Bass

[kcp]

Anyone else here who also play bass?
I recently started playing bass (electric) I enjoy it very much. I'm looking for more ideas of "must learn" material besides walkings cause I'm already pretty good at that. Any suggestions?

[Noel Mac]

I play bass. But I studied guitar for a few years and then taught myself a fair amount. I like to play along with jazz tunes, maybe where it is just a duo with a horn and a piano and play along with the changes. I like to transcribe walking lines and play along with them.

[Bootman]

Yes, played bass for years, I often gig on bass in Blues, Reggae, Calypso bands. Ask away.

[Mike W]

OK, I took the plunge and bought an electric bass today and signed up for lessons. The first lesson is next Tuesday. My question to you bass doublers is what are the benifits of playing bass that transfer to sax (other than learning to stay in the groove--which I need to get better at for sure) and are there any potential problems that learning bass might cause with playing sax?

[Bootman]

No problems that I know of, the doubling of Bass to sax is a different head space but each is cool. Your biggest initial problem is going to be the hand stretch on the LH and callouses on both hands.

[Mike W]

Bootman--Thanks!

[Subtone Sam]

I don´t but I wish I did! Theres lots of gigs for bassplayers.Would be a big help when saxgigs are far between (like now :(

[Bootman]

BAss is lots of fun. I would recommend that every sax player learns one rhythm section instrument, it helps out your sax playing in ways that are hard to explain.

[Merlin]

BAss is lots of fun. I would recommend that every sax player learns one rhythm section instrument, it helps out your sax playing in ways that are hard to explain.

A great Idea Boot!

Three of my sax player friends and I are toying with the idea of doing a quartet gig on piano, vibes, bass and drums...our rhythm section doubles.

[Mike W]

'BAss is lots of fun. I would recommend that every sax player learns one rhythm section instrument, it helps out your sax playing in ways that are hard to explain.--Bootman"

You hit the nail exactly on the head as to why I want to learn bass!

[max]

I used to play the bass - I had an electric in high school, and did well with the acoustic in "string techniques" when I was a mus. ed. major. I should pick it up again... it is very cool, and good bass players are always in demand.

Then again, if I got to that point, I might never get any more saxophone gigs! :?

[Carl H.]

[quote="max"]I used to play the bass - I had an electric in high school, and did well with the acoustic in "string techniques" when I was a mus. ed. major. I should pick it up again... it is very cool, and good bass players are always in demand."

Even crummy bass players can get gigs on a regular basis. Get decent equipment (decent=able to be played in tune) and learn the basics. I acquired a bass in 1999 (old king with a history) and started getting gigs in 2000. It is tough on the finger tips but with care and scheduled practice (not all at once, a little bit throughout the day, just like building up your embouchure) you will be in playing shape in no time.

[beth]

i love bass - im saving up some $$ to get a decent one, i found a yamaha i like for $170, so once i have the money, i'll learn bass :]
and when i eventually take string-tech ill be sure to learn upright

[Bootman]

Bass has got me a lot of work over the years, it gives you another string to your bow when gigs get quiet. Play your bass as you would want to have it played for you.

[Troy]

I play a little electric bass from time to time. Have been doing that about 10 years now. Only the simple stuff, but it's surprising how much one can add while only playing simple stuff. It's fun!

I just got out to hear Pearl Django and they have an awesome upright bass player (well, they're all awesome). Now I have the bug to learn that one day. Any recommendations on wonderful-sounding-but-cheap upright basses?

Troy

[max]

Play your bass as you would want to have it played for you.

That's why I won't be giggin' on bass anytime soon! :D

[paulwl]

Does anybody here slap? I've been toying with the idea for awhile, mostly because so few bass players in NYC want to do it or learn how. There are about 3 who will do it and they're very busy...

[Josh]

I used to slap, but I kinda started getting more heavily into jazz and stopped. It's good stuff, but not for me.

[Bootman]

Paul,
Funk slapping and Popping on Electrric bass or Slapping on a Double Bass as in the Rockabilly tradition?

[Sam]

Hey, folks, check out www.TalkBass.com

The Double Bass forum, in particular, has a really high signal-to-noise quotient.

[kcp]

...My question to you bass doublers is what are the benifits of playing bass that transfer to sax...

With a few months of practicing it, I really like it and for me it helped not only rythmically but helped to reinforce my attention span. Before I was often not always paying close attention to chord progressions as I improvised with sax. I find that bass obliges you to stay focus and to pay attention to every little changes. Aswell as helped to reinforce general music knowledge, and develop new patterns. Definately, my sax playing has also improved since.

[Mike W]

After only two lessons on Bass so far I remain confused, uncoordinated, and fumble-fingered (Ok, so it's not too different from me on sax), But it certainly is fun!