yet another "I'm learning how to play jazz bass" question

[calabresi]

Hello everyone,

I've been playing bass for ~20 years now, mostly rock, although I can read a lead sheet when absolutely pressed. I've recently passed my audition for the US Army band, which I'm pretty stoked about. I'll have the opportunity to "stretch out" what I've already learned about jazz bass (not much, admittedly), go to music school, etc.

I do have a big question though that I was hoping to get all y'all's input on: both Rufus Reid and Jamey Aebersold say to memorize the chord changes of the tune that I am learning, which I have no problem doing, however, I was wondering about transposition. When I'm memorizing songs, should I be learning the chords as ii-V7-I or Dm-G7-C? (for example). What is your experience doing this, and what have you found to be effective?

Thanks a lot; this is a great resource (shame I didn't discover it sooner).

-MC-

 

[StyleOverShow]

I usually learn and write out tunes using the Roman Numeral format making it easy to transpose. Go Army!

 

[MalcolmAmos]

...... I was wondering about transposition. When I'm memorizing songs, should I be learning the chords as ii-V7-I or Dm-G7-C? (for example). What is your experience doing this, and what have you found to be effective? -MC-

Congrats on the band. They do not take just everyone. On bass - In a cover band situation using sheet music the ii-V7-I works well because all you really need to know is the key - you place the root and grab the degrees of the scale. Next vocalist at the next gig may ask for this song to be played in the key of A. Fine you do not have to transpose chord names just place your root pattern and play scale degrees ii-V7-I in A. Understand here I'm playing notes

On acoustic guitar I like to see Dm-G7-C because I can use a capo if the vocalist wants it in the key of A. Here I'm playing chords. I have a friend that uses ii-V7-I for all his rhythm guitar sheet music. He plays in several bands and adapts for the different vocalists.

One way I'm thinking scale degrees another way I'm thinking chord names.

 

[Febs]

On acoustic guitar I like to see Dm-G7-C because I can use a capo if the vocalist wants it in the key of A.

You would need to capo on the 9th fret to transpose from your example into the key of A. That is really limiting the functional range of the guitar.

 

[INTP]

I find it easier to learn (remember) tunes when I focus on the numbers rather than the names of the chords in that key. I think the reason is that songs usually follow the key (e.g. the 2 chord is minor in a major key, etc.), which just makes more sense to me. Also, there are a lot of patterns that get repeated in many songs, in part or in whole. This requires some basic knowledge of theory, but thinking about it also helps reinforce that theory, so there is some synergy.

It also seems to help with ear training, as it gives me a language for the chords and intervals that I'm hearing in a relative as opposed to absolute sense. I think this also makes transposing easier (another synergy).

That's how my brain works, anyway.