestras. Even more so if they will ever play Ives. And yes, even bluegrass. I grew up with my dad playing it on anything with strings, so I can dig what those cats are saying. I don't do it often since I don't own a Kay , but I had a blast jamming last month with my dad and Byron Berline up in Guthrie, OK.

Bottom line, play what you love and you will always enjoy music. You may get frustrated, but that is what the practice room is for. I certainly didn't become a bassist for the 3 octave scales and the Simandl etudes, but that is part of getting to do what is in my head.

Monte

 

Oooooopppps. Didn't mean to slight your abilities their DK. Merely using you (and in particular bassrespanse) as an exemplar of the the versatility of the bass.

I stand humbly corrected. Request to revise and consent.

 

Oh..so THAT's my problem...

 

This is an interesting question, I've done both and IMO there is exitement in both genres, but to me it is something different for each one.
Personally, I feel there is nothing that compares to the rush you get when you are playing with a full orchestra,as each instument combines to create something greater than itself, the raw power is more intense than any FiElDy solo . And, if the performance goes well, you get the satisfaction of having done justice to the music.
OTOH,The more intimate club setting allows for a greater interaction of performer and audience, and
you get a more immediate flow of energy, as you create lines or solos, and the audience responds,
it's a more instant gratification type of thing. And, once again if the performance goes well, you have the satisfaction of expressing your creativity.

 

doggoneit, Reedo you planted the hammer firmly on the head of the nail. Alright, donosaurus I expect a little one-ups-mone-ship. But did you have to bring FiEldY into this? You know he RULES!!!!!!!

 

?
What's to one-up? My experience is basically the same as reedo. Different feelings, both exhilarating.

Because classical playing is newer to me, and I have so much to learn, and because of the variety of sound you can produce with a bow, if forced to choose, that's probably where I'd go. But I don't want to choose.

 

Man 2 words guns n' roses